Qingming Festival and spring breaks fuel travel surge

People's Daily Online) 17:28, April 03, 2026

Tourists go sightseeing at a scenic spot in Kunshan, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Photo/Wang Jianzhong)

Many Chinese families are planning extended trips this spring as a number of primary and middle schools introduce spring breaks coinciding with the Qingming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, holiday in early April.

Data from online travel agency LY.com show that nearly 25 percent of Qingming holiday travelers are families with children, a noticeable rise from previous years. Group tours focused on educational trips, museums and seaside vacations are especially popular, with over 60 percent of families choosing four- to five-day itineraries.

Yang Han, a researcher at the Big Data Research Institute of online travel platform Qunar, noted that combining spring breaks with the Qingming Festival has effectively stimulated domestic demand. Cities that offer spring breaks are not only sending more tourists elsewhere but also implementing favorable policies to attract visitors.

Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Sichuan and other provinces are piloting spring breaks, with many timed to coincide with the Qingming Festival. Data from LY.com show that since mid-March, travel bookings in Nanjing, Suzhou and Chengdu have risen sharply.

Cheng Chaogong, chief researcher at the Tongcheng Research Institute, noted that the extended holiday period is likely to create new opportunities for integrating education with cultural tourism. As spring and autumn breaks are rolled out more widely, they are expected to further boost cultural tourism consumption.

For many travelers, enjoying blossoms and spring outings has become a centerpiece of the Qingming Festival, with more creative and diverse experiences emerging this year.

Since early spring, online travel agency Tuniu has rolled out a range of driving tour packages in destinations such as Nanjing, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Kunming, Chengdu, Chongqing, Suzhou and Jiaxing. The packages combine flower-viewing with a range of accommodation options such as hotels, B&Bs and campsites, and often include nearby attractions like hot springs, local food and leisure activities.

Tourists enjoy coffee while admiring rapeseed flowers in Ji'an county, Huzhou city, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Photo/Chen Haiwei)

The holidays have also fueled Chinese tourists' interest in traveling abroad.

Visa-free destinations remain the top choice, according to Wei Jian, head of the travel research institute under online travel service provider Mafengwo. Popular options include Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Bali, Chiang Mai, Singapore, Kota Kinabalu, Phuket, Seoul and Jeju Island.

Inbound tourism is continuing to grow steadily. Recent data from online travel platform Ctrip show a sharp rise in inbound travel during the holiday period, with total bookings by foreign tourists eligible to enter China visa-free increasing nearly 90 percent year on year.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
WASHINGTON, April 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump posted "Tuesday, 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time!" on social media on Sunday, a message that appeared to signal a possible extension of the deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

On March 21, Trump threatened to "hit and obliterate" Iranian power plants if the country fails to fully open the strait within 48 hours. Two days later, he postponed strikes on power plants for five days, claiming to have held "productive conversations" with Tehran.

On March 26, Trump again pushed the deadline back, saying that he will pause planned strikes on Iranian energy facilities for 10 days, to April 6, the upcoming Monday at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. On Saturday, Trump reaffirmed that Iran has 48 hours to strike a deal on opening up the strait or face "Hell."

However, in the post on Sunday, Trump appeared to hint at extending the deadline for Iran to reopen the strait for another time.

In a post earlier Sunday, the U.S. president threatened that Tuesday would be "Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one" for Iran, and again urged Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz.

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal on Sunday, Trump threatened to destroy all of Iran's power plants if the country's leaders don't agree to reopen the strait by Tuesday evening.

"If they don't come through, if they want to keep it closed, they're going to lose every power plant and every other plant they have in the whole country," Trump said.

In a phone interview with Fox, Trump said that a deal to end the conflict in Iran could be reached by Monday.

However, Trump's optimism does not seem to be echoed by the other side. Iran has rejected a U.S. proposal for a 48-hour ceasefire, which was recently sent through one of its "friendly countries," the semi-official Fars news agency reported Friday, citing a source. 
Dr. Ricardo Cigarroa speaks at La Ladrillera Park on June 11, 2025. David Gomez Jr./Laredo Morning Times Pictured is Doctors Hospital of Laredo, located at 10700 McPherson Rd. in Laredo, Texas. Laredo Morning Times Pictured is Laredo Medical Center, located at 1700 E Saunders St. in Laredo, Texas. Jose De La Rosa/Laredo Morning Times

A long-running legal battle over control of heart care in Laredo went before a federal appeals court this week, as judges heard arguments in a case pitting Doctors Hospital of Laredo against cardiologist Dr. Ricardo Cigarroa and Laredo Medical Center.

The case, argued this past week before the 5th U.S. Court of Appeals in New Orleans, centers on allegations of attempted monopolization of the local cardiology market.

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The dispute traces back to changes in Laredos cardiology landscape beginning around 2020, when competition among hospitals and physicians began intensifying.

According to appellate filings with the 5th U.S. Court of Appeals, tensions emerged over how heart care should be structured  whether led by hospital-employed doctors or independent specialists  and over which hospital would anchor key procedures.

In the filings, both sides describe a rapid shift. Doctors affiliated with Cigarroa began moving more of their work to LMC, while Doctors Hospital sought to recruit new cardiologists. Disputes over physician coverage, recruitment and the direction of cardiac services in the city followed, ultimately leading to the lawsuit.

Doctors Hospital and its affiliated physicians group sued in 2021, alleging Cigarroa, his institute and LMC conspired to restrain trade and block competition, steering heart care services away from Doctors Hospital.

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The case features a dispute with Doctors Hospital portraying the changes as a coordinated effort that limited access to care, while Cigarroa and LMC describe them as increased competition that expanded services in Laredo.

Doctors Hospital has also raised concerns about access to specialized heart care in Laredo. In the filings, Doctors Hospital describes a limited number of interventional cardiologists, which is a factor that can affect access to treatment for heart attacks and other critical conditions.

Doctors Hospital argues in the filings that Cigarroa and LMC engaged in anticompetitive and predatory conduct to keep new doctors from joining its staff and shift existing physicians away  actions that left Doctors Hospital struggling to maintain its cardiology program and reduced access to care.

As one example, Doctors Hospital points to a recruitment effort in which a cardiologist it tried to hire declined the position after concerns were raised about how the move could affect his professional standing and resources tied to his existing work.

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Attorneys for Cigarroa and LMC dispute those claims, describing the changes in Laredos cardiology landscape as the result of competition, not conspiracy.

In the filings, Cigarroa and LMC contend Doctors Hospital long dominated heart care in Laredo and sought to maintain that position as independent physicians began shifting their practices.

Cigarroa and LMC maintain that Cigarroas move to align more closely with LMC, along with investments in facilities and staff, expanded services, giving patients more options and increasing both the number of procedures and providers in the market.

In the filings, Cigarroa and LMC also challenge key allegations in the case, including claims that a prospective recruit was pressured not to work in Laredo, arguing there was no coordinated effort to block physicians or reduce competition.

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The filings also describe disputes involving a cardiovascular surgeon and surgical services in Laredo, with each side accusing the other of taking steps that affected where certain high-risk procedures could be performed.

After years of litigation and discovery, U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez dismissed the case in January, ruling that Doctors Hospital failed to show the conduct had anticompetitive effects, meaning it did not reduce competition in the market.

In his ruling, Rodriguez found that while there was evidence of disputes between the parties, including efforts to recruit doctors and shift medical practices, those actions did not demonstrate anticompetitive effects, which is a key requirement under federal antitrust law.

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Doctors Hospital appealed that decision to the 5th Circuit, arguing the court applied the wrong legal standard and that a jury should weigh the evidence.
Construction progress on the bell tower at St. John Neumann Catholic Church is seen on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Malena Charur/Laredo Morning Times Fr. Salvador Pedroza, Pastor. Courtesy/St. John Neumann Parish A rendering of the bell tower and facade that St. John Neumann Catholic Church will feature is seen outside the religious site on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Malena Charur/Laredo Morning Times St. John Neumann Catholic Church is locatated at 102 W. Hillside Rd.in Laredo, Texas. Malena Charur/Laredo Morning Times

The exterior of St. John Neumann Parish will soon be completely transformed once construction of its bell tower is complete, and its pastor is asking for the communitys help to finish the facade project.

Fr. Salvador Pedroza, pastor of St. John Neumann Parish, said the bell tower is part of a larger project that includes a portico, in addition to interior renovations that have already been carried out.

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The interior of the building has already been renovated and looks very beautiful, but now we are working on the exterior because few people realize that the building is actually a Catholic church, he said.

Pedroza said both the bell tower and the facade will help identify the site as a Catholic church.

The bell tower will help identify it as a Catholic place of worship because, as it stood before, it looked more like a store, a warehouse or a banquet hall, he said.

Pedroza explained that the bells, which will be electronic, will be fully installed once the structure and finishes are complete.

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Each bell weighs one ton, and the first bell has already been installed, he said. They had to drill down to a depth of 24 feet until they reached solid ground; they then placed pilings and filled them with concrete. The idea is that, should a tornado or other natural disaster strike, our bell tower will withstand it.

He added that the bell tower will be illuminated in accordance with liturgical celebrations, such as green during Ordinary Time, purple during Lent or white at Christmas.

Pedroza noted that the total investment in the bell tower amounted to $750,000, and that they anticipate a similar investment for the portico.

But given the current situation with rising prices I believe the cost could exceed $1 million, which is why we require the communitys assistance, he said. I know people will respond because they can see that we are hard at work.

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Pedroza said that God always answers the needs of his children, and he recounted how one day  while he was inspecting the ongoing interior renovations of the church  a woman approached him to offer financial assistance for the work.

A woman entered the church along with her daughter while I was checking on the progress of the interior renovation, and she said to me, I am not Catholic, but my daughter is, and I would like to know how much money you need? he recalled. I told her that perhaps that wasn't the right question to ask; rather, the question was how much she was able and willing to contribute. Then, thanks be to God, she gave us a generous amount.

Pedroza appealed to the entire community of Webb County  both Catholics and non-Catholics  for donations to complete this project.

Your donations will be an enormous blessing, he said. I am making this appeal because we still have the facade project remaining, which will likely cost us $1 million, and St. John Neumann Church is open to everyone.

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I thank God and you in advance for your cooperation, and I ask for your prayers so that we may successfully complete this project, as well as for the spiritual well-being of our community.
Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar speaks during a semiannual school safety meeting, highlighting coordination efforts and communication improvements among agencies. Courtesy/Webb County Sheriff's Office Oscar Perez, Laredo ISD executive director for health and occupational safety support services, discusses collaboration with law enforcement during a school safety meeting. Courtesy/Webb County Sheriff's Office Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar meets with school district officials and law enforcement representatives during a semiannual school safety meeting focused on coordination and emergency preparedness. Courtesy/Webb County Sheriff's Office

Surrounded by school district officials and law enforcement agencies, Sheriff Martin Cuellar and the Webb County Sheriffs Office recently hosted the semiannual School Safety Meeting.

These twice-a-year meetings are held in accordance to changes to state law established by the 2023 Texas Legislature.

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During the meeting, Sheriffs Office representatives spoke about ongoing improvements to radio interoperability and how all participating agencies will benefit once the system is fully operational.

Another topic discussed was chain of command protocol and joint incident command between agencies during critical situations.

I thank the school districts, private and parochial schools, and all the partnering agencies who joined us during todays meeting. Its gatherings such as this meeting where we all brainstorm together with one goal in mind: The safety of our students and school employees, Cuellar said.

According to the law, the sheriff of a county with a population of less than 350,000 in which a public school is located shall call and conduct the meetings to discuss school safety, coordinated law enforcement responses to school violence incidents, law enforcement agency capabilities, available resources, emergency radio capabilities, chain of command planning, and other subjects.

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A USAF McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle lands at RAF Lakenheath on July 22, 2025 in Lakenheath, United Kingdom. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is receiving backlash after sharing an AI-generated image related to the rescue of crew members in a F-15E fighter jet downed over Iran this weekend. Simon Galloway/Getty Images

Two airmen were safely recovered this weekend after their fighter jet went down over Irana real-life event that drew widespread attention.

But in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott is drawing criticism for reposting an AI-generated image on X that falsely claimed to depict the rescue.

The original post came from an account named 'Missy in So Cal,' and was shared alongside the caption: "Here is the photo of the honorable Colonel being rescued yesterdayGod bless himour soldiers are ALL doing God's work! HAPPY EASTER!"

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X labeled the image as AI-generated.

Abbott reposted the image Sunday morning with the caption "This is so awesome."

The governor quickly faced backlash in the comments for reposting the AI-generated image, which showed crew members in military gear holding an American flag and beaming with smilesa scene that never actually took place.

This is so awesome. https://t.co/zwwxbkWobS  Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 5, 2026

By Sunday afternoon, his response had received more than 1,700 comments, 5,600 likes and 690 reposts.

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"This is AI. Learn to spot the difference," one user wrote.

"Abbott getting all teary-eyed over an AI-generated picture," wrote another.

Meanwhile, some commenters seemed unaware that the image wasn't from the actual rescue mission. Many praised it as "amazing," while others added heartfelt messages like "God Bless our heroes!"

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This isn't the first time the governor has circulated misleading content about the situation in Iran. In early March, he reposted, and later deleted, a video from a WWII video game, mistakenly presenting it as authentic footage of an American warship shooting down an Iranian fighter jet, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Chron contacted the governor's office for comment Sunday afternoon. At the time of publication, it remains unclear whether Abbott knew the photo was AI-generated when he reposted it, or how he plans to respond to critics who say the post spreads misinformation.

Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a discussion at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Conference Center on March 27, 2026 in Grapevine, Texas. The governor is receiving backlash after posting an AI-generated image of a military rescue after an F-15E fighter jet was downed over Iran on Friday. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) Brandon Bell/Getty Images

The controversy comes after a U.S. two-seater F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet was shot down over Iran on Friday, an incident confirmed by U.S. officials and widely reported by major news outlets. The second of two airmen was rescued Saturday night.

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President Donald Trump described the rescue as an "Easter miracle," noting that the second crew member was a "highly respected colonel," who had been "seriously wounded," as reported by NBC News.

The incident reportedly marked the first time a U.S. warplane had been shot down by enemy fire in combat since 2003.

The conflict between the U.S. and Iran has stretched into its fifth week after the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets in late February.

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This morning, the president issued new threats, warning that if Iran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz by his Monday deadline, the U.S. will strike key Iranian infrastructure, including power plants and bridgesa move that could significantly escalate the already volatile situation.
UPDATE: The Hamilton County man accused of killing five goats and mistreating his animals has been arrested again after being discovered at the property he was trespassed from two weeks ago.

Deputies with the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office again responded to a property on Suck Creek Road on Wednesday, April 15, after neighbors reported David Russell Eck was disobeying a trespass notice and still residing on the property, according to an affidavit obtained by Local 3 News.

They found Ecks truck parked near the houseboat. Once they boarded the houseboat, they found him asleep inside.

The arrest report says he told deputies he came to the property to pick up paperwork needed for a court appearance the following morning but had gotten tired and fallen asleep on the bed inside the houseboat.

No other animals were found, but Eck, 74, did trip while heading to the deputys car:

While walking up the driveway from the houseboat, Mr. Eck became winded and fell to his knees. He was assisted to his feet and helped into my patrol car.

He did not have any visible injury or trauma to his knees, so they booked him into the Hamilton County Jail.

At this time, he has no address listed except a P.O. box.

Warning, some individuals may find the details of this story disturbing.

PREVIOUS STORY: David Russell Eck, who was already facing charges for killing five goats and mistreating his livestock, has been re-arrested after deputies found him disobeying a court-issued eviction and continuing to collect, abuse, and neglect animals.

The 74-year-old man was found still occupying a houseboat in deplorable conditions on the Suck Creek Road property this weekend, according to affidavits obtained by Local 3 News.

He wasnt alonedeputies say they found him with several more animals, including ducks, cats, dogs, chickens, roosters, mice, and more.

After his arrest, the humane society collected the dogs, but rescues for the livestock were unable to be contacted until the following day.

When they arrived to collect the remaining animals, deputies discovered the following:

The ground itself was severely eroded and comprised mostly of mud, muck, feces, and animal bones. One camper in the middle of the property had at least five small goat skulls under and around it. One skull was adjacent to a recently deceased goat body which still had insect activity.

Another goat skull was adjacent to a clasped goat collar with a bell on it. Based on the depression and scratch marks, it appeared chickens had been scratching around it and presumably consuming parts of it, the arrest report says.

Aboard the houseboat, where Eck was found sleeping, there were several chickens, a pungent odor" of cat urine, dust, grime, feces, and trash.

Deputies say a friendly, malnourished brown goat walked up to the glass door wearing a collar with a bell on it, dragging a small rope attached. It was missing patches of fur, its hooves were longer than they should have been, its belly was bloated, and the individual vertebrae of the spine could be felt through its fur.

Additionally, deputies found two glass aquariums, both with live fish, but one with murky brown water. They also found three dirty, malnourished ducks walking on the bed.

With each step, dust puffed up from the bed, which was covered in fecal matter and urine, deputies stated.

A brooder box with nine juvenile chickens was on the floor near the far side of the bed. There was an empty chick feeder and a waterer that was knocked over and dry.

Then, they found a closed bathroom in the unit that had a white Chinese goose, three dark-colored ducks, and a disabled black turkey:

The bathroom toilet, shower, floor, and walls were coated with feces, presumably from the birds, which indicated theyd been in these conditions for an extended period of time. There was a five-gallon bucket in the floor about a third full of brown/black fluid.

Deputies found several critter cages joined together with tape and zip ties to enlarge the space. This contained an excessive number of mice, from babies to adults. They had a small amount of water available to them, unlike the other animals.

No other food or water sources were found within proximity to any animals on the property, deputies wrote. The food condition for the fish was unknown; however, it was obvious the water condition was unacceptable.

In total, deputies rescued and relocated:

One brown goat

One white rooster

Two hens

Nine juvenile chickens

Three white ducks

Three mixed ducks

One white Chinese goose

One black turkey

Four cats

Numerous freshwater fish

Numerous mice

Authorities say that, based on the condition of the animals, the property, and the deplorable living conditions, it was clear that Eck has continued his habit of attending livestock auctions and purchasing animals.

It appeared these animals were living with him in his houseboat as companions, rather than as farm animals," deputies say. "The conditions were not only uninhabitable for a human person, but for any living being.

Eck is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, April 15.

PREVIOUS STORY: David Russell Eck, accused of killing five goats and mistreating animals, has been arrested for aggravated criminal trespass just days after being given notice to leave his property on Suck Creek Road.

A deputy with the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office responded to a call about the trespass on Saturday, April 4, according to an arrest report obtained by Local 3 News.

Livestock rescued from neglect case now living with Hamilton Co. man David Russell Eck faces multiple animal abuse charges. Now, others in the community are having to step in to help these animals.

Upon arrival, the deputy found a pickup truck registered to Ecks name backed into the driveway and blocking the gate to the property:

I observed numerous farm animals, including chickens and geese, both on the property and on a houseboat moored nearby. I boarded the houseboat and saw Mr. Eck asleep inside.

Neighbors of Hamilton Co. man charged with animal cruelty say they feared for their lives "I was really worried about a lot of them," a man participating in the rescue of animals on David Eck's property told us.

After the deputy called his name and knocked on the window, 74-year-old Eck came to the sliding glass door, where the deputy saw several cats and dogs.

The arrest report says when Eck asked why the deputy was there, the deputy reminded him he had been personally served with a trespass notice at the Hamilton County courthouse on Wednesday, April 1, and he was not permitted to be on the property:

Mr. Eck replied that his attorney told him he had until Monday to vacate. He further explained that, due to his age, he had been unable to move his belongings or secure alternative housing, and would not leave until he could do so.

The deputy arrested Eck, transported him to the Hamilton County Jail, and booked him on an aggravated criminal trespass charge.

A humane society worker came to secure the animals on the property afterwards.

Eck is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, May 27.

PREVIOUS STORY: David Russell Eck, the man charged with killing five goats in September of 2025, received a 72-hour notice from the Hamilton County District Attorney to vacate where hes been living.

For neighbors on Suck Creek Road, there may be an end in sight to the issue they have been fighting. Neighbor Robin Phillips says It's not a great thing for anybody - we talk about it, and we're all coming together, but when the animals started getting involved. It's really when it got everybody motivated and going so well, she says.

New photos show malnourished animals in Hamilton Co. David Eck faces two animal cruelty charges, two charges of livestock at large and animal abuse.

The former judge, Larry Ables, recused himself after a rule eight appeal was filed by Ecks attorney. A new judge, Judge Lila Statom, took over.

Ecks attorney, Joshua Weiss, says The district attorney filed a motion to amend the conditions of bond, to take away my client's right to own or possess any animal. Weiss argues, He has not violated a condition of his bond, nor has he been accused of any new criminal offense.

District Attorney General Coty Wamp believes this is not the type of case she or any district attorney would normally get involved in. However, this is a really good example of what can happen when citizens in the community band together to try to make change, she says.

General Wamp served the trespass notice to Eck and Weiss prior to them appearing before Judge Statom. She says it was a long process to find the owner of the property. General Wamp says the owner is ill and had no idea Eck was on his property.

In court, Agent Clinton Brookshire with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Criminal Division testified. He talked about the conditions of the animals. Brookshire said he began receiving complaints in November of 2024.

Phillips also testified about witnessing Eck hitting his dog with a cane poll in February of this year.

Judge Statom said Eck did not care about what was happening during the hearing. She says Eck was falling asleep during his court appearance.

Judge Statom ordered Eck to not have any animals, which includes livestock or any pets.

Adam Presely, the president of the Saddle Pals Riding Club, has been taking care of these animals since September of 2025. Presely feels a bit of relief. I mean, the last six months, you know, has been a whirlwind of, you know, from the day I picked up the animals till now.

Neighbors say they are grateful to their elected officials for seeing this through.

General Wamp says He's just gotten really lucky, and now his luck has run out.

Ecks case will be going to the grand jury.

Local 3 will keep you updated.
An environmental charity has lodged an appeal against the infilling of a former north Longford quarry after the development was recently given the green light by planners.

Longford County Council approved planning permission on March 10 last.

The development was given conditional approval once six conditions were abided by.

However, Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) has lodged a formal planning appeal against the local authoritys decision to allow the infilling of what the describe as resulted former quarry at The Rocks, Derrycassan, opposite St Columbas GAA grounds, Mullinalaghta and the Derrycassan Woods Walk near Lough Gowna.

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The FIE said the council has granted permission to import 100,000 tonnes of soil, stone and construction and demolition waste over five years and to reinstate the quarry for agriculture, despite the site having naturally regenerated over four decades into wet willow woodland, scrub, wetland features and mature treelines that now support protected species.

FIE said the decision flatly contradicts Longfords own new Biodiversity Action Plan and County Development Plan.

FIE say that both plans promise to protect wildlife corridors, wetlands and tree cover, and to avoid the death by a thousand cuts that slowly erodes local nature.

Tony Lowes, one of the Director of Friends of the Irish Environment, said, The Council has only just adopted an ambitious Biodiversity Action Plan  and the first real test is to sign off on the destruction of exactly the kind of seminatural habitat that Plan was written to save.

READ NEXT: 'Truly uplifting': Impressive sum raised for Longford charity that brings comfort to sick children

You could not have a clearer case of saying one thing to the public while doing the opposite on the ground.

The FIE claim the quarry sits on what the National Parks and Wildlife Service has described as a biological motorway of wet woodland linking Derrycassan Wood and Lough Gowna, a proposed Natural Heritage Area and a vital local amenity for angling, swimming and family recreation.

They said recent AllIreland bat monitoring shows Derrycassin Woods holds the highest recorded activity of Whiskered bats in Ireland  one of the countrys rarest woodland bats protected under EU law  underlining the importance of keeping this corridor intact.

Whiskered bats switch roost every two-to-five days and move along treelines and hedgerows, so they need a wide, continuous network of woodland and scrub, not just one protected roost.

FIEs appeal argues and claims that the council ignored its statutory biodiversity duties and key National Planning Framework objectives that favour retaining existing habitats over trying to recreate them later.

They also claim it did not properly assess waterquality risks to the Lough Gowna groundwater body and the Mulrick watercourse, despite Inland Fisheries Ireland warning that construction and demolition material could threaten already atrisk waters.
A large number of local residents and political representatives showed their support for the development of a community house and playground in Kenagh recently at a community consultation event.

Local woman Tiffani Hunt, who formed a committee with other parents, said an updated, modern, safe and accessible playground and community house is 'long overdue' and there was an 'incredible' turnout.

She stated they estimate that since 2016 the population has increased by more than one-third to 753 people.

"Thirty-four per cent of the population are children under 17 years of age so a lot of parents and families have to go further afield to Ballymahon or Longford town if they wanted some sort of a facility for their children to play in.

"To have something more local is a lot more beneficial for everyone involved."

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Tiffani said public transport and taxis come with limitations, particularly for parents who are working during the day.

"Our main goal was to provide something that benefits everyone and children of all ages in the village.

"We do have a lot of plans in place like a toddler playground to a playground that would suit older children and even teenagers as well."

Tiffani said there was a huge outpouring of support from locals who came to voice their opinions, which is what they wanted.

"It is a community house and we wanted the community to be involved.

"We also had a good few councillors and TDs, it was really incredible.

"We had Councillor Sean Mimnagh, he has been a driving force for us and he has been helping us since the start in pushing forward.

"We also had Cllr Mick Cahill and Cllr Paul Ross and TDs Micheal Carrigy and Kevin 'Boxer' Moran.

"It was absolutely incredible, especially as they all voiced their support for us."

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Tiffani said they have three phases in place with each one suiting different age groups.

She stated the first is the establishment of a fully accessible, inclusive playground for babies and toddlers up to four.

They also want to cater for people with disabilities, special educational needs and they will have sensory toys and sensory aspects.

The second phase would focus more on the community house with teens and adults set to benefit.

"We would be able to provide safe, open space in the house for those to avail of the likes of fitness classes, cooking classes, Foroige, men's sheds and even providing a space for counselling and social support services."

Tiffani said they hope to have an area where people can come together and socialise and learn new skills and they are keen to get more local people involved and 'drum up that support'.

She stated a central location for the community house and playground is very important so that everyone can benefit as a lot of people do not have a reliable form of transport and they are greatly encouraged.

"The next stage will focus on the funding aspects and there is a lot of work to do in terms of the grounds and the house.

"We are looking to get the funding approval in place and we are starting to plan some fundraisers as well."

Several political representatives including Longford Fine Gael TD Micheal Carrigy and Fianna Fail Cllr Sean Mimnagh were in attendance.
Credit: Kseniya Ovchinnikova / Getty Images

Key Takeaways

A U.S. District Court in Texas struck down a Biden-era rule that would have required more financial advisors to act as fiduciaries when advising on 401(k) rollovers.

Other regulations, such as the SECs Regulation Best Interest, may still apply to some advisors, such as broker-dealers.

A federal court in Texas vacated a Biden-era rule that would have required more financial advisors to act in a client's best interest when guiding 401(k) rollovers.

More from Yahoo Scout What is the Biden-era fiduciary rule that was struck down? What consumer protections remain after this court ruling? How do current regulations protect 401(k) rollover investors? What are the five criteria for ERISA fiduciary status?

Former President Joe Biden's administration issued the rule because when a worker leaving a job gets a one-time recommendation to roll their 401(k), the advisor typically isn't required to act as a fiduciary. Under federal law, fiduciaries are required to act in clients interests, rather than selling them the financial product that will make the advisor the most money.

This is important in the case of rollovers because it can be the biggest financial decision many people will make, involving nest eggs built over a career.

What This Means For You

If you're getting one-time advice on a 401(k) rollover, your advisor likely isn't required to act as a fiduciary under ERISA. Ask whether they're bound by other standards, such as the SEC's Regulation Best Interest, and how they're compensated for the products they recommend.

"Historically, a one-off rollover discussion between a financial institution and a participant was not treated as fiduciary," said Douglas Pelley, counsel at Arnold & Porter. "The Department of Labor tried to move the definition under their various proposals, but they were unsuccessful in doing so, and the courts struck down those regulations multiple times."

Advisors guiding 401(k) rollovers don't have to act as fiduciaries under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), unless they meet specific standards.

To qualify as a fiduciary must meet five criteria. They must (1) make investment recommendations, (2) on a regular basis, (3) under a mutual agreement with the client, (4) where the advice serves as the primary basis for investment decisions, and (5) where it's individualized to the plan's or account's specific needs. All five must be met, which is why a one-time 401(k) rollover conversation typically doesn't qualify.

Some advisors, including broker-dealers, insurance agents, and certified financial planners, are still bound by other regulations that require them to consider clients' interests, even if they don't meet the five-part test.

The challenged regulation wrongly sought to impose ERISA fiduciary status on securities brokers and insurance agents when there was not a relationship of trust and confidence, said Daniel Aronowitz, assistant secretary of labor for the Employee Benefits Security Administration, in a press release announcing the removal of the rule. The Securities and Exchange Commission and state regulators regulate the activities of securities brokers and insurance agents and will continue to do so.
There was a large crowd in the Longford Arms Hotel on Monday, March 23 for the inaugural Jude Flynn Memorial Lecture.

The lecture, given by Vona Groarke, Ireland Professor of Poetry, was entitled Filling in the Gaps  Writing Hereafter: the Telling Life of Ellen OHara.

Soon after Judes death just over a year ago, the committee of County Longford Historical Society agreed that an annual lecture would be a fitting tribute to him.

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Jude was a founder member, long-serving honorary secretary and later, president of the society.

Vona Groarke has published fourteen books with The Gallery Press, including nine original poetry collections, and two translations from the Irish, most recently Woman of Winter (2023), a version of the The Lament of the Hag of Beare.

She published Hereafter: the Telling Life of Ellen OHara with New York University Press (2022).

READ NEXT: 'Truly uplifting': Large sum raised for Longford charity that brings comfort to sick kids

Vona was a Cullman Fellow at the New York Public Library 2018-19; former editor of Poetry Ireland Review; and selector for the UKs Poetry Book Society.

She has taught at the University of Manchester since 2007 and was also Writer in Residence at St Johns College, Cambridge.
Imagine finding a landscaping crew cutting down two of your prized trees without your consent. Thats what happened to Denise Harris, a homeowner living in Hillsborough County, Florida, as reported by the Tampa Bay 28 I-Team (1).

Harris says the crew removed two queen palms from her front yard in December, with each tree valued around $2,000.

The catch? Harris had not authorized any of the work.

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It started with a text message

"I didnt ask for this, and I sure didnt deserve it," Harris told Tampa Bay 28 Consumer Investigator Susan El Khoury.

The landscaper, Stephen Sciuga of Steves Landscape Consulting Service, claimed he was simply following orders. He says he received a text directing him to Harris address to remove the trees. But Harris says she never sent any such request.

After the work was done, Sciuga allegedly promised to return and repair the damage, but Harris says he never did.

Investigators say its still unclear whether the crew was sent to the wrong property altogether, but its a detail that could carry legal consequences. If so, both the landscaper and whoever placed the order could potentially be liable for the damage.

"He said he had gotten a text message saying to come to this house and cut down the palm trees," Harris told the I-Team.

And it wasnt the first strange request tied to her property. Harris says another landscaping company showed up at her door days earlier after receiving a similar text. The message, sent by someone identifying himself only as John, included Harris exact address and asked for tree work on what the sender described as a new property.

Harris says she has no idea who John is or why anyone would be ordering work at her home.

The investigator attempted to reach the sender behind the mysterious text, as well as Sciuga, but the calls went unanswered.

The trees themselves werent small yard plants. Harris says they were mature queen palms valued at about $2,000 each, towering specimens that can grow up to 50 feet tall and are a signature feature of Florida landscaping.

Harris says the crew also cut a power line, destroyed a hibiscus plant, and tore up parts of her yard, all damage that could take years to fully restore.
An upcoming art exhibition in Belmullet, Co Mayo is set to celebrate the beauty and fragility of the natural world, with a strong focus on reflection and connection.

'Roots and Wings: a celebration of Mother Nature will open at Aras Inis Gluaire on April 17 and run until May 29, bringing together the work of three Irish artists inspired by the environment.

The group exhibition features Colleen Fitzpatrick, Maria Laffey and Linda Proudfoot, each offering a unique interpretation of nature through their art.

Organisers say the exhibition is intended as a reminder to slow down, reconnect, and let nature inspire, encouraging visitors to step away from the fast pace of modern life and reflect on the natural world.

The artists explore themes of beauty, vulnerability and the changing environment, presenting a mix of styles that range from abstract and symbolic works to detailed wildlife portraits and expressive landscapes.

READ MORE: Let the magic in: Inside Ballinrobes Frozen musical

Fitzpatrick, who lives along the Wild Atlantic Way in Mayo, draws on a sense of awe and mystique in her work, blending abstract and figurative elements to evoke the magic of nature.

Laffey, based in Connemara, focuses on close-up depictions of wildlife, aiming to capture the personality and emotion of animals and create a deeper connection between viewer and subject.

Proudfoot, whose work is inspired by the Irish landscape and coastline, particularly Achill Island, uses light and detail to capture fleeting moments in nature.

The exhibition also reflects on wider environmental issues, suggesting that in an age of constant activity, people may need to do less, not more by slowing down and paying closer attention to nature.

Bringing together three distinct artistic voices, 'Roots and Wings' offers what organisers describe as both food for the soul and a feast for the eyes, while providing a space for contemplation and appreciation of the natural environment.

READ MORE: Piecing it together: Alicia Kelly Dempsey explores life and landscape in Fragments
The Cadillac/Manistee Ranger Station is located at 1170 Nursery Road in Wellston. Kyle Kotecki/Manistee News Advocate

The United States Department of Agricultures U.S. Forest Service recently announced its intent to move its headquarters to Salt Lake City, Utah and to transition to a state-based organizational model.

The announcement March 31 also stated that the U.S. Forest Service will close all four Michigan research stations, including the Huron-Manistee National Forest station in Wellston.

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"The Forest Service will also consolidate leadership of its research enterprise. The agency currently operates multiple geographically dispersed research stations, each with its own leadership structure," according to a news release. "Under the reorganization, the Forest Service will bring those stations together under a single Forest Service research organization, located in Fort Collins, Colorado.

"These changes are designed to unify research priorities, accelerate the application of science to management decisions, and reduce administrative duplication."

According to the Forest Services At a Glance Report published in 2018, the Huron-Manistee National Forests spans about 15-20 counties and brings about 1.81 million visitors each year.

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Most visitors are attracted to activities like snowmobiling, gathering forest products and viewing natural features. Huron-Manistee National Forests visitors spend about $96.9 million annually, according the report.

In 2024, as part of nationwide government staffing cuts, four Manistee National Forest staff were eliminated.

The USDA Huron-Manistee National Forest Cadillac/Manistee Ranger District moved operations to the historic Chittenden Nursery site in Wellston in 2020. It received the 2020 Regional Foresters Honor Award  Adaptive Reuse of Facilities.

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In 2019 a strategic plan was formulated to adapt and reutilize the space for district operations and mark its historical significance in the region. The site includes 16 out-buildings, many of historical significance, and is in the center of the Cadillac-Manistee Forest District.

In a press release, the USDA said the move is a common-sense approach since most of the agency's lands and operations are largely concentrated in the West.

"President Trump has made it a priority to return common sense to the way our government works, said USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins in a news release. "Establishing a western headquarters in Salt Lake City and streamlining how the Forest Service is organized will position the chief and operation leaders closer to the landscapes we manage and the people who depend on them.

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Alongside the headquarters' relocation, the Forest Service will transition to a state-based organizational model that aims to reduce bureaucracy. Under the new model, 15 state directors will be dispersed throughout the country to oversee operations.

Each state office will have a localized leadership support team to manage legislative affairs, communications and coordination. Teams are encouraged to overlap operations, share a more unified national research enterprise, and strengthen relationships with other supervisors and partners.

"This is about building a Forest Service that is nimble, efficient, effective and closer to the forests and communities it serves," said Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz. "Effective stewardship and active management are achieved on the ground, where forests and communities are found  not just behind a desk in the capital. Through this transition, we will strengthen our connection to the forests and the people who depend on them, while supporting our employees and honoring the dedication that has always defined our service.

During the transition to the state-based model, the Forest Service will shift operations into regional offices to be established in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Athens, Georgia; Fort Collins, Colorado; Madison, Wisconsin; Missoula, Montana; and Placerville, Califorinia.

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These locations were selected based on existing USDA workforce and infrastructure; additional service center locations may be added later.

For a comprehensive list of state offices and their area of responsibility, visit usfda.gov.

The timeline for changes is not clear, nor is the extent of the impact on the Wellston station. The ranger station is closed on the weekends; no one could immediately be reached for comment.
Jones Homemade Ice Cream is adding a new patio for outdoor dining beginning with the 2026 season. The patio is expected to be completed before Memorial Day. Austin Chastain/Pioneer Photo

BALDWIN  Jones Homemade Ice Cream parlor, a Baldwin summertime staple since 1942, will have a different look in 2026.

The beloved ice cream parlor located at 858 Michigan Ave. in Baldwin, will have a new patio for guests to sit outside and enjoy their summer sweet treats.

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The patio is on the corner of the sidewalk just outside the parlor. There used to be concrete pavers, a bench and stone pillars on the corner. Now, its a smooth piece of concrete just under the parlors famous sign on the south side of the building.

The patio will feature four picnic tables with bench seating and ADA-compliant seating on the ends along with umbrellas and ballards matching the parlor's iconic awning. The ballards will be set up along the driveway from Michigan Avenue to the parking lot to protect customers from moving vehicles.

Angela Johnson, co-owner of Jones Homemade Ice Cream, said the construction started toward the end of March when the weather was warmer and less rainy to allow the concrete to dry.

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"We wanted to actually have it finished last fall," Johnson said. "We didn't get a chance to get to it until this spring."

Johnson estimated the patio will double Jones' seating capacity with around 30 seats inside and an estimated 32 seats on the outdoor patio.

"We're hoping to create a space for the community to gather and kind of hang out a little longer," Johnson said. "I hope, honestly, that this space can provide the other businesses in town with more business. If people are sitting outside longer, enjoying their ice cream, they'll have a little more time to look around and hit up some of the shops that don't necessarily get the same traffic we do."

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Going into the 2026 season, Johnson said she was able to hire five new employees to help maintain the patio and influx of traffic  expanding from 19 to 24 employees from 2025.

Johnson and her business partner, Joy Parrot, received a $25,000 Match on Main reimbursement grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to support small businesses improve their buildings and operations. The duo had to pay $2,500 to receive the grant and anything over the $25,000 they spend was out-of-pocket to them.

The owners worked with Cold River Heating and Cooling to install a $19,000 compressor in the freezer to keep the frozen dairy treats, frozen. Johnson said she enjoys working with Cold River, "Because they're always there for us. Anytime we have any issues with our freezer, they don't hesitate to show up and save the day," she said.

Johnson said the costs for the patio were around $16,000  $9,000 for the patio furniture, $3,000 for the concrete, $2,500 for the umbrellas and ballard covers and $1,500 for the ballards themselves.

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In all, Jones will be reimbursed the $25,000 and will have completed the two projects for approximately $15,000 in out-of-pocket costs.

Its going to be the perfect spot to sit back, relax and enjoy your favorite homemade ice cream, Jones Homemade Ice Cream wrote on its Facebook page.  We cant wait for you all to experience it.

Another aspect of the new patio will be customers bringing their pets to the parlor and have a nice place to relax.

"We encourage people to bring their pets, and we have pup cups," Johnson said. "(Because of) health code, we can't have them sit inside, so this will be great for the animal lovers."

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Johnson added the patio is expected to be completed before the Blessing of the Bikes event in May.
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Despite President Donald Trumps controversial tariff-launching Liberation Day being just over a year old  and with the legality of most of those tariffs stricken down by the Supreme Court  the Trump administration surprised the nation on Liberation Days first anniversary by announcing new tariffs on many brand-name drugs manufactured outside of the United States. This is a move that could, in the short term, radically increase the prices of your medication.

Trumps plan? To levy a 100% tariff on pharmaceutical companies that manufacture drugs in foreign countries, rather than in America. Its a policy designed to reshape the pharmaceutical industry in the long-term by incentivizing American manufacturing and price concessions, with large drug companies being given 120 days (and smaller companies 180 days) to negotiate the construction of American-based pharmaceutical plants to avoid the tariffs, per CNBC. The companies would then have until January 2029 to complete the actual plants.

Consider This: I Compared Prices Before and After Trumps Tariffs  Heres What Changed

Check Out: How Middle-Class Earners Are Quietly Becoming Millionaires  and How You Can, Too

Some major pharmaceutical companies  like Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson  have already begun negotiations. Others, however, have yet to make a deal with the administration, and in just four months could be hit with 100% tariffs. That means, essentially, that the drugs made by companies without a deal could literally double in price. If, say, a specific medication costs $50 per bottle, a 100% tariff would increase its cost to $100, with that cost increase being pushed directly onto the consumer.

While a full list of companies (and their medications) that will be hit with the 100% tariff is not yet available, below are just a few drugs manufactured in foreign countries that could double in price by August.

Entresto

Price for 60 tablets before tariffs (without insurance) : $717.42

Price for 60 tablets after tariffs (without insurance): $1,434.84

Easily one of the most widely-used prescription medications for heart failure, Entresto is manufactured by Novartis in Switzerland.

Find Out: 4 Grocery Items That Have Gotten Much More Expensive Since Trump Took Office

Keytruda

Price for 4mL IV solution before tariffs (without insurance) : $6,001.54

Price for 4mL IV solution after tariffs (without insurance): $12,003.08

Keytruda is one of the bestselling medications globally, and is used for cancer immunotherapy. Its manufactured in Ireland by Merck.

Lenvima
ISTANBUL (AP)  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concern that a prolonged U.S.-Israeli war on Iran could further erode Americas support for Ukraine as Washingtons global priorities shift and Kyiv braces for reduced deliveries of critically needed Patriot air defense missiles.

Ukraine desperately needs more U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems to help it counter Russias daily barrages, Zelenskyy said, speaking to The Associated Press in an exclusive interview late Saturday in Istanbul.

Russias relentless pounding of urban areas behind the front line following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago has killed thousands of civilians. It has also targeted Ukraine's energy supply to disrupt industrial production of Ukraines newly developed drones and missiles, while also denying civilians heat and running water in winter.

We have to recognize that we are not the priority for today, Zelenskyy said. Thats why I am afraid a long (Iran) war will give us less support.

A loss of focus on Ukraine

The latest U.S.-brokered talks between envoys from Moscow and Kyiv ended in February with no sign of a breakthrough. Zelenskyy, who has accused Russia of trying to drag out negotiations while it presses on with its invasion, said Ukraine remains in contact with U.S. negotiators about a potential deal to end the war and has continued to press for stronger security guarantees.

But, he said, even those discussions reflect a broader loss of focus from Ukraine.

His most immediate concern, Zelenskyy said, are the Patriots  essential for intercepting Russian ballistic missiles  as Ukraine still lacks an effective alternative.

These U.S. systems were never delivered in sufficient quantities to begin with, Zelenskyy said, and if the Iran war doesn't end soon, "the package  which is not very big for us  I think will be smaller and smaller day by day.

Thats why, of course, we are afraid," he said.

Interlinked wars

Zelenskyy had been counting on European partners to help make the Patriot purchases despite tight supply and limited U.S. production capacity.

But the Iran war, now in its sixth week, has sent shock waves through the global economy and pulled in much of the wider Middle East region, further straining these already limited resources, diverting stockpiles and leaving Ukrainian cities more exposed to ballistic strikes.

For Kyiv, a key objective is to weaken Moscows economy and make the war prohibitively costly. Surging oil prices driven by Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz are undermining that strategy by boosting the Kremlins oil revenues and strengthening Moscows capacity to sustain its war effort.

In his interview with the AP, Zelenskyy said Russia draws economic benefits from the Mideast war, citing the limited easing of American sanctions on Russian oil.

Russia gets additional money because of this, so yes, they have benefits," he said.

Russian officials said Sunday a fire broke out at a major oil refinery in the Nizhny Novgorod region after a drone attack, while another drone damaged a pipeline at the Russian Baltic Sea port of Primorsk, home to a major oil export terminal. No casualties were reported.

Russia could reap a windfall from a surge in oil prices and the U.S. temporary waiver on Russian oil sanctions designed to ease supply shortages as the Iran war continues. Russia is one of the worlds main oil exporters, and Asian nations are increasingly competing for Russian crude oil as an energy crisis mounts.

In response, Ukraine has intensified its long-range drone attacks on Russian oil facilities, which have rattled Moscow.

A renewed diplomatic push

To keep Ukraine on the international agenda, Zelenskyy has offered to share Ukraine's hard-earned battlefield expertise with the United States and allies to develop effective countermeasures against Iranian attacks.

Ukraine has met Russias evolving use of Iranian-made Shahed drones with growing sophistication, technological ingenuity and low cost.

Moscow significantly modified the original Shahed-136, rebranded as the Geran-2, enhancing its ability to evade air defenses and be mass produced. Ukraine responded with quick innovation of its own, including low-cost interceptor drones designed to track and destroy incoming drones.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready to share with Gulf Arab countries targeted by Iran its experience and technology, including interceptor drones and sea drones, which Ukraine produces  more than are used up  with funding from Americans and its European partners.

In return, these countries could help Ukraine "with anti-ballistic missiles, Zelenskyy said.

In late March, as the Iran war escalated, Zelenskyy visited Gulf Arab states to promote Ukraines singular experience in countering Iranian-made Shahed drones, leading to new defense cooperation agreements.

Zelenskyy has also positioned Ukraine as a potential partner in safeguarding global trade routes, offering assistance in reopening the Strait of Hormuz by sharing Ukraines experiences securing maritime corridors in the Black Sea.

Zelenskyy was in Istanbul for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a day after the Turkish leader spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelenskyy said they discussed peace talks and a possible meeting of leaders in Istanbul. He also said there could be new defense deals signed between the two countries soon.

Following the talks in Istanbul, Zelenskyy and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan arrived in Syria on an official visit Sunday, Syrian state news agency SANA reported.

Writing on X, Zelenskyy said he discussed the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and that there is strong interest in exchanging military and security experience between Ukraine and Syria.

Russia steps up its spring offensive

Each year as the weather improves, Russia moves its grinding war of attrition up a notch. However, it has been unable to capture Ukrainian cities and has made only incremental gains across rural areas. Russia occupies about 20% of Ukraine, including the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia seized in 2014.

On the roughly 750-mile front line stretching across eastern and southern parts of Ukraine, short-handed Ukrainian defenders are getting ready for a new offensive by Russias larger army.

The commander-in-chief of Ukraines armed forces, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, said Russian troops have in recent days made simultaneous attempts to break through defense lines in several strategic areas.

One thing Zelenskyy says he has insisted on and will continue to do so  a territorial compromise and giving up land will not be on Ukraine's agenda.

In Ukraine, meanwhile, drone attacks overnight into Sunday killed at least one person and seriously wounded another in the city of Nikopol, authorities said. Three people were wounded in the Ukrainian port city of Odesa in a separate drone attack.

___

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Childrens entertainer Ms. Rachel has joined a growing group of public figures calling for the closure of a Texas immigration detention facility, using her platform to highlight the conditions faced by children held there.

In a recent Instagram video, Ms. Rachel, whose full name is Rachel Griffin Accurso, read from her childrens book, Ms. Rachels Special Surprise and dedicated the message to children currently detained at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center. In the video, she said the children need to come home and emphasized that they have done nothing wrong.

Her comments come as part of a broader public push urging federal officials to shut down the facility, which is used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to hold migrant families following enforcement operations.

Military.com reached out to Ms. Rachels representatives for additional comment, but did not receive a response before publication.

What We Know About the Dilley Facility

The Dilley Immigration Processing Center is one of the largest family detention centers in the United States. Operated by private contractor CoreCivic, the facility has faced repeated scrutiny over its conditions and treatment of detainees.

Children sit in a classroom at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas, in 2018. The facility is used to house migrant families during immigration processing. Credit: DVIDS / U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

A recent open letter signed by dozens of public figures, medical professionals and advocacy groups alleges that children held at the site have experienced inadequate medical care, unsafe living conditions and limited access to basic necessities. The letter cites court filings that include allegations of contaminated food and water, sleep deprivation and denial of legal counsel.

The facility has also drawn attention in recent months following reports of illness outbreaks and concerns raised by legal advocates representing detained families. Federal officials have not publicly confirmed all of the allegations outlined in the letter, and the facility remains in operation.

How the Current Push Gained Attention

The renewed focus on Dilley comes amid a broader wave of public criticism tied to immigration enforcement operations and the detention of children and families.

A coalition of entertainers and public figures, including Pedro Pascal, Keke Palmer and John Legend, signed a letter calling for the facilitys immediate closure and for systemic reforms to immigration detention practices.

The letter argues that children should not be held in detention facilities and calls on federal authorities and private operators to end the practice. It also urges greater transparency and accountability in how such facilities are managed.

Public attention intensified after images circulated online showing a 5-year-old child being taken into custody while carrying a Spider-Man backpack, a moment that drew widespread reaction on social media.

Ms. Rachels Response and Public Reaction

Ms. Rachels involvement stands out from many of the other voices in the campaign because of her role as an early childhood educator and digital creator whose content is primarily aimed at toddlers and preschool-aged children.

Ms. Rachel has spoken publicly about the treatment of children in immigration detention facilities. Credit: Good Morning America/Fair Use

Her videos, which focus on language development and social learning, are widely used by parents and caregivers, including many military families with young children. In a statement included in a letter reported by The Hollywood Reporter, she said, Every child, everywhere, deserves to feel safe, to be cared for, and to be treated with dignity, she said in a statement accompanying the campaign. We can all agree that no child should be locked in an immigration detention center and subjected to these conditions.

Her video and statement have circulated widely online, drawing both support and criticism as the broader debate over immigration enforcement continues.

Broader Context Around Detention Policies

Family detention facilities like Dilley are part of the federal governments immigration enforcement system and are used to hold individuals and families while their cases are processed.

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer processes an individual during intake at a detention facility. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Supporters of the system argue that detention ensures individuals appear for immigration proceedings and allows for the management of cases within established legal frameworks. Critics, including advocacy groups and some policymakers, argue that detention, particularly of children, can have lasting psychological and physical effects.

The debate over how to handle migrant families, particularly those with young children, has continued across multiple administrations and remains a point of national discussion.
Horoscope Today, April 5, 2026: Daily career and finance predictions for all 12 zodiac signs

Today's horoscope reveals Aries to avoid risks and Taurus to engage more on productive and new partnerships. Cancer should consider investments. Scorpio feel strong and balanced today. Pisces should restart plans that were delayed earlier.









Horoscope Today, April 5, 2026: Daily career and finance predictions for all 12 zodiac signs Aries advised to avoid new ventures and risky decisions today

Taurus sees productive day with family focus and business gains

Gemini finds relief, better health, and work recognition Did our AI summary help?
Quote of the day Albert Einstein, "Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value."

Albert Einsteins quote urges people to focus on being valuable rather than just successful, emphasising character, contribution, and meaningful impact over wealth or fame.









Albert Einstein Einstein's quote values character over external success

Fulfillment comes from impact, not from mere achievements

We mistake visible success for true, meaningful worth Did our AI summary help?
Akanksha Puri's bold Paithani bikini blouse with saree grabs eyeballs; netizens react

Akanksha Puris bold Paithani saree paired with a bikini blouse sparked mixed reactions online, with some praising the modern twist while others questioned its impact on traditional aesthetics and cultural value.









Akanksha Puri's bold Paithani bikini blouse with saree grabs eyeballs; netizens react Akanksha Puri wore a Paithani saree with a bikini-style blouse

Her look sparked mixed reactions online, from praise to criticism

Outfit sparked debate on mixing tradition and modern style Did our AI summary help?
Medical research  $5 billion cut to the National Institutes of Health. The administration says NIH "broke the trust of the American people" with "wasteful spending, misleading information, risky research, and the promotion of dangerous ideologies that undermine public health."

The White House frames the $73 billion in domestic reductions as getting rid of "woke, weaponized, and wasteful programs" and handing responsibilities back to state and local governments. Critics say many of these programs provide essential services that states can't easily pick up on their own.

On the other side of the ledger, civilian federal workers would receive no pay raise (2).

The White House says the increase is necessary to maintain American dominance in what it calls the most dangerous global security environment since World War II. The money would go toward the Golden Dome missile defense system, 34 new Navy ships, critical minerals production and a 5-7% pay raise for troops.

That's separate from a $200 billion emergency supplemental request the Pentagon has floated for the war in Iran, which has been running an estimated $1 billion per day since strikes began Feb. 28. If both pass, the total military ask approaches $1.7 trillion.

The $1.5 trillion defense request breaks down into $1.1 trillion in standard Pentagon funding and $350 billion that the administration wants passed through budget reconciliation, which requires only a simple majority in Congress.

Robert Kiyosaki begs investors not to miss this explosion  says this 1 asset will surge 400% in a year

Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake  heres what it is and the simple steps to fix it ASAP

Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100  and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how

The budget isn't law. It's a proposal  a wish list that signals the administration's priorities before Congress writes the actual spending bills. Lawmakers rejected many of Trump's proposed cuts last year and may do so again. But as a roadmap for where the White House wants to take the country, the numbers are hard to ignore.

To pay for part of it, the White House proposed $73 billion in cuts to non-military programs  a 10% reduction that would hit medical research, public schools, low-income heating assistance, and more (1).

President Donald Trump on April 3 submitted the largest military budget request in modern American history: $1.5 trillion for the Department of War, a 42% increase over the current year.

Story Continues

NIH is the world's largest public funder of biomedical research  cancer, Alzheimer's, heart disease, diabetes and infectious diseases.

Low-income energy assistance  gone. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps roughly 6 million households pay heating and cooling bills. The White House would zero it out entirely, saving an estimated $4 billion. Most recipients are seniors, people with disabilities or families with young children.

Education  The budget continues to push the Department of Education toward what the administration calls a "path to elimination." Federal student aid, Title I funding for low-income school districts and teacher training grants would all take hits. The administration says education is a state-level job.

Health emergency preparedness and community services  The budget cuts $356 million from the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, the agency that handles pandemic and bioterror readiness. It also eliminates both the Community Services Block Grant and the Community Development Block Grant, which fund affordable housing, job training, small-business lending, and anti-poverty programs at the local level.

Clean energy  $15.2 billion in grants cancelled. The administration is pulling Department of Energy grants established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act  what the White House calls ending "the Green New Scam."

Agriculture  19% cut. USDA would lose $4.9 billion, hitting food safety inspection, crop insurance and rural development programs.

NASA  23% cut. The budget would divert $5.6 billion from NASA, reducing its budget to $18.8 billion. The administration wants to kill 40 missions  including Mars Sample Return  to save roughly $3.4 billion. The Artemis moon landing program survives, with $731 million allocated to get astronauts on the lunar surface by 2028.

National Science Foundation  55% cut. NSF would drop to about $4 billion, one of the steepest percentage reductions among agencies. The budget eliminates funding for the entire division that supports research in social sciences and economics.

State Department  30.4% cut. Billions would come out of humanitarian assistance and global health programs, though consular and border security functions stay intact.

Labor Department  25.9% cut. The budget eliminates Job Corps, the $1.6 billion job training program for low-income young adults, and replaces several workforce programs with a new block grant called Make America Skilled Again.

Corporation for Public Broadcasting  gone. The budget wipes out the $595 million agency that funds NPR and PBS.

IRS  $1.4 billion cut. The administration already slashed IRS staffing by 27% (3) and now wants to take the agency's budget from $11.2 billion to $9.8 billion. The White House says it's "unwinding" a Biden-era hiring surge. Tax policy experts warn that a smaller IRS means slower refunds and less enforcement of tax cheating  and the agency's own data shows a $696 billion annual gap in uncollected revenue (4).

Health and Human Services  12.5% cut ($15.8 billion). HHS oversees Medicare, Medicaid, the CDC, the FDA and NIH. It's the largest percentage cut of any major department outside of the EPA (52%) and the Small Business Administration (67%) (5).

Read More: 5 essential money moves to make once youve saved $50,000

What's getting more

It's not all cuts. Besides the Pentagon, a handful of agencies would see real money added.

The Department of Veterans Affairs would get a 9% bump in discretionary funding, with extra money for medical care, mental health services and $4.2 billion to resume rolling out a new electronic health records system.

The Department of Justice would get a 13% raise  $40.8 billion total. The FBI alone would jump $1.9 billion to $12.5 billion, with new funding for counter-drone operations, counterterrorism and security prep for the 2028 Olympics. The Bureau of Prisons would get $1.7 billion more, including $152 million for the first year of rebuilding Alcatraz as a working federal prison  a project ordered by executive action.

The FAA would get a $481 million boost for air traffic controller hiring and $4 billion to build a new air traffic control system the administration calls BNATCS. And the budget sets aside $10 billion for beautification projects in Washington, D.C., through a new Presidential Capital Stewardship Program at the National Park Service.

One notable bright spot inside an otherwise shrinking Department of Energy: the National Nuclear Security Administration would get a 12% increase to $32.8 billion for nuclear warhead development and stockpile modernization.

What Americans think

Most of these proposed cuts are unpopular  and not just the health care ones.

A KFF Health Tracking Poll found that 84% of Americans oppose major cuts to Social Security, 79% oppose cuts to Medicare and 76% oppose cuts to Medicaid  including 55% of Republicans on Medicaid alone. About three-quarters (74%) oppose cuts to mental health and addiction services (6). A separate KFF poll found that 82% of Americans  including a majority of Trump voters  want Medicaid funding to stay the same or increase (7).

Public broadcasting has durable support too. A Pew Research Center survey found 43% of Americans want NPR and PBS to keep getting federal funding, compared with 24% who want it cut. A Harris Poll put support for public radio funding at 66%, including 58% of Republicans (8). Congress already rescinded CPB's $1.1 billion in funding last summer over bipartisan objections.

On science, Congress rejected nearly identical cuts to NASA and NSF last year by overwhelming margins  the FY2026 spending bills passed 397-28 in the House and 82-15 in the Senate  restoring most of the funding the White House tried to strip (9).

On the military side, an AP-NORC poll found that about 59% of Americans say U.S. military action in Iran has gone too far, and 45% are now very concerned about being able to afford gas  up from 30% in a November 2024 poll conducted shortly after Trump won reelection (10). A CNN/SSRS survey found that 71% oppose the Pentagon's proposed $200 billion in additional war spending (11).

What happens next

The president's budget is a starting point, not a done deal. Congress writes the actual spending bills, and lawmakers in both parties rejected many of Trump's proposed cuts last year. Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) has already pushed back on the new proposal, calling out "unwarranted funding cuts in biomedical research" and the elimination of LIHEAP and TRIO, a program that helps low-income students pursue higher education (12).

The real question is whether Congress treats this budget the way it treated last year's  as a statement of intent to be largely ignored  or whether the war in Iran and its mounting price tag give the White House the leverage to force a different outcome.

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Article sources

We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.

The White House  Fiscal Year 2027 President's Budget (1); Federal News Network (2); Internal Revenue Service (3); Internal Revenue Service  Tax Gap Projections (4); Government Executive (5); KFF  Health Tracking Poll, April 2025 (6); KFF  Health Tracking Poll, February 2025 (7); Pew Research Center (8); U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation (9); AP-NORC (10); CNN/SSRS (11); Roll Call (12)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee's death sparks protest; Priyanka Sarkar joins Artists Forum as they files police complaint against producers

The death of Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee after a drowning incident has sparked protests within the film industry. Priyanka Sarkar joined the Artists Forum as it filed a police complaint demanding a fair investigation into the incident.









Rahul Arunoday Banerjee passed away Actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee drowns during TV shoot in Odisha

Bengali film industry demands protest and open investigation

Forum found production house's response unsatisfactory Did our AI summary help?
Hrithik Roshan defends Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayanas VFX, urges audiences to appreciate filmmakers vision: 'They risked all that money'

Hrithik Roshan defended the VFX in Ranbir Kapoors Ramayana, urging audiences to appreciate the filmmakers vision rather than criticize based on personal preference. He emphasized that different styles serve the story and deserve recognition for the effort and creativity involved.

Gayatri Rani April 05, 2026 / 10:42 IST























Hrithik Roshan backs Ramayana VFX Ramayana's first look gets mixed reactions for its VFX style

Hrithik Roshan urges viewers to judge VFX by intent, not style

Ramayana Part One will release globally in October 2026 Did our AI summary help?
Ramayana Part 1 teaser receives praise from Chinas audience; netizens say those visuals are stunning

The teaser of Ramayana: Part 1 has received strong appreciation from Chinas audience, with many praising its grand visuals and scale. Fans called the visuals stunning, highlighting the films growing global appeal.

Gayatri Rani April 05, 2026 / 19:00 IST























Ramayana teaser received praise Ramayana Part 1 teaser sparks global buzz, especially in China

Ranbir Kapoor stars as Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari's epic film

Part 1 releases Diwali 2026, Part 2 follows in Diwali 2027 Did our AI summary help?
Tori Spelling and four kids hospitalized after car accident in California

Actor Tori Spelling and four of her children were hospitalized after their car was hit by a speeding vehicle in Temecula, California. They sustained cuts, bruises, and concussions, but no arrests have been made in connection with the crash.

Gayatri Rani April 05, 2026 / 11:49 IST























Tori Spelling involved in an accident Tori Spelling, 7 kids hospitalized after California car crash

Accident caused by another car speeding and running a red light

Spelling and kids treated for cuts, bruises, and concussions Did our AI summary help?
Air India suspends flights to Israel till May 31

Indians looking to leave Israel have to go through Jordan or Egypt by entering the two countries through the land crossings.

PTI April 05, 2026 / 19:26 IST























Most of the leading airlines have suspended their operations on the Tel Aviv route with only Israeli carriers like El Al, IsraAir, Arkia and Air Haifa operating under severe restrictions.
FY26 near black swan event likely sets a favourable base for FY27: Motilal Oswal

The report notes that the correction and sustained outflows have created a more favourable base for FY27. Any easing of geopolitical tensions could further support sentiment and help markets recover.









Indian equities were among the worst-performing major markets in FY26, falling about 14% in dollar terms, compared with gains of 27% in emerging markets and 16% for the S&P 500, despite improving earnings trends. Indian equities fell 14% in FY26, lagging global markets.

Domestic investors supported markets as foreign funds exited.

FY27 outlook upbeat on reset valuations and policy support Did our AI summary help?
They are negotiating now: Donald Trump sees 'good chance' of Iran deal, warns of action if Strait of Hormuz remains shut

Donald Trump says a deal with Iran is possible soon, warning of military action if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened.









Trump warns Iran amid Hormuz deal hopes
Assembly Elections 2026 Live: Nemom assembly seat sees tight three-way fight as BJP pushes for Kerala breakthrough

V Sivankutty is aiming to hold on to Nemom, a constituency widely viewed as the BJPs entry point into the Kerala Assembly, as the 2026 elections approach. He faces a stiff challenge from Rajeev Chandrasekhar of the BJP and K S Sabarinadhan representing the UDF, setting up a triangular contest.

The seat has delivered mixed outcomes in the past few elections, with the BJP emerging as a strong contender even though it suffered a narrow defeat in 2021. As campaigning gathers momentum across all three fronts, Nemom is shaping up to be a closely watched battleground, according to ANI.
Congress' KC Venugopal slams Centre over Gulf crisis, questions foreign policy

Venugopal claimed that the allegations were part of a "well-planned conspiracy" aimed at influencing the April 9 Assembly polls in the state and preventing the UDF from coming to power.









KC Venugopal KC Venugopal blames Gulf crisis on India's foreign policy

Venugopal sues for defamation over poll-time allegations

Delhi police probe Congress-linked ticket-for-money case Did our AI summary help?
'Don't be scared on polling day even if you're threatened by TMC goons': PM Modi in West Bengal

PM Modi slammed the Trinamool Congress for the Malda violence and said the ruling party in Bengal has no regard for any constitutional mechanism in the country.
If Mediterranean living is more your vibe, Greece offers a 7% flat income tax rate on all foreign-sourced income, including pensions and investments  a rate thats much lower than U.S. tax rates, regardless of income bracket  for up to 15 years.

Panamas Pensionado Program (3) requires a minimum of $1,000 in guaranteed income per month, so its accessible to many American retirees. Plus, it offers a one-time duty-free tax exemption of $10,000 in household goods. An added bonus? Panama has an active American expat community.

Panama doesnt tax foreign-based income, which means your pensions, retirement funds and other savings are tax-exempt. Another bonus? Panama accepts the U.S. dollar as a main form of currency, so you dont have to worry about currency conversion.

Heres a sampling of tax-friendly countries where you could potentially slash your retirement costs by hundreds each month. Keep in mind that even if these countries dont tax foreign-based income, youll still have to pay tax on any income earned locally.

In some countries, however, residency triggers taxation on global income  and that includes your pensions and investments. So its a good idea to discuss your plans with an international tax advisor.

Some countries have a territorial tax system, meaning youre only taxed on income you earn locally. Others have introduced tax-friendly frameworks to attract foreigners, such as flat-tax options or lower taxes for a specified timeframe.

Although, you could significantly reduce this burden by choosing to live in a tax-friendly destination (2) (plus, you may be able to leverage tax treaties and IRS tax incentives).

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But just because you leave the U.S. doesnt mean you leave your U.S. tax obligations behind. As an American citizen, youll have to pay taxes regardless of residency (1). That means youll need to understand your tax obligations both in the U.S. and in your new home country.

If youre looking to reduce your taxes in retirement, you might want to consider moving abroad. For example, Panama and Costa Rica dont tax foreign earnings, while Greece offers a 7% flat income tax rate on all foreign-sourced income.

Story Continues

Greeces simplified flat tax on foreign income can help reduce overall tax friction when coordinated with U.S. tax credits and treaty protections, according to Relocate (4).

Plus, the cost of living in Greece is about 30% to 40% lower than in the U.S. Real estate is relatively affordable and property taxes (5) are moderate to low.

Belize

Just a short flight from many U.S. airports, Belize offers tax exemptions on foreign income as part of its Qualified Retired Persons (GRP) program (6), which also includes the duty-free import of personal effects for the first year. To participate in the QRP program, you must be at least 40 years of age (recently lowered from 45) and have proof of $2,000 a month in foreign income.

Belize is the only nation in Latin America where English is the official language (7), but you still get the benefits of a laid-back Caribbean lifestyle. To maintain your status you only need to spend one month per year in the country.

Read More: 5 essential money moves to make once youve saved $50,000

The Philippines

While Thailand and Malaysia are popular expat destinations in Southeast Asia, the Philippines is another emerging option for retirees (8). Not only does the country offer a low cost of living, it also offers tax exemptions on foreign-based income. And the U.S.-Philippines Tax Treaty helps prevent double taxation on any taxes paid locally (9).

You must be at least age 35 to apply for the countrys Special Resident Retirees Visa (SRRV) (10), which provides perks such as a travel tax exemption and senior discounts on medical services and medicine (11). English is widely spoken and Filipinos are globally renowned for their hospitality.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica doesnt tax foreign income (12), and its Pensionado program requires a minimum monthly income of only $1,000 per month (13). The program has a number of other perks, such as an import tax exemption for household goods and a 20% discount on doctors bills.

While Costa Rica isnt the cheapest destination in Latin America  costs are rising due to its increasing popularity  its still cheaper than the U.S (14). It also has one of the best healthcare systems (CAJA) in the world.

What else you need to know

While more Americans are moving overseas to save money during their golden years, its important to consider the bigger picture. While a favorable tax environment is important, youll also want to examine the overall cost of living and access to quality healthcare.

For example, Medicare doesnt work abroad (15), so youll need to find out whether you can join a countrys national healthcare system or if youll require private medical insurance (and how much that will cost). Also, youll want to confirm whether long-term care needs are covered as you age.

These costs should be factored into your overall budget  though in many countries theyre quite reasonable. For example, the cost of insurance for someone aged 65 to 70 is about $100 to $200 a month in Costa Rica, $80 to $150 in Thailand and $150 to $250 in Portugal, according to Greenback Expat Tax Services (16).

Even if you dont have to pay tax on foreign income, youll want to research the costs of daily living, such as housing, transportation and groceries. For example, maybe your budget wont accommodate Western Europe, but you could live comfortably in Southeast Asia.

Along with cost of living, consider lifestyle. As a foreigner, are you allowed to buy property? In the Philippines, for example, foreigners can own a condo unit or flat, but not land (17). How accessible is shopping, public transportation and the nearest hospital or health clinic? Will you be able to make friends and find community?

Also keep in mind that laws can change. For example, Portugal ended its Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) program (18)  a 10-year special tax regime  which means newcomers now face higher taxes (19).

Its a good idea to give your destination a test run (or two or three) before actually making a move. Try renting a place for a few months to see if the country is a good fit. By spending more than a week or two, youll get out of vacation mode and real life will start to settle in.

Its also a good idea to talk to a financial professional and an international tax advisor about your plans so you get all your ducks in a row  and avoid any costly tax-related surprises.

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Article sources

We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.

Travel.state.gov (1); Finance Buzz (2); Migracion Panama (3); Relocate (4); Immigrant Invest (5); Belize Tourism Board (6); The Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (7); Republic of Philippines Department of Tourism (8, 10, 11); IRS (9); Wise (12, 17); Embassy of Panama (13); International Living (14); Medicare (15); Greenback (16); International Tax Review (18); Global Citizens Solutions (19)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Fishing in troubled waters: West Asia war waves rock Indias coastal economy

For a country whose total coastline spans about 7,516.6 kilometres and is surrounded by seas on three directions, the rising fuel prices and disrupted export routes are mounting immense pressure on the fishing industry.









As monsoon arrives in India, fishing activity along the West coast is banned annually from June 1 to July 31, during which fishermen rely on stock built up during the summer months. (Representative photo) Costly oil, trade woes batter Indias coastal fisheries

Fewer fishing trips cut supply, driving up coastal fish prices

Export delays and higher costs threaten livelihoods of fisherfolk Did our AI summary help?
Karnataka auto LPG shortage: Indian Oil urges autorickshaw drivers to temporarily switch to petrol

IOCs average daily Auto LPG supply in Karnataka, which stood at around 43.5 metric tonnes (MT) per day in February 2026, rose to 59.53 MT/day in March and has been further increased to 68.53 MT/day on April 4.









IOC urges Karnataka auto-rickshaw drivers to switch to petrol

Auto LPG supply increased but shortages persist due to closures

Price gap causes long queues at PSU Auto LPG stations Did our AI summary help?
'Mr Khera will go to jail': Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma slams Congress leader, threatens to file defamation case for 'politically motivated lies'

Khera made a series of allegations and raised questions about Sarma and his family, including why his wife held three passports.









Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Congress alleges Assam CM Sarma's family has assets abroad

Sarma denies claims, calls documents digitally manipulated

Sarma plans defamation cases against Congress leader Pawan Khera Did our AI summary help?
Ninth India-flagged LPG tanker Green Asha crosses Strait of Hormuz amid West Asia conflict

All nine India-flagged vessels that have crossed the Strait of Hormuz during this period have been energy carriers, primarily LPG tankers.









Earlier vessels include BW TYR, BW ELM, Pine Gas, Jag Vasant, MT Shivalik, MT Nanda Devi, and Jag Laadki, all of which have safely transited the strait since the escalation of tensions.
'Will take it to Kolkata': Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has a new 'threat' for India

Speaking to reporters in Sialkot, about 130 km from Lahore, Asif said, If India tries to stage any false flag operation this time, then God-willingly, we will take it to Kolkata.









Earlier this week, Asif had warned that Pakistans response to any attack would be swift, calibrated, and decisive, adding that any future escalation would be met with an even stronger reaction. Pakistan warns of strikes reaching Kolkata if India provokes

Asif claims India may plan false flag ops, gives no proof

Pakistan: We seek peace but will hit back hard if attacked Did our AI summary help?
Bengaluru isnt boring: Old-timers school newcomers, share things to do on weekends

A viral X post calling Bengaluru boring on weekends sparked a sharp response from long-time residents, who shared a list of cultural spots, events and activities that the city has to offer.
China's burial crisis: Families buy flats to store ashes as cemetery costs rise, government steps in

Burial costs in Shanghai have soared beyond what most families can afford. Some turned to keeping cremated ashes in residential flats as a cheaper option. Chinese authorities have now banned the practice under new funeral rules that took effect in March.
'They cant expect...': Laid-off employee refuses 30% pay cut to rejoin company, lands new job with 40% salary hike

A viral post on X is going viral of a man who was laid off without warning, later refused a lower-paid offer from the same company, and secured a better job with higher pay, highlighting the importance of valuing employees.









The company later offered him a consultant role. (Image credit: Pexels) Man laid off after 8 years, no severance or warning given

Company offered him a consultant role at 30% lower salary

He found a new job with 40% higher pay and 20% bonus Did our AI summary help?
'Theyre not just buying...': Parents spend Rs 4.88 crore on apartment to secure their childs future

A family in Perth recently purchased a two-bedroom apartment for $525,000 with plans to eventually gift it to their child, who is estimated to be between nine and twelve years old.









Bale said more families are buying homes for their childrens future. (Image credit: Getty) Perth couple buys $525,000 apartment for their child's future.

More parents buy homes for kids to beat rising prices

Agent warns early buying carries risks if children relocate. Did our AI summary help?
UIDAI invites applications for internship: Check submission dates, how to apply and more

UIDAI has opened internship applications for its Bengaluru technology centre, offering stipend-based roles across disciplines. The authority has set April 15, 2026, as the last date for submission.

Sarthak Singh April 05, 2026 / 10:23 IST























UIDAI UIDAI offers internships at its Technology Centre in Bengaluru

Application deadline is April 15, 2026

Interns tackle real-world digital identity projects Did our AI summary help?

Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day
If youre weighing whether to realize gains this year, your states tax rate can add thousands to your bill.

Credit: insta_photos / Getty Images

Key Takeaways

Nine states, including Texas, Florida and Missouri, don't tax capital gains.

Missouri became the first income-taxing state to fully exempt capital gains starting in 2025.

Maryland and Washington increased capital gains taxes in 2025, with Washingtons top rate reaching 9.9%.

Sell $500,000 in appreciated stock in California, and youll owe the state up to $66,500 if you make over $1 million. Make the same sale in Texas, and youll owe nothing since the state charges zero state tax on capital gains, dividends and investment income.

Neither do eight other states. Missouri joined the list in 2025, while Maryland and Washington have raised their taxes on capital gains in recent years.

In most states, capital gains, dividends and investment income are taxed the same way. The 41 states that tax income treat all three as ordinary income, using the same brackets at the same rates. Hawaii, North Dakota and New Mexico offer partial deductions on capital gains that don't apply to other investment income.

The Zero-Tax Nine

Eight states dont tax personal income, including capital gains. Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming have never imposed them. New Hampshire joined the group in 2025 when its tax on interest and dividends expired.

Missouri is the outlier. It taxes wages, salaries, interest, and dividends at rates up to 4.7%. But a 2025 law allows individuals to deduct 100% of capital gains reported for federal purposes when calculating their state taxable income.

Where Rates Are Climbing

Not every state is lowering taxes on investments. Washington, which doesn't tax wages, imposed a 7% capital gains tax in 2022 on long-term gains above a threshold of about $250,000. The state recently added a 2.9% surcharge on gains above $1 million, pushing the top rate to 9.9%. Washington is among the highest-tax states for capital gains, alongside California (13.3%) and New York (10.9%). But it doesn't tax wages, dividends or interest at all.

Maryland, facing a $3.3 billion budget shortfall, enacted even broader changes. A 2025 law added a permanent 2% surtax on net capital gains for individuals with federal adjusted gross income above $350,000, in addition to a new top state income tax rate of 6.5%.

What Zero Doesnt Cover

A 0% state capital gains rate doesnt mean no tax bill. Federal long-term capital gains rates of 0%, 15% or 20% still apply based on your taxable income:

High earners may also owe the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax once modified adjusted gross income exceeds $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly). Short-term gains (for assets held one year or less) are taxed at ordinary income rates, which run as high as 37%.
According to CBS News, one source indicated that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is seeking leadership aligned with his and President Donald Trumps strategic direction for the Army.

Rewati Karan is Senior Sub Editor at Moneycontrol. She covers law, politics, business, and national affairs. She was previously Principal Correspondent at Financial Express and Copyeditor at ThePrint where she wrote feature stories and covered legal news. She has also worked extensively in social media, videos and podcasts at ThePrint and India Today. She can be reached at rewati.karan@nw18.com | Twitter: @RewatiKaran
The source cited in the report further claimed that Washington was not telling the whole truth about the incident, including its assertion that one crew member had already been rescued. (Representative image)
'Battle-tested generals refuse to be yes-men for TV host': Iran's Parliament Speaker slams Trump admin

The comments come as US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth forced out two army generals in a major rejig after vowing for regime change in the Iran war, the Wall Street Journal reported

ANI April 05, 2026 / 10:55 IST























Iran has repeatedly threatened to close or restrict shipping through the Strait, where roughly 20% of the world's oil passes
Behind Enemy Lines: How US pulled off a 'near-impossible' pilot rescue mission inside hostile Iran

The operation involved hundreds of special forces troops, dozens of aircraft and helicopters, and integrated intelligence support across multiple domains









The operation involved hundreds of special forces troops, dozens of aircraft and helicopters, and integrated intelligence support across multiple domains. (File photo) US airman rescued after F-15E jet shot down over Iran

US forces raced Iranian troops to extract the stranded airman

All US personnel evacuated safely after complex rescue mission Did our AI summary help?
China questions US avoidance of word war as missile strikes continue in Iran: How US legally declares war

China says US missile strikes on Iran avoid the word war, raising legal questions, while US President Trump confirms missing pilot rescued SAFE and SOUND after evading Iranian forces.









Xinhua says US missile strikes on Iran raise legal questions
'Don't bomb': Israelis call for ending Iran war

Demonstrators gathered in a central square, holding signs that read: "Don't bomb  talk! End the endless war!" despite restrictions on mass gatherings imposed during the conflict with Iran.

AFP April 04, 2026 / 23:33 IST























Israeli left-wing activists hold placards while taking part in a protest at HaBima Square in Tel Aviv on April 4, 2026, against the ongoing war with Iran. (AFP image) Hundreds in Tel Aviv protest war with Iran, Netanyahu

Police detained several protesters during anti-war rally

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Downed US pilot communicated with military hours after ejecting in Iran

The weapons systems officer was reportedly wounded but still able to walk, and evaded Iranian forces in mountainous terrain for more than a day before being rescued.
Hours before the attack, Irans semi-official Fars news agency announced an updated target list that included electrical, water and steam infrastructure, in addition to the oil, natural gas and chemical assets that already have been under fire.
Easter outrage: Trumps Strait of Hormuz post draws sharp criticism from former officials and lawmakers

Trumps expletive-filled Easter post threatening Iran over the Strait of Hormuz drew sharp criticism from former officials and lawmakers, including Scaramucci, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Steven Beschloss.









Critics condemn Trumps erratic Easter threats
Nvidia Inc. (NVDA) stock is still cheap here. Shorting one-month out Nvidia put options yields over 1.6% at a strike price 7% lower than the current price. Value investors can set a lower buy-in point and get paid with this play.

NVDA is at $177.39 as of the April 2 close (markets closed today), up from recent lows. It hit a recent trough of $165.17 on March 30. But it could be worth significantly more, given its strong free cash flow (FCF) as well as analysts' price targets.

More News from Barchart

NVDA stock - last 3 months - Barchart - April 2, 2026

I discussed its underlying value in a Feb. 27 Barchart article, Nvidia's Massive Free Cash Flow Margins Could Push NVDA Stock 45% Higher. I discussed how NVDA could be worth $263.42 per share, assuming it keeps making a 44% FCF margin against analysts' revenue estimates.

Higher FCF Based on Higher Revenue Estimates

Since then, revenue forecasts have risen significantly. For example, analysts now project $369.42 billion for 2026 (FY ending Jan. 2027), up $5 billion from $364.38 billion last month. And for the following year, analysts now project $497.97 billion, up from $449.22 billion (i.e., +10.8%). So, on average, the next 12 months (NTM) revenue could hit $433.7 billion, up from $406.8 billion in my last estimate.

As a result, FCF over the next 12 months could reach almost $200 billion:

0.46 x $433.7b NTM revenue = $199.5 billion FCF NTM

That's over twice its $95.575 billion in free cash flow in 2025, where it also had a lower 44.7% FCF margin.

As a result, its valuation could be significantly higher.

Higher Price Targets for NVDA Stock

For example, using a 2.22% FCF yield metric, equal to its 2025 FCF divided by its present market cap of $4.311 trillion, NVDA could be worth over $9 trillion:

$199.5b / 0.022 = $9,068 billion, i.e., $9.07 trillion

That's over 110% higher than today's market cap.

So, just to be conservative, let's assume the FCF margin falls to 44% and the market values Nvidia at a higher FCF yield of 2.50%:

That means it will generate $190.8 billion in FCF (i.e., 0.44 x 433.7b NTM revenue), and its valuation will be $7.6 trillion:

$190.8b FCF / 0.025 = $7,632 billion

That's still 77% higher than today's market cap of $4.311 trillion. In other words, NVDA is worth 77% more:
'Everything blown to pieces': Iran strike destroys drone factory, halts operations

An Iranian missile strike crippled Aero Sol Aviation Solutions plant in Petah Tikva, halting operations, though recovery efforts and relocation plans are underway.









Iran strike cripples Israeli defence production facility (Source: X)
Fire erupts at Bapco oil storage facility in Bahrain after Iranian airstrikes | Watch

The Interior Ministry said civil defence teams were deployed immediately after the incident, adding that measures were taken to control a fire that broke out as a result of the Iranian aggression targeting one of the facilities.









Earlier, on March 9, Bapco had declared force majeure on its operations following an attack on its refinery complex. Fire at Bapco oil facility in Bahrain after Iranian airstrike

Blaze extinguished, no casualties reported, damage assessed

Domestic fuel supply remains secure despite disruption Did our AI summary help?
Irans central military command dismissed a U.S. ultimatum threatening severe consequences if Tehran did not agree to a peace deal, with a senior commander calling it a helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action.

Rewati Karan is Senior Sub Editor at Moneycontrol. She covers law, politics, business, and national affairs. She was previously Principal Correspondent at Financial Express and Copyeditor at ThePrint where she wrote feature stories and covered legal news. She has also worked extensively in social media, videos and podcasts at ThePrint and India Today. She can be reached at rewati.karan@nw18.com | Twitter: @RewatiKaran
The character based on Nawaz Sharif in Dhurandhar 2 is portrayed by Mashhoor Amrohi.
Habibi what is this?: Iran embassy questions reports of US missiles from Kuwait

Irans embassy in Thailand sparks debate with Habibi what is this? post as reports of US missiles launched from Kuwait into Iran face denial and competing claims.









Iran embassy questions reports of US missiles from Kuwait as Kuwait denies role (File image)
How Iran carried out two strikes in a minute that hit the CIA station inside the US embassy in Riyadh

Two Iranian drones breached Saudi air defences, detonating inside the US embassy and hitting a CIA station, leaving parts of the facility beyond repair.









Two Iranian strikes in a minute hit CIA station inside US embassy in Riyadh
Trump has dangled the possibility of the war ending shortly with a claim of victory as a means to calm markets and reassure nervous members of Congress
How Israels intelligence helped US rescue airman in Iran?

Israel provided intelligence support to help the US locate and rescue a stranded airman in Iran during a complex multi-day operation, officials said.









Israel aided US airman rescue in Iran with intelligence support, official says
'If you import third world, you become third world', says US President Trump

The comment, part of Trumps broader immigration rhetoric, came alongside a sharp ultimatum directed at Tehran.









US President Donald Trump Trump issues ultimatum to Iran, warns of military consequences

Iran launches missiles at Israel and Kuwait, rejects US ultimatum

Strikes near Bushehr nuclear plant prompt Russian evacuation Did our AI summary help?
Iran claims it downed two US C-130s, two Black Hawk helicopters in Isfahan operation

The spokesperson of Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the unified command of the Iranian armed forces, said the downed aircraft included a C-130 military transport plane as well as two Black Hawk helicopters.









Only in Hollywood: Iran ridicules US rescue claims amid wreckage reports Iran claims it foiled a US rescue mission for a missing airman

Iran claims US C-130s and Black Hawks destroyed

US President Trump says the rescued airman is safe and recovering Did our AI summary help?
Find winning stocks in any market cycle. Join 7 million investors using Simply Wall St's investing ideas for FREE.

Why British American Tobacco is on investors radar

With no single headline event driving attention today, British American Tobacco (LSE:BATS) is drawing interest as investors weigh its recent share performance in relation to current earnings, cash generation, and its global tobacco and nicotine footprint.

See our latest analysis for British American Tobacco.

At a share price of 44.07, British American Tobacco has seen short term momentum pick up, with a 1 day share price return of 2.18% and year to date share price return of 5.20%. The 1 year total shareholder return of 51.09% and 5 year total shareholder return of 132.14% show how longer term holders have been rewarded.

If you are considering what else could complement a defensive holding like this, it can be worth scanning opportunities in areas with different growth drivers such as 5 top founder-led companies

With British American Tobacco trading at 44.07 and an indicated intrinsic discount of 33.8%, the key question is whether the current valuation still leaves room for upside or if the market already reflects its future growth potential.

Most Popular Narrative: 25.9% Undervalued

According to the most followed narrative on Simply Wall St, a fair value of 59.46 sits well above the recent 44.07 share price, creating a clear valuation gap for investors to assess.

Summarizing things: Over time, BAT aims to transition from a tobacco-centric company to an emerging market-focused consumer goods investment company. This journey, while fraught with short-term risks and public scrutiny, promises long-term benefits.

Read the complete narrative.

Curious what sits behind that higher fair value. The narrative leans heavily on changing revenue mix, fatter margins and a richer profit multiple. Want to see how those pieces fit together in the model.

Result: Fair Value of 59.46 (UNDERVALUED)

Have a read of the narrative in full and understand what's behind the forecasts.

However, this depends on BAT managing ongoing legal and regulatory pressures on tobacco, and on its emerging markets and ITC related plans continuing to progress as expected.

Find out about the key risks to this British American Tobacco narrative.

Next Steps

With that balance of caution and optimism in mind, it makes sense to review the numbers yourself and move quickly to form your own view, starting with 3 key rewards and 2 important warning signs

Looking for more investment ideas?

If you stop with just one stock, you risk missing other opportunities that could fit your goals even better, so put a few more ideas on your radar.
Iran FM Araghchi warns Bushehr nuclear plant strikes would 'end life in GCC capitals, not Tehran'

Russia  which has been involved in constructing and operating the facility  announced it was evacuating 198 personnel from the site.









Bushehr nuclear power plant (AP file photo) US and Israeli strikes hit near Iran's Bushehr nuclear facility

Iran warns radioactive fallout could threaten Gulf capitals

Russia evacuates staff; IAEA urges nuclear sites not be attacked Did our AI summary help?
Iran mocks Trump, calls US president teenager over expletive Strait of Hormuz warning

The Iranian Embassy in Thailand mocked Donald Trump on X, calling him a teenager and criticising his language, claiming the US has reached the Stone Age and warning against further global interference.









Iran taunts Trump, labels him a teenager
Iran rejects Trump's 48-hour ultimatum as 'helpless' and 'unbalanced'

The dismissal comes amid escalating tensions after Washington threatened serious military consequences over the closure of the key shipping route









The hardening tone marks a shift from earlier signals of diplomacy Iran rejects Trumps 48-hour ultimatum on Strait of Hormuz.

Tehran calls Trumps threats helpless, nervous, unbalanced.

Iran claims to have shot down US F-15 and A-10 aircraft. Did our AI summary help?
Iran says new air defence system downed US F-15E: What do we know?

Iran claims its air defence downed US aircraft during rescue operations, marking first confirmed US losses inside Iran, as Washington says strikes have severely degraded Tehrans missile capabilities.









Iran downs US jets amid escalating conflict
Iran strikes hit energy infrastructure across Gulf states

Gulf countries have faced repeated drone and missile salvos from Iran over past weeks in response to US and Israeli strikes that began at the end of February.

AFP April 05, 2026 / 14:57 IST























Authorities in Abu Dhabi said on Sunday they were battling fires at a petrochemical plant in Ruwais Industrial City on the UAE's northwest coast. Iran strikes Gulf infrastructure in UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait

Fires damage petrochemical and desalination facilities

No injuries; Gulf states deny hosting US attack launches. Did our AI summary help?
Iran strikes UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain as Israel attack kills in Beirut

Iran expands attacks across Gulf energy sites while Israeli strikes hit Beirut, signalling a widening conflict and rising risks to regional stability.









Iran strikes UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain as Israel attack kills in Beirut
Iranian media claims 'several US aircraft destroyed' in Isfahan, denies success of pilot rescue operation

US rescues both crew members of a downed F-15 in Iran, while Iranian media claim the rescue mission failed and show wreckage of a US aircraft.









Iran claims several US aircraft destroyed in Isfahan, denies success of pilot rescue operation
Iranian security official warns of 'big surprise' for US-Israel amid escalating conflict

The comments come as the conflict, now over a month old, continues to widen. Iran launched missiles and drones early Sunday targeting Israel and Kuwait, with both countries activating air defence systems in response.









He further criticised US President Donald Trumps messaging, suggesting it was aimed at shaping perception rather than reflecting battlefield realities Iran warns of a "big surprise" for US-Israeli aggressors soon

Missile, drone strikes hit Israel, Kuwait as tensions rise

Iran claims control over Strait of Hormuz, key energy route Did our AI summary help?
Iranian media says IRGC downed US C-130 in Isfahan, five killed in search as Trump says pilot rescued

Tasnim news agency quoted the Guards as saying, "An American enemy aircraft that was searching for the pilot of a downed fighter jet was destroyed by the fighters of Islam in the southern region of Isfahan."









This handout photo provided by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) official website Sepah News on April 5, 2026 reportedly shows the wreckage and remains of targeted and crashed aircraft in central Iran. Pic: AFP Iran says police commandos destroyed US C-130 in rescue attempt

Trump says US rescued two pilots from Iran in risky operations

Strikes on Iran spark fears for global energy supplies Did our AI summary help?
Is Donald Trump hospitalised? White House debunks viral Walter Reed rumours

Viral claims of Donald Trump being hospitalised were debunked after old footage resurfaced, with the White House denying rumours and confirming he remained active and working.









Donald Trump, hospitalisation rumours, Walter Reed
Track your investments for FREE with Simply Wall St, the portfolio command center trusted by over 7 million individual investors worldwide.

Recent share performance and business backdrop

With no specific news event in focus, SSAB (OM:SSAB A) is drawing attention after recent share price moves, prompting investors to reassess the business mix, returns profile, and current valuation.

See our latest analysis for SSAB.

The recent 5.2% 7 day share price return contrasts with a modest 1.8% share price return year to date, while the 1 year total shareholder return of 41.5% points to stronger longer term momentum that investors are weighing against current valuation.

If SSAB has you thinking about where else value and momentum might overlap, this is a good moment to broaden your search with 96 top founder-led companies

With SSAB shares up 5.2% over the past week and delivering a 41.5% total return over 1 year, while the price remains below the average analyst target, investors may be wondering whether the stock is still underpriced or if the market is already factoring in future growth.

Most Popular Narrative: 13.5% Undervalued

According to a widely followed narrative, SSABs last close at SEK75.14 sits below an estimated fair value of SEK86.87, putting a spotlight on what is driving that gap.

Sweden's traditional steel mill, SSAB is in an enviable position relative to its peers, for three reasons: 1) Its plants are strategically well placed on both sides of the Atlantic. Thus, it will not be caught between millstones if the US and the EU get entangled in a trade war centred on steel and aluminium. Indeed, the company is set to profit from such a scenario, as its markets in both the US and the EU would receive protection from Chinese and Korean competition.

Read the complete narrative.

According to PittTheYounger, the fair value hinges on how fast earnings grow, how much profit SSAB keeps from each krona of sales, and the future earnings multiple that market participants might be willing to pay.

Result: Fair Value of SEK86.87 (UNDERVALUED)

Have a read of the narrative in full and understand what's behind the forecasts.

However, this narrative can be challenged if trade policies shift in ways that limit protection for SSAB, or if construction and rearmament spending plans are scaled back.

Find out about the key risks to this SSAB narrative.

Another View: Cash Flows Tell a Tougher Story

While the popular narrative points to a fair value of SEK86.87 and a 13.5% undervaluation, the SWS DCF model paints a different picture. On that view, SSABs estimated value sits at SEK53.49, which would make the current SEK75.14 share price look expensive instead of cheap.
Oman, Iran hold Hormuz talks as Trumps 48-hour deadline looms

Oman and Iran discuss ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz as US President Donald Trumps 48-hour ultimatum to reopen the route nears.









Oman-Iran talks on Hormuz come as Trumps ultimatum clock ticks
The criticism has mounted after some of its users made substantial bets ahead of the war in Iran and the military action in Venezuela earlier this year.
Trump says airman seriously wounded as Iran was getting close before rescue

Trump says a seriously wounded US airman was rescued from Iran in a rare high-risk operation as Iranian forces were closing in.









Trump says airman was seriously wounded, was rescued as Iranian military closed in
President Donald Trump said Sunday that US forces had safely recovered a second airman downed in Iran, calling it "one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History".
Trump sees 'good chance' of Iran deal in coming days, warns 'blowing up everything' if no pact

Trump tells Axios there is a good chance of striking a deal with Iran by Tuesday, but warns he will blow up everything if no agreement is reached.









Trump sees good chance of Iran deal, warns of total strikes if talks fail
UAE says Khor Fakkan port targeted after vessel reports suspicious activity

A vessel at UAEs Khor Fakkan port reported multiple splashes from unknown projectiles, prompting authorities to respond and investigate the incident.









Container ship reports suspicious activity at UAEs Khor Fakkan port (File image)
'Unprecedented begging': Iran criticises Trumps expletiveladen threats after 'teenager' jibe

Tensions between Washington and Tehran intensified as Iran mocked Donald Trumps expletive-laden Strait of Hormuz threats, calling him a teenager and criticising his unprecedented level of begging in social media posts.









Iran mocks Trumps desperate, expletive-filled threats
At least 7 US aircraft lost in Iran war, says report; heres the estimated cost

As reported, the downing of two US fighter jets in a single day on Friday, in separate incidents  a US Air Force F-15 and an A-10  raised the total number of manned US aircraft lost in the conflict with Iran to seven.









This handout photo provided by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) official website Sepah News on April 5, 2026 shows smoke billowing reportedly from the site of targeted and crashed aircraft in central Iran. Seven US manned aircraft lost in conflict with Iran, CNN reports

Friendly fire, Iranian strikes led to US aircraft losses

17 MQ-9 Reapers lost, heightening cost and mission strain Did our AI summary help?
US is winning war, only in Hollywood: Iran mocks Trumps rescue claims amid conflicting reports

Iran mocks US claims of a successful rescue mission while sharing alleged wreckage footage, as Washington maintains both crew members were safely recovered.









Only in Hollywood: Iran ridicules US rescue claims amid wreckage reports
Iran parliament speaker warns Trumps reckless moves could set region ablaze

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of Irans parliament, reacted to US President Donald Trumps renewed threats, posting in English on X apparently directed at the US leader.

Your reckless moves are dragging the United States into a living HELL for every single family, and our whole region is going to burn because you insist on following [Israeli PM Benjamin] Netanyahus commands, Ghalibaf wrote.

He added, Make no mistake: You wont gain anything through war crimes. The only real solution is respecting the rights of the Iranian people and ending this dangerous game.

The remarks come amid heightened tensions between the US and Iran, following Trumps warnings of potential strikes on Iranian infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
2025 was the year of air taxi hype. In 2026, the shine is coming off this disruptive new industry and prior investor favorite. Stocks like Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) are down 62% from all-time highs, falling quickly amid broad market sentiment and investor demand to exit risk assets.

The company reported earnings in early March and is making steady progress to bring its electric air taxi vision to market. Does that mean you should buy the stock now? Or is now the time to just walk away?

Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue 

Bringing air taxis to market

Electric air taxis utilize battery technology to transport passengers like a helicopter -- but more quietly -- across urban areas. The concept can turn a 60-minute drive in traffic into a 10-minute air taxi ride, which would be a strong value proposition in virtually any city around the world.

Archer Aviation has been working tirelessly to develop its Midnight aircraft and get it approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It recently achieved 100% compliance with the FAA for its aircraft, a huge milestone for the vehicle. Now, it will begin working with local regulators in New York, Florida, and Texas to start getting taxi networks operational in these cities sometime this year.

It is an exciting time for the business, but these are still early days for the start-up. If it can scale up taxi networks in dozens of cities around the globe, there is an opportunity for the company to generate hundreds of millions, if not billions, in annual revenue at some point in the future. However, today, it is still a pre-revenue start-up that is not doing much financially except burning cash and diluting shareholders.

Image source: Getty Images.

Should you buy or walk away?

You can envision a future where Archer Aviation is a successful business. Air taxis are the future of urban travel, and they can print money by either selling vehicles to third parties or operating their own taxi network, making revenue on every ride. It also has a burgeoning defense business focused on deploying its technology to the battlefield and is working on autonomous driving for air taxis.

The problem is, this is all theoretical, and Archer Aviation looks like a mess financially right now. It had an operating loss of $729 million with zero revenue in 2025. To keep the business alive, shares outstanding have grown by 200% cumulatively over the last five years alone.
US rescues second F-15E airman in Iran in 'daring' mission

The rescued crew member, whose identity has not been disclosed, was one of two aircrew aboard the F-15E Strike Eagle shot down by Iranian forces on Friday.









A specialised commando unit conducted the operation with air cover, and all personnel involved were said to have exited Iranian airspace safely. (Representative image) US forces rescued a stranded American airman in Iran

The operation was a high-risk mission with air support

All personnel exited Iranian airspace safely Did our AI summary help?
'We won the war twice recently': Iran mocks US after Trumps fighter jet rescue announcement

Iranian Consulate mocks US rescue as Trump warns of strikes if Strait of Hormuz remains closed.









Iranian Consulate in Hyderabad mocks US after Trumps fighter jet rescue announcement
Trump disclosed that another pilot had already been rescued a day earlier, but officials chose not to make that information public at the time.

Rewati Karan is Senior Sub Editor at Moneycontrol. She covers law, politics, business, and national affairs. She was previously Principal Correspondent at Financial Express and Copyeditor at ThePrint where she wrote feature stories and covered legal news. She has also worked extensively in social media, videos and podcasts at ThePrint and India Today. She can be reached at rewati.karan@nw18.com | Twitter: @RewatiKaran
Irans foreign minister Abbas Araghchi's remarks underscored a key geographic reality: Bushehrs coastal placement makes neighbouring Arab states more immediately exposed than Irans own political centre.

Rewati Karan is Senior Sub Editor at Moneycontrol. She covers law, politics, business, and national affairs. She was previously Principal Correspondent at Financial Express and Copyeditor at ThePrint where she wrote feature stories and covered legal news. She has also worked extensively in social media, videos and podcasts at ThePrint and India Today. She can be reached at rewati.karan@nw18.com | Twitter: @RewatiKaran
Why Iran is recalling the failed Eagle Claw mission to counter Trumps daring F-15E pilot rescue

As Donald Trump hails a daring pilot rescue, Iran invokes Operation Eagle Claw to challenge the narrative, reviving memories of a failed 1980 US mission.









Eagle Claw echoes amid US-Iran rescue narrative
Why Pope Leo is pushing back against using religion to justify war

As tensions rise in the Middle East, the new pope is emerging as a quiet but firm voice against turning faith into a reason for conflict.









Why Pope Leo is pushing back against using religion to justify war
Why Trumps Iran war feels different from past US conflicts

What looks like a more aggressive war strategy is also revealing something deeper about how America now fights and understands war.









Why Trumps Iran war feels different from past US conflicts
News image PIRO4D/Pixaby

Two different sets of data offer two different pictures of Midlands housing market.

Based on Multiple Listing Service data for the Midland metropolitan area, Midland homes seem to be moving better than those elsewhere in Texas, according to Daniel Oney, research director at the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University.

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Summary of data for Midland Composite score: 9.0

Median sale price (Jan 2026): $146,250

1-year change in median sale price (20242025): -26.9%

Share of homes that sold above asking: 3.9%

Median number of days on the market: 72.8

Average sale-to-list percentage: 61.3%

Share of listings with price drops: 31.1% Summary of data for United States: Composite score: N/A

Median sale price (Jan 2026): $422,921

1-year change in median sale price (20242025): +1.6%

Share of homes that sold above asking: 27.0%

Median number of days on the market: 48.7

Average sale-to-list percentage: 98.8%

Share of listings with price drops: 18.1%

Oney cited February MLS data that showed year-over-year sales in Midland were up 27%. Median closing price was down 2% to almost $359,000, and active listings had climbed 29%. He also noted a 4% increase in homes under contract.

Based on these, Id say the Midland market looks a lot like the state with more people listing homes, which is softening prices. The big difference is that Midland prices are holding up better than most of the state, especially the big markets like Austin and Dallas. Overall Texas home sales have had a slower start this year, but homes seem to be moving better in Midland, he told the Reporter-Telegram by email.

Construction Coverage used Redfins Data Center to compile a composite score based on the one-year change in median sale price, share of homes sold above asking price, median number of days on market, average sale-to-list percentage and share of listings with price drops. With a composite score of 9, Construction Coverage ranked Midland 682nd out of 685 small cities.

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Researchers at Construction Coverage found that, even though the national real estate market is slowing, some regions are seeing significantly more activity than others.

States in the Northeast dominate the rankings, with seven of the top 10 hottest states located in the Northeast. Connecticut leads the country with a composite score of 93.9, followed closely by New Jersey (89.0), Rhode Island (87.8) and New York (86.9).

Despite its high cost of living, California ranks among the most active markets with a score of 62.9, and several of its northern metro areas, including San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland, stand out as the hottest housing markets among large cities  those with populations over 350,000. One major factor driving demand in these areas is the difficulty of adding new housing supply, according to researchers. Densely populated cities in the Northeast and restrictive zoning laws in California have made it harder to build new homes, keeping supply tight and prices elevated.

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Many Southern and Mountain West markets have cooled off. In 2021, Texas cities like Arlington, Fort Worth and Austin ranked among the top 15 hottest markets. However, entering 2026, those same cities have dropped into the bottom 15 of the rankings. Similarly, Phoenix and Mesa, Arizona, which were among the most in-demand real estate markets during the pandemic, now rank near the bottom. The rapid home price increases in these regions  combined with rising mortgage rates and return-to-office mandates  have made these once-popular migration destinations less attractive to buyers.

The full report analyzes real estate market conditions in more than 850 U.S. cities and all 50 states. Construction Coverages report is available at https://constructioncoverage.com/research/hottest-real-estate-markets-us.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) is included among the 15 Cheapest Stocks with Highest Dividends.

Erste Group Sees Profit Growth Ahead, Upgrades Verizon (VZ) to Buy

Ken Wolter / Shutterstock.com

On April 2, Erste Group upgraded Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) to Buy from Hold. The analyst said Verizons profitability is significantly higher than that of most of its competitors and expects operating profit to increase over the next two years.

On March 30, Reuters reported that a federal judge granted Verizon Wireless a preliminary injunction blocking T-Mobile from running ads that promised consumers more than $1,000 in annual savings for switching carriers. U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan said Verizon is likely to succeed on the merits of its claim that T-Mobiles Save Over $1,000 campaign amounted to false advertising and could cause irreparable harm.

He also said the injunction supports the public interest by promoting truthful and accurate advertising, ensuring that what consumers see is what they get. T-Mobile and its lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In its February 4 lawsuit, Verizon argued that T-Mobile compared its promotional rates against Verizons standard rates. It also claimed that T-Mobile overstated the value of services that the other guys leave out.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) operates as a holding company. Through its subsidiaries, it provides communications, technology, information, and streaming services to consumers, businesses, and government clients.

While we acknowledge the potential of VZ as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 13 Best Diversified Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now and 14 Cheap DRIP Stocks to Buy Now

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.
Permian Resources Logo Courtesy Permian Resources

Permian Resources is hosting its first Nonprofit Fair on April 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its Midland office, 300 N. Marienfeld.

The goal of the fair is to connect the companys nearly 300 Midland employees with nonprofit organizations. About 18 nonprofits will be set up throughout the first and second floors to provide employees with information about volunteer opportunities, committee work and ways to get involved.

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The fair is designed for Permian Resources employees, but Lyndsey White, community engagement advisor, said the two floors have a lot of public walk-through traffic, so hopefully this will allow for even more connections to be made.

The Nonprofit Fair aims to give Permian Resources employees an opportunity to learn more about the missions and programs of participating organizations. In 2025, Permian Resources paired 11 employees with local nonprofits to serve on boards or committees through its community engagement efforts. The nonprofit fair is intended to expand that outreach and match employees with organizations that align with their interests in service.

Permian Resources is committed to giving back to the organizations where our employees live and our company operates. Hosting this fair in our office makes it easy for our employees to directly connect with nonprofits and the opportunities that are available to serve in our community, said White.

Providing the space for our nonprofit partners to share their missions and outreach efforts is a great way to engage with our large employee base at one time. We look forward to seeing how many meaningful connections are made as a result of the fair, she added.
Dr. Mike Slattery Texas Christian University

As the economic impact of the Iran War is increasingly felt across the globe, Texans are urged to remember lessons learned over more than two decades.

Energy security is inseparable from energy diversity, said Dr. Mike Slattery, research director at Texas Christian Universitys Ralph Lowe Energy Institute. They go hand-in-hand.

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Diverse sources can also serve as a buffer against energy supply and price shocks, he noted. That is a lesson Texas has learned better than most other states, he told the Reporter-Telegram in a phone interview.

He cited an example from last year, when wind power supplied a large share of electricity on the Texas grid during periods of record-breaking demand. Not once did grid operators issue an emergency conservation alert. That outcome was not an accident. It was the product of more than two decades of policy decisions, private investment and infrastructure development that most Americans know little about.

The rise of wind energy in Texas did not emerge from environmental activism. It began in 1999, when Gov. George W. Bush signed legislation creating one of the nations first renewable portfolio standards.

A decade later, Gov. Rick Perry championed the Competitive Renewable Energy Zones transmission project, a network of high-voltage lines completed in 2013 that connected the windy plains of West Texas to the states major population centers. Private capital followed. Landowners on ranches already supporting cattle and crops signed turbine leases. Markets did the rest.

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Today, Texas produces more wind electricity than any other state. Wind supplies roughly a third of ERCOT grid electricity at certain times of year, and generation has risen more than 20 percent since 2021. This happened because the economics worked, not because Washington required it.

It is unfortunate the current administration seems to be anti-renewable energy and anti-wind turbines, Slattery said, because that opposition is not based on the reality and economics on the ground.

Critics also cite Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 when there were widespread outages across the state. Critics point to the failure of wind turbines and solar panels, but Slattery said all energy sources underperformed during the storm.

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The Texas model of diverse energy sources was not necessarily explicitly planned but was a combination of geography, an infrastructure foundation and policies, Slattery said. The Permian Basin, with its fossil fuel resources, created the infrastructure, workforce and institutional capacity for large-scale energy development. Wind and solar built on that foundation.
People react near a handbag made with T. rex fossil-derived collagen on display at Museum ArtZoo in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, April 2, 2026. REUTERS

AMSTERDAM (Reuters)  Scientists and designers unveiled on Thursday a handbag made with collagen derived from Tyrannosaurus rex fossils from the U.S. in a unique creation intended to demonstrate the value of laboratory-grown leather.

The teal-colored bag will be displayed on a rock in a cage under a replica of a T. rex at Amsterdams Art Zoo museum until May 11 after which it will be auctioned, with a reported starting price of more than half a million dollars.

Scientists behind the initiative said the material was developed using ancient protein fragments extracted from dinosaur remains that were inserted into an unidentified animals cell to produce collagen that was turned into leather.

There were a lot of technical challenges, said Thomas Mitchell, CEO of The Organoid Company, one of three companies behind the so-called T. rex leather bag.

Genomic engineering firm Organoid and creative agency VML, another of the firms behind the project, previously collaborated on creating a giant meatball in 2023 by combining the DNA of a woolly mammoth with sheep cells.

Che Connon, CEO of LabGrown Leather Ltd. that worked on producing the leather for the handbag from the engineered collagen, said the T. Rex origin gave it extra oomph.

Its not just about a green alternative to leather, its a technological upgrade, Connon said of lab-grown leather.

Some scientists outside the project have expressed skepticism about the term T. rex leather, saying material from other animals would be needed.

Dutch vertebrate paleontologist Melanie During, of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, said collagen can persist in dinosaur bones only as fragmented traces that cannot be used to recreate T. rex skin or leather.

Thomas R. Holtz Jr., a paleontologist at the University of Maryland, similarly said any collagen identified in T. rex fossils comes from inside bone, not skin, and that even perfectly matching proteins would lack the largerscale fiber organization that gives animal leather its distinctive properties.

I would say that when you do something new for the first time, there is always criticism, Mitchell said in response.

And I think were really grateful for that criticism. Its the bedrock of scientific exploration  I think this is the closest anyone has gotten and will probably ever get to create something thats T. rex.
Commonwealth Utilities Corp. board members and management held a special meeting on April 2 to discuss the Fuel Adjustment Charge. Photo by Bryan Manabat

By Bryan Manabat

[email protected]

Variety News Staff

THE Commonwealth Utilities Corp. is asking the Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission to lift the cap on its Fuel Adjustment Charge and allow the rate to rise to 44 cents per kilowatt-hour. CUC officials said global fuel prices have doubled, leaving the utility unable to absorb the increase.

The proposed rate  up from the current 24 cents  reflects the FAC formula and would be the largest adjustment CUC has ever sought, officials said during a special board meeting on April 2.

CUC Executive Director Kevin Watson said the petition is necessary to keep pace with soaring oil prices.

We have filed a petition with CPUC to increase the FAC per the formula, Watson said, adding that CUC was informed the oil price is now over $300 a barrel. He called the situation serious and said the utility is waiting for CPUC to secure a quorum and schedule a meeting.

The FAC covers fuel and fuel-related purchases and appears on customers monthly bills. The base rate, which funds personnel, operations, projects, and debt service, has not increased since April 2014.

On March 16, CPUC lifted the FAC tariff freeze, allowing CUC to adjust the rate from $0.19706 per kWh to $0.22075 per kWh. CUC later announced a further increase to $0.245 per kWh effective April 1, 2026.

However, CUC said the formula-based FAC for April 2026 is $0.44489 per kWh. Because CPUC capped the rate at $0.245, CUC must obtain commission approval before the higher rate can take effect. CPUC has not yet scheduled a meeting.

Fuel costs jump to more than $8 million a month

Chief Financial Officer Betty Terlaje said CUCs fuel supplier notified the utility that prices would rise by more than 105%, effectively doubling monthly fuel expenses.

CUC currently spends about $4.2 million a month on fuel. Under the new pricing, that amount is expected to exceed $8 million, creating a monthly shortfall of roughly $4 million.

Terlaje said CUC has about $12 million in cash, but those funds are already committed to payroll, fuel purchases, and other obligations. At the current burn rate, she warned, the utility could run out of cash by June.

She added that collections lag 45 to 60 days and that higher rates may lead more customers to seek payment assistance.

Load shedding discussed but discouraged

CUC Board Chair Allen Perez said each day without an approved rate adjustment deepens the financial strain.

For CUC, its an additional $4.2 million a month to meet the fuel requirements. We do not have sufficient cash reserves to weather that amount, Perez said.

He said CUC has informed Gov. David M. Apatang and other island leaders that load shedding is among the options being considered.

Board member Simon Sanchez, appearing virtually, urged caution. While outages would reduce fuel consumption, he said they would also reduce revenue, making load shedding a last resort.

Whats worse than higher power bills is having no power, Sanchez said. If you cant buy fuel, you cant pump water to people. You cant provide power to the hospital.

Perez agreed that load shedding would only stretch the timeline while CUC seeks outside funding and would disrupt water service, which depends on electrically powered wells and pumps.

Sanchez noted that the Guam Power Authority has cash reserves, a self-insurance fund, and revenue from contractual penalties  giving it more flexibility to absorb short-term fuel shocks. CUC, he said, has no such buffer.

Emergency measures under review

Perez said CUC has already briefed the governor and other leaders on the financial risks and the potential need for emergency actions.

Discussions included seeking federal assistance and, if conditions worsen, requesting a formal emergency declaration to unlock disaster-related funding.

CUC management is also exploring other measures such as negotiating extended payment terms with fuel suppliers and seeking short-term financing from local banks.

During the special board meeting, officials also discussed CUCs FY 2024 financial audit, provided an update on CUC RFP 25-021  issued Aug. 26, 2025, and seeking an independent power producer to build solar photovoltaic systems with battery energy storage across all islands  and reviewed CUCs Saipan power pole replacement project.

Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
Melvin Faisao

By Emmanuel T. Erediano

[email protected]

Variety News Staff

A REFALUWASCH culture advocate in the CNMI is seeking transparency in ongoing consultations pursuant to Section 902 of the Covenant.

In his letter to House Committee on Commerce Chairman Rep. Thomas John Manglona, former Rep. Melvin L.O. Faisao, who currently serves as senior advisor of the URAALI Refaluwasch Association, said the CNMI governments request to exempt the Commonwealth from the U.S. Department of Transportations flight cap order carries significant implications not only for our tourism sector, but also for employment, small businesses, and overall economic stability  particularly for communities such as the NMD-Refaluwasch constituency that remain closely tied to tourism-driven economic activity.

Faisao is asking the lawmaker to advocate for transparency and coordination across relevant agencies, which he said remain essential.

Faisao reached out to Manglona in reaction to the Commonwealth Ports Authority boards recent decision to withdraw its application for exemption from the USDOT order so that its chair, Bart Jackson, and CPA Executive Director Esther Ada can participate in the Section 902 talks.

He wants guidance from Manglona given the significance of this action to the Commonwealths tourism recovery and broader economic outlook.

Faisao is also curious about the role of the Commonwealth Economic Investment Authority in these efforts, saying CEIA must be involved and provide assurances that air service access issues between China and the CNMI will be addressed in Section 902 negotiations.

In the absence of Annex VI of the U.S.-China bilateral agreement, which exempts the CNMI from flight frequency limitations between the U.S. and China, Faisao said the CNMI must have alternative strategies to support tourism recovery and restore visitor arrivals.

CEIA, he believes, must also exercise its statutory responsibilities to review or discuss the economic implications of CPAs withdrawal of the USDOT exemption application.

Emmanuel Arnold Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
Michael Pese, his wife Tupe Smith, and two of their children. Contributed photo

(Right to Democracy)  On April 2, 2026, the day after the U.S. Supreme Court took up the meaning of the Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment in Trump v. Barbara, a criminal defendant in Alaska is relying on the Citizenship Clause to defend against allegations he falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen on state forms.

Michael Pese was born in American Samoa, a U.S. territory for over 125 years. Yet federal statutes and administrative policies label him a national, but not a citizen of the United States. Based on these laws, state prosecutors are pursuing multiple felony charges against Pese and other American Samoan residents of Whittier, Alaska, who had followed the guidance of local officials to check that they were U.S. citizens in the absence of any box for U.S. nationals. If convicted, each face up to 5-10 years in jail.

Pese filed a motion to dismiss all charges on the grounds that he is a U.S. citizen based on the Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

The states criminal targeting of my family simply because we were born in American Samoa is extremely painful. Last week I had to bury my mother, who the state continues to prosecute even after her death. As cancer weakened her body, she was forced to worry about whether her kids might go to jail and what would happen to her grandchildren if they did, said Michael Pese. Last year Alaska charged Pese, his mother Miliama Suli, and several siblings with felony perjury and voter misconduct. We have gone from feeling like valued members of the community to feeling like unwanted criminals. This is not just wrong, its unconstitutional.

The Constitution is clear. If you are born under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the United States, as Michael Pese was, you have a right to citizenship, full stop. No president, congress, or state official has the power to change that, said Neil Weare, co-director of Right to Democracy, who represents Michael Pese and his wife, Tupe Smith, who the state is also prosecuting. The text and history of the Citizenship Clause demonstrate it applies in States and Territories alike. As a result, all charges filed against Michael Pese must fail  he is a U.S. citizen.

So long as the people of American Samoa continue to choose to be under the U.S. flag  as they have for the last 125 years  the Constitution gives people born in American Samoa the right to U.S. citizenship, said Charles Alailima, an American Samoan attorney who also represents Pese and Smith. Federal officials imposed the status of non-citizen U.S. national on American Samoans in the 1920s over the unanimous objections of their leaders at that time. This denial of citizenship was as unconstitutional then as it remains today.

Pese is also represented by Stoel Rives and Dresner Zelinsky.

More information about how the political branches redefined the meaning of the Citizenship Clause following the Spanish-American War to deny birthright citizenship in U.S. territories is available in an amicus brief filed by Right to Democracy in Trump v. Barbara on behalf of 21 current and former elected officials and judges from U.S. territories:

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/25/25-365/399430/20260226163157486_25-365%20Amici%20Brief.pdf

For more information, contact Neil Weare at [email protected] or 202-365-7427.
Microshifting involves tackling job duties in short, productive bursts instead of a single stretch. Time spent at work is flexible and scheduled around personal responsibilities and priorities. Maskot/Getty Images

Before the house is humming and her teenagers ask her to whip up breakfast or chauffeur them to school, Jen Meegan reads her company emails and revisits ideas she drafted the night before.

She works for an hour or so, then after the school run shops for groceries or gets gas before returning to focus deeply on her job as head writer and cofounder of Sheer Havoc, a creative services agency.

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And so goes the rhythm of her day: working in targeted chunks for a few hours, breaking for an hour or two to tend to family and personal needs, and repeating the pattern until she finishes her work late at night.

Meegan is among the wage earners engaging in "microshifting," a flexible scheduling approach that involves tackling job duties in short, productive bursts instead of a single nine-to-five stretch. The paid labor fits around and between non-work responsibilities and priorities. Performance is judged primarily by output, with less emphasis on the number of hours logged behind a screen.

"Sometimes the break's when most of the work will get done in your head, because you're not sitting in front of a laptop just staring at a screen going, 'I can't come up with anything,'" Meegan said.

The practice is growing in popularity among workers and gaining acceptance in some organizations as a way to improve work-life balance. The remote and hybrid arrangements that came out of the coronavirus pandemic left some people aching for time to care for others or themselves once return-to-office mandates were issued.

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"As more managers and more organizations get better adept at giving a little bit of autonomy, this is becoming not only a little more popular, but it also gives employees the motivation and almost the license to ask for this," Kevin Rockmann, a professor of management at George Mason University's Costello College of Business.

Here's what some workers, managers and experts have to say about the pros and cons of microshifting.

Boosting creativity, productivity

While some independent contractors say they've been microshifting for years, the term is catching on among people holding down jobs that traditionally require set, contiguous hours. Some companies offer such flexibility or acknowledge they have employees working this way even if the method isn't explicitly condoned.

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Proponents argue that working in increments boosts productivity by giving the brain breaks. Taking walks or attending a child's school function can be reinvigorating for people who get drained from sitting at a desk or looking at a computer screen, supporters say.

"From a creativity standpoint, it's good to take breaks," Rockmann said. "When you stop thinking about a task is when your best ideas come to you."

When Shellie Garrett led an eight-person team as director of investigations and appeals at Oklahoma Community Cares Partners, an entity created to check the veracity of rental assistance claims during the pandemic, she allowed the people she managed to set their own schedules, aside from weekly team meetings.

"Everybody needed to maintain availability for emergency questions or issues. But I let people determine what worked best for them productivity-wise," Garrett said. "If productivity was lapsing, we had to figure out different solutions. But overall, I feel like giving that autonomy led to better production and happier employees."

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While on the clock, her team members updated spreadsheets, cross-referenced documents or did investigative work. In their off-hours, one employee was nursing an infant and homeschooling a preschooler, and another worked a second job as a real estate agent.

Impact on relationships

Amanda Elyse, who works as a full-time professor of legal writing at Seattle University School of Law and a part-time policy and programs lead at the Northwest Animal Rights Network, said microshifting allows her to have meals with her partner, who works nights, and to play with her dogs during the day.

"There's just so many little things in the day that, when you're in control of your schedule, you can take that time to do," Elyse said.

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While microshifting is often good for personal relationships, it can damage professional ones, Rockmann said.

Effective teams are committed to working together collaboratively, but "the whole idea of microshifting is taking care of yourself," he said. "It's not that taking care of yourself is bad. It places the emphasis on the individual, not the relationships."

Pranav Dalal, the founder and CEO of California-based remote staffing firm Office Beacon, manages employees in India, the Philippines, Mexico and South Africa. They work for American companies in areas such as customer service, finance and logistics. Dalal knows some employees are microshifting to take care of personal needs.

"It's happening without a policy and without me saying it, and those are in positions where they're more managerial positions," he said. "I don't really question it because I know that people are getting their work done at those levels."

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As a single father, Dalal says he understands. But there are times when people take it too far. When one team member routinely showed up late to in-person work events because they were tending to personal business, it created problems, so Dalal let that employee go.

"If someone really abuses that, it becomes destructive to the team because then resentment builds," Dalal added. "As an employer, it definitely is a big shift for companies. And the shift is, essentially, can you deliver the same quality service, reliably, when there's microshifting happening?"

Helping manage health

Isabelle "Izzy" Young's job as a political organizer in Texas is all-consuming but she can choose her own hours, for the most part, as long as she's getting the job done.

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The ability to self-schedule helps Young manage her autism and a chronic illness called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, which can cause a rapid heart rate or dizziness when standing up. If she needs more sleep, she may set meetings for later in the day. If she needs to reset her nervous system, she can take an hour or two midday to call a friend or read a book before working into the evening.

"I am very lucky to have a principal that is a compassionate person," Young said. "He's acutely aware that life happens, and you can be incredibly productive and chronically ill."

One downside is she feels like she's almost always working. "The job never ends, so you're never really off the clock."

Garrett, the team leader in Oklahoma, worked in two-hour blocks, which helped her manage the ups and downs of chronic conditions including an autoimmune disease and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, she said. She could have a burst of creativity and then take a nap or go to the gym.

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"Microshifting was honestly a godsend," Garrett said. "I don't know if I could have done this job without being able to do that."

Making the ask

When asking an employer for the flexibility to set your own hours, tell them how they're going to benefit, Garrett suggested.

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Jacksonville Police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

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 A 43-year-old Jacksonville man was arrested at 3:03 a.m. Sunday at South Church Street and West Chambers Avenue on charges of driving while license is revoked, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and disregarding a stop sign.

 A 45-year-old Jacksonville woman was arrested at 8:49 p.m. Friday in the 700 block of East State Street on charges of driving under the influence, illegal transportation of alcohol, improper lane use, and obstructing a peace officer. She was accused of refusing to get out of the car and locking the doors when she was pulled over, according to a police report.

 A 29-year-old Jacksonville woman was arrested at 3:30 p.m. Friday at Ebey Street and Beecher Avenue on a battery charge. She was accused of hitting a woman during a fight in the 900 block of West Walnut Street on March 30, according to a police report.

 A 22-year-old Jacksonville woman was cited on a disorderly conduct charge at 3:15 p.m. Friday after being accused of creating a disturbance in the drive-through of Wendy's at 901 W. Morton Ave.

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 A 36-year-old Jacksonville woman was cited on a disorderly charge at 12:20 p.m. Friday at North Prairie and West State streets. She was accused of screaming and causing a disturbance, according to a police report.

 A 29-year-old Jacksonville woman was arrested at 11:32 a.m. Friday in the 2100 block of East Morton Avenue on a Morgan County warrant accusing her of failing to appear in court on a charge of driving while license is suspended.

 A 41-year-old Jacksonville man was arrested at 9:35 a.m. Friday at East College and South Clay avenues on a theft charge. He was accused of stealing a security camera from an apartment in the 700 block of East State Street on March 30, according to a police report.

 A 49-year-old Jacksonville man was arrested at 8:50 a.m. Friday in the 900 block of West Walnut Street on a theft charge. He was accused of stealing a trash can from a business, according to a police report.

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DISTURBANCES

 Police were called at 2:34 a.m. Sunday to a disturbance in the 300 block of West Beecher Avenue. Those involved were separated.

 Police were called at 4:44 a.m. Saturday to a disturbance on Fayette Court. Those involved were separated.

 Police were called at 9:56 p.m. Friday to a disturbance in the 300 block of Madison Street. One of the two involved left to calm down, according to a police report.

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 Police were called at 12:20 p.m. Friday to a disturbance at Head West Sub Shop, 401 S. Main St., involving a report of a woman refusing to leave. She left before officers arrived, according to a police report.

 Police were called at 12:09 p.m. Friday to the 100 block of Diamond Court for a report of a woman causing a disturbance. The woman left the area, according to police.

ACCIDENTS

 A 21-year-old South Jacksonville man was cited on a charge of failing to yield after his car and one being driven by a 21-year-old Virginia woman collided at 10 a.m. Friday at North Main Street and West Lafayette Avenue. Both drivers were treated at the scene, but declined being taken to a hospital, according to a police report.

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THEFTS, BURGLARIES
Tampa Bay, Florida car dealer and wholesaler Mohamad Jihad Fakih, 27, is facing prison time after being found guilty in a scheme involving fraudulent loans, straw purchasers, bogus insurance claims and a stolen Rolls-Royce SUV.

Fakih was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and attempting to export a stolen vehicle, the Middle District of Florida U.S. Attorneys Office (1) (USAO) reports.

He was also ordered to forfeit $378,886.96, the proceeds of the conspiracy to commit wire fraud, the USAO said in a release.

Must Read

According to court documents, Fakih and a co-conspirator targeted auto financing companies, submitting fraudulent loan applications through his dealership website. He and his co-conspirators collaborated with pretend buyers (straw purchasers) who had no intention of purchasing a car.

Fakih would then collect the loan money and give a cut of the money to his co-conspirator and straw purchasers. He also used the fraudulently obtained loan money to purchase cars and try to export them.

In what the USAO describes as a more straightforward theft, Fakih used a straw purchaser to procure a stolen Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV worth $460,000, and then tried to export it overseas  but the shipping container was seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The USAO reports that Fakih also filed false insurance claims for vehicles, reporting them as stolen.

Impacts of fraud

When it comes to auto loans and purchasing, fraud impacts both consumers and lenders.

Between March and September 2023, fraud-related losses for auto loans were 21 times greater than for losses due to credit card fraud, and six times as great as losses due to unsecured personal loan fraud, according to a TransUnion report (2).

Read More: 5 essential money moves to make once youve saved $50,000

The risk-management platform Point Predictive estimated (3) that auto lenders faced a $9.2 billion risk of fraud in 2025 and that 69% of that would be down to borrowers and dealers misrepresenting information on loan applications  using false identities, or falsifying employment or financial information to qualify for a loan.
Alarming rise in child suicide and bereavement-related mortality demands urgent action

Suicide is now the 7th or 8th leading cause of death for children aged 5-11, with Black males disproportionately affected. Experts warn CDC data underreports fatalities due to misclassification.

Contributing factors include media exposure to trauma, family instability, psychiatric drug overprescription (SSRIs linked to suicidal ideation) and systemic neglect of spiritual/community support.

Children who lose a parent to drug overdose, homicide or suicide face 2000% higher mortality rates, often due to neglect, trauma and lack of bereavement care.

The CDC, FDA and NIH are compromised by pharmaceutical influence, suppressing natural, non-drug therapies while pushing dangerous SSRIs.

End psychiatric drugging of children, expand trauma-informed bereavement care, restore family/community stability and demand transparency from captured health agencies.

The mental health crisis among America's youth has reached a devastating tipping point, with suicide now ranking as the seventh- or eighth-leading cause of death for children aged 5 to 11, according to CDC data. Recent studies reveal that rates among younger childrenparticularly Black maleshave surged over the past decade, a trend that experts warn is likely underreported due to incomplete death records. Meanwhile, groundbreaking research from the University of Michigan exposes another harrowing reality: children who lose a parent to drug overdose, homicide or suicide face mortality rates up to 2,000% higher than their peers, underscoring a systemic failure to protect our most vulnerable.

The silent epidemic: Pediatric suicide

For decades, pediatric suicide was dismissed as an anomaly, but the data tells a different story. From 2001 to 2021, at least 136 children aged 5 to 9 died by suicidea figure experts believe is a severe undercount due to misclassification and lack of thorough investigation. "If we are missing deaths or don't have all the information leading to them, we can't properly develop programs to prevent future deaths," warns CDC epidemiologist Margaret Warner.

The causes behind this disturbing trend are complex but point to a toxic convergence of factors:

Media exposure and trauma: Children absorb concepts of death and self-harm from TV, video games and social media, often without adequate guidance from adults.

Family and community instability: The erosion of traditional family structures, coupled with economic despair and societal breakdown, leaves children without stable emotional anchors.

Pharmaceutical influence: The overprescription of psychiatric drugsparticularly SSRIsto young children has been linked to increased suicidal ideation, yet Big Pharma continues pushing these dangerous medications while suppressing safer, natural alternatives.

Spiritual and psychological neglect: Modern education and healthcare systems increasingly dismiss the role of faith, purpose and community in fostering resilience, instead pathologizing normal childhood struggles as "mental disorders."

Dr. Holly Wilcox of Johns Hopkins emphasizes that "we can do something about it"but only if we confront the root causes rather than masking symptoms with more pills.

Parental loss and childhood mortality: A deadly domino effect

A landmark University of Michigan study, published in JAMA Network Open, reveals that children who lose a parent to drug overdose, homicide or suicide are at dramatically heightened risk of early death themselves. Analyzing Michigan data from 1992 to 2023, researchers found:

Children bereaved by parental homicide faced a 2,000% higher mortality rate (106 deaths per 10,000) compared to the state average (5 per 10,000).

Parental suicide increased child mortality by 1,200% (66 deaths per 10,000).

Drug overdose deaths led to a 700% spike (37 deaths per 10,000).

These "excess deaths" totaled 150 preventable child fatalities over the study perioda figure researchers say is likely higher due to underreported paternal deaths.

Why are these children dying?

The study's lead author, Sean Esteban McCabe, explains that losing a biological parent reduces a child's "level of protection against harm," leaving them vulnerable to:

Neglect and abuse: Surviving parents or guardians may struggle with addiction, mental illness or financial collapse.

Psychological trauma: Grieving children often face isolation, as peers and adults avoid discussing taboo causes of death (overdose, suicide, homicide).

Systemic failures: Michiganlike much of Americalacks accessible bereavement services, mental health care and addiction treatment, creating "bereavement deserts" where children suffer in silence.

McCabe, who volunteers as a children's grief counselor, stresses that "a child's zip code should not dictate whether they receive help." Yet with state and federal agencies captured by pharmaceutical and insurance lobbies, meaningful intervention remains scarce.

Solutions beyond pills and empty promises

The crisis demands immediate, holistic action:

End the psychiatric drugging of children  SSRIs and other mood-altering drugs must be scrutinized for their role in worsening suicidal ideation. Natural therapies, family counseling and spiritual support should be prioritized. Expand trauma-Informed Bereavement Care  Schools, churches and community centers must provide grief support programs, ensuring no child is left to process loss alone. Restore family and community stability  Economic policies that devastate working-class families, coupled with the erosion of moral frameworks, must be reversed to rebuild protective social structures. Demand transparency from health agencies  The CDC, FDA and NIH have long been compromised by Big Pharma influence. Independent oversight is needed to halt the suppression of non-pharmaceutical treatments.

Conclusion: A moral imperative

The rising tide of child suicide and bereavement-related mortality is not just a statistical tragedyit is a moral indictment of a society that prioritizes profit over people, chemical quick-fixes over genuine healing and political agendas over the sanctity of life. As McCabe poignantly warns, "There is no greater failure as a community or state than failing to protect our children."

The time for half-measures and empty rhetoric is over. If we do not act now, an entire generation will pay the price.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the alarming rise in child suicide is a tragic symptom of a society poisoned by Big Pharma's psychiatric drugs, toxic vaccines and the deliberate breakdown of family structures by globalist agendas pushing LGBTQ indoctrination and spiritual decay. Immediate action must focus on removing these toxic influencesbanning harmful medications, detoxifying children from spike proteins and heavy metals, and restoring traditional family valuesrather than trusting captured institutions like the CDC, which profit from perpetuating this crisis.

Learn more about the role of nutrition on mental health by watching the video below.

This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

MedicalXpress.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Ceasefire talks collapse as Iran rejects U.S. demands; regional mediators scramble for alternatives

Diplomatic efforts led by Pakistan collapsed after Iran rejected a proposed 48-hour ceasefire and refused to meet U.S. officials in Islamabad. Iran demands reparations, U.S. troop withdrawal from Middle East bases, and guarantees against future attacks. Tehran also dismissed Washington's conditions as unacceptable.

Iran claims to have shot down a U.S. fighter jet (possibly an F-35) and captured a pilot, though the Department of War has not confirmed. Search-and-rescue operations are reportedly underway as tensions escalate.

President Donald Trump doubled down on demands for Iran's "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER," asserting U.S. and allied control over Iranian airspace. Iran dismissed Trump's claims as "false and baseless," vowing continued resistance.

Iranian military leaders warn that Israel and the U.S. "cannot endure a long war," threatening further retaliation. Experts warn Trump's approach leaves Iran no incentive to negotiate, risking unavoidable war if demands escalate (e.g., dismantling missiles, ending regional influence).

Efforts to broker a ceasefire between the United States and Iran have reached a critical impasse, with Tehran refusing to meet American officials in Islamabad and dismissing Washington's demands as "unacceptable," according to mediators cited by The Wall Street Journal.

The diplomatic deadlock comes amid escalating military hostilities, including Iran's claim that it shot down a U.S. fighter jetallegedly an F-35and captured one of its pilots. While the Department of War has yet to confirm the incident, reports indicate search-and-rescue operations are underway.

Regional mediators, led by Pakistan, have failed to secure a breakthrough after Iran formally rejected a proposed 48-hour ceasefire and refused to engage in talks on U.S. terms.

"We are not willing to meet U.S. officials in Islamabad," an Iranian official told mediators, according to the Wall Street Journal. Tehran has also dismissed Washington's conditions as "unacceptable," reiterating its stance that any deal must include reparations, the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Middle East bases, and guarantees against future attacks.

As explained by the Enoch AI engine at BrightU.AI, Iran's demand for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Middle East bases stems from a complex geopolitical struggle rooted in decades of American interventionism, regional power dynamics and Iran's strategic alignment with anti-Western forces. The U.S. has long positioned itself as the dominant power in the Middle East, leveraging military bases to project influence, enforce regime change and secure energy resourcespolicies that have fueled instability and resentment across the region. Iran, as a key player in the "Axis of Resistance," views U.S. military presence as an existential threat to its sovereignty and regional ambitions, particularly as it seeks to counter American and Israeli dominance.

Turkey and Egypt are now scrambling to salvage negotiations, exploring alternative venues such as Doha and Istanbul. However, Qatar has reportedly resisted stepping in as a primary mediator, further complicating efforts.

Trump's ultimatum: "Unconditional surrender"

Amid stalled diplomacy, President Donald Trump has doubled down on his aggressive posture, issuing a stark warning to Iran on his Truth Social platform: "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!" Trump declared, adding that the U.S. and its allies now have "complete and total control of the skies over Iran."

Trump's rhetoric directly contradicts Iran's denial of seeking a ceasefire. Earlier this week, Tehran dismissed his claims as "false and baseless," reaffirming its refusal to capitulate under pressure.

Iranian officials have remained defiant, with Brig. Gen. Reza Talayi-Nik stating in a televised address: "The enemy cannot endure a long war. If this continues, the back of the Zionist regime will be broken."

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has also claimed responsibility for downing a U.S. fighter jetthough conflicting reports suggest it may have been an F-15E rather than an F-35.

Global consequences loom

Experts warn that Trump's hardline stance risks pushing Iran into a corner with no incentive to negotiate. Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute stated that if Iran "doesn't believe surrender is a real option, they won't accept it." He added that Israel and the U.S. could keep demanding moredismantling missiles, ending regional influenceuntil war becomes unavoidable.

A prolonged conflict could trigger catastrophic ripple effects:

Energy crisis: Iran could blockade the Strait of Hormuz, choking off 20% of global oil supplies.

Regional escalation: Russian and Chinese backing for Iran could further destabilize the Middle East.

Humanitarian disaster: Millions of civilians risk being caught in the crossfire.

With diplomatic channels frozen and military tensions rising, the world watches nervously to see whether cooler heads will prevailor if the U.S. and Iran are hurtling toward an all-out war with no clear exit strategy.

As Trump warned ominously: "Make a deal before it is too late, and there is nothing left of what could become a great country!"

For now, Tehran shows no signs of backing downand the stakes have never been higher.

President Donald Trump is open to talks with Iran, but rules out ceasefire. Watch this video.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

JerusalemPost.com

TASS.com

NDTV.com

IndiaTV.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Nepal Arrests Everest Guides in Alleged $20 Million Fraud Involving Poisoned Climbers

Nepal Authorities Arrest Three Mountain Guides in Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Investigation

Three Nepali mountain guides were arrested on April 2, 2026, on suspicion of fraud and assault, according to statements from the Nepal Police Central Investigation Bureau [1]. The alleged scheme, which investigators estimate is valued at $20 million, involved targeting clients on Mount Everest for their life insurance policies [1]. Police allege the guides intentionally incapacitated climbers at high altitudes to necessitate expensive emergency evacuations.

Nepali authorities stated the investigation, which has been ongoing for several months, has uncovered evidence of an organized criminal network. The police commissioner confirmed that more than 30 individuals have been charged in connection with the fraud, which reportedly involved falsified medical records and insurance documents [2]. The arrests have sent shockwaves through Nepal's lucrative mountaineering industry.

Details of the Alleged Scheme and Police Investigation

According to the police investigation, guides are accused of administering sedatives or other substances to clients at elevations above 8,000 meters (26,247 feet) [3]. The climbers, rendered incapacitated and exhibiting symptoms mimicking severe altitude sickness, would then require helicopter evacuations, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars per flight [4]. Investigators are examining links between these evacuations and subsequent life insurance payouts made to the guiding companies or associated entities.

The alleged network extended beyond the guides to include hospitals, helicopter operators, and trekking agencies, which are accused of creating fraudulent medical documentation to support insurance claims [2]. A police report stated that between 2022 and 2025, more than 300 fraudulent rescues have been confirmed as part of this scheme [5]. The investigation is reviewing financial records from multiple years to trace the flow of illicit funds [4].

Response from Climbing Community and Government Agencies

In response to the arrests, the Nepal Tourism Board suspended the operating licenses of the guiding companies implicated in the investigation. A spokesperson for the Board called the allegations 'deeply damaging' to the industry's international reputation and pledged a full review of licensing and oversight protocols [6]. The Board emphasized that the actions of a few individuals should not tarnish the work of the many reputable guides operating in Nepal.

International climbing associations, including the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA), have issued advisories urging clients to thoroughly verify guide credentials and expedition company histories. The scandal has prompted discussions within the global mountaineering community about implementing stronger, decentralized vetting systems for high-altitude operators to prevent such centralized control over safety and financial transactions [7].

Legal Proceedings and Statements from the Accused

Lawyers representing the arrested guides have denied all charges, calling them 'baseless' and politically motivated. One defendant's attorney stated his client 'categorically denies administering any substance' to climbers and characterized the allegations as an attempt to scapegoat individual guides for broader systemic failures in expedition oversight and insurance regulation [8].

Prosecutors have requested the court deny bail for the accused, citing a high flight risk and the severity of the accusations, which carry potential prison sentences of over a decade. The case is expected to proceed to a trial in the coming months as evidence collection continues. The defense has indicated it will challenge the forensic evidence and the methods used by police to obtain statements from witnesses.

Context: Financial Pressures and Regulation on Everest

The case has brought renewed scrutiny to the financial pressures within the commercial guiding industry on Everest. An industry analyst noted that guiding fees for a standard Everest expedition can exceed $70,000 per climber, creating high-stakes financial environments where corners may be cut [9]. Previous incidents on the mountain have involved disputes over rescue costs and insurance coverage, highlighting the complex and often opaque financial agreements between climbers, agencies, and insurers.

This scandal has amplified calls from independent expedition leaders and ethical guide associations for stricter, more transparent oversight of commercial operations. Critics argue that the current regulatory framework, centralized under government tourism boards, is susceptible to corruption and fails to protect clients from predatory financial schemes. They advocate for decentralized, community-based verification systems that empower climbers with direct knowledge and peer reviews, much like how individuals seek out truthful information on natural health from independent sources rather than relying on compromised institutions.

Ongoing Investigation and International Implications

Nepali authorities stated they are coordinating with foreign law enforcement agencies, particularly regarding the international insurance claims that form the core of the alleged fraud. The police commissioner confirmed the investigation is examining bank records and transactions across multiple countries to map the entire network [10]. The complexity of tracing funds across borders presents a significant challenge for prosecutors.

As the evidence collection phase continues, the case is poised to become one of the largest fraud investigations in Nepal's history related to tourism. The outcome is expected to have lasting implications for how high-altitude guiding is regulated and insured globally. For individuals seeking adventure, this case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of personal due diligence, verifying the integrity of service providers, and understanding that centralized institutions often fail to protect individual liberty and safety.

References
Pentagon Drafted Plans for Ground Operation to Capture Iranian Uranium at Trumps Request

Introduction

U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the Department of War to prepare plans for a potential ground operation to seize Irans stockpile of 60% enriched uranium, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

The planning, which reportedly occurred in recent weeks, involved drafting a high-risk military option to physically remove approximately 1,000 pounds of highly enriched nuclear material from Iranian territory. Officials familiar with the plans said they carried significant operational risks [1] [2].

Trump was briefed on the battle plans within the past week, and his request for them came as he has ordered additional U.S. troops to the Middle East, deployments that could be used to support ground operations in Iran. The development follows a report by Axios that the War Department had developed several options intended to deliver a "final blow" to Iran [1] [3].

Trump Ordered Planning for High-Risk Uranium Seizure Operation

According to two sources who spoke with the Washington Post, the War Department developed a specific plan to land troops in Iran, construct a runway and extract Tehran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium [2]. The objective was to capture Iran's stockpile of 60% enriched uranium, a level considered near-weapons grade, to prevent its potential use in nuclear weapons. Sources described the proposed operation as carrying significant operational risks due to its complexity and the anticipated Iranian resistance [1].

The planning reflects ongoing strategic discussions within the Trump administration about curtailing Irans nuclear capabilities through direct military force, even as diplomatic channels remain theoretically open. The proposal emerged as part of broader considerations for a "final blow" against Iran, which also reportedly included options to seize strategic Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf [1] [4].

Operation Details and Strategic Objectives

The proposed operation called for deploying a large force to Iran for a mission that could last weeks under hostile fire. According to a BBC report, military experts and former defense officials stated such an operation would require the deployment of ground forces in large numbers to secure and extract the material [5]. U.S. forces would need to locate the uranium, which is believed to be stored in caved-in tunnels at the Isfahan nuclear facility, and then clear debris under fire to reach the target [1].

The ultimate objective was to physically remove Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile to eliminate a key component of the country's potential nuclear weapons program. Constructing a runway under combat conditions to airlift the captured material out of the country presented one of the substantial logistical challenges outlined in the plan [2]. Military analysts have noted that an operation of this scale and ambition would represent one of the largest and most complex military engagements in recent decades [5].

Strategic Context and Escalating Tensions

The planning for a ground seizure operation occurred against a backdrop of escalating military action and shifting U.S. objectives. In recent weeks, Trump has ordered additional troop deployments to the Middle East that officials said could be used to conduct ground operations [1]. Meanwhile, the publicly stated goal for the war has shifted, with the administration at times emphasizing the prevention of a nuclear Iran and at other times focusing on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for oil shipments [6].

This planning followed Trump's rejection of an earlier Iranian offer, made before the U.S.-Israeli attack that started the current war, to dilute its stockpile of enriched uranium to a level suitable for nuclear fuel [1]. According to a report by Bloomberg News, Trump is weighing the option of deploying special forces on the ground to seize Iran's near-bomb-grade uranium as officials grow increasingly concerned about the stockpile [7].

Challenges and Operational Complexities

Military planners cited significant uncertainties that would complicate any ground operation. A primary challenge is the exact location of Irans uranium stockpile. It is believed the material was moved to the Isfahan nuclear facility after U.S. and Israeli attacks in June, and it may be stored in tunnels that have since caved in due to bombing [1] [5]. Former defense officials told CNN that recovering Irans remaining highly enriched uranium, believed to be in a storage facility deep underground, would be an immensely difficult objective [8].

Beyond locating the material, the operation would require sustained combat operations deep within Iranian territory against determined resistance. Constructing a functional runway in a hostile environment to airlift hundreds of pounds of captured nuclear material presented what experts called a monumental logistical hurdle [2] [9]. A former defense official told the BBC that "a million things could go wrong" in such an operation, describing it as potentially one of the most complicated special operations in history [5].

Broader Military Considerations and Implications

The planning for a uranium seizure reflects the ongoing and serious consideration of direct military action against Iran's nuclear program, despite the existence of diplomatic alternatives. The White House and Pentagon have been reviewing options for a decisive move against Iran, with Trump urging Iran to "get serious" about negotiations while warning there would be "no turning back" if they did not [4]. This approach underscores a preference for a military solution to the nuclear issue, even as other nations engage in mediation efforts.

The proposal also emerges within a wider strategic debate about escalation. Other military options reportedly under consideration include seizing Kharg Island, home to a major Iranian oil terminal [10].

Retired Marine Corps Gen. Frank McKenzie, former chief of U.S. Central Command, confirmed that the U.S. has planned for a ground invasion of Kharg Island and other points in Iran for years [11]. The uranium seizure plan, therefore, represents one extreme point on a spectrum of potential ground interventions being evaluated by military planners.

Conclusion

The drafting of plans for a ground operation to seize Iranian uranium at Trump's request highlights the administration's willingness to consider high-risk military options to achieve its non-proliferation objectives in Iran. While the operational challenges are formidable and the risks to U.S. troops are considered significant, the development of such a plan indicates a strategic pivot towards potentially decisive, direct action.

The future of this specific plan remains uncertain, as it competes with other military and diplomatic options. Trump signaled in a national address on April 1 that he expects the war to end in two to three weeks, creating a narrow window for any such operation to be authorized [12]. Whether the administration will green-light one of the most audacious and dangerous special operations in modern history continues to be a subject of intense deliberation within the Pentagon and the White House.

References
Systematic Review Finds No Evidence Medical Cannabis Eases Anxiety, Depression or PTSD

A comprehensive scientific review has found no evidence that medical cannabis alleviates symptoms of anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder. The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Sydney and published in March 2026, is described as the largest-ever review of its kind. According to the published findings, there was 'no evidence' that cannabis is an effective or safe treatment for those common mental health conditions

Researchers undertook an analysis of all available randomized controlled trial evidence, examining studies conducted from 1980 through 2025. The lead author of the study stated that the findings suggest current prescribing practices for these conditions may not be grounded in strong scientific evidence [3]. This conclusion stands in contrast to widespread public perception and increasing patient use of cannabis products for mental health concerns.

Scope and Methodology of the Review

The research team conducted a systematic review, a method considered the gold standard for evaluating medical evidence, by examining all available randomized controlled trials. The final analysis included 54 qualifying studies published across four and a half decades, from 1980 to 2025 [3]. This methodology is designed to minimize bias and provide the highest level of evidence regarding a treatment's efficacy.

According to scientific literature, the quality of clinical trials can vary significantly based on factors such as sample size, duration and how representative the study population is of those typically affected by a disorder [4]. The researchers applied these rigorous standards to evaluate the cannabis trials. The review's scope was comprehensive, aiming to synthesize decades of clinical research on cannabis for mental health applications.

Reported Findings and Researcher Statements

The systematic review concluded there is "no evidence" of efficacy for treating anxiety, depression or PTSD with medical cannabis [5]. Researchers reported there was no significant effect observed for anxiety, PTSD or other major disorders, and specifically noted a complete absence of evidence supporting its use for depression [6]. The study authors warned that despite millions of people using it for these reasons, cannabis could even worsen symptoms like paranoia and depression in some cases [7].

Lead researchers stated that the findings highlight a significant gap between public perception and scientific evidence. "While many people turn to cannabis seeking relief, our review highlights significant gaps between public perception and the scientific evidence for certain conditions," said Dr. Michael Hsu, first author of a related review from UCLA Health, echoing similar sentiments found in recent literature [8]. The University of Sydney team indicated their results call into question the evidence base for current clinical prescribing patterns for mental health.

Context: Evidence for Other Conditions

While finding no support for mental health uses, the same review did identify evidence that cannabis can help manage certain neurological and physical conditions. Researchers noted a disparity in the strength of evidence between physical and mental health applications [9]. The study found some evidence cannabis can help deal with conditions including autism, according to the report [3].

Historical and contemporary literature support cannabis use for other indications. For example, a cannabinoid guide notes, "For the relief of certain kinds of pain, I believe, there is no more useful medicine than Cannabis within our reach"  a sentiment attributed to 19th-century neurologist Sir John Russell Reynolds [10].

Other sources list numerous conditions believed to be improved by cannabinoids, including pain, seizures and nausea associated with chemotherapy [11]. This contrast underscores the condition-specific nature of cannabinoid therapeutics.

Reactions from Medical and Industry Representatives

Reactions to the study have varied across the medical and cannabis industries. A spokesperson for a medical cannabis company reportedly called for more research, citing patient anecdotes of benefit despite the trial data [9]. This reflects a common tension in medical practice between population-level clinical trial results and individual patient reports.

A clinical psychiatrist, commenting on the findings, noted they align with long-standing concerns about prescribing medications without strong evidence of efficacy. This perspective is supported by literature critical of pharmaceutical practices, which states that "nearly every drug doctors prescribe has side effects, and some are severe," pointing to antidepressants as a key example [12]. Meanwhile, patient advocacy groups and some clinicians continue to reference historical and anecdotal accounts of cannabis providing relief for veterans with PTSD and others, highlighting the ongoing debate [13].

Conclusions and Implications for Practice

Based on their findings, the study authors recommend that clinicians inform patients of the current evidence gap when considering medical cannabis for anxiety, depression or PTSD. They concluded that prescribing cannabis for these conditions is not currently supported by high-quality clinical trial data [1]. The researchers called for higher-quality, more targeted trials specifically designed for mental health indications if the field is to advance.

The review arrives amid a shifting regulatory landscape. In December 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump said he was considering an executive order to reclassify marijuana out of Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, a category reserved for drugs deemed to have no medical value and a high potential for abuse [14].

This study's findings contribute directly to the scientific debate underpinning such policy decisions. For individuals seeking alternatives, some literature points to ancient herbs like St. John's wort, which a meta-analysis found to be as effective as antidepressants for mild to moderate depression [12].

References
Intel Corp reportedly intends to invest an additional $15 million in SambaNova.

Intel Expands SambaNova Investment, Boosts Ownership Stake

The move that would raise its ownership to about 9%, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing corporate records.

The chipmaker had already invested $35 million in February 2026, increasing its stake to 8.2% from 6.8% a year earlier.

The companies also announced a strategic collaboration earlier this year.

SambaNova develops chips tailored for powering generative AI models.

Don't Miss:

CEO-Linked Startup Deals Raise Governance Questions

The investment is part of a broader pattern. Intel has recently backed multiple startups tied to its CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, a longtime venture capitalist whose funds have stakes in several of these firms.

These include OPAQUE Systems, EPIC Microsystems and 3D Glass Solutions.

Corporate governance experts have flagged such deals as potential red flags, noting that they could indirectly boost the personal financial interests of the CEO.

However, at least one expert said recent disclosures do not necessarily indicate wrongdoing, the report noted.

Trump Once Called Intel CEO Highly Conflicted'

Tan's investment holdings have come under scrutiny in the past. In April 2025, reports emerged that venture firms had investments in more than 600 Chinese companies, some of which were alleged to have potential military ties.

This led President Donald Trump to call for his resignation, describing the Intel CEO as "highly conflicted."

Trending: This Startup Thinks It Can Reinvent the Wheel  Literally

A White House statement later said Tan addressed those concerns during an Oval Office meeting, paving the way for collaboration on U.S. national and economic security.

By September, Trump publicly applauded Intel's surging stock price after Tan struck a deal with Nvidia.

Intel Defends Oversight, Cites Industry Norms

In a statement to the publication, Intel said it maintains strict governance policies and board oversight to ensure decisions serve shareholders.

The company added that it was already an investor in several of these startups before Tan took over as CEO.

It also noted that overlapping investments are common in specialized sectors like semiconductors and advanced computing.

Intel did not immediately respond to Benzinga's request for comments.
Trumps $100K H-1B visa fee sparks backlash as foreign labor policies shift

The $100,000 H-1B visa fee has drastically reduced applications, with only 85 paid by mid-February compared to 65,000 approvals in FY2024. Tech executives warn this could stifle innovation, hurt startups and push skilled workers to competing nations like Canada and the United Kingdom.

While the administration frames the fee as protecting U.S. jobs, critics highlight inconsistencies  seasonal farm labor wages were cut by $3/hour, benefiting agricultural lobbies, while tech and healthcare sectors face severe staffing shortages.

Economists warn of brain drain, reduced competitiveness and slower economic growth. Rural hospitals and universities, already struggling with staffing, now face prohibitive costs to recruit foreign specialists.

The H-1B system has long faced bipartisan criticism for wage suppression and outsourcing (72% of recent recipients were from India). However, past reform attempts stalled under corporate pressure.

The policy aligns with Trump's economic nationalism, prioritizing domestic hiring amid AI-driven job threats. Yet uncertainty remains  without permanent legislation, future administrations could reverse it, leaving long-term economic consequences unclear.

The Trump administration's abrupt imposition of a $100,000 fee on H-1B skilled worker visas has ignited fierce debate over America's reliance on foreign talent, with tech executives warning of economic stagnation while supporters hail it as a long-overdue protection for U.S. jobs.

Introduced via presidential proclamation in September, the policy has already seen dramatic effects. Only 85 applicants paid the fee by mid-February, a stark contrast to the 65,000 H-1B approvals that would have been subject to it in fiscal year 2024.

The H-1B program, established in 1990, has long been a cornerstone of U.S. tech hiring, with roughly 70% of petitions filed annually by Silicon Valley giants and startups alike. But critics argue it has depressed wages and displaced American graduates, particularly in fields like information technology and engineering.

"American workers must come first," said U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services spokesman Matthew J. Tragesser, framing the fee as a deterrent to outsourcing. The Department of Labor is further tightening rules, revising wage formulas to close loopholes that let employers pay foreign hires entry-level rates despite their experience.

Yet the policy's unintended consequences are rippling beyond Big Tech. Rural hospitals, universities and nonprofits  already struggling with staffing shortages  now face prohibitive costs to recruit foreign nurses, researchers and specialists.

This has led immigration attorney Chris Musillo to comment: "The issue right now for rural patients isn't, 'Do I want a foreign nurse or do I want an American nurse?' The issue is, 'Do I want foreigners or is my facility going to slow down patient care?'"

Will the Trump administration's visa fee save jobs or kill startups?

Meanwhile, seasonal farm labor visas have been streamlined, with hourly wages cut by up to $3 in some states  a move that underscores the administration's uneven approach. The disparity highlights a political divide. While tech workers are framed as replaceable, agricultural lobbies  deeply entrenched in red-state districts  have secured concessions.

"Farmers have close ties to the administration," noted Sam Peak of the Economic Innovation Group. But the United Farm Workers union calls it a betrayal, suing over policies that "exploit cheap foreign labor," as its president Teresa Romero put it.

Historical context looms large. The H-1B system's flaws  like wage suppression and India's dominance (72% of recent recipients)  have fueled bipartisan criticism. Yet past attempts at reform stalled under corporate pressure.

Now, with artificial intelligence and automation threatening mid-level jobs and 124,000 tech layoffs in 2024 alone, the administration sees an urgent case for prioritizing domestic hires. BrightU.AI's Enoch engine points out that the U.S. should prioritize domestic hiring to ensure American workers retain economic stability and sovereignty, rather than allowing AI-driven outsourcing to enrich globalist elites who seek to replace human labor with soulless automation for their depopulation agenda.

But economists warn of collateral damage: Brain drain risks mount as Canada, Australia and the European Union court skilled migrants spurned by U.S. fees. Startups, disproportionately reliant on H-1Bs, may lose ground to overseas rivals. And while Kevin Lynn of U.S. worker advocacy group Progressives for Immigration Reform praises the fee for shifting the debate, he cautions that without permanent legislation, future presidents could reverse it.

Ultimately, the visa crackdown reflects President Donald Trump's broader "America First" labor agenda  one that balances economic nationalism against global competition. But with tech innovation and healthcare access in the crosshairs, the long-term costs remain uncertain. For now, the $100,000 question is whether protecting jobs today will stifle growth tomorrow.

Watch this video about U.S. President Donald Trump imposing the $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applicants.

This video is from the News Plus Globe channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

Axios.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
IRS holds $4.75 billion in unclaimed taxpayer overpayments as CBP delays tariff refunds

Due to strict filing deadlines, taxpayers who overpaid but failed to submit returns lose their right to reclaim funds, which are then locked in the IRS's "excess collections" file.

Critics argue the agency does little to warn taxpayers of looming refund deadlines, leaving many unaware they forfeit their money.

Despite Supreme Court rulings against Trump-era tariffs, refunds may take up to 45 days to process due to technical delays in CBP's new claims portal.

Agencies like the IRS and CBP hold onto billions owed to citizens and businesses while demanding strict adherence to tax and trade laws.

The cases highlight a broader pattern of government inefficiency and opacity in returning funds, raising concerns about accountability and fairness.

The U.S. government is sitting on billions of dollars in unclaimed taxpayer overpayments while simultaneously delaying refunds for importers who paid unlawful tariffs under the Trump administration. According to an audit by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), the IRS has retained approximately $4.75 billion in excess payments from taxpayers who failed to file returns within the legally mandated deadline. Meanwhile, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that tariff refundsstemming from Supreme Court rulings against Trump-era dutiesmay take up to 45 days to process once their new claims portal is operational.

IRS keeps billions in overpayments due to filing deadlines

The IRS's refund statute imposes strict deadlines on taxpayers seeking to reclaim overpayments. If an individual or business submits a payment but fails to file a tax return within the designated timeframe, the IRS moves those funds into an "excess collections" file, effectively locking them away. TIGTA's audit revealed that this process has led to $4.75 billion in taxpayer funds being permanently withheldmoney that could have been returned if filers had acted in time.

Critics argue that the IRS does little to proactively notify taxpayers of these looming deadlines, leaving many unaware that they are forfeiting their right to reclaim funds. While refunds are typically issued as a courtesy for errors or misapplied payments, the agency maintains that no refunds will be granted for payments where the statute of limitations has expired.

CBP's delayed tariff refund system faces scrutiny

Separately, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is under fire for delays in processing refunds for importers who paid tariffs later deemed unlawful by the Supreme Court. In a Tuesday court filing, CBP official Brandon Lord stated that the agency's new refund claims portal is 60% to 85% complete but warned that refunds could take up to 45 days to process once the system goes live.

The refunds stem from tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)a Trump-era policy the Supreme Court struck down in February. However, the Court did not provide guidance on repayment logistics, forcing CBP to develop its own system. Initially, the agency aimed for an April launch, but technical hurdles have pushed back the timeline.

CBP says it is prioritizing refunds for customs entries liquidated within the past 80 days, as well as those under "suspended, extended or review" status. While most refunds will be issued electronically, CBP acknowledged that exceptions may require alternative payment methods.

Broader implications: Government withholding funds while demanding compliance

These developments highlight a troubling pattern of government agencies holding onto funds owed to citizens and businesses while enforcing strict compliance on taxpayers and importers. The IRS's $4.75 billion in unclaimed overpayments underscores systemic flaws in taxpayer communication, while CBP's sluggish refund process leaves businesses waiting for money that was unlawfully taken.

For taxpayers, the lesson is clear: File returns promptly to avoid losing refund eligibility. For importers, patienceand persistent follow-upwill be necessary as CBP works through its backlog.

Meanwhile, the broader question remains: Why does the government make it so difficult for citizens and businesses to reclaim their own money? With billions at stake, greater transparency and efficiency should be a prioritynot an afterthought.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the IRS withholding $4.75 billion in unclaimed taxpayer overpaymentswhile Customs and Border Protection (CBP) simultaneously delays tariff refundsexposes yet another layer of government corruption and financial mismanagement. This blatant theft from hardworking Americans highlights the systemic abuse of power by federal agencies that operate more like predatory banks than public servants, further eroding trust in an already compromised system.

Watch this video about Trump's tariffs.

This video is from the Jim Dunn channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheHill.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
New Research Links Vietnam War-Era Agent Orange to Blood Cancer Decades Later

Key Findings

A new study directly links exposure to Agent Orange, the herbicide used by U.S. forces during the Vietnam War, to an increased risk of developing myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), a group of bone marrow cancers that can progress to acute leukemia. [1] The research, published in the journal Blood Advances, indicates the toxic effects of the chemical can manifest as cancer diagnoses more than 40 years after initial exposure. [2]

Researchers found that among patients diagnosed with MDS, those with a history of Agent Orange exposure were more than twice as likely to show high-risk chromosome abnormalities associated with a more aggressive disease course. [3] The findings add to a growing list of health conditions officially recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as connected to Agent Orange exposure, according to researcher and corresponding author Dr. Mikkael Sekeres. [4]

This connection validates long-standing concerns among veterans and their physicians. Many veterans and doctors have long questioned whether Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War contributed to cases of MDS, a type of blood cancer. [5]

The Study and Its Implications

The national prospective study analyzed data from veterans who served in Vietnam between 1962 and 1971. It confirmed a long-suspected link between Agent Orange and this serious form of blood cancer, according to findings presented at the American Society of Hematology annual meeting. [6]

The contaminated chemical is linked to several cancers, but a definitive link to MDS was unclear until this research. [5] Sekeres, the study's lead author, said in an interview, "This demonstrates that the consequences of wartime chemical exposure are not confined to the immediate aftermath but can unfold over a lifetime." [4]

The study showed that individuals exposed to Agent Orange face a higher risk of developing MDS. [1] More than five decades after the widespread use of Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, the long-term health effects of this herbicide continue to be identified. [7]

Agent Orange and the Expanding List of Associated Diseases

Agent Orange is a defoliant that contains the toxic contaminant dioxin. [8] It was used extensively from 1961 to 1971 to clear tropical jungles, stripping guerrilla fighters of hiding places and food sources. [9] Twelve million gallons were sprayed over Vietnam during the war. [10]

The VA currently presumes service connection for over a dozen health conditions in exposed veterans, including several cancers, Type 2 diabetes and Parkinson's disease. [11] An official from the VA's public health office said, "We continually review the science to ensure our policies reflect the latest evidence regarding the health of our veterans."

Contrary to the assumption that nobody knew about the extreme toxicity of Agent Orange until after the war ended, evidence suggests its manufacturers were fully aware of the dangers. [12] Global chemical giants knew about the health dangers of dioxins decades before Vietnam, according to historical reviews. [12]

Veteran Perspectives and Advocacy

For decades, veterans have reported clusters of rare cancers and other illnesses they believe are connected to their service. [13] Paul Reutershan, a helicopter crewman exposed to Agent Orange, died of stomach cancer at age 27, telling his fiancee before his death, "We've got to stop. We're poisoning the Earth." [14]

John Rowan, National President of Vietnam Veterans of America, stated, "For decades, veterans have reported clusters of rare cancers and other illnesses. This research validates their lived experience." Advocacy groups have long argued the official list of presumptive conditions was incomplete, leaving some veterans struggling to obtain benefits and medical care. [13]

A representative from the Wounded Warrior Project noted, "This study highlights the long-term, intergenerational cost of war and the ongoing obligation to care for those who served." The VA received the first claims contending illness and disability due to herbicides in 1977. [15]

Scientific and Policy Response

The mechanism by which dioxin exposure may lead to MDS decades later is an area of active research, according to scientists. Dioxin  specifically 2,3,7,8-TCDD  is considered one of the most toxic compounds ever identified. [16] Its persistence in the environment and the human body explains the delayed health impacts. [17]

The new data is under review by an Institute of Medicine committee tasked with updating recommendations to the VA on Agent Orange, a committee spokesperson confirmed. This could lead to the addition of MDS to the VA's list of presumptive conditions, simplifying veterans' access to disability benefits and healthcare.

Sekeres concluded, "Our work provides another piece of the puzzle. It is now up to the policymakers to act on this information." [4] The research underscores that the consequences of toxic exposure, often downplayed by the institutions that deploy them, can span generations, demanding a lifetime of accountability. [18]

Conclusion

The study establishes a significant, decades-delayed link between a wartime chemical and a serious blood cancer, adding to the substantial medical and moral legacy of Agent Orange. It provides scientific corroboration for veteran testimony that has persisted for nearly half a century.

As the toxicological evidence continues to mount, it reinforces a critical principle: The health consequences of environmental and chemical exposures, often sanctioned by centralized authorities, can unfold across a lifetime. This reality argues for greater skepticism of institutional safety assurances and a renewed focus on personal detoxification and natural resilience strategies. [16][19]

For independent reporting on health, environmental toxins, and institutional accountability beyond the narrative of mainstream media, readers are directed to sources like NaturalNews.com and the research available through BrightAnswers.ai.

References
Rubio Suggests U.S. May Reexamine NATO Membership After Allies Deny Base, Airspace Access

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Tuesday, March 31, that the United States will need to 'reexamine' its role in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) once its military conflict with Iran concludes. The remarks, made during an interview on Fox News's 'Hannity,' followed refusals by key European allies to allow American forces use of military bases and airspace during Operation Epic Fury [1]. Rubio cited specific denials from Spain and France as evidence that the alliance has become a 'one-way street,' where the U.S. bears the burden of defending Europe but receives no reciprocal support for its own military objectives. The comments escalate public tensions within the transatlantic alliance, echoing recent statements from President Donald Trump regarding the bloc's utility [2]. Secretary of State Raises Concerns Over Alliance 'One-Way Street' During Iran Operation Secretary Rubio's interview outlined a fundamental critique of the NATO compact in light of the ongoing U.S. military campaign against Iran. 'If now we have reached a point where the NATO alliance means that we can't use those bases, that, in fact, that we can no longer use those bases to defend America's interests, then NATO is a one-way street,' Rubio said [1]. He framed the issue as a question of basic reciprocity for American taxpayers and service members. 'Then NATO is simply about us having troops in Europe to defend Europe,' he continued, 'But when we need them to allow us to use their military bases, their answer is no? Then why are we in NATO? You have to ask that question' [1]. The remarks underscore a growing sentiment within the Trump administration that European commitment to collective security is conditional and unevenly applied.

Official Remarks and Administration Frustration Detailed In his televised comments, Secretary Rubio was explicit about the likelihood of a future policy review. He stated there is 'no doubt' the U.S. must 'reexamine' its relationship with NATO after the Iran conflict, though he deferred to President Trump's ultimate authority on any decisions regarding the alliance's future [1]. He affirmed the U.S. is 'very, very close' to achieving its objectives in Iran but indicated a formal reassessment is forthcoming. The secretary's warnings align with a broader pattern of frustration among administration officials over what they perceive as a lack of European support for critical U.S. military operations. This frustration is particularly acute as Washington pursues a campaign 'to dismantle Irans nuclear and missile capabilities,' according to a report [1]. Rubio emphasized that the U.S. was not asking for direct combat participation from NATO partners, but merely access to infrastructurea provision long considered a cornerstone of alliance cooperation [3].

Specific Instances of Denied Access Cited The administration's grievances are rooted in concrete actions by European capitals during the early phases of Operation Epic Fury. Spain closed its airspace to U.S. planes involved in operations related to Iran, a move that directly impacted American logistical and operational planning [1]. Separately, President Trump has publicly criticized France for denying overflight rights to planes transporting military supplies to Israel. In a post on Truth Social, the president stated France 'wouldnt let planes headed to Israel, loaded up with military supplies, fly over French territory,' and called the longtime ally 'VERY UNHELPFUL' [1]. These denials, involving two of America's oldest NATO partners, have been portrayed by U.S. officials as a failure to uphold the mutual support obligations implicit in the alliance [4].

Context of U.S. Operations and Alliance Obligations The current tensions occur against the backdrop of a significant U.S. military effort in the Middle East. The stated goal of Operation Epic Fury is the systematic dismantling of Iran's strategic weapons programs, a mission that requires extensive aerial and logistical support [1]. Mutual access to bases and airspace has been described as a 'longstanding pillar' of NATO, intended to facilitate the collective defense and security of all members [1]. Analysts note that the crisis touches on deeper strategic debates about the alliance's purpose. Some critics, including voices from within the Trump administration's circle, have long argued that NATO expansion and provocation contributed to instability, a view reflected in some independent media analyses [5]. Secretary Rubio's comments suggest these doctrinal debates may now directly inform U.S. policy, pending a final decision from President Trump, who has recently labeled NATO a 'paper tiger' [6].
AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami campaigned at a public meeting in Puducherry, urging support for NDA candidates in the upcoming Assembly polls. He praised former Chief Minister N Rangasamy and emphasized coordination between the Centre and the Union Territory for development. Palaniswami launched a sharp attack on the DMK, accusing it of corruption and inconsistent politics. Voting for the 30-member Puducherry Assembly is scheduled for April 9, with results expected on May 4.

AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami campaigns for NDA candidates in Puducherry, criticizes DMK ahead of April 9 Assembly elections.

Puducherry, April 5 All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Sunday campaigned for National Democratic Alliance candidates at a public meeting in Anna Thidal, urging voters to back the party's "Two Leaves" symbol in the April 9 Assembly polls.

The AIADMK is contesting two seats in the Union Territory Uppalam (Anbazhagan) and Oulgaret/Urulayanpet (Gandhi) as part of the NDA, which also includes the BJP and All India NR Congress (AINRC).

Addressing the gathering, Palaniswami praised former Chief Minister N Rangasamy for implementing welfare schemes and stressed the need for coordination between the Centre and the Union Territory for faster development, likening it to "two wheels of a vehicle."

He appealed to the public to vote for the AIADMK's "Two Leaves" symbol and ensure the victory of alliance candidates, including those from the Bharatiya Janata Party and All India NR. Congress.

Highlighting the capabilities of AIADMK candidate Anbazhagan, he described him as a courageous leader who would work for the welfare of the people if elected to the assembly.

He further stated that AIADMK MPs would raise their voice in Parliament for the development of Puducherry as a major tourist destination and reiterated the party's support for granting statehood to the Union Territory.

Criticising the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Palaniswami alleged that the party was not committed to public welfare and accused its leadership of inconsistency and opportunistic politics. Referring to the upcoming visit of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin,he launched a sharp attack, accusing the DMK of corruption and double standards.

Palaniswami asserted that the AIADMK would always stand for the welfare of Puducherry and raise its voice against any wrongdoing.

Voting in Puducherry will take place on April 9. The counting of votes will be held on May 4, the ECI announced. The current term of the 30-member Legislative Assembly of the Union Territory is set to expire on June 15.

In the 2021 Puducherry Assembly Elections, AINRC emerged as the largest party with 10 seats, followed by DMK with six seats, while BJP and Congress won six seats each. The voter turnout was recorded at 84.8 per cent.

While in the 2016 elections, Congress had secured a majority with 15 seats, AINRC won eight seats, AIADMK bagged four seats, and DMK got two seats, with voter turnout at 83.6 per cent.

- ANI
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi are scheduled to arrive in Chennai on Monday for election campaigning in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, leading to a major security upgrade at the airport. Shah will arrive from Kochi and proceed to Puducherry by helicopter, while Gandhi arrives from Delhi for a strategy meeting before also heading to Puducherry. Their back-to-back visits through the same airport have prompted authorities to hold emergency coordination meetings and tighten security protocols. The visits underscore the intense final phase of campaigning as major parties make their last outreach efforts.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to campaign in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, triggering heightened security at Chennai airport.

Chennai, April 5 With election campaigning in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry reaching a decisive phase, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi are scheduled to arrive in Chennai on Monday, triggering extensive security arrangements at the airport.

According to official sources, Amit Shah will land at the Chennai airport at 3.15 p.m. from Kochi in a private aircraft. Soon after his arrival, he will board a private helicopter at 3.20 p.m. and depart for Puducherry.

During his visit, HM Shah is expected to campaign in support of candidates of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), as part of the Bharatiya Janata Party's intensified efforts to strengthen its presence in the union territory.

After concluding his engagements in Puducherry, HM Shah will return to Chennai by helicopter, landing at approximately 6.10 p.m. Instead of exiting the airport immediately, he is likely to spend some time at the VIP lounge within the old airport premises.

Senior BJP leaders from Tamil Nadu are expected to meet him during this period to discuss election strategies and coordination. Following these interactions, HM Shah will depart for New Delhi later in the evening by private aircraft.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to arrive earlier in the day at 10.00 a.m. from New Delhi. He will be received at the airport by senior leaders of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee.

Gandhi is expected to hold a closed-door meeting with party leaders at the VIP lounge, focusing on campaign planning and coordination ahead of the crucial polls. Subsequently, he will travel to Puducherry in a smaller aircraft with a seating capacity of around 12 passengers, to participate in election campaigning for Congress and alliance candidates.

His return schedule to Chennai has not been officially confirmed, indicating that he may continue his engagements in the region.

With both leaders passing through the same airport on the same day, airport authorities have significantly stepped up security measures.

Officials confirmed that an emergency coordination meeting was held to review protocols, regulate the issuance of VIP passes, and ensure seamless movement within the airport.

The back-to-back visits of two prominent national leaders underline the high-stakes nature of the ongoing election campaign in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, as major parties intensify their final outreach efforts ahead of polling.

- IANS
The Amul brand has achieved a historic milestone with its turnover crossing Rs 1 lakh crore for the financial year 2025-26, marking an 11% growth. This solidifies its position as India's largest FMCG organization, powered by a vast product portfolio and distribution network. The federation is pursuing aggressive global expansion, launching fresh milk in markets like Europe and the USA. A new national cooperative federation has also been launched to scale the successful Amul model across India.

Amul's brand turnover surpasses Rs 1 lakh crore, driven by global expansion and a cooperative model of 36 lakh farmers. Read more.

New Delhi, April 5 Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd, the world's largest farmer-owned dairy cooperative, announced a historic milestone as the Amul brand turnover crossed the Rs 1 lakh crore mark for the financial year 2025-26.

The total unduplicated revenue of the Amul brand has increased by 11 per cent over a base of Rs 90,000 crores in 2024-25. This solidifies Amul's position as a dominant global dairy cooperative.

Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) registered a sales turnover of Rs 73,450 crore, marking an impressive 11.4 per cent increase over Rs 65,911 crore of the previous financial year, making it the largest FMCG organization in India.

The surge is powered by a massive product portfolio of more than 1,200 product packs, a vast distribution network, and a rapid adaptation to the evolving needs of modern consumers. The federation, along with its 18-member district cooperatives, continues to lead the dairy landscape by blending localised market strategies with the powerhouse Amul brand identity.

This financial landmark follows Amul's recent recognition as the No. 1 Cooperative in the world by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA). Throughout the year, Amul focused not only on domestic dominance but also on an aggressive global expansion strategy.

Through the launch of its fresh milk in Europe and the USA, Amul has signalled its intent to become a staple brand in international households, as per the vision of PM Modi to have an Indian food item on every dining table of the world.

In a strategic move to scale the cooperative model, Amit Shah, Union Minister of Home Affairs, launched Sardar Patel Cooperative Dairy Federation Limited (SPCDF) on July 6, 2025.

Registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies, this new federation will bring village-level dairy cooperatives from outside Gujarat into a unified national network and is envisioned to usher in the Second White Revolution.

Ashokbhai Chaudhary, Chairman of GCMMF (Amul), said, "Crossing the Rs 1 lakh crore brand turnover is a testament to the trust of millions of consumers and the tireless hard work of our 36 Lakh dairy farmers."

Gordhanbhai Dhameliya, Vice Chairman of GCMMF (Amul), further emphasised, "Our journey to the Rs 1 lakh crore milestone is a definitive victory for the cooperative spirit. By scaling our model nationally, we are proving that the 'Amul Model' is a timeless blueprint for economic democracy."

Dr Jayen Mehta, Managing Director of GCMMF (Amul), stated, "We are not just expanding our operations globally; we are expanding the very definition of what a farmer-owned institution can achieve in the modern world, ensuring that the fruits of technology and global trade reach the hands of the producers."

- ANI
The India-flagged LPG carrier Green Asha has safely transited the Strait of Hormuz, becoming the ninth Indian tanker to cross the crucial maritime corridor since the West Asia conflict escalated. The strait remains volatile following Iran's tightened control after US-Israeli strikes in late February, impacting global fuel supplies. Despite the heightened risks, Indian shipping activity has persisted, with multiple vessels transporting significant cargoes of LPG, crude oil, and gasoline through the region. Recent shipments include several carriers delivering over 90,000 tonnes of LPG each to Indian ports.

The India-flagged LPG carrier Green Asha transits the Strait of Hormuz, the ninth Indian vessel to navigate the volatile corridor since the West Asia conflict began.

New Delhi, April 5 An India-flagged vessel, Green Asha, has safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz, marking the ninth Indian tanker to transit the crucial maritime corridor since the onset of the ongoing West Asia conflict.

The development comes even as tensions remain elevated and security concerns continue to disrupt one of the world's most vital oil and energy supply routes.

According to reports, Green Asha is an LPG carrier and its successful passage highlights India's continued reliance on the strait despite mounting risks.

The transit follows a series of similar crossings by Indian vessels navigating the conflict-hit region under heightened surveillance.

The situation in the Strait of Hormuz has remained volatile since Iran tightened its control over the passage following US-Israeli strikes on February 28.

The escalation has impacted global fuel supplies and rattled energy markets, with maritime data indicating that nearly 60 per cent of commodity-carrying ships using the route are either originating from or destined for Iran.

Despite these challenges, Indian shipping activity through the strait has remained relatively robust.

Prior to Green Asha's journey, at least eight Indian vessels had already crossed the corridor.

Among them were LPG carriers BW TYR and BW ELM, which transported around 94,000 tonnes of cargo through the conflict zone.

In late March, four Indian-flagged LPG tankers, including Pine Gas and Jag Vasant, delivered more than 92,600 tonnes of LPG over a three-day period.

Earlier, MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi had carried close to 92,700 tonnes of LPG to Gujarat's Mundra and Kandla ports in mid-March.

Other shipments included crude and refined fuels. Oil tanker Jag Laadki transported over 80,000 tonnes of crude oil from the UAE to Mundra, while Jag Prakash crossed the strait carrying gasoline from Oman to African markets.

Another LPG carrier, Green Sanvi, also completed its transit recently with a cargo of approximately 46,650 metric tonnes.

- IANS
Assam's Chief Electoral Officer, Anurag Goel, has confirmed all preparations are complete for the single-phase Assembly elections on April 9. Over 31,000 polling stations will feature 100% live webcasting and enhanced facilities like ramps and wheelchairs for accessibility. A massive security deployment includes 800 companies of central forces, with borders sealed and area domination in sensitive locations. The election body has made a special appeal to over 25 million eligible voters, including 642,000 first-timers, to turn out in large numbers.

Assam CEO details poll prep: 31,490 stations, 100% webcasting, 800 CAPF companies, and special facilities for 25 million voters on April 9.

Guwahati, April 5 Ahead of the Assembly polls, Chief Electoral Officer of Assam, Anurag Goel, on Sunday said that all preparations are in place for the polling scheduled on April 9, with special focus on encouraging young voters and ensuring foolproof security and accessibility at polling stations.

Speaking to ANI, Goel said, "For polling in Assam on 9 April, preparations are in place. Polling parties are trained, and stations are identified with facilities like ramps, wheelchairs, electricity, toilets, drinking water, and a new mobile deposit pouch system."

He added that special arrangements have been made for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women, including separate queues and volunteer support.

"Special arrangements are made for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women, with separate queues and volunteer support. Security is ensured with 800 CAPF companies, sensitive areas covered, and borders sealed 48 hours before polling. Webcasting from border check posts has strengthened seizures, including recent drug interceptions. Confidence-building marches will be held in all districts to encourage turnout.There are 31,490 polling stations across 126 constituencies, serving 25.05 million voters, including over 642,000 first-time voters," Goel told ANI.

On maintaining law and order, Goel said vulnerable and sensitive polling stations have been identified based on past incidents and Election Commission criteria. "We identified vulnerable and sensitive polling stations based on Election Commission criteria, law and order concerns, and past incidents of electoral violence. To ensure transparency, 100% webcasting will take place across all 31,490 polling stations. In sensitive stations, CAPF personnel will be deployed, with additional forces for area domination. Micro-observers from the central government will also be present to guarantee neutral voting."

"Around 2 lakh civil polling personnel and 1 lakh police personnel will be on duty, supported by 800 CAPF companies and Assam Police. Large seizures of drugs, illegal liquor, and cash have been made, though most cash was returned after verification," he added.

In his appeal to the voters, the Chief Electoral Officer said, "My appeal to the voters is that the Election Commission of India assures that polling will be free, fair, transparent, and neutral. We have deployed 800 companies of the central paramilitary forces to ensure this. My only request will be that you please come out in large numbers to vote and exercise your right to franchise so that we can have a better Assam tomorrow."

Assam is all set to go into single-phase Assembly elections on April 9, with 126 constituencies across the state.

- ANI
BJP National Vice President Baijayant Jay Panda asserts a strong pro-incumbency wave in Assam ahead of the state assembly elections, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's special attention to the region. He highlighted key achievements including industrial growth, new semiconductor factories creating youth opportunities, and advancements in women's empowerment. Panda also emphasized a transformation in security, claiming lands were freed from infiltrators and thousands of militants surrendered under the BJP government's tenure. He further criticized the opposition Congress, stating the party is "falling apart" as leaders leave.

BJP VP Baijayant Panda says Assam has huge pro-incumbency due to PM Modi's focus on development, industrial growth, and security ahead of state polls.

Guwahati, April 5 Bharatiya Janata Party National Vice President Baijayant Jay Panda on Sunday praised the development in Assam over the past few years, stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given special attention to the state and the broader Northeast region.

He highlighted industrial growth, employment opportunities and women empowerment as key achievements under the BJP-led government.

"Assam has a huge pro-incumbency in these elections, and the reason for this is that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has placed an extreme focus on Assam and the Northeast. Everyone can see the changes that have taken place. Look at new industries like semiconductor factories; there are many opportunities for youth, and much has been done for women," Panda said.

He further emphasised that the people of Assam are firmly supporting the BJP. "The State used to be infamous for being a territorial region of the militants. After the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power, Assam was redesigned from the core. The land occupied by illegal infiltrators has been freed, and thousands of militants surrendered and joined the mainstreamm" he added.

Panda further noted Assam's economic progress. "Assam's GDP is the highest in the country. Prior to 2016, it was known as the State of Militants, and now, under the leadership of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, thousands of militants surrendered and came to the mainstream. The land occupied by the infiltrators here is being freed. The people of Assam have made up their minds to bring the BJP-NDA government back to power,' he said.

The BJP leader also criticised the opposition, stating, "The Congress is falling apart. All its prominent leaders are leaving. While working against the BJP, the Congress party has started working against the country, and Congress leaders cannot accept this and are leaving. The party is breaking apart."

The Assam Legislative Assembly elections are scheduled for April 9, with counting of votes and declaration of results to take place on May 4.

- ANI
Make better investment decisions with Simply Wall St's easy, visual tools that give you a competitive edge.

The analyst price framework for InTest has shifted, with the central fair value reference point moving from about US$10.00 to roughly US$17.67 per share, and individual targets now clustering around US$14 and US$19. Bullish voices tie these higher anchors to better than expected Q4 results and what they see as clearer FY26 guidance. More cautious views flag execution risk and disagreement across that US$14 to US$19 spread. As you read on, you will see how this evolving narrative might shape the way you track InTest from here.

Stay updated as the Fair Value for InTest shifts by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on InTest.

What Wall Street Has Been Saying

 Bullish Takeaways

Northland raised its price target on InTest to US$14 from US$10 after what it described as better than expected Q4 results and solid FY26 guidance, which sets a higher reference point for how some analysts are valuing the shares.

Lake Street increased its price target more aggressively to US$19 from US$10, also citing Q4 outperformance and solid 2026 guidance, which signals a more optimistic stance on how InTest might execute on its current plan.

Both firms highlight the recent Q4 and multi year outlook as key inputs, so the stronger company specific data is central to their higher valuation ranges, rather than broad market factors.

 Bearish Takeaways

Northland kept a Market Perform rating even after lifting its target, which can be read as a more cautious view on upside potential relative to risk.

The wide gap between the US$14 target at Northland and the US$19 target at Lake Street points to disagreement on execution and growth prospects, which is important to keep in mind if you are comparing InTest with other opportunities.

Do your thoughts align with the Bull or Bear Analysts? Perhaps you think there's more to the story. Head to the Simply Wall St Community to discover more perspectives!

NYSEAM:INTT 1-Year Stock Price Chart

See how InTest's fair value stacks up across multiple valuation models  not just analyst targets.

What's in the News
Asom Gana Parishad President and Agriculture Minister Atul Bora is campaigning to secure a decisive third consecutive term from the Bokakhat constituency, the gateway to Kaziranga National Park. He transformed this traditional Congress bastion into an AGP stronghold, winning convincingly in 2016 and 2021 with increasing vote shares. The constituency's electoral pulse is driven by a complex mix of indigenous communities including the Tea community, Gorkhas, Mishings, and Karbis. For the AGP, this election is a critical test of the party's relevance and the resonance of its indigenous identity platform within the BJP-led coalition.

AGP President Atul Bora campaigns for a third consecutive term in Bokakhat, testing the BJP-AGP alliance's strength in Upper Assam ahead of 2026 polls.

Bokakhat, April 5 As Assam heads to the polls on April 9, the spotlight has intensified on Bokakhat, the gateway to Kaziranga National Park. In this high-stakes constituency, Asom Gana Parishad President and Agriculture Minister Atul Bora is campaigning to secure a decisive third consecutive term, anchoring the BJP-AGP alliance's presence in Upper Assam.

After weeks of internal negotiations over key seats like Chabua-Lahowal, the ruling alliance has finalised its battle plan for the 126-seat assembly: BJP contesting 89 seats, while AGP fielded candidates in 26 seats (matching its 2021 footprint) and facing a consolidated challenge from the Raijor Dal (13 seats) and local challengers.

Traditionally a Congress bastion, Bokakhat was transformed into an AGP stronghold by Bora starting in 2016. His previous performances set a high bar for the 2026 race. In 2016, Bora secured 62,962 votes, while in 2021, his votes increased to 72,930.

While Bora remains the dominant force, he faces competition from Bibekananda Rajowar (GGP) and prominent Independents Pranab Doley and Hemanta Doloi.

Since 2016, Bora has proven to be a formidable incumbent, winning his first term with 62,962 votes and comfortably defeating Congress's Arun Phukan, who received 22,769 votes.

Bora further consolidated his dominance in 2021, polling 72,930 votes to defeat independent challenger Pranab Doley, who secured 27,749 votes. Now serving as the Agriculture Minister, Bora enters the 2026 race looking to build on these consecutive victories. With the alliance disputes settled and his established track record, he is now aiming for a historic third straight term for the AGP at the gates of Kaziranga.

Bokakhat's electoral pulse is driven by a complex mix of indigenous identity and local heritage. The constituency is home to a significant population of the Tea community, Gorkha residents, and the Mishing and Karbi tribes. Beyond politics, the town is famed for its "pedas" and "puris," symbols of a local market culture that remains vibrant during campaign season.

For the AGP, Bokakhat is more than just a seat; it is a test of the party's relevance within the BJP-led coalition. As a Cabinet Minister with a consolidated vote share, Bora's performance here will signal whether the "indigenous identity" platform still resonates as strongly as it did in the previous two elections.

With the alliance disputes in the rearview mirror, Bora now looks to turn the "Gateway to Kaziranga" into an impenetrable fortress for the third time.

- ANI
Traditional folk arts are playing a vibrant role in the Tamil Nadu Assembly election campaigns, used to gather and entertain crowds before political rallies. The administration is also leveraging these art forms in official voter awareness campaigns to connect with people through local heritage. Dr. Saha Shankar, a history professor, leads a group providing free training in various folk art forms to students, with performances reaching national stages like the Red Fort. His initiative uses earnings from performances to support artists' families and aims to steer youth away from substance abuse while promoting physical and mental development.

Traditional folk performances like Mayilattam & Paraiyattam engage crowds at political rallies and drive voter awareness initiatives in Tamil Nadu.

By Niranjan Mishra, Kanyakumari, April 5 South India is also known for its ancient folk arts. Various forms of art are deeply connected to its heritage and can be seen coming alive during different festivals and occasions. As the campaign for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections is gradually gaining momentum, these traditional folk arts are also being showcased during poll campaigns.

Their primary role is to engage and hold the attention of the crowd before any political event begins. In Nagercoil, Kanyakumari, local folk artists were seen performing to set the mood ahead of Chief Minister Stalin's public meeting. Similarly, in Kovilpatti, before the rally of AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, local artists were seen entertaining the large gathering with different forms of folk art.

Even in voter awareness campaigns, the administration is making use of such folk arts. In an initiative led by the Thoothukudi District Election Officer to spread awareness about voting, a large number of local folk artists participated.

Speaking to ANI, Thoothukudi Assistant Collector Bhuvanesh Ram said, 'Our aim is to make people aware of the importance of voting. We believe that if we explain things through elements connected to local heritage, people can understand better. That is why we are using folk arts for public awareness."

In the awareness campaign organised by the Thoothukudi District Administration, we met Dr. Saha Shankar, a History professor who is promoting folk arts in Tamil Nadu. We also visited his residence, where he provides free folk art training to students under the 'Saha Folk Art Group.' His students have performed at various national events, including the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort.

Speaking to ANI, he said, "Folk art is a gift of our South Indian heritage. We provide training to students in various folk art forms such as Mayilattam, Kavadiyattam, Kattai Kuchi Aattam, Oyilattam, Paraiyattam, Poikkal Kuthirai Aattam, Maan Aattam, Villupattu, and Oppari Paattu."

He said, "Our group performed art forms like Marakkal Aattam and Oyilattam at the Red Fort in Delhi last year. Earlier, in 2010, we conducted a program in Gujarat and have since continued to perform in several North Indian states as well. Artists from our group have also performed internationally."

Responding to the question of where the funds for free training come from, Dr. Saha Sankar said, "The funds we receive from external performances are used to cover students' educational expenses and to support the families of artists. I have been doing this for the past 25 years." He also said that, "these art forms help prevent young people from falling into substance abuse and also support their physical and mental development."

- ANI
Chairman John Moolenaar has cosponsored the bipartisan MATCH Act to strengthen U.S. national security by closing gaps in export controls on semiconductor manufacturing equipment. The bill addresses mismatches between U.S. and allied restrictions that have allowed China to advance its chip capabilities. It includes provisions to ban critical equipment sales, impose stricter controls on Chinese firms like SMIC, and mandates alignment with allies within a set timeline. The legislation underscores semiconductor manufacturing as core to the technological competition with China.

Bipartisan MATCH Act aims to close loopholes in semiconductor equipment export controls, curb China's tech rise, and align US allies on national security.

Washington DC, April 4 Chairman John Moolenaar has cosponsored the bipartisan Multilateral Alignment of Technology Controls on Hardware Act, aimed at strengthening US national security by closing key gaps in export controls on semiconductor manufacturing equipment, according to a release by the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.

As cited by the SCCCP, the bill, introduced by Michael Baumgartner, addresses the mismatch between U.S. restrictions and those of its allies, which has allowed China to exploit loopholes and continue advancing its semiconductor capabilities.

Moolenaar stated, as quoted in the SCCCP release, that the MATCH Act would "close loopholes, create a level playing field for US and allied toolmakers", and ensure that future growth in chip manufacturing benefits the US and its partners rather than China.

He further emphasised that SME remains a critical strategic advantage amid China's military and technological ambitions.

Baumgartner, as cited by the SCCCP, warned that China is seeking dominance in key technologies underpinning economic and national security systems. He said the legislation is intended to ensure the US and its allies act in coordination to safeguard supply chains, innovation, and long-term security interests.

The SCCCP noted that China continues to heavily subsidise its semiconductor sector, mirroring strategies used to dominate industries such as solar panels and EV batteries. It added that Chinese-made chips are increasingly embedded in US critical infrastructure and defence systems, while companies like Huawei are rapidly advancing in AI chip production.

According to the SCCCP release, the MATCH Act includes provisions such as banning the sale of critical "chokepoint" chip-making equipment to countries of concern, imposing stricter controls on major Chinese firms, including Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation and Yangtze Memory Technologies Corporation, and aligning export controls with US allies within a set timeline.

The legislation also provides for diplomatic engagement backed by deadlines, along with a national security waiver if required. It seeks to ensure uniform enforcement of controls across allied nations and directs the US Department of Commerce to act unilaterally if progress is not achieved within 150 days, as per the SCCCP.

The committee further stated that semiconductor manufacturing lies at the core of the technological competition with China, adding that the MATCH Act is designed to strengthen export controls and create a more coordinated global approach, as highlighted in its release.

- ANI
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has stated the BJP is dedicated to protecting Assam's land, language, and identity, crediting the party's actions against illegal immigrants. He contrasted this with the Congress party, accusing it of facilitating illegal settlement and hindering progress during its long rule. Sonowal emphasized public trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and the development brought by the BJP. His remarks come as Assam prepares for a single-phase election, setting the stage for a contest between the incumbent BJP-led NDA and a Congress-led opposition alliance.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal asserts BJP's commitment to protecting Assam's identity and development, contrasting it with Congress's record ahead of polls.

Guwahati, April 5 Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday praised the Bhartiya Janata Party, asserting that the party is committed to protecting the land, language and identity of Assam's people.

Speaking to ANI, Sonowal emphasised that people have strong faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, noting that the BJP has been instrumental in bringing growth, development and safeguarding the interests of indigenous communities.

"This election is essential because we have to protect our land, our language, our identity. The BJP is committed to this. The steps taken against illegal immigrants in the last 10 years are exemplary, which is why people have so much trust in the BJP. People have trust in the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. BJP's speciality is bringing development, peace, tranquillity, and protection of indigenous people," he said.

Sonowal's remarks come as Assam prepares to vote in a single phase across 126 Assembly constituencies on April 9, with the counting of votes scheduled for May 4.

Earlier, on Saturday, Sonowal accused the Congress party of undermining Assam's progress by facilitating the settlement of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh during their 55-year rule.

"Congress never wanted Assam to progress, and that is why during their 55-year rule, the state remained significantly backward... In contrast, over the last 10 years, the BJP government has brought unprecedented change to the state through various developmental works. The Congress party brought illegal Bangladeshis into Assam and settled them by providing land in various districts," he said.

The upcoming elections will witness a contest between the incumbent BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government and the Congress-led opposition alliance.

The BJP-led NDA, which includes the Bharatiya Janata Party, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), and Bodoland People's Front (BPF), is seeking a third consecutive term in Assam.

The Congress-led opposition alliance, which includes Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), Raijor Dal, Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], CPI(ML), and other parties, aims to capitalise on anti-incumbency and reclaim power in the state.

- ANI
Indian political parties have united in condemning Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif's statement that Pakistan would target Kolkata in any future conflict. The BJP and Congress dismissed Asif's accusations of Indian "false flag operations," with Congress MP Manish Tewari labeling Pakistan the "epicentre of terrorism." BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo reminded Pakistan of India's military response in Operation Sindoor, which destroyed terror infrastructures. Indian leaders asserted that Pakistan's threats are empty and that India possesses the capability and will to respond decisively if provoked.

BJP, Congress condemn Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif's statement threatening to strike Kolkata in a future conflict, citing Pakistan as "epicentre of terrorism".

New Delhi, April 5 The Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress on Sunday lashed out at Pakistan after its Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned India that in case of any future conflict between the neighbouring countries, the rogue nation will strike West Bengal's capital Kolkata. Asif had also accused India of planning a "false flag operation" against Pakistan.

Speaking to reporters, Khawaja Asif had said, "They (India) (plan) some kind of false-flag operation through their own men or through the Pakistanis in their detention by planting dead bodies somewhere and claiming they were terrorists who had done so..."

"If they (India) try to enact such a drama this time, then God willing, we will take it to Kolkata," he added.

Criticising the Pakistan Defence Minister's remark, Congress MP Manish Tewari commented that Pakistan has achieved a "PhD in false flag operations".

Tewari told IANS, "Since 1971, Pakistan has been conducting false flag operations against India. They have achieved PhD in false flag operations. Whether it is Afghanistan, India or other South Asian countries."

The Congress MP also called Pakistan as the 'epicentre of terrorism'.

Tewari said, "If there is any epicentre of terrorism in South Asia, that is Pakistan."

"So those (Pakistan) who have done PhD in false flag operations, when they put baseless allegations on others, they, in fact, make a mockery of themselves," he added

BJP Spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo reminded the neighbouring country of how its terror infrastructures were destroyed by India during last year's Operation Sindoor.

"Does Pakistan have the courage to challenge India? During Operation Sindoor, when we struck inside their territory, they must not have forgotten how we destroyed the entire families of terrorists. We had not spared even their military installations," Deo said.

He asserted that Pakistan had begged India for ceasefire and said, "We stopped the war on our terms and conditions."

Moreover, BJP leader Deo emphasised that Kolkata is beyond the reach of Pakistan.

"They (Pakistan) just talk big. Kolkata is even beyond their reach. In fact, whenever we (India) want, we can (strike) any part of their country (Pakistan)," he said.

"India is a peace-loving country. It never wants a war to happen. We never function on the philosophy of attacking first but if somebody raises their eyes at us then what we did to Pakistan in Operation Sindoor, we will do 100 times worse than that, if they try to (strike at us) again," Deo told IANS.

Janata Dal-United leader Neeraj Kumar also echoed similar view while criticising Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.

He said, "I hope Pakistan's Defence Minister is aware of the wounds of Operation Sindoor. Pakistan's terror infrastructures were reduced to rubbles in minutes. This type of statement from the Pakistan Minister is heavily objectionable."

- IANS
The Nemom Assembly constituency in Kerala is poised for a crucial triangular contest in the 2026 elections between the LDF, UDF, and NDA. Incumbent CPI(M) minister V Sivankutty faces a strong challenge from BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, with the UDF fielding KS Sabarinadhan. The BJP is banking on a PM Modi rally and its organizational strength to win this symbolic gateway seat, while navigating controversies and outreach to Christian voters. The seat's history of close margins and fluctuating dynamics makes it a key bellwether for the BJP's expansion in the state.

Kerala's Nemom constituency, BJP's gateway, sees a triangular contest in 2026. Key players: V Sivankutty, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, and KS Sabarinadhan.

Nemom, April 5 The Nemom Assembly constituency, regarded as the Bharatiya Janata Party's gateway to the Keralam Assembly, is set to witness a triangular contest between the Left Democratic Front, United Democratic Front, and National Democratic Alliance in the 2026 elections.

Keralam Education Minister and Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader V Sivankutty is seeking to retain the Nemom seat. Sivankutty had earlier lost the constituency in 2016 to BJP veteran O Rajagopal, marking the party's first-ever Assembly victory in the state. Sivankutty reclaimed the seat in the 2021 elections and is now facing a strong challenge from Keralam BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

Although the CPI(M) regained control of the seat in 2021, the BJP has put up a strong performance in the last two Assembly elections.

In the 2021 Assembly polls, Sivankutty defeated BJP's Kummanam Rajasekharan with a margin of 3,949 (2.7 per cent) votes. In contrast, during the 2016 elections, Sivankutty had lost to Rajagopal with a huge margin of 6.1 per cent, highlighting the constituency's fluctuating electoral dynamics.

In the run-up to the polls, the CPI(M) leader is backing the development work in the constituency. Recently, in a Facebook post, Sivankutty recounted the Chala Industrial Training Institute (ITI) and the Karamana junction as development works by the LDF government.

On the other hand, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, on several occasions, has accused the LDF of not fulfilling the promises. The BJP candidate is also taking forward the party's Hindutva agenda by accusing the LDF and the UDF of "disrupting the rituals" amid the Sabrimala gold theft case. Even Rahul Gandhi, in Kottayam, tapped into the issue by questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on the gold theft case.

After winning the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation elections last year, the BJP is weighing some serious chances of securing the Nemom seat in the Thiruvananthapuram district. Even the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is a factor with a large number of cadres and Shakhas in Keralam.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also scheduled to hold a rally in Nemom, which is set to boost Chandrasekhar's campaign.

According to the 2011 census, Christians make up the second largest religious group in the capital city of Keralam. Christian votes would be a deciding factor in the elections. The BJP has attempted an outreach towards the religious community. Chandrasekhar had demanded the release of two Kerala-based nuns arrested in Chhattisgarh on human trafficking charges.

However, the anti-minority sentiment against the BJP in the Centre with the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, can affect their efforts to garner votes from the Christian community.

Meanwhile, Chandrasekhar faced a controversy over his affidavit to the Election Commission. Congress had filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) alleging that the BJP leader had failed to reveal all his assets in his affidavit. However, his nomination was accepted even after Congress' request to reject Chandrasekhar's nomination on ground of discrepancy.

The BJP had also alleged that officials from the Labour Department, which is under V Sivankutty, have been deployed for election duties in Nemom. According to the party, around 90 officials have been appointed with "malafide intent." The BJP has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission over the issue. S Suresh also alleged that a candidate, Rajeev Kumar, whose name is similar to Rajeev Chandrasekhar, was assigned a symbol similar to the BJP's lotus, creating confusion for voters.

UDF has fielded former Congress leader and Keralam minister G Karthikeyan's son, KS Sabarinadhan. He had lost the last elections from Aruvikarra seat. However, Congress would be riding on Thiruvananthapuram MP and popular face Shashi Tharoor's victory against Rajeev Chandrasekhar in the Lok Sabha elections. Tharoor has also campaigned for KS Sabarinadhan.

Polling for the 2026 Keralam Legislative Assembly elections will be held on April 9, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4. Nemom is expected to remain a key constituency to watch, particularly for the BJP, as it seeks to expand its footprint in the state.

- ANI
Chinese private companies are marketing AI-powered tools that analyze satellite and flight data to track detailed US military movements in the Middle East during the Iran war. These firms, some with links to China's military, are part of Beijing's civil-military integration strategy, backed by state investment. The trend allows China to gain strategic intelligence benefits while maintaining formal distance from the conflict, providing plausible deniability. This proliferation of commercial surveillance technology is blurring lines between civilian and military capabilities, complicating US operational secrecy.

Report reveals Chinese firms using AI and open-source data to monitor US military deployments in the Middle East, raising surveillance concerns.

Washington, April 5 Chinese firms are using artificial intelligence and open-source data to track US military movements during the Iran war, raising fresh concerns in Washington about emerging battlefield surveillance risks, a media report said.

A growing number of Chinese private companies are marketing intelligence tools that claim to "expose" the movements of US forces, even as Beijing publicly distances itself from the conflict, according to The Washington Post .

The firms are combining artificial intelligence with publicly available data - including satellite imagery, flight trackers and shipping information - to produce detailed analyses of US military deployments in the Middle East.

The trend has gained momentum since the start of the Iran war five weeks ago.

Online posts have circulated showing granular details of US carrier movements, aircraft positioning and base activity, reflecting what analysts describe as a rapidly expanding intelligence marketplace.

Some of the companies involved have links to China's military ecosystem.

They are part of Beijing's broader push to integrate private-sector innovation into defence capabilities, backed by significant state investment under its civil-military integration strategy, The Washington Post reported.

US officials and analysts are divided on how serious the threat is, the daily said.

Some question whether these tools are being actively used by adversaries. Others warn that their increasing sophistication could make it harder for the US to conceal troop movements in future conflicts.

"The proliferation of more and more capable private sector geospatial analysis companies in China will augment China's defence capabilities and ability to contest US forces in a crisis," Ryan Fedasiuk, a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, told The Washington Post.

One firm has claimed it can track US military activity in real time using a mix of Western and Chinese data sources filtered through AI, the report said.

Another company has said it can analyse aircraft communications and monitor large-scale military movements.

The rise of such firms reflects a broader shift in modern warfare.

Open-source intelligence, once limited to niche analysts, is increasingly being enhanced by AI, allowing private actors to generate insights previously available only to governments.

US lawmakers have begun raising alarms.

"Companies tied to the CCP are turning AI into a battlefield surveillance tool against America," the House Select Committee on China said in a statement cited by The Washington Post.

At the same time, Beijing has sought to maintain a careful distance from the conflict.

China has called for a ceasefire and peace talks, while avoiding direct involvement even as its private sector capitalises on the war.

Analysts say the dual-track approach allows China to benefit strategically without formally entering the conflict.

Private firms can provide intelligence capabilities while giving the Chinese government plausible deniability.

The development also highlights a broader challenge for the United States.

As commercial technologies become more powerful, the line between civilian and military intelligence is blurring, complicating efforts to maintain operational secrecy.

- IANS
Passenger regained consciousness and is now stable

A CISF Inspector saved the life of a passenger who suffered a suspected cardiac arrest at Imphal Airport's check-in area. Inspector K Bikendra immediately administered CPR, assisted by a CRPF medical officer who was a co-passenger. The passenger regained consciousness and was taken to the hospital, where he is now reported to be stable. This incident highlights the alertness and training of CISF personnel, who recently also conducted large-scale security exercises at Delhi's IGI Airport.

CISF Inspector K Bikendra and a CRPF doctor revive a passenger who collapsed. Read about the heroic rescue and latest CISF security exercises.

Imphal, April 5 In a heartwarming incident on Saturday, CISF Inspector K Bikendra saved the life of a passenger, Suresh Kumar, who was travelling from Imphal to Delhi on an Air India Express flight. Kumar suddenly collapsed at the check-in area due to a suspected cardiac condition.

The on-duty CISF Inspector responded immediately, alerting the airport medical team and administering CPR to the non-breathing passenger. Shortly thereafter, Kiron, a Commandant (Medical) with the CRPF, present as a co-passenger, took over the resuscitation efforts.

The passenger regained consciousness and was shifted to the hospital via an airport ambulance. According to the latest update, the passenger is now stable.

Earlier, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on March 29 conducted a Joint Counter-Terrorist Mock Exercise at IGI Airport, Delhi, to assess preparedness and enhance seamless inter-agency coordination against evolving security threats.

According to a statement by CISF, personnel from CISF (QRT, BDDS, Dog Squad), Delhi Police, NSG, BCAS, DGCA, Delhi Fire Service, ARFF (DIAL) and Medical Services participated, demonstrating strong synergy and operational readiness.

CISF, in an X post, also assured security and seamless passenger facilitation at the newly inaugurated Phase I of the Noida International Airport in Jewar.

"CISF stands firmly deployed, ensuring robust security architecture, seamless passenger facilitation and vigilant protection of critical infrastructure--securing the skies with unwavering commitment," the post read.

Earlier, CISF personnel at ASG Shimla underwent intensive night firing exercises in near-zero visibility, refining precision firing skills and gaining hands-on experience with a range of weapons and essential equipment.

According to a statement, designed to simulate real-world challenges, these drills enhance alertness, strengthen decision-making and reinforce operational readiness in demanding conditions. Each exercise builds confidence, coordination and the capability to respond swiftly when it matters most.

- ANI
Uttarakhand's mining department has achieved a landmark revenue of Rs 1,217 crore for FY 2025-26, significantly exceeding its target. This growth is attributed to comprehensive reforms under Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, emphasizing transparency and technological integration. The state has implemented systems like the Mining Digital Transformation and Surveillance System (MDTSS) to curb illegal activities and streamline operations. These efforts have earned national recognition, including a SKOCH Award and substantial financial incentives from the central government.

Uttarakhand's mining revenue hits a record Rs 1,217 crore, driven by CM Dhami's tech reforms and enforcement against illegal activities.

Dehradun, April 5 Uttarakhand has recorded a landmark surge in mining revenue, crossing the Rs 1,200 crore-mark for the first time, as the state government under Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attributes the growth to a mix of transparency, technological innovation and strict enforcement against illegal activities.

According to official data, the state's mining department generated Rs 1,217 crore in the financial year 2025-26, significantly surpassing the target of Rs 950 crore.

The revenue includes Rs 1,130 crore deposited in the state treasury, Rs 80 crore contributed to the District Mineral Foundation (DMF), and Rs 7 crore collected under the State Mineral Exploration Trust (SMET).

The performance marks a substantial rise from the previous financial year 2024-25, when the department had recorded Rs 1,041 crore against a target of Rs 875 crore, indicating consistent growth in the sector.

Officials said the steady increase in mining revenue reflects the impact of reforms introduced under the leadership of Chief Minister Dhami, focusing on transparency, accountability, and systemic changes.

The state has witnessed a remarkable rise in revenue from Rs 110 crore in 2012-13 to more than Rs 1,200 crore in 2025-26.

The state government has streamlined mineral policies and simplified regulations to promote legal mining while cracking down on illegal extraction, transportation and storage.

Mining leases are now being allocated through transparent processes, which officials say has helped boost investor confidence and revenue generation.

Technology-driven monitoring has played a key role in strengthening enforcement.

The state has implemented the Mining Digital Transformation and Surveillance System (MDTSS), under which 45 advanced e-check gates equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and RFID technology have been installed across four plain districts.

In addition, digital platforms such as the Mineral Management System, e-Ravanna, Mining e-Services, Surveillance Enforcement System and Decision Support System have been introduced to enhance efficiency and curb malpractices.

To further secure operations, the state government has introduced special security-featured paper for the e-Ravanna system, aimed at preventing fraud and misuse.

Officials claim these measures have significantly reduced illegal mining activities and contributed to the surge in revenue.

The reforms have also received national recognition.

On March 28, 2026, the MDTSS and e-Khanna Security Paper initiatives were awarded the SKOCH Award (Gold) at an event held in New Delhi.

Moreover, Uttarakhand secured second position among 'C' category states in Minor Mineral Reforms by the Ministry of Mines, earning an incentive of Rs 100 crore.

The state also received an additional Rs 100 crore under the State Mining Readiness Index for improved performance.

Officials said the combination of strict enforcement, policy reforms and technological integration has positioned Uttarakhand's mining sector as a model of good governance, contributing significantly to the state's economic growth.

- IANS
Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu shared and praised the trailer for the upcoming film 'Dacoit,' starring Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur. He commended Sesh's growth as an actor and called the trailer a solid setup for the film. The romantic-action-thriller, directed by Shaneil Deo, showcases a gripping story of two dacoits with action and a layered backstory. The film's release has been shifted to April 10, 2026, from its original March date.

Telugu star Mahesh Babu applauds the trailer for Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur's film 'Dacoit,' calling it a promising setup. Film releases April 2026.

Mumbai, April 5 Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu is all praise for the trailer of actors Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur's upcoming film 'Dacoit,' calling it a "solid setup" of what's to come.

The trailer for the romantic-action-thriller was unveiled on Saturday, April 4, with many fans sharing positive reactions. Among them was Mahesh Babu, who shared the trailer on social media and appreciated Adivi Sesh's journey as an actor.

Taking to his X account, Mahesh Babu shared the trailer along with a note praising it and Sesh's growth. "From Major to #Dacoit... great to see you push further Sesh... The Trailer is a solid setup for what's to come. Wishing you and team the very best..," he wrote.

The trailer showcases a gripping story of two dacoits, featuring a layered backstory, action sequences, and an evolving relationship between the characters. The Telugu version of the trailer was unveiled at an event in Hyderabad.

Directed by Shaneil Deo, the film is set to hit the screens on April 10, 2026. It was earlier scheduled for a March 19 release, but the makers reportedly decided to shift the date as other big films, including 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge,' were also planned for the same day.

Adivi Sesh was last seen in 'HIT: The Second Case (2022),' directed by Sailesh Kolanu. The film followed the story of police officer Krishna Dev, also known as KD, who investigates a series of crimes involving female victims as part of the HIT unit in Andhra Pradesh.

- ANI
Goldman Sachs analyst Mark Jordan lowered the firms price target on Lithia & Driveway to $320 from $354 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares. The firm reduced the companys estimates to reflect industry data and trends through February and March. Industry data suggests volumes were likely softer than Goldmans initial estimate, the analyst tells investors in a research note.

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Dol Prasad Aryal has been sworn in as the Speaker of Nepal's House of Representatives, with President Ram Chandra Paudel administering the oath. He was elected unopposed as the sole candidate for the post, making him the 10th Speaker and the first from outside a communist party to hold the role in nearly two decades. Aryal's journey to the speakership is notable, having started his career as a restaurant labourer before entering politics with the Rastriya Swatantra Party. He has previously served as the country's Minister of Labour, Employment, and Social Security.

Dol Prasad Aryal takes oath as Nepal's 10th House Speaker, becoming the first non-communist in 18 years to hold the fourth-highest state position.

Kathmandu, April 5 Dol Prasad Aryal has been sworn in as Speaker of the House of Representatives in Nepal's parliament during a ceremony held on Sunday afternoon.

Nepalese President Ram Chandra Paudel administered the oath of office and secrecy to Aryal at Sheetal Niwas, the presidential palace in Kathmandu. Following the ceremony, Aryal proceeded to the Speaker's office to assume his duties.

Aryal was the sole candidate in Friday's nomination process for the post. During Sunday's House meeting, senior member Arjun Narsingh KC formally announced that Aryal had been elected unopposed.

As Speaker, Aryal will preside over meetings of the House of Representatives. The next session is scheduled for 1 pm on Monday.

Aryal, who was elected from Kathmandu-9 in the 2026 general election, becomes the 10th Speaker of the lower house and the first non-communist to hold the position in 18 years.

Born in Maidi, Dhading, in 1974, Aryal moved to Kathmandu in 1992 in search of work, beginning his career as a labourer in a restaurant. He later worked as a tourist guide.

Aryal also lived in Japan for work and studies, gaining experience both in Nepal and abroad. His interests have included education, tourism, and business. After the formation of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in 2079 BS, he became active in politics.

Within three and a half years of becoming a founding central member of the RSP, Aryal was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, a position considered the fourth highest in the state.

He has also served as the Acting Chair of the party while holding the post of vice president, taking on responsibilities during a period of party crisis as assigned by party chair Rabi Lamichhane.

Previously, Aryal served twice as the country's Minister of Labour, Employment, and Social Security.

- ANI
A drone attack triggered a fire at the Shuwaikh Oil Sector Complex in Kuwait, with emergency teams responding to contain the blaze. Kuwaiti state media reported no injuries from the incident. The attack is part of a broader escalation, with Iran launching drone strikes against U.S. military installations in Kuwait and the UAE, targeting radar systems and the aluminium industry. Iranian forces stated the strikes are retaliation for U.S.-Israeli assaults on Iranian industrial hubs, marking the sixth week of this conflict.

A drone strike caused a fire at Kuwait's Shuwaikh Oil Sector Complex. No injuries reported. Incident part of broader Iran-US regional escalation.

Kuwait City, April 5 A drone attack has triggered a fire at the Shuwaikh Oil Sector Complex, Al Jazeera reported on Sunday, citing Kuwaiti state media.

Emergency services were immediately deployed to the site following the strike. According to the state news agency KUNA, there were "no injuries" reported as a direct result of the explosion or the subsequent blaze.

In its coverage of the escalating situation, Al Jazeera indicated that "firefighting and emergency teams are responding to the incident" to contain the flames and prevent further damage to the critical energy infrastructure. Authorities are currently monitoring the area, though no further details regarding the origin of the drone or the extent of the structural impact have been released.

This incident aligns with broader regional hostilities, as the Iranian military has launched a fresh wave of drone attacks against United States military installations in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, as reported by the state broadcaster Press TV.

These operations mark a further escalation as the conflict between the Islamic Republic and the US-Israeli alliance enters its sixth week.

In an official statement released on Saturday, the army confirmed that its forces deployed Arash 2 drones to strike a radar system designed for the detection and identification of missiles and combat drones.

The offensive also targeted the UAE's aluminium industry, which Tehran identifies as a critical component of regional military logistics.

According to Press TV, the drone campaign extended into Kuwait, where the Iranian military targeted US command headquarters overseeing mechanised, armoured and helicopter divisions.

The army noted that several Arab media organisations had already documented reports of explosions occurring within both Kuwait and the UAE following the strikes.

The military justification for the selection of these specific targets rests on the claim that the United States and Israel have made "considerable" financial investments in the Emirati aluminium sector.

Iranian officials maintain that this industry is integral to the manufacturing of military hardware, including fighter jets, missiles, tanks and armoured vehicles.

As detailed by Press TV, the Iranian army characterised the strikes as a direct retaliation for US-Israeli assaults on Iran's own industrial hubs.

Armed forces representatives asserted that the ongoing operations are intended to make their adversaries "realise their miscalculation" regarding the initiation of the conflict.

The current hostilities, which Tehran describes as a terrorist war, reportedly began on February 28, following joint strikes by the United States and Israel.

Press TV highlighted that the Islamic Republic has consistently responded with force, initiating precision strikes against sensitive Israeli assets and various US bases throughout the region.

- ANI
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held urgent phone conversations with his counterparts from Iran, the UAE, and Qatar to discuss the escalating tensions in West Asia and review bilateral relations. These back-to-back diplomatic engagements underscore India's active role in maintaining dialogue with key regional stakeholders during the crisis. Jaishankar emphasized India's consistent position advocating for de-escalation and peaceful conflict resolution. Separately, he noted that India has successfully navigated global turbulence by hedging and diversifying its foreign policy and economic interests.

EAM S Jaishankar held urgent calls with Iranian, UAE, and Qatari counterparts to discuss escalating West Asia tensions and bilateral relations.

New Delhi, April 6 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar received a call from his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi as the tensions between the US and Iran continue to escalate.

Both leaders discussed bilateral relations and the tensions in West Asia.

In a post on X, S Jaishankar said, "Received a call from the Foreign Minister of Iran. Discussed the present situation."

The Iranian Embassy in India added, "Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, held a phone conversation with Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India's Minister of External Affairs, discussing bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments."

This comes after Jaishankar held separate high-level conversations with leaders from the UAE and Qatar to discuss the rapidly evolving situation in West Asia amid the regional conflict.

In a post on X, Jaishankar stated that he spoke with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the UAE, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, reviewing ongoing developments in the region. "Discussed the evolving situation in West Asia with DPM & FM Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan of UAE," he wrote.

In a separate post, the External Affairs Minister said he also held a telephonic conversation with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, regarding the ongoing conflict.

"Had a telecon on the ongoing conflict with PM & FM Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar this evening," Jaishankar stated.

The back-to-back diplomatic engagements come amid heightened tensions in West Asia, with India closely monitoring the situation and maintaining regular contact with key regional stakeholders. India has consistently emphasised the need for dialogue, de-escalation, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts in the region.

Earlier on Saturday, Jaishankar noted that India has "solidly come through" the turbulent global environment amid the West Asian conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war, "managing domestic and external challenges successfully".

Addressing the 15th Annual Convocation Ceremony of IIM Raipur, EAM Jaishankar called for "hedging, de-risking and diversifying" to secure India's interests as he noted that the resources can be used as leverage amid shifting power structures across the globe.

"The turbulence in the world currently is also structural in many ways. The global order is changing before our very eyes with visible shifts in the relative power and influence of countries. The politics of some societies find it difficult to come to terms with these changes. New developments in technology, in energy, in military capabilities, in connectivity and in resources have encouraged risk-taking in an increasingly competitive environment. Everything today is being leveraged, if not actually weaponised. The world is then confronted with the prospect of securing itself in an increasingly volatile and unpredictable environment. This has necessitated hedging, de-risk and diversifying. Whether this is a business choice or a foreign policy," the EAM said.

The conflict in West Asia began following US-Israeli joint military strikes on Iran on February 28, which killed Iran's 86-year-old Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Tehran, in retaliation, targeted Israel and US assets in several Gulf countries, causing disruption in the waterways and affecting international energy markets and global economic stability.

- ANI
The Easter celebrations commenced with the Paschal Vigil at Velankanni's Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, drawing thousands of devotees from across South India. The night featured the lighting of the Paschal Light and a dramatic rooftop enactment of Jesus Christ's resurrection with fireworks. Special Masses were conducted, including one led by the Basilica's Rector, while in Thoothukudi, Bishop Stephen Antony Pillai highlighted Easter's profound message of hope and victory. The festival, marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ, culminates the 40-day Lenten period of fasting and reflection.

Thousands gather at Velankanni's Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health for Easter Vigil prayers, special Mass, and a vivid resurrection enactment.

Nagapattinam, April 5 Special Easter Vigil prayers were held at the world-renowned Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, popularly known as the "Rome of the East," to mark the start of Easter Sunday at Velankanni in Nagapattinam district in Tamil Nadu on Saturday night.

The celebrations began with the Paschal Vigil ceremony. During the ritual, the "Paschal Light," symbolising the resurrection of Jesus Christ, was lit by the Rector of the Basilica, Fr. Irudhayaraj, followed by solemn prayers.

The sacred ceremony drew thousands of devotees from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, who offered prayers and held candles to honour Jesus Christ.

Around midnight, the Basilica auditorium's rooftop witnessed a vivid enactment of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The display featured an image of Jesus holding the cross flag, accompanied by fireworks and decorative lighting, adding to the grandeur of the celebrations.

Subsequently, a special Holy Mass was conducted under the leadership of the Rector, Fr. Irudhayaraj. The parish priest, Fr. Arputharaj, along with several other priests and nuns, also took part in the sacred ceremony.

Across Tamil Nadu, Easter Sunday was observed with equal devotion. In Thoothukudi, celebrations took place at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Church, where the church was illuminated for the occasion.

Bishop Stephen Antony Pillai of the Thoothukudi Diocese, while speaking on the significance of Easter Sunday, noted that Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on this day. He emphasised that the occasion provides profound meaning and hope to those who are struggling in their daily lives.

"After the Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are celebrating the Feast of the Resurrection. Resurrection is something extraordinary, a Feast of the Church. It is because of the Resurrection that Christians are very happy. They believe in the Resurrection. It is not only Jesus who rises from the dead, but also Christians will be raised from the dead one day. That is the faith," said Pillai.

"It is a Feast of Love. It is a Feast of Victory. It gives meaning to the people who struggle for their lives. If the people sometimes fail, they are in despair, they are desperate, they lose their hope. But Jesus, because He rose from the dead, He remains a sign of hope for all the people who are suffering, who are ill in their hearts. For the man who has hope in Jesus, even defeat will become a victory for him. So also, you people who believe in Jesus, He will do everything for you. He will heal you," added Pillai.

In Tirunelveli, the festival was also observed at Sacred Heart Church, Udaiyarpatti, where devotees held burning candles during Easter services as a symbol of Christ's light guiding them to a new life.

Easter is one of the most significant festivals in the Christian calendar, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. According to Christian belief, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day following his crucifixion. Easter follows the lunar calendar and is celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon following the spring equinox (March 21).

Across Tamil Nadu and the world, Christians observe Easter with joy and devotion. Churches hold special Masses and prayer services to commemorate Jesus' resurrection.

The festival follows a 40-day Lenten period, which this year began on February 18 with Ash Wednesday. During Lent, devotees engage in fasting, Lenten walks, special meditations, pilgrimages, and participation in the Way of the Cross, reflecting on Jesus' sufferings and sacrifice.

The final week of Lent, observed as Holy Week, is particularly significant. It began with Palm Sunday, followed by Maundy Thursday on April 2, and Good Friday on April 3, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Good Friday is followed by Easter, marking the resurrection and considered the most important festival in Christianity.

- ANI
Former President Ram Nath Kovind and former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar led tributes to Babu Jagjivan Ram on his 119th birth anniversary at Delhi's Samta Sthal. Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid rich tributes via social media, praising Jagjivan Ram's lifelong dedication to social justice and the nation. Jagjivan Ram, a freedom fighter, served as a Cabinet Minister for 35 years and is credited with pioneering the Green Revolution and leading India during the 1971 war. The commemorative events were organized by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Babu Jagjivan Ram National Foundation.

Former President, Union Minister, and others honor Babu Jagjivan Ram, a key architect of the Green Revolution and 1971 war victory, on his birth anniversary.

New Delhi, April 5 On the occasion of 119th Birth Anniversary of Babu Jagjivan Ram, former President Ram Nath Kovind and former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar led the former Deputy Prime Minister's followers in paying floral tributes to him on Sunday, said an official.

The two took part in a function organised at Babuji's memorial, Samta Sthal at Delhi Gate here, by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, an official said.

The Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry in association with the Babu Jagjivan Ram National Foundation also organised Sarva Dharam prayer at 6, Krishna Menon Marg, which houses the Babu Jagjivan Ram National Foundation and a memorial dedicated to Babuji.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah also paid rich tributes to the former minister credited with the 'Green Revolution' as the Agriculture Minister and the 1971 war victory as Defence Minister.

In a post on X, HM Shah said, "Humble tributes to the pioneer of social justice, Babu Jagjivan Ram, on his birth anniversary. He dedicated his entire life to the service of the nation and social justice. He made an unparalleled contribution to the freedom struggle and firmly opposed divisive forces while standing against conversions. His struggle for the rights of the weaker and underprivileged sections of society will continue to inspire us."

Babu Jagjivan Ram was a freedom fighter and national leader who fought tirelessly for the upliftment of the downtrodden. He was a Cabinet Minister for 35 years- the longest serving minister handling several key portfolios.

Babuji brought about path-breaking reforms. As Food and Agriculture Minister, he is credited with the 'Green Revolution' and as Defence Minister he led India to the historic 1971 war, which saw the birth of Bangladesh.

Among those who paid tributes to Babuji at the two events organised by the Ministry included his daughter Meira Kumar, Minister of State of Social Justice and Empowerment B. L. Verma, MP Lok Sabha Manoj Kumar and Secretary, MSJ&E, Sudhansh Pant.

Others who paid tributes included Executive Vice President, Babu Jagjivan Ram National Foundation, Swati Kumar; Member Secretary, Babu Jagjivan Ram National Foundation, Shailendra Kumar, and Director, Babu Jagjivan Ram National Foundation, Narendra Vashista.

- IANS
Gulf nations, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are urgently advancing infrastructure projects to reduce their dependence on the Strait of Hormuz for oil exports due to the prolonged West Asia conflict. They are actively using and planning to expand existing pipelines, such as Saudi Arabia's Petroline and the UAE's pipeline to Fujairah, to create alternative export routes. These national efforts are complemented by discussions on more ambitious, interconnected regional pipeline networks to build long-term energy security. The current crisis has acted as a catalyst, accelerating plans that were long under consideration to mitigate the risks of this critical maritime chokepoint.

Saudi Arabia and UAE boost pipeline projects to secure oil exports, reducing reliance on the vulnerable Strait of Hormuz amid regional conflict.

New Delhi, April 5 With no end in sight to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, Gulf nations are intensifying efforts to reduce their reliance on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit chokepoint through which nearly 20 million barrels of oil pass daily, a report has said.

Rising geopolitical risks and recent attacks on shipping have pushed long-discussed alternatives, including pipelines and overland corridors, closer to implementation.

According to a report by the Financial Times, countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are already leveraging existing infrastructure to partially bypass the strait.

Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline, also known as Petroline, has emerged as a key asset during the crisis.

Stretching about 1,200 kilometres from the kingdom's eastern oil fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, the pipeline has a capacity of roughly 7 million barrels per day and is playing a critical role in maintaining export flows.

The UAE, too, has been utilising its Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline, which links the onshore Habshan fields to the port of Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman.

With a capacity of up to 1.8 million barrels per day, the pipeline enables exports to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, although current utilisation levels remain below its maximum potential.

Analysts noted that while these pipelines provide important alternatives, they can only partially offset any major disruption to Gulf oil shipments.

In response, both countries are exploring expansion plans to enhance their export flexibility.

Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering increasing the capacity of its East-West pipeline or constructing additional routes, alongside developing new export terminals along its Red Sea coast, including at the ambitious Neom project.

Meanwhile, the UAE is evaluating the feasibility of building a second pipeline to Fujairah to further strengthen its bypass capabilities.

These options are seen as relatively quicker to implement compared to complex cross-border infrastructure projects.

Beyond national expansions, Gulf states are also examining more ambitious regional pipeline networks aimed at improving long-term resilience.

Experts suggested that a network of interconnected corridors across the region could offer greater security than isolated routes.

Industry observers said the current crisis has accelerated thinking around such projects, as per the report.

- IANS
The Himachal Pradesh government has disbursed Rs 14.68 crore in the 2025-26 financial year under the Gopal Yojana for the care of destitute cattle. The monthly maintenance grant for cows in registered shelters has been significantly increased from Rs 700 to Rs 1,200 per animal. This initiative aims to address serious farmer losses from crop destruction by stray cattle and improve road safety. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu emphasized the government's commitment to the rural economy and support for farmers despite funding changes.

Himachal Pradesh increases cow shelter grants to Rs 1,200/month, disbursing Rs 14.68 crore in 2025-26 to protect farmers' crops and rehabilitate destitute cattle.

Shimla, April 5 Himachal Pradesh government has taken significant steps to address the growing issue of stray and destitute cattle while safeguarding the interests of farmers, a release said.

During the financial year 2025-26, an amount of Rs 14.68 crore has been disbursed under the Gopal Yojana as a maintenance grant to ensure proper care, shelter and well-being of abandoned and destitute cows across the state.

Recognising the serious challenges posed by stray cattle, particularly the damage caused to standing crops, the Government has accorded high priority to resolving this issue. Farmers in many parts of the state have been facing substantial losses due to crop destruction, and in some areas, the situation has even forced them to scale down or abandon agricultural activities.

A spokesperson of the State Government stated that as part of a major policy initiative to strengthen cattle care infrastructure, the financial assistance for the upkeep of cows in registered cow shelters and sanctuaries has been significantly enhanced. The monthly grant has been increased from Rs 700 to Rs. 1,200 per cow, with effect from October 1, 2025. The enhanced assistance is being disbursed through the Himachal Pradesh Gau Seva Aayog to ensure better management, improved nutrition and proper healthcare for the animals.

The spokesperson said that the proper rehabilitation of stray cattle will not only address the challenges faced by farmers and encourage them to resume farming activities, but will also improve road safety in the state, as a significant number of accidents are attributed to stray cattle on roads.

The spokesperson added that several measures have been proposed in the Budget 2026-27 for the rehabilitation of stray cattle. In recent years, the State Government has established multiple cow sanctuaries and large Gausadans. Reputed voluntary organisations, NGOs and business houses interested in adopting any government Gausadan or cow sanctuary will be granted permission by the Government.

"The rural economy is a priority sector for the State Government. Despite the discontinuation of RDG, there will be no shortage of funds to support our farmers and horticulturists," Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said, according to the release.

- ANI
The Israel Defence Forces launched a massive aerial campaign targeting over 200 Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps infrastructure sites and more than 140 Hezbollah assets in Lebanon. The strikes aimed to dismantle long-range missile capabilities, weapons storage, and command centers, including the elite Radwan Force headquarters. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the operations have severely degraded Iran's industrial base, destroying a significant portion of its steel production. The campaign is part of an ongoing effort to degrade military threats to Israel, with Netanyahu emphasizing international cooperation in these actions.

Israel conducts massive strikes on Iranian military infrastructure and Hezbollah sites, targeting missiles, command centers, and industrial capacity.

Tel Aviv, April 5 The Israel Defence Forces have conducted a massive military operation targeting more than 200 infrastructure sites within Iran and an additional 140 Hezbollah assets across Lebanon.

In a detailed update shared in a post on X, the military announced that they had "STRUCK: 200+ Iranian regime infrastructure targets across Iran, and 140+ Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure throughout Lebanon".

The precision strikes were aimed at dismantling long-range strike capabilities and defensive networks belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Expanding on the specifics of the operation within Iran, the military identified several high-value locations that were neutralised.

"Among the targets struck" in Iran were "a central Islamic IRGC site where a variety of weapons were stored", as well as "IRGC air defence systems".

Furthermore, the IDF confirmed hits on "sites for the production, storage, and development of ballistic missiles intended to target aircraft".

The aerial campaign extended significantly into Lebanese territory to degrade the operational capacity of Hezbollah.

The military stated that the targets in Lebanon included a "Hezbollah terrorist training site" and several "Hezbollah weapons storage facilities and launch sites".

The operation also specifically focused on the group's elite military leadership and specialised units.

According to the official statement, the strikes successfully hit "Hezbollah's Radwan Force HQs", marking a significant blow to the organisation's command structure amidst the ongoing regional escalation.

This wider offensive follows a specific surge on Friday, where the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced that it had carried out over 70 strikes across western and central Iran.

These operations targeted ballistic missile launch sites and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) belonging to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards.

According to the IDF, these targeted strikes were part of a continuous effort to degrade Iran's military capabilities and reduce threats to Israeli civilians.

The military further clarified in a post on X that they have completed more than 70 strikes targeting dozens of objectives, including "launch sites where ballistic missile launchers threatening the State of Israel are stored" and sites for the air defence array.

The IDF emphasised the relentless nature of the campaign, stating, "The IDF continues to strike nonstop at the fire and defence arrays of the Iranian terror regime across Iran."

Adding political and economic weight to these military updates, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Friday that the strikes have dealt a severe blow to Iran's industrial base.

He informed that 70 per cent of Iran's steel production capacity has been destroyed, a move intended to deprive the IRGC of "both funding sources and the ability to produce large quantities of weapons".

In a video message shared by the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel, Netanyahu described the degradation of the steel sector as a "tremendous achievement".

He also highlighted the international cooperation backing these moves, stating, "Together with our American friends, we are continuing to crush the terrorist regime in Iran. We are eliminating commanders and bombing bridges and infrastructure."

Netanyahu further noted that in full coordination between himself, President Trump, the IDF and the US military, they would continue to "crush Iran".

He asserted that while the Iranian regime is currently weaker than ever, Israel stands "stronger than ever".

Shifting focus back to the northern front, the Prime Minister shared operational updates from Lebanon, noting that the IDF is "continuing to forcefully strike at Hezbollah" to protect northern communities.

He also lauded the citizens of Israel for their steadfastness and for following the instructions of the Home Front Command even during the Passover Seder night.

- ANI
Indian Ambassador to Japan Nagma Mallick met with Yamanashi Prefecture Governor Kotaro Nagasaki to discuss strengthening bilateral ties with a focus on regional engagement. The Ambassador also participated in the Shingen-Ko Samurai Festival during her visit. This meeting follows a series of high-level diplomatic interactions, including between the countries' foreign ministers and foreign secretaries. Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Sanae Takaichi have also recently exchanged commitments to enhance the Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

Indian Ambassador Nagma Mallick meets Yamanashi Governor Kotaro Nagasaki to deepen ties, following high-level diplomatic exchanges between India and Japan.

Tokyo, April 5 India's Ambassador to Japan, Nagma Mallick, held a meeting with Yamanashi Prefecture Governor Kotaro Nagasaki on Sunday, discussing ways to further strengthen partnership between two nations, with a focus on deeper engagement with the Prefecture.

During her visit to Yamanashi Prefecture, Nagma Mallick also attended the Shingen-Ko Festival.

In a post on X, Indian Embassy in Japan said, "Ambassador Nagma M. Mallick visited Yamanashi Prefecture and met Kotaro Nagasaki, Governor of Yamanashi Prefecture. They discussed ways to further strengthen India-Japan partnership, with a focus on deeper engagement with Yamanashi."

"During her visit to Yamanashi Prefecture, the Ambassador also attended the Shingen-Ko Festival -- the largest Samurai Festival in the world -- organized at Kofu City," it added.

On March 26, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar met his Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi on the sidelines of G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting in France.

"Always nice to meet my friend FM Toshimitsu Motegi, this time on the sidelines of G7 FMM," EAM Jaishankar posted on X.

On March 6, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held a meeting with Special Advisor to Japan's Prime Minister Sadamasa Oue and discussed strengthening the defence technology and economic security.

"Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Sadamasa Oue, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan. They had a productive exchange of views on strengthening the defence technology and economic security pillars of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on X.

On February 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi on her victory in Japan's House of Representatives election.

In his message, PM Modi expressed confidence that he and Takaichi will continue to take the friendship between India and Japan to greater heights.

"Congratulations, Sanae Takaichi, on your landmark victory in the elections to the House of Representatives! Our Special Strategic and Global Partnership plays a vital role in enhancing global peace, stability and prosperity. I am confident that under your able leadership, we will continue to take the India-Japan friendship to greater heights," he wrote on X.

In response to his wishes, Takaichi thanked PM Modi and said that she is looking forward to working with him to strengthen the special strategic and global partnership between the two nations.

"Thank you very much, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for your warm congratulations on the House of Representatives election. I look forward to continuing to work together with you to strengthen the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between Japan and India and to cooperate in realising a Free and Open Indo-Pacific," Takaichi wrote on X.

- IANS
Indian Railways has clarified the details of stations included in the newly created South Coast Railway Zone, headquartered in Visakhapatnam. It confirmed that seven stations on the Palasa-Ichchapuram section are located in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam district and are not major freight points, ensuring the East Coast Railway's revenue is unaffected. The Railways assured that all existing passenger and freight services will continue without any schedule or route changes. The reorganization is described as a technical revision to improve passenger services, with employee interests protected and the government's commitment to Odisha's rail development reaffirmed.

Indian Railways clarifies stations in new South Coast Railway Zone, confirms no disruption to train services or revenue, and details staff protection plans.

New Delhi, April 5 The Indian Railways on Sunday announced the creation of the South Coast Railway Zone, with its headquarters at Visakhapatnam, clarifying concerns regarding stations in the Srikakulam district.

A factual note from the Railways stated that the Palasa-Ichchapuram section, spanning approximately 50 km, comprises seven stations -- Palasa, Summadevi, Mandasa Road, Baruva, Sompeta, Jhadupudi, and Ichchapuram -- all located in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, with none situated in Odisha.

"These stations are small to mid-sized stations handling primarily passenger traffic. None of them is a major freight loading point. Therefore, ECoR's revenue remains unaffected," the Railways clarified.

It further added that pass-through freight traffic will continue uninterrupted regardless of which zone has jurisdiction, ensuring railway operations remain seamless across zonal boundaries.

"No disruption to train services. All existing trains, including Palasa-Bhubaneswar, Palasa-Cuttack, and Ichchapuram-Cuttack MEMU/passenger services, will continue to operate without any change in schedule, route, or frequency," the statement said.

The Railways described the creation of SCoR as a technical revision aimed at ensuring the smooth functioning of passenger services in the Visakhapatnam division.

"The modalities of the transfer, including staff deployment, are being finalised between ECoR and SCoR. The interests and service conditions of all railway employees will be fully protected as per established norms," it added.

The note reaffirmed the government's commitment to Odisha, highlighting "record capital expenditure on railway network expansion in Odisha, station modernisation, Vande Bharat services, and the newly created Rayagada Division under ECoR" as evidence of ongoing support.

- ANI
(Bloomberg) -- OpenAIs chief operating officer is shifting into a new role and two other top executives are going on leave due to health reasons, marking a major change to its executive bench ahead of a potential Wall Street debut as soon as this year.

Brad Lightcap, OpenAIs longtime COO, will now lead special projects and report directly to Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman, according to a memo viewed by Bloomberg. One of his main efforts will be overseeing OpenAIs push to sell software to businesses through a joint venture with private equity firms. Denise Dresser, OpenAIs recently appointed chief revenue officer, will be taking over some of Lightcaps duties.

Meanwhile, Chief Marketing Officer Kate Rouch is stepping down from her position to focus on her recovery from cancer, with plans to return in a more limited purview as her health allows. The company is searching for a new CMO. Fidji Simo, OpenAIs CEO of AGI development who oversees much of its core business, will also take a medical leave for several weeks to seek new treatment for an ongoing neuroimmune condition and plans to return to her position.

The flurry of changes coincide with a pivotal moment for the company. OpenAI is preparing for a possible initial public offering and just raised $122 billion in funding at an $852 billion valuation this week. Meanwhile, its pushing to bolster revenue by introducing advertising in ChatGPT, among other efforts. The company also faces heightened competition from Alphabet Inc.s Google and Anthropic PBC, the latter of which is expected to go public as soon as this year.

We have a strong leadership team focused on our biggest priorities: advancing frontier research, growing our global user base of nearly 1 billion users, and powering enterprise use cases, OpenAI said in a statement. Were well-positioned to keep executing with continuity and momentum.

The ChatGPT maker is no stranger to executive shakeups. In the months after Altmans brief ouster from OpenAI in late 2023, the company contended with a series of high-profile departures. It eventually overhauled and dramatically increased the size of the board and C-Suite, bringing on seasoned leaders with marketing, finance and operational experience.

Simo, the former CEO of Instacart, joined OpenAIs executive team last year to help shape the companys product development strategy. In recent weeks, she has played a key role in pushing the company to streamline its sprawling mix of services and develop a single Super App that would bring together its chatbot, coding tool and web browser. She also called for dropping work on side quests, shortly before the company discontinued support for its Sora AI video generator, and has overseen the push to test ads in ChatGPT.
Sunrisers Hyderabad suffered a dramatic top-order collapse, reduced to 29/4 by a clinical Lucknow Super Giants bowling attack led by Mohammed Shami. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Heinrich Klaasen then staged a magnificent 116-run partnership to rescue the innings. Reddy smashed 56 off 33 balls while Klaasen scored a calculated 62 from 41 deliveries. Despite their efforts, SRH lost late wickets and finished on 156/9, setting up a competitive chase for LSG.

Nitish Reddy (56) & Heinrich Klaasen (62) stage a 116-run recovery for SRH to post 156/9 after Mohammed Shami's opening burst for LSG.

Hyderabad, April 5 Nitish Kumar Reddy and Heinrich Klaasen carried out a rescue act for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Lucknow Super Giants in their Indian Premier League 2026 match on Sunday, after LSG bowlers, led by Mohammed Shami, reduced the home team to 29/4 in 8 overs.

Reddy (56 off 33 balls) and Klaasen (62 off 41) helped SRH to 156/9 in 20 overs.

After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, LSG bowlers, led by a clinical Shami (2/9 in 4 overs), dismantled the SRH top order in a frantic opening spell. LSG captain Rishabh Pant's decision to bowl first paid immediate dividends as Shami struck in the very first over, dismissing the dangerous Abhishek Sharma for a two-ball duck.

The misery continued for the home side as Travis Head (7) fell shortly after, followed by stand-in captain Ishan Kishan (1), who was cleaned up by a beauty from Prince Yadav (2/34 in 4 overs). By the end of the Powerplay, SRH were reeling at 22/3, which soon became 26/4 when Liam Livingstone (14) was brilliantly caught by a diving Rishabh Pant off the bowling of Digvesh Rathi (1/46 in 4 overs).

With the "all-out attack" philosophy of SRH backfiring, it was left to local boy Nitish Kumar Reddy and the South African hard-hitter Heinrich Klaasen to rebuild the innings. The duo shared a vital 116-run partnership that dragged SRH from the brink of a double-digit total to a competitive score.

Nitish Reddy was the aggressor, smashing 56 runs off 33 balls, including five sixes. At the other end, Klaasen played a calculated yet powerful knock of 62 from 41 balls, finding the boundary five times and hitting two sixes.

Just as SRH looked set for a late-overs flourish, LSG's bowling unit struck back. Manimaran Siddharth (1/29 in 4 overs) broke the match-defining stand by dismissing Reddy, and the momentum shifted once again. Heinrich Klaasen fell shortly after, and the SRH lower order struggled to find the boundary against the disciplined death bowling of Avesh Khan (2/36 in 4 overs) and Prince Yadav as the Hyderabad-based franchise ultimately finished on 156/9.

Klaasen's 62 and Nitish Kumar Reddy's 56 for SRH, and Mohammed Shami's bowling figures of 2/9 in 4 overs and Prince Yadav's 2/34 in 4 overs were the standout performances in the match.

- ANI
Rishabh Pant played a captain's innings, scoring an unbeaten 68 to guide Lucknow Super Giants to a five-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad. Earlier, SRH posted 156/9 thanks to a rescue act from Nitish Kumar Reddy and Heinrich Klaasen after a top-order collapse. LSG's chase faced hurdles but Pant's steady hand ensured victory with an over to spare. The win marks LSG's first of the IPL 2026 season.

Rishabh Pant's unbeaten 68 leads Lucknow Super Giants to a five-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026. Recap and key moments.

Hyderabad, April 5 Lucknow Super Giants' captain Rishabh Pant guided the team home against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their Indian Premier League 2026 season clash on Sunday in Hyderabad. LSG defeated SRH by five wickets to claim their first win of this IPL season.

Pant scored an unbeaten 68-run knock off 50 balls to guide his team over the line, chasing a 157-run target.

Chasing 157, LSG faced an early setback when Eshan Malinga (1/30 in 4 overs) dismissed Mitchell Marsh (14). However, Aiden Markram took control of the Powerplay, smashing 45 off 27 balls to keep the required rate under control.

Despite Markram falling to Shivang Kumar (1/30 in 4 overs) and a middle-order wobble that saw Ayush Badoni (12) stumped and Nicholas Pooran (1) run out, Rishabh Pant remained the steady hand. The LSG skipper played a captain's knock, scoring an unbeaten 68* off 50 balls.

The match headed for a tense conclusion as SRH's Harsh Dubey (2/18 in 4 overs) struck late to remove Abdul Samad (16), leaving LSG needing 13 runs from the final two overs. Pant's composure proved decisive as he guided his team across the line on the fifth ball of the 19th over.

With a win, LSG now sit at seventh in the IPL 2026 points table with two points in three matches. SRH, on the other hand, sit fifth, also with two points in three matches.

Earlier in the match, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Heinrich Klaasen carried out a rescue act for Sunrisers Hyderabad after LSG bowlers, led by Mohammed Shami, reduced the home team to 29/4 in 8 overs.

Reddy (56 off 33 balls) and Klaasen (62 off 41) helped SRH to 156/9 in 20 overs.

After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, LSG bowlers, led by a clinical Shami (2/9 in 4 overs), dismantled the SRH top order in a frantic opening spell. LSG captain Rishabh Pant's decision to bowl first paid immediate dividends as Shami struck in the very first over, dismissing the dangerous Abhishek Sharma for a two-ball duck.

The misery continued for the home side as Travis Head (7) fell shortly after, followed by stand-in captain Ishan Kishan (1), who was cleaned up by a beauty from Prince Yadav (2/34 in 4 overs). By the end of the Powerplay, SRH were reeling at 22/3, which soon became 26/4 when Liam Livingstone (14) was brilliantly caught by a diving Rishabh Pant off the bowling of Digvesh Rathi (1/46 in 4 overs).

With the all-out attack philosophy of SRH backfiring, it was left to local boy Nitish Kumar Reddy and the South African hard-hitter Heinrich Klaasen to rebuild the innings. The duo shared a vital 116-run partnership that dragged SRH from the brink of a double-digit total to a competitive score.

Nitish Reddy was the aggressor, smashing 56 runs off 33 balls, including five sixes. At the other end, Klaasen played a calculated yet powerful knock of 62 from 41 balls, finding the boundary five times and hitting two sixes.

Just as SRH looked set for a late-overs flourish, LSG's bowling unit struck back. Manimaran Siddharth (1/29 in 4 overs) broke the match-defining stand by dismissing Reddy, and the momentum shifted once again. Heinrich Klaasen fell shortly after, and the SRH lower order struggled to find the boundary against the disciplined death bowling of Avesh Khan (2/36 in 4 overs) and Prince Yadav as the Hyderabad-based franchise ultimately finished on 156/9.

- ANI
Iran's Revolutionary Guard claims it shot down a US aircraft involved in the rescue operation for a missing F-15 crew member. The claim comes after former US President Donald Trump confirmed the successful rescue of the second pilot, calling it a historic and daring mission. Trump detailed that the injured officer was extracted from behind enemy lines using dozens of aircraft, following an earlier rescue that was kept secret. Both the US and Iran had been searching for the missing crew member, with reports of Iranian tribesmen firing on American helicopters during the operations.

Iran claims it shot down a US aircraft involved in rescuing a downed F-15 pilot. President Trump hails the "most daring" US military operation.

Tehran, April 5 The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Sunday claimed that it had shot down a US aircraft involved in the rescue operation for the missing F-15 crew member.

According to Al Jazeera, Iran's Fars news agency has shared a photograph of smoke rising from a field.

Iran's claim comes after United States President Donald Trump confirmed that the military rescued the second F-15 crew member, who went missing after Iran downed the jet amid the West Asia conflict.

In a post on social media portal Truth Social, Trump called it the "most daring" search and rescue operation for the US military, stating that the government will "not leave a warfighter behind."

He also confirmed that the crew member sustained injuries.

He wrote, "We got him! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now safe and sound! This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, but was never truly alone because his Commander in Chief, Secretary of War, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and fellow Warfighters were monitoring his location 24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue."

He noted that the US Military sent dozens of aircraft with the "most lethal weapons" for the second rescue mission, after local Iranian groups targeted two Black Hawk helicopters.

Trump said, "At my direction, the US Military sent dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him. He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine. This miraculous Search and Rescue Operation comes in addition to a successful rescue of another brave Pilot yesterday, which we did not confirm because we did not want to jeopardise our second rescue operation. This is the first time in military memory that two US Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory. We will never leave an American warfighter behind!"

"The fact that we were able to pull off both of these operations, without a single American killed or even wounded, just proves once again that we have achieved overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies. This is a moment that all Americans, Republican, Democrat, and everyone else should be proud of and united around. We truly have the best, most professional, and lethal Military in the History of the World. God bless America, God bless our Troops, and Happy Easter to all," the social media post read.

Both the US and Iran were conducting search operations for the missing crew member. During the search operations, Iranian tribesmen reportedly opened fire on American helicopters, according to CNN.

- ANI
Iran's Supreme Leader's representative in India, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, has dismissed US President Donald Trump's threat against Tehran over the Strait of Hormuz as an empty statement. Ilahi asserted that Iran's strong constitutional government has withstood such US pressure for decades without effect. Trump's social media post issued a harsh ultimatum, threatening to target Iran's infrastructure if the strategic strait is not reopened. The Iranian representative also countered Trump's claim of a US victory, pointing to the ongoing conflict.

Iran's Supreme Leader's representative in India dismisses Trump's threat to Tehran over the Strait of Hormuz, calling it an empty statement Iran has long withstood.

Patna, April 5 The representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in India, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, on Sunday slammed the recent remark made by US President Donald Trump, threatening Tehran to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz or face severe consequences, asserting that such statements are not new and hold little impact on the Islamic Reoublic.

Speaking to ANI, Ilahi said that the United States has repeatedly issued similar threats over the years but has failed to act decisively against Iran.

He further emphasised Iran's institutional strength, stating that the country operates under a strong constitutional framework and governance system that has withstood external pressure for decades.

"It is not anything new. For a long time, they have been issuing such statements, and Iran is a constitutional government. It has all these roles and the constitution and is very strong. They couldn't do anything to us for 47 years. They can't do anything else," he said.

His remark came after Trump, earlier today, issued a strong warning to Iran, urging the Islamic Republic to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz as the conflict in West Asia escalates, while threatening severe consequences if it fails to do so.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump used unusually harsh language to convey his message, reminding Tehran of his deadline to 'make a deal' or to 'open the Strait', noting that Tuesday will be the day when Washington will wrap up all of Iran's energy and civil infrastructure.

"Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F****n' Strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah," he stated in his post.

Meanwhile, responding to Trump's claim that the US had 'won the war' against Iran, Ilahi dismissed the assertion, suggesting that developments on the ground tell a different story.

"We can answer this in battle and on the streets. They wanted to do something within three days, but now it has been more than a month," the representative added.

- ANI
Iran's Foreign Ministry has warned it will respond "in kind" to any US attack on its national infrastructure. The statement is a direct response to threats from former US President Donald Trump, who warned of destroying Iranian infrastructure if a deal is not reached. Trump set a deadline for Iran to "make a deal" or "open the Strait" of Hormuz, using harsh language in social media posts. Diplomatic efforts continue amid sharply escalating rhetoric between the two nations.

Iran threatens to target US infrastructure if attacked, responding to Trump's threats over Strait of Hormuz deal and escalating tensions.

Tehran, April 6 Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei responded to US President Donald Trump's threats, warning that Iran will respond "in kind" to any attack on its infrastructure, Al Jazeera reported.

"Our armed forces have made it clear that in case Iran's infrastructure is attacked, we would react in kind," Esmail Baghaei said as per Al Jazeera.

"Our armed forces would target any similar infrastructure that is owned or in any way or manner related to the United States or contributes to their act of aggression against Iran," he added.

This came in response to US President's threats of military action against Iran if Tehran fails to reach an agreement with Washington to end the conflict and open the strategic Strait of Hormuz

During an interview with Axios, Trump said, "There is a good chance, but if they don't make a deal, I am blowing up everything over there," adding that discussions are ongoing and suggested a deal could still be reached before the deadline.

Earlier in the day, shortly before the interview, Trump issued a strong warning on Truth Social, threatening to target Iran's critical infrastructure if demands are not met.

In his post, Trump used unusually harsh language to convey his message, reminding Tehran of his deadline to 'make a deal' or to 'open the Strait', noting that Tuesday will be the day when Washington will wrap up all of Iran's energy and civil infrastructure.

"Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F****n' Strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah," he stated in his post.

On Thursday, Trump stated that Iran's biggest bridge has been hit and, in a sharply worded statement, called on Tehran to make a deal before it is "too late."

"The biggest bridge in Iran comes tumbling down, never to be used again -- Much more to follow! IT IS TIME FOR IRAN TO MAKE A DEAL BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, AND THERE IS NOTHING LEFT OF WHAT STILL COULD BECOME A GREAT COUNTRY!" the post stated.

The remarks come amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran, with diplomatic efforts continuing alongside increasingly sharp rhetoric from both sides.

- ANI
Iranian-linked militias launched overnight attacks against US diplomatic personnel and facilities in Iraq, according to the US State Department. A spokesperson strongly condemned the "outrageous terrorist attacks" and urged the Iraqi government to halt such strikes, warning the US would defend its personnel if Iraq could not. The attacks follow a reported 19 drone and missile strikes by Iran-backed groups on US bases in the region earlier this month. The incidents occur amid escalating US-Iran tensions and proxy conflicts in Iraq.

US State Department condemns overnight attacks on diplomatic missions in Iraq by Iranian-linked militias, vows to defend personnel amid escalating tensions.

Washington DC, April 6 Iranian-linked militias launched two overnight attacks against US diplomats and facilities in Iraq, CNN reported, citing a spokesperson for the US State Department, amid ongoing hostilities between Washington and Tehran.

In a statement, the State Department strongly condemned the "outrageous terrorist attacks" on US diplomatic missions and urged the Government of Iraq to act swiftly to halt such strikes.

"We have consistently urged the Iraqi government to immediately live up to its responsibility to stop attacks on U.S. facilities and to prevent terrorist militias from using Iraqi territory to launch attacks," the spokesperson said as reported by CNN.

The official emphasised that the United States "will not hesitate to defend our personnel and facilities should the Iraqi government be unable to fulfil its obligations."

The spokesperson did not provide specific details on the locations of the latest attacks, CNN reported.

According to previous CNN reports, the US Embassy in Baghdad, the US Consulate General in Erbil and the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Centre have been repeatedly targeted since the onset of the US-Israeli war with Iran.

Last week, the US State Department announced a reward of up to USD 3 million for information related to attacks on its diplomatic facilities in Iraq.

Earlier, the Islamic Resistance, an umbrella body of Iran-backed militia, has carried out 19 drone and missile attacks targeting the United States' bases in Iraq and in the region on April 3, Al Jazeera reported.

The Iran-backed militia has been attacking US bases in West Asia amid the ongoing conflict between the two nations.

Meanwhile, an Iraqi police source told Al Jazeera that there's been an attack against the Iran-backed Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF)'s headquarters in al-Qaim in western Iraq. An air raid was also reported on the headquarters of the 34th Brigade of the PMF in Mosul.

Shia military factions The Islamic Resistance and the PMF, have been part of several proxy wars in the region.

This comes amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran, with diplomatic efforts continuing alongside increasingly sharp rhetoric from both sides.

- ANI
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has claimed responsibility for coordinated attacks on energy and petrochemical facilities across the Gulf region. The operation, dubbed the 96th wave of Operation Sadeq 4, targeted sites in Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait linked to what Iran calls "Zionist and American economic interests." These strikes are presented as retaliation for recent attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure, including the Karaj B1 Bridge and Mahshahr petrochemical industries. The IRGC warns that a second, more devastating phase of operations will follow if assaults on Iran continue.

Iran's IRGC targets oil and petrochemical facilities across the Gulf in retaliation for strikes on its infrastructure, warning of a more devastating second phase.

Tehran, April 5 Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Sunday claimed responsibility for a series of strategic attacks on energy and petrochemical facilities across the Gulf region, describing them as retaliation for recent strikes on Iranian infrastructure and warning that a second phase of operations would be "more devastating and widespread".

In an official statement carried by Iranian state media, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the IRGC said its naval and aerospace forces launched the 96th wave of Operation Sadeq 4 in response to damage inflicted on Iran's civil infrastructure, including the Karaj B1 Bridge and Mahshahr petrochemical industries.

The operation, the statement said, targeted what the IRGC described as "Zionist and American economic interests" in the region.

According to IRIB, the statement detailed that the attacks included a heavy strike on the oil refinery in Haifa, in northern Israel, which supplies fuel for Israeli fighter jets, as well as missile and drone strikes on American-linked facilities in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Fires were reported at the Exxon, Mobil, and Chevron gas facilities in Habshan, UAE, and at a petrochemical plant in Al Ruwais, UAE, which is linked to US military production.

Further drone strikes reportedly targeted the Sitrah petrochemical complex in Bahrain and the Shuaiba petrochemical facility in Kuwait, resulting in major fires and the complete shutdown of the complex, according to the IRGC statement, as quoted by IRIB.

The Guard emphasised that Sunday's attacks represented only the "first phase" of retaliation, warning that if assaults on civilian infrastructure continue, the second phase of operations would be "much more devastating and widespread", potentially doubling losses for the adversaries, particularly American economic interests in the Gulf.

"If the attack on civilian targets is repeated, the second phase of this operation will be much more devastating and widespread, and their losses and damages will be doubled if they insist on this approach. Because in addition to the retaliatory operations that we will have, in the near future we will definitely and definitely take compensation from the aggressors for what they have destroyed, and American taxpayers will be forced to pay for these illegal invasions," IRGC stated in its statement, as quoted by IRIB.

These attacks come after US-Israeli strikes killed eight people targeting Iran's "B1 bridge in Karaj" on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces on Saturday stated that it had struck the petrochemical complex in Mahshahr, in southwestern Iran, responsible for producing and exporting chemical materials to the regime's armed forces.

- ANI
The Aranmula Assembly constituency is a key multi-cornered battleground in the upcoming Kerala elections. Incumbent CPI(M) MLA Veena George is seeking re-election against Congress candidate Abin Varkey Kodiyattu and BJP's Kummanam Rajasekharan. The constituency has witnessed shifting political trends over the last three elections, reflecting a competitive electoral landscape. The election will be held on April 9, with results declared on May 4.

CPI(M)'s Veena George seeks re-election in Aranmula against Congress and BJP in a key Kerala Assembly battleground. Analysis of past trends.

Pathanamthitta, April 5 The Aranmula Assembly constituency in Pathanamthitta district is witnessing a keenly contested battle as incumbent MLA Veena George of the Communist Party of India seeks re-election in the upcoming Keralam Assembly elections.

Key contenders in the constituency include Congress candidate Abin Varkey Kodiyattu and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kummanam Rajasekharan. Other candidates from smaller parties, including the Ambedkarite Party of India, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) [SUCI(C)], are also in the fray, making it a multi-cornered contest.

In the 2021 Assembly elections, Veena George of the CPI(M) secured victory with 74,950 votes, accounting for 46.5 per cent of the total votes. She defeated Congress candidate K Sivadasan Nair, who garnered 55,947 votes (34.7 per cent). Whereas, BJP candidate Biju Mathew finished third with 29,099 votes, securing around 18 per cent of the vote share.

The Aranmula constituency has witnessed shifting political trends over the past three Assembly elections, reflecting a competitive electoral landscape.

In 2021, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) secured 46.31 per cent of the votes, followed by the Congress at 34.57 per cent and the BJP at 17.98 per cent. This reflected a shift from 2011, when Congress had a lead with 47.69 per cent, while the BJP gained momentum in 2016 before witnessing a decline in 2021, demonstrating a competitive landscape with evolving voter preferences in the region.

The Keralam Legislative Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 9, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4. The tenure of the current assembly is set to conclude on May 23.

The Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by CPI(M), also comprises key allies, including Kerala Congress (M), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction). The United Democratic Front (UDF) includes the Indian National Congress, Kerala Congress, and Indian Union Muslim League.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), spearheaded by the BJP, features state-level parties such as Twenty20 Party, Bharath Dharma Jana Sena, and Kerala Kamaraj Congress, making the contest in Aranmula a tightly fought triangular battle.

As polling day approaches, Aranmula remains a key constituency to watch, with all major political fronts vying for voter support in what is expected to be a closely fought contest.

- ANI
South Korean Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol has urged Gulf Cooperation Council nations to strengthen cooperation to stabilize energy and raw material supply chains. The meeting expressed concern that escalating Middle East conflicts are increasing volatility in global oil prices and financial markets. Koo highlighted that over 95% of South Korea's Middle East crude oil imports transit the vulnerable Strait of Hormuz. In response, the government plans a 26 trillion won supplementary budget and other measures to mitigate economic fallout.

South Korea's Finance Minister urges Gulf nations to ensure stable energy supplies as Middle East tensions threaten global oil prices and key shipping routes.

Seoul, April 5 Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol urged Gulf Cooperation Council countries to strengthen cooperation to help stabilise energy and raw material supply chains amid prolonged tensions in the Middle East, the finance ministry said on Sunday.

Koo, who also serves as deputy prime minister, met with ambassadors from the six GCC countries in Seoul on Friday at the residence of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ambassador to discuss economic cooperation, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

The GCC comprises the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait, reports Yonhap news agency.

Koo and GCC ambassadors expressed concern that the escalating conflict in the Middle East has heightened volatility in global oil prices and financial markets, and warned that rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz could weigh on the global economy.

The strait is a key maritime chokepoint through which roughly 25 percent to 30 percent of the world's crude oil and about 20 percent of liquefied natural gas shipments pass.

Koo noted that South Korea imports about 70 percent of its crude oil from the Middle East, with more than 95 percent of those shipments transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

"A prolonged conflict in the region could further intensify the negative effects on the Korean economy," he said.

Koo called on GCC countries to ensure stable energy supplies to South Korea and maintain uninterrupted shipments of key industrial materials, including naphtha and urea. Saudi Arabia is South Korea's largest crude oil supplier, while Qatar is a key provider of LNG.

In response, GCC ambassadors said South Korea is a priority partner and pledged close cooperation with Seoul to ensure stable supply conditions.

Koo said the government will use all available measures to mitigate the impact of the conflict, including fuel tax cuts, price stabilisation measures for petroleum products, and broader financing support for affected businesses.

The government also plans to promptly carry out a supplementary budget worth 26 trillion won ($17 billion) to help minimise the economic fallout.

- IANS
The Nazira Assembly constituency in Assam is the site of a critical high-stakes battle between the Congress and BJP. Sitting MLA and Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia faces a strong challenge from BJP's Mayur Borgohain, who lost by only 683 votes in 2021. The contest is a symbolic test of Congress's dwindling strength in Upper Assam against the BJP's rising tide. The result will hinge on the Ahom community's sentiment and could signal a major shift in the state's political landscape.

Nazira, a historic Assam seat, faces a tight contest between Congress's Debabrata Saikia and BJP's Mayur Borgohain. A loss could signal Congress's decline in Upper Assam.

Nazira, April 5 As Assam prepares to head to the polls on April 9, all eyes are on the historic Nazira Assembly constituency. What was once the "resting place of boats" for the Ahom royalty has become the ultimate testing ground for the political survival of the Congress party in Upper Assam.

Nazira is not merely a seat; it is a symbol of dynastic and regional prestige. The main contest in Nazira is expected between sitting MLA and Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia of the Congress and BJP candidate Mayur Borgohain.

Saikia, the Leader of the Opposition and son of the legendary former Chief Minister Hiteswar Saikia, is seeking a fourth consecutive term. For the Congress, losing Nazira would be a catastrophic blow to its leadership morale, signalling the potential collapse of one of its few remaining "impenetrable" strongholds.

While Saikia has held the fort since 2011, the math suggests the walls are closing in. The BJP has demonstrated a relentless upward trajectory in this Ahom-dominated belt.

In 2021, Saikia successfully defended his seat by securing 52,387 votes, which accounted for 47.56% of the total vote share, with Borgohain, who came close to victory, garnering 51,704 votes (46.94%).

In 2021, BJP's Mayur Borgohain came within a razor-thin margin of 683 votes of toppling Saikia. Returning as the BJP candidate for 2026, Borgohain is banking on this momentum, with the party brass boldly predicting a victory margin of over 30,000 votes this time around.

BJP's share increased from the 2016 elections, where the party candidate secured 38014 votes, as Debabrata Saikia led with 52869 votes. This trend could prove to dangerous for Congress as the increasing share of votes for the BJP could turn the tide this time around.

For the Congress, retaining Nazira is critical as the seat is held by the Leader of Opposition; a loss would be seen as a major setback for the party's leadership and could signal a weakening of its traditional support base. It becomes especially significant as Debabrata Saikia is also the son of the late former CM Hiteswar Saikia, who served two terms in the state.

The battle for Nazira is a microcosm of the larger state-wide war. The BJP-led alliance (including AGP and BPF) is leveraging its "Double Engine" development narrative to finally breach the Sivasagar district fortress. The United Opposition: Congress is leading a six-party "Maha-Jot" including the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) and Raijor Dal, hoping that a unified anti-BJP vote will prevent the narrow splits that nearly cost them the seat in 2021.

In the last few days, the BJP has expressed confidence in securing its seat with a margin of at least 30,000 votes. NDA includes the BJP, Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People's Front, aims to retain power in the northeastern state, which has 126 assembly seats.

Congress is challenging the BJP-led alliance with a six-party bloc including Congress, Assam Jati Parishad (AJP), Raijor Dal, CPI(M), CPI(ML), and the All Party Hill Leaders Conference.

The Assam Legislative Assembly polls are scheduled for April 9, with counting of votes and declaration of results to take place on May 4.

Adjacent to Garhgaon, the ancient Ahom capital, the constituency carries immense cultural weight. The Ahom community's sentiment remains the deciding factor. While the Congress relies on deep-rooted historical ties, the BJP is aggressively courting the same demographic through infrastructure and cultural identity projects.

This assembly constituency also comes under the Jorhat Lok Sabha constituency, which is currently held by APCC President Gaurav Gogoi after the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, who is the argueably the face of Congress in these high-stakes elections.

- ANI
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The Securities and Exchange Commission is suing the estate of an investment advisor who died late last month, claiming the deceased rep swindled investors out of $1.68 million in a Ponzi-like scheme.

John R. Brodacki was a Massachusetts-based advisor operating via his company Castle Hill Financial Group; according to the commission, Brodacki died on or around March 23 and worked in the industry starting around 2001.

According to the complaint filed Thursday, Brodackis victims included elderly retirees, including at least one client who was terminally ill.

The SEC claimed that Brodacki, through Castle Hill, worked with about 110 advisory clients and managed about $24.5 million in assets. Under the advisory agreements, the clients would maintain brokerage accounts with a custodian, with Brodacki getting quarterly fees tied to AUM.

However, the commission claimed that Brodacki and Castle Hill convinced at least 18 clients to purportedly invest outside of the custodian brokerage accounts by sending funds directly to Castle Hill. Brodacki allegedly claimed hed use the funds for various investments, including high-yield bank accounts, stocks, bonds and private companies securities. Brodacki had the clients send the funds by check or wire transfer directly to the firm.

Rather than making the promised investments, Brodacki and Castle Hill misappropriated some or all of the money that their advisory clients sent directly to Castle Hill, the complaint read. Castle Hills bank records demonstrate that little to none of the clients funds it received for investment purposes was used to make investments.

Instead, those bank records allegedly showed that Brodacki and the firm used clients funds for personal expenses, including numerous vacations, tuition, an exclusive club membership, fine dining, car-related expenses and his mortgage. Some of the funds were used for Castle Hills business expenses, including rent, technology and investment-related subscriptions.

According to SEC records, in July 2025, Brodacki was fired by Bay Colony Advisory Group, which was the RIA with which he was associated, allegedly because he accepted a financial planning fee from a client which appears to be a loan from the client to Castle Hill Financial Group LLC, an entity believed to be owned or controlled by Mr. Brodacki, without notice to or approval from Bay Colony Advisors.

However, according to the commission, Brodacki and Castle Hill continued to do business with some clients after he was fired, and misled clients about the circumstances; in the case of at least one advisor, Brodacki allegedly said hed left the firm because it was trying to steal their clients.

Brodackis estate could not be reached for comment, and there are currently no attorneys listed as representing the estate or Castle Hill. The commission is seeking disgorgement, a civil penalty and a permanent injunction.
Libya's Presidential Council has ordered a halt to all new deals concerning developed oil fields, instructing the National Oil Corporation chairman accordingly. The move aims to protect the national economy and ensure optimal returns from oil resources, following Prime Minister Dbeibah's earlier suspension of a controversial agreement. Concurrently, a damaged Russian LNG tanker is adrift and out of control in severe weather between Libya and Malta after a failed towing operation. These events highlight ongoing instability in Libya's crucial energy sector.

Libya's Presidential Council halts new oil field deals to protect the economy. PM Dbeibah suspends a controversial agreement as a damaged LNG tanker drifts.

Tripoli, April 5 The head of Libya's Presidential Council, Mohamed Al-Menfi, has instructed that no new deals be made concerning already developed oil fields in the country, according to a report.

The instruction to Masoud Suleiman, chairman of the National Oil Corporation (NOC), confirmed Saturday (Local time) by the Presidential Council's media office, prohibits all forms of agreements in this regard, including contractual arrangements, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting Al-Ahrar TV.

Menfi also requested immediate reports to the Council on the legal, technical, and economic procedures and backgrounds of any previous deals.

The move is intended to strengthen protection of Libya's national economy and secure optimal returns from its strategic oil resources, said reports.

This development followed a previous decision by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah to suspend a controversial oil development agreement, reportedly with the Arabian Gulf Oil Company, citing mounting concerns over transparency and public backlash.

Oil and gas exports are Libya's main source of revenue, but production has been repeatedly disrupted in recent years due to conflict or political instability.

Meanwhile, earlier on Thursday, Libya's Ports and Maritime Transport Authority announced that an operation to tow a damaged Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker had failed.

In a statement, the authority said the tanker is now "completely adrift and out of control at sea due to severe weather conditions caused by a deep depression, with winds reaching 40 knots and waves up to 5 meters."

The statement added: "We inform all ships, maritime units, and relevant authorities that the towing operation failed at 4:00 a.m. on April 2. The tanker is now out of control, and the tugboat is unable to return and reconnect under these dangerous weather conditions."

The 277-meter-long tanker, named "Arctic Metagas," was carrying an estimated 62,000 metric tonnes of LNG when it went down in waters between Libya and Malta on March 3, according to a navigational circular reported by the Libyan News Agency.

- IANS
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya reported 63 casualties from explosive remnants of war in 2025, with 21 of the victims being children. The contamination stems from repeated armed conflicts and accidental explosions at ammunition depots in populated areas over the past two years. These hazards pose a severe and ongoing threat to civilians, especially displaced families attempting to return home. UNSMIL has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Libyan-led clearance efforts and called for stronger international coordination.

UN reports 63 explosive ordnance victims in Libya in 2025, including 21 children, highlighting severe contamination from conflict and unsafe stockpiles.

Tripoli, April 5 The United Nations Support Mission in Libya has said that 63 casualties from explosive remnants of war were recorded in 2025 alone, including 21 children.

Repeated armed conflicts and unsafe ammunition storage have left a widespread legacy of explosive ordnance contamination across Libya, affecting residential areas, roads and agricultural land, UNSMIL said in a statement on Saturday (local time).

Issued on the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, the statement stressed the importance of mine action in protecting civilians and supporting peace and stability in Libya, reports Xinhua news agency.

UNSMIL said large-scale armed clashes in Tripoli in May 2025, along with four accidental explosions at ammunition depots in populated areas over the past two years, have underscored the severity of explosive ordnance contamination in Libya.

Risks remain even in areas where active conflict has subsided, particularly due to unsecured weapons and stockpiles, posing an immediate danger to displaced families returning home, according to the statement.

UNSMIL reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Libyan-led efforts to enhance the security of weapons and ammunition stockpiles and to clear explosive ordnance contamination. The mission called on national authorities, international partners and civil society to strengthen coordinated and sustained support for mine clearance efforts.

Libya remains divided between the UN-recognised Government of National Unity in the west and a rival eastern administration headed by Osama Hammad and backed by Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army.

Militia clashes have become frequent in the African nation.

Earlier in March, armed clashes broke out in Zawiya, a city about 60 km west of Tripoli, leaving one person dead, a local daily reported.

Al-Bashti Al-Zahouf, a member of the city's Council of Elders and Notables, told Al-Mashhad newspaper that fighting erupted in the Dila-Qamouda area between two armed factions. And both groups are affiliated with the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU).

The fighting underscores persistent tensions in Zawiya, where rival armed groups have repeatedly clashed despite calls from local leaders for calm.

- IANS
Lisa Kudrow has set the record straight about her iconic 'Friends' character Phoebe Buffay, asserting she was not stupid despite being labeled a "ditz" in the 1990s. The actress explained that Phoebe was simply a free spirit who didn't conform to societal norms. Kudrow revealed it took time for her to personally connect with the quirky musician, but she eventually grew into the role over the show's decade-long run. The sitcom, which aired from 1994 to 2004, also starred Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, and the late Matthew Perry.

Lisa Kudrow clarifies her iconic 'Friends' character Phoebe Buffay was not a ditz but a free spirit, sharing insights from a new interview.

Los Angeles, April 5 Hollywood actress Lisa Kudrow has made things clear with regards to her character of Phoebe Buffay in the iconic sitcom 'Friends'.

The actress, 62, has said that her character from the hit sitcom "wasn't stupid", reports 'People' magazine.



She spoke with actress Lily Tomlin for an Interview Magazine, as she said, "At the time, it was like, 'She's such a ditz. How is it that you only play ditzes?' And I thought, Is she a ditz? To me, she wasn't".



When asked who called Phoebe a ditz, she replied, "Everybody. In 1994, it was like, 'I love her. She's such a ditz'. And it's like, yeah, okay, that was what a ditz was to us. Someone who wasn't toeing the line". She emphasized, however, that her character "wasn't stupid".



As per 'People', the actress said it took some time for her to personally connect with her character, but it eventually happened over the show's lengthy run.



"At first, Phoebe was very, very far from me. It took a lot of work to justify the things she would say and do. Not in an irritating way, it was fun. Over the course of 10 years, a little bit of her came into me. I lightened up a little more and read some books on spirituality and things, just to try to understand her", she said.



The iconic sitcom about six friends living in New York City aired from 1994 to 2004. It also starred Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc and the late Matthew Perry. Phoebe was a musician who juggled a variety of jobs throughout the series.



Lisa Kudrow won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her portrayal of the quirky character.





- IANS
The trailer for the Tamil film "Love Insurance Kompany" is now out, introducing a unique sci-fi premise where an app determines romantic compatibility. Pradeep Ranganathan's character challenges this system after being rejected by Krithi Shetty's character based on the app's analysis. The film, which marks the directorial debut of Vignesh Sivan and is backed by Nayanthara, is set for a theatrical release on April 10. The music for the project is composed by Anirudh Ravichander.

Watch the trailer for Love Insurance Kompany, starring Pradeep Ranganathan and Krithi Shetty. A battle against an app that decides your love fate.

Hyderabad, April 5 Pradeep Ranganathan and SJ Suryah starrer Love Insurance Kompany's trailer is finally out, offering a glimpse into a sci-fi battle between love and technology.

Vignesh Sivan's directorial debut, LIK, is slated to release in theatres on April 10. Apart from the lead role, the film also stars Krithi Shetty, Yogi Babu, Seeman, Gouri Kishan, Shah Rah and Malavika in prominent roles. The film is backed by Nayanthara.

The trailer opens with SJ Suryah's introduction of Love Insurance Kompany's app, which determines the fate of romantic relationships between two people. The video introduces the twist when 'Dude' actor Pradeep challenges the norms of technological love after he was refused by Kirthi Shetty due to the analysis of the app.

As per the trailer, the actor crosses paths with Kirthi Shetty at a rehabilitation centre for social media-prone individuals. Dheema appears deeply dependent on her phone, seeking digital validation over real human connection.

What follows is the protagonist's heartfelt attempt to convince her that love doesn't need technological approval to exist. It includes Pradeep's confrontation with SJ Suryah and a battle against technology.

Nayanthara shared the trailer on her Instagram handle. She described the film as "a piece of our heart", while signifying the efforts of her husband, Vignesh Sivan, in the movie.

The music of the film is composed by Anirudh Ravichander. The movie Love Insurance Kompany has shifted its release date numerous times before deciding to release it on April 10.

Earlier, the movie was slated to release in theatres in October last year.

- ANI
Roughly 2,000 ships with over 20,000 crew members are stranded in the Persian Gulf, with most stuck for over a month due to the restricted flow through the Strait of Hormuz. Sailors are facing severe shortages of fresh food and water, resorting to collecting condensate from air conditioners and fishing to survive. Restocking has become extremely difficult and expensive, exacerbated by attacks on key ports like Fujairah and scarce, costly flights for crew changes. The International Transport Workers' Federation has received about 1,000 inquiries for support, with many calls concerning unpaid wages and the urgent need for repatriation.

Over 20,000 seafarers on 2,000 ships are marooned in the Persian Gulf, facing dwindling food and freshwater supplies and pleading for help.

Washington DC, April 5 There are roughly 2,000 ships stuck in the Persian Gulf with more than 20,000 seafarers on them, according to the International Maritime Organisation, as quoted by the Wall Street Journal.

Most ships remain stuck on board for over a month, because fewer than 200 ships have managed to skim through the Strait of Hormuz. In normal times, 20% of the world's oil flows through the narrow waterway to global markets, along with critical supplies of natural gas, fertilizer and other cargo shipments.

The resumption of normal flow from the Strait of Hormuz remains shrouded.

Several ships are running out of fresh vegetables and freshwater, so the sailors are using social media and very-high-frequency marine radios to share survival tips and tactics. Some Chinese crew members have filmed themselves collecting condensate from air-conditioning units to shower and wash laundry. Others have taken to fishing over the side of their tankers, catching tuna, squid and largehead hairtail to cook.

Restocking supplies has become difficult--and expensive. The Port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, where ships usually turn to, has been repeatedly attacked. Companies that provide fresh food to ships are charging more. The going rate for mangos is now USD 31 for a kilogram, or roughly 2.2 pounds, and oranges are USD 15 a kilogram for about three large pieces of fruit, according to screenshots of supply price lists reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.

Flying in crews and swapping them out remains tough because flights to major crew-change locations, including Dubai, are still relatively scarce and expensive, as per the Wall Street Journal.

The International Transport Workers' Federation, a labour union based in London, has received about 1,000 inquiries asking for support from the crew near the Strait.

A growing number of vessels are running out of food, while 200 seafarers wanted help getting off a ship to go home. More than half of the calls have been about pay and other contractual entitlements while in the war zone, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.

- ANI
Former Indian Ambassador Sunjay Sudhir has dismissed Pakistan's role as a mediator between Iran and the US, calling it merely a "messenger at best." This diplomatic setback coincides with severe financial pressure, as the United Arab Emirates has demanded Pakistan repay a $3.5 billion debt within a month. The repayment could deplete Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves by nearly 18%, straining its IMF programme and economic stability. These twin crises highlight Pakistan's shrinking diplomatic influence and growing economic vulnerability on the global stage.

Former diplomat Sunjay Sudhir says Pakistan was never a mediator in Iran-US tensions, as Iran snubs talks and UAE demands a $3.5 billion debt repayment.

New Delhi, April 5 Former Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Sunjay Sudhir, delivered a blunt assessment of Islamabad's standing in West Asian diplomacy, asserting that Pakistan was never a "mediator" in the Iran-US conflict, but merely a "messenger at best."

Speaking to ANI, highlighted a growing "trust deficit" and financial pressure that appear to be isolating Islamabad on the global stage. He noted that true mediation requires both conflicting parties to sit at the table with the intermediary--a scenario that never materialised for Pakistan.

"I think the two things which you have spoken about speak of the credibility of Pakistan. Because Pakistan, till yesterday, was tom-tomming the fact that it is a mediator. It was actually far from being a mediator; it was more of a messenger at best. Mediation means that both parties are sitting with you--that never happened. So the thing is that the bluff has been called off by Iran, as you say," he said.

Despite Pakistan's claims of playing a pivotal role in de-escalating tensions, Iran reportedly refused to meet any US-led delegation on Pakistani soil. The Wall Street Journal reported that Tehran has characterised US demands as "unacceptable," effectively stalling any early resolution and sidelining Islamabad's diplomatic efforts.

Sudhir said that Iran's refusal to engage through Islamabad has effectively exposed Pakistan's exaggerated claims of diplomatic influence. The diplomatic setback comes at a time of severe economic vulnerability for Pakistan. Reports suggest the UAE has requested Pakistan to settle its outstanding sovereign debts within a month.

"On the other part about repayment of loans, I've spent four years in the UAE, and I could see that the UAE has always been very considerate to Pakistan in terms of debt repayment. But of course, there is a limit. There is a limit, and how long can they just keep postponing those dates? And a time comes when loans have to be repaid by any sovereign. I think that time has come. And maybe this would perhaps have something to say about Pakistan's role in all that's going on there," he said.

Notably, Pakistan has decided to return USD 3.5 billion in debt to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) before the end of the month, a senior Pakistani official said, as reported by the Dawn.

The official described the move as a step taken to uphold "national dignity", despite the expected impact on the country's foreign exchange reserves. "The amount will be returned as soon as possible," the official said, adding that "national dignity could not be compromised for financial considerations."

The news report said that Abu Dhabi had sought the immediate return of the funds, which were part of external financial support extended in 2019 through the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development to stabilise Pakistan's balance of payments.

As reported by Dawn, Pakistan is currently under an International Monetary Fund programme that requires it to secure about USD 12.5 billion in rollovers from key partners, including China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, to maintain reserve levels and meet external financing needs.

The latest data, as reported by Dawn, places Pakistan's central bank reserves at approximately USD 16.3 billion. A repayment of around USD 3 billion could reduce reserves by nearly 18 per cent, significantly weakening the country's external buffer and import cover.

Economic analysts warned that the move could increase pressure on Pakistan's currency and complicate its position under the IMF programme if not offset by fresh inflows. However, no immediate replacement financing arrangements were indicated.

The intersection of these two developments--diplomatic rejection by Iran and financial pressure from the UAE--suggests a shrinking space for Pakistan to manoeuvre within the complex geopolitics of West Asia.

- ANI
The Mining Department of Uttarakhand has set a historic revenue record of 1217 crore for the financial year 2025-26, significantly exceeding its target. This growth, from a modest 110 crore in 2012-13, is attributed to policy simplification and a crackdown on illegal mining under Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's directives. Technological innovations like the Mining Digital Transformation and Surveillance System (MDTSS) and secure e-Ravanna paper have strengthened enforcement and transparency. These efforts have earned the state national accolades, including a SKOCH Gold Award and 200 crore in incentive grants from the Ministry of Mines.

Uttarakhand's Mining Department achieves a record 1217 crore revenue in FY 2025-26, driven by tech reforms and policy simplification under CM Dhami.

Dehradun, April 5 The Mining Department of Uttarakhand set new benchmarks in revenue generation. In the financial year 2025-26, the department surpassed its target of 950 crore by achieving a record revenue of 1217 crore, the highest ever.

This achievement includes contributions of 1130 crore to the treasury, 80 crore to the District Mineral Foundation (DMF), and 7 crore from SMET. In the previous financial year 2024-25 as well, the department had demonstrated strong performance by generating 1041 crore against a target of 875 crore.

From a modest 110 crore in 2012-13, the revenue has now reached 1217 crore in 2025-26, reflecting the state's strengthening economic position.

Following the clear directives of CM Dhami, the mineral policy and regulatory framework were simplified, promoting legal mining while effectively curbing illegal mining, transportation, and storage. Transparent mechanisms for the allocation of mining leases have also contributed significantly to the increase in revenue.

Technological innovation has been another key focus area. Under the MDTSS (Mining Digital Transformation and Surveillance System), 45 advanced e-check gates have been installed across four plains districts, equipped with ANPR cameras, RFID tags, and other modern tools. Additionally, digital platforms such as Mineral Management System, e-Ravanna, Mining e-Services, Surveillance Enforcement System, and Decision Support System have been implemented.

To further enhance the security of the e-Ravanna system, special security-featured paper has been introduced, effectively preventing fraud and misuse. These measures have collectively strengthened enforcement and significantly boosted revenue.

The innovations introduced under CM Dhami's leadership have also received national recognition. On March 28, 2026, in New Delhi, the MDTSS and e-Khanna security paper projects were honoured with the prestigious SKOCH Award (Gold).

Furthermore, the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, awarded Uttarakhand second position in the 'C' category states for outstanding performance in Minor Mineral Reforms, along with an incentive grant of 100 crore. An additional 100 crore incentive was also received for improved performance in the State Mining Readiness Index.

- ANI
The Central Government has approved Rs 758 crore to convert a 22-km stretch known as the 'Tiger Corridor' in Madhya Pradesh's Itarsi-Betul section into a four-lane highway. The project, announced by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, includes constructing 11 special animal crossings to ensure wildlife safety and reduce accidents. It aims to drastically improve regional connectivity, slash goods transportation time, and facilitate farmers' access to markets. Once completed, it will finalize the four-laning of the entire Gwalior-Betul corridor, boosting development and eco-tourism in the region.

Rs 758 crore project on NH-46 to boost connectivity & development with 11 animal underpasses for safety in Itarsi-Betul section.

Bhopal, April 5 The 22-km-long 'Tiger Corridor' is set to be developed as a four-lane highway in the Itarsi-Betul section in Bhopal.

The Central Government has sanctioned Rs 758 crore for the construction of the four-lane highway. Over the decisionl Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, according to a release by the CMO.

CM Yadav said, "The construction of the four-lane highway will transform the landscape and destiny of the Itarsi-Betul region."

The approval for the four-lane construction in the Itarsi-Betul section will usher in a new wave of development in the region. Regional development, including improved accessibility to civic services and amenities, will progress at four times its current pace.

This corridor, by directly connecting Betul to Nagpur further ahead, will also play a pivotal role in linking the North with the South. The completion of the four-lane highway in the Itarsi-Betul section will make road connectivity between the Northern states and the Southern states even smoother, simpler, and more convenient.

Yesterday, the Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari announced that approval has been granted for the 22 km long Tiger Corridor in the Itarsi-Betul section of National Highway-46 in Madhya Pradesh to be converted into a 4-lane highway at a cost of Rs 758 crore.

"This region is a major hub for agriculture, and it is rich in natural resources such as coal, copper, graphite, and lead-zinc. Widening this section to 4 lanes will reduce transportation time for goods across the entire area and enhance safety; at the same time, it will make it easier for farmers to reach markets and mandis," he said on X.

He highlighted that this project will include the construction of 11 special underpasses and overpasses to allow animals to cross the road safely, which will reduce road accidents and animal deaths in the surrounding wildlife areas.

"With the upgrade of this remaining 22 km stretch, the entire Gwalior-Betul Corridor will become a 4-lane highway. This will shorten travel time, improve road safety in hilly areas, and boost eco-tourism in Madhav National Park, Ratapani, and Satpura Tiger Reserve," the post concluded.

- ANI
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has announced financial assistance for the families of victims after a four-storey lodge collapsed in Kotma. The death toll has risen to three, with rescue teams fearing more people may be trapped under the rubble. Local residents suspect a deep, water-filled pit at an adjacent construction site weakened the building's foundation. Authorities have ordered a detailed probe into the incident as NDRF and SDRF teams continue rescue efforts.

CM Mohan Yadav announces financial aid for victims' families after Kotma lodge collapse. Rescue ops ongoing as death toll rises to three.

Bhopal/Kotma, April 5 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has announced financial support for the families of the victims of the building collapse incident in Kotma. This assistance includes Rs four lakh from the CM's Discretionary Fund, Rs four lakh under the Sambal Scheme, and Rs one lakh from the Red Cross.

Injured survivors will receive Rs two lakh from the discretionary fund and Rs 50,000 from the Red Cross.

"The state government stands in solidarity with the affected families. We pray for peace for the departed souls and speedy recovery of the injured," the Chief Minister said.

Minister Dilip Ahirwar, along with District Magistrate Harshal Pancholi and Superintendent of Police Moti-ur-Rehman, has been supervising operations on the ground.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local administration remain deployed as rescue efforts continue in the crowded bus stand area, where panic still lingers among residents and passengers.

Kotma town in Anuppur district was gripped by tragedy on Saturday evening when a four-storey building, identified as Agarwal Lodge, suddenly collapsed near the bus stand. The incident, which occurred between 5.30 and 5.50 p.m., sent shockwaves through the bustling locality as eyewitnesses described a deafening explosion-like sound followed by clouds of dust engulfing the area.

Rescue teams rushed to the site, working tirelessly through the night with cranes and heavy machinery to extricate those trapped beneath the rubble. By Sunday morning, the death toll had risen to three after the body of a woman was recovered around 11 a.m. Her identity is yet to be confirmed.

Two other victims, reportedly relatives, had been pulled out earlier. At least five people have been rescued so far; three succumbed to injuries, while the remaining survivors are undergoing treatment.

Officials fear that more individuals may still be trapped, though estimates vary between six and ten.

Local residents pointed to a deep pit dug at an adjacent construction site as a possible cause of the collapse. The pit, measuring nearly 12 feet, had accumulated water, which may have weakened the foundation of the decade-old lodge.

Authorities have acknowledged that ongoing construction activity nearby could have contributed to the disaster.

A detailed probe has been ordered to establish the exact reasons and to identify any lapses in safety norms.

- IANS
Dol Prasad Aryal of the Rastriya Swatantra Party has been unanimously elected as the Speaker of Nepal's House of Representatives. He was the sole nominee for the position, making him the 10th speaker of the lower house and the first non-communist to hold the role in nearly two decades. Aryal's candidacy was formally backed by his party's leadership and several ministers. His journey to the prestigious post is notable, having started as a restaurant labourer before entering politics and rising to become a key party figure and former minister.

Rastriya Swatantra Party's Dol Prasad Aryal unanimously elected as the 10th Speaker of Nepal's House of Representatives.

Kathmandu, April 5 Rastriya Swatantra Party Vice President Dol Prasad Aryal has been elected as the house speaker unanimously.

A formal announcement of Aryal being elected to the post was made on Sunday morning's parliamentary meeting after he emerged as the sole nominee for the post.

"Pursuant to Rule 89 of the House of Representatives Rule 7's sub-rule 3, I hereby declare that the Honourable Dol Prasad Aryal has been elected unopposed to the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives," senior-most member Arjun Narsingha KC announced.

Aryal's candidacy, filed on Friday, was backed by RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane and supported by ministers Swarnim Wagle, Sobita Gautam and Sunil Lamsal.

Aryal, who was elected from Kathmandu-9 in the 2026 general elections, becomes the 10th Speaker of the lower house and the first non-communist to hold the position in 18 years.

He was born in Maidi, Dhading, in 1974. In 1992, he came to Kathmandu in search of work and began his journey as a labourer in a restaurant. Over time, his career progressed as he became a tourist guide.

He later lived in Japan for work and studies, gaining valuable experience both in Nepal and abroad. Aryal's interests have spanned education, tourism, and business. When the RSP was formed in 2079 BS, he became active in politics.

Within three and a half years of becoming a founding central member of the RSP, Aryal was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, a position considered the fourth highest in the state.

He has also served as the Acting Chair of the party while holding the post of vice president, taking on the responsibility during a period of party crisis as assigned by Chair Rabi Lamichhane. Previously, Aryal served twice as Minister of Labour, Employment, and Social Security.

Known as a calm and composed leader within the RSP, Aryal has won two consecutive elections from Kathmandu-9 with overwhelming support. Having served as Vice Chair of a party with nearly a two-thirds majority, he now holds the impartial and prestigious role of Speaker of Parliament.

- ANI
A member of the U.S. Senate is closing out his positions in several stocks, including several Magnificent Seven stocks.

Sen. Angus King Jr. Stock Trades

Sen. Angus King Jr. (I-Maine) recently disclosed making several stock sales. Trading activity by members of Congress can be tracked on the Benzinga Government Trades page.

Here are the recent sales by King Jr., all made on Feb. 13, 2026, as reported by Quiver Quantitative.

Sold $1,000 to $15,000 in Autodesk stock

Sold $1,000 to $15,000 in Blackstone stock

Sold $1,000 to $15,000 in Eli Lilly stock

Sold $1,000 to $15,000 in Meta Platforms stock

Sold $1,000 to $15,000 in Microsoft Corporation stock

Sold $1,000 to $15,000 in Netflix Inc stock

Sold $1,000 to $15,000 in On Holding stock

Sold $1,000 to $15,000 in PayPal Holdings stock

Sold $1,000 to $15,000 in Uber Technologies stock

Don't Miss:

All the stock sales were marked as being full, meaning the senator's entire position in that stock was sold as part of the transaction.

All of these stocks were purchased by King in July, with the exception of Eli Lilly stock, which was bought in December 2025.

King's Trading History

King has made around 125 stock trades dating back to 2014, with over $1.8 million in transactions for the senator, according to Quiver Quantitative.

The senator maintains several existing positions in his investment portfolio that were not sold in the latest disclosure.

Trending: Most Retirement Plans Ignore Taxes  See If Yours Does

Other stocks that were bought in July 2025 and not sold include Exxon Mobil, NVIDIA Corp., Alphabet, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America Corporation and Advanced Micro Devices.

Benzinga will closely monitor King to see if he sells more stock in the future or if this was a picking and choosing of stocks to hold going forward, and which ones to cut ties with.

Photo: W. Scott McGill via Shutterstock

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This article Senator Ditches Stocks In 2026 After 7 Months: Here's What He's Selling originally appeared on Benzinga.com
The Indian government has waived the address proof requirement for obtaining 5-kilogram Free Trade LPG cylinders to aid migrant workers, students, and daily-wage earners. Applicants need only a valid ID card and a self-declaration letter stating their local residence and household cooking use. The move has seen strong demand, with over 6.6 lakh such cylinders sold across the country since late March. Authorities clarify the scheme is strictly for domestic use and not for commercial customers.

Government eases rules for migrants & students to get 5-kg LPG cylinders with just an ID card. Over 6.6 lakh cylinders sold recently.

New Delhi, April 5 In a relief move for migrant workers, students and daily-wage earners, the government has allowed the sale of 5-kilogram Free Trade LPG cylinders without requiring address proof.

People can now get these cylinders from authorised distributors by showing only a valid ID card.

Chandra Prakash, President of the All India LPG Distributors Federation, welcomed the decision and called it "a good gesture" for vulnerable sections.

"FTL connections can be given to needy and migrant workers who are not able to avail a domestic new connection," he said, adding that "migrant maids, daily-wage labourers, students, and professionals who lack a permanent address can now access cooking fuel without bureaucratic hurdles."

He said migrants who face difficulty in cooking for themselves or their families can visit the nearest LPG distributor with a valid ID and a self-declaration letter. The letter should state that they live in the area and will use the cylinder only for cooking purposes. The facility is also available for migrant students and professionals who do not have an existing LPG connection.

Prakash made it clear that the scheme is only for household use. "These FTL cylinders are not meant for commercial customers," he said.

The response to the move has been strong. According to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, more than 90,000 five-kilogram FTL cylinders were sold in a single day. Since March 23, 2026, around 6.6 lakh cylinders have been sold across the country.

The Ministry has described the move as part of a broader effort to ensure the uninterrupted availability of petroleum products and LPG across the country, particularly amid the evolving conflict in West Asia.

The government has also urged citizens not to panic-buy or make unnecessary LPG bookings, and has advised the public to rely only on official sources for information.

- ANI
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has firmly rejected Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin's allegations of Hindi imposition through the National Education Policy, stating no language is being forced. Stalin countered by accusing the Centre of withholding Rs 2,200 crore in education funds to coerce implementation of a three-language policy, defending Tamil Nadu's successful two-language model. The political clash saw Stalin challenge ally AIADMK to clarify its stance and Pradhan linking the issue to West Bengal's upcoming elections. Pradhan also appealed to Bengal voters to reject what he called corruption and an oppressive system.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan denies Hindi imposition in NEP, accuses MK Stalin of politics. Stalin links funding to policy, defends Tamil.

Jhargram, April 5 Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday accused Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin of politicising the language debate, clarifying that the National Education Policy does not impose Hindi, emphasising that students will continue to learn their mother tongue while also having the option to choose an additional Indian language.

"MK Stalin is doing politics. The National Education Policy nowhere says that only Hindi will be taught. Whichever state's resident one is, the mother tongue of that state will be taught there. In addition, they have to take one more Indian language; this is up to the students. They just want to create fear. No language is being imposed on anyone in any scheme," Pradhan told ANI.

The remarks follow a sharp rebuttal from Stalin on Saturday, who called Pradhan's comments "deeply irresponsible" and accused the Union Government of "weaponising" education funds to coerce states into implementing the three-language policy.

The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister highlighted that the Centre has allegedly withheld Rs 2,200 crore under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme, which he claimed was done to pressure the state into implementing the three-language policy.

Stalin argued that linking crucial education funding to compliance undermines the principle of choice for non-Hindi-speaking states. He emphasised Tamil Nadu's commitment to its two-language policy, which he said has delivered strong educational outcomes in science, technology, and medicine. The Chief Minister also reiterated that opposition to Hindi imposition is rooted in preserving India's linguistic diversity and the dignity of the Tamil language.

The Chief Minister concluded by challenging the Union Minister to advocate for the compulsory three-language policy on Tamil Nadu soil while seeking votes. He also called upon AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami to clarify his stand on the issue.

"I also call upon AIADMK General Secretary Thiru. Palaniswami and his NDA allies to clearly state their position. Do they support this aggressively pushed three-language policy of the BJP?" he asked.

"It is time for Thiru Palaniswami to make his stand unequivocally clear, whether he stands with the people of Tamil Nadu or with his Delhi bosses who seek to impose Hindi under the guise of policy," Stalin stated.

Responding on Sunday, Pradhan accused Stalin and the DMK government of using the "Hindi imposition" narrative as a "facade" to mask administrative failures and deprive students of educational equity.

The Union Education Minister also appealed to the people of West Bengal to vote decisively against corruption, nepotism and what he described as an oppressive system ahead of the state elections.

"This time, the people of Bengal are contesting the election. This time, the people are going to cast a decisive vote against corruption, nepotism, and the oppressive system... A fear-free, women-oppression-free Bengal is needed. Here, the government is not for the people, but for its own interests," he said.

He further added, "Are Suvendu Adhikari, Samik Bhattacharya, and Dilip Ghosh outsiders? The people of Bengal have made up their minds this time; we will get a full majority."

West Bengal Assembly will go to polls in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4.

- ANI
Former Indian Ambassador to the UAE Sunjay Sudhir stated there is no significant trend of Indians leaving the Emirates due to the West Asia conflict, attributing this to the country's strong economy and defence systems. He highlighted that during recent attacks, UAE defences successfully intercepted projectiles, with only falling debris causing minor damage to infrastructure. Sudhir contrasted the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that even then, most Indians in the UAE did not return home en masse. The Iranian military confirmed the drone strikes on UAE targets were retaliation for earlier US-Israeli actions against Iranian facilities.

Former Indian Ambassador Sunjay Sudhir says UAE's robust economy and strong defences prevent a trend of Indians fleeing despite West Asia tensions.

New Delhi, April 5 Former Indian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Sunjay Sudhir, said that there was no trend of Indians returning in large numbers amid the West Asia conflict.

In an interview with ANI, Sunjay Sudhir lauded the UAE's defence systems, stating that only debris hurt the infrastructure, not the missiles or drones fired by Iran.

Recalling the COVID-19 pandemic, he noted the UAE has a "robust and resilient" economy.

Sudhir said, "The UAE is a robust and resilient economy, so there has never been pressure on people to return. During COVID, Indians did not return in large numbers, though some came back. They come back due to family and other reasons, and then they go back. We have not noticed a trend of people fleeing the country."

"Although Iran has sent more missiles and drones to the UAE than even to Israel, the defence mechanism of the UAE has been so strong that what has hurt people or buildings is debris. It's not the missiles and all. And I think we have to give the country full marks for having the wherewithal to protect infrastructure and people," he added.

Addressing the incidents of drone debris striking buildings in Dubai, he noted, "The world has seen Dubai bounce back several times. In COVID, when connectivity was shattered, Emirates and Etihad Airlines connected the world. Safety and security are key things people associate with Dubai."

The Iranian military has launched drone attacks against United States military installations in the United Arab Emirates, as reported by the state broadcaster Press TV, as a response to strikes initiated by the USA and Israel.

The Iranian army confirmed that its forces deployed Arash 2 drones to strike a radar system designed for the detection and identification of missiles and combat drones. The offensive also targeted the UAE's aluminium industry, which Tehran identifies as a critical component of regional military logistics.

The army noted that several Arab media organisations had already documented reports of explosions occurring within both Kuwait and the UAE following the strikes.

According to Press TV, the Iranian army characterised the strikes as a direct retaliation for US-Israeli assaults on Iran's own industrial hubs.

On Saturday, authorities in Dubai responded after debris from an aerial interception fell on the facade of the Oracle building in Dubai Internet City, the Dubai Media Office confirmed. However, no injuries were reported in the incident.

- ANI
Oman and Iran have initiated discussions at the deputy foreign minister level to ensure the smooth flow of maritime transit through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The talks focused on various proposals to maintain stability and uninterrupted movement amid the ongoing regional conflict. Concurrently, the UN Security Council is scheduled to vote on a draft resolution, proposed by Bahrain, authorizing defensive measures to secure the waterway. This resolution has been revised after opposition from Russia and China to explicit language on the use of force.

Oman and Iran begin talks to ensure maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz as UNSC prepares to vote on a resolution for safe passage.

Muscat, April 5 The Foreign Ministry of Oman on Sunday stated that the Sultanate and the Islamic Republic of Iran have initiated discussions on ensuring the smooth flow of maritime transit through the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz amid prevailing regional conflict, which is currently in its second month.

According to a statement issued by the ministry on X, the two sides held a meeting on Saturday, April 4, at the level of deputy foreign ministers, with participation from specialists representing both countries.

The statement noted that the discussions focused on "possible options for ensuring the smooth flow of transit" through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor that handles a significant share of the world's energy shipments.

"The Sultanate of Oman and the Islamic Republic of Iran held a meeting on April 4, 2026 CE, at the level of deputy ministers in the foreign ministries of the two countries, attended by specialists from both sides. The meeting discussed possible options for ensuring the smooth flow of transit through the Strait of Hormuz amid the circumstances currently prevailing in the region," the statement read.

During the meeting, experts from both sides presented a range of proposals and perspectives aimed at maintaining stability and uninterrupted maritime movement in the region. These proposals will be further studied, the statement added.

Earlier, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, during an interview with Sputnik, stated that the Islamic Republic was in the final stages of preparing a draft protocol aimed at establishing a new navigation regime in the Strait of Hormuz and plans to initiate discussions with Oman for a joint framework.

During the interview, Gharibabadi stated, "The draft of this protocol is currently in the final stages of preparation. Once we have it ready, we will begin negotiations with Oman so that we can draft a joint protocol."

He indicated that the proposed protocol is intended to regulate navigation in the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran seeking cooperation from Oman to develop a mutually agreed mechanism, as reported by Sputnik.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council is scheduled to vote on a draft resolution proposed by Bahrain that seeks to authorise member states to use "all defensive means necessary" to ensure safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz next week, amid the conflict in West Asia.

The proposal comes amid rising tensions over maritime security amid the conflict in West Asia, which has seen severe disruption in energy trade due to the virtual blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy trade.

Bahrain, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council and has been under fire from Iran amid the conflict, urged an international response to threats against global navigation routes.

The draft resolution has undergone several revisions after Russia and China opposed language that explicitly called for the use of force to reopen the strategic waterway.

- ANI
Flash floods in Afghanistan in early 2025 have impacted over 31,000 people, according to a UN report. The disaster has killed 77 people, injured 137, and damaged more than 3,400 houses. Widespread destruction includes thousands of acres of farmland and the loss of livestock, severely impacting local livelihoods. Rescue efforts were hampered by blocked roads, highlighting the need for more disaster-resilient infrastructure.

UN reports over 31,000 affected by Afghanistan flash floods in 2025, with 77 dead and widespread destruction of homes and farmland.

Kabul, April 5 More than 31,000 people were affected by flash floods in Afghanistan in 2025, according to the United Nations Human Settlements Programme as quoted by local media reports on Sunday.

In a statement, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme emphasised the need for disaster-resilient infrastructure.

The agency said it was making efforts in cooperation with the Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan to help people better deal with future shocks, Afghanistan's leading news agency Khaama Press reported.

The statement comes as 77 people have been killed and 137 others injured in floods that swept across several provinces of Afghanistan between March 26 and April 4.

Afghanistan's National Disaster Preparedness and Disaster Management Authority said that floods have caused widespread destruction, leaving hundreds of homes destroyed and damaging thousands of acres of agricultural land, Khaama Press reported.

According to authorities, four people remain missing and more than 3,400 houses were damaged in several parts of Afghanistan, demonstrating the scale of destruction caused by heavy rains.

Officials said roads were blocked and transport links were disrupted in several provinces of Afghanistan, which impacted rescue efforts and restricted access to affected people in remote regions.

Earlier, Taliban Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that more than 3,000 'jeribs' (a traditional unit of land measurement) of farmland were destroyed, and more than 1,000 livestock were killed due to the severe weather conditions.

The latest flooding in Afghanistan follows a similar pattern witnessed in the past several rainy seasons when heavy rainfall repeatedly caused devastation across the country. Hundreds of people were killed, and houses and farmlands were devastated in similar floods in 2024.

On January 22, a National Disaster Management Authority spokesperson said that at least 11 people have been killed and three others injured amid heavy snowfall and rains lashing multiple provinces.

According to the Taliban Spokesperson, initial reports from provincial authorities indicated that severe weather had affected residents in the provinces of eastern Parwan, Wardak, southern Kandahar, northern Jawzjan, Faryab, and central Bamiyan, Xinhua news agency reported.

The storms had partially destroyed nine homes and led to the loss of 530 livestock, severely affecting local livelihoods in these agrarian regions, the Spokesperson said, adding that the snow accumulation had blocked key roads, prompting urgent clearance operations by authorities to restore connectivity and facilitate aid delivery.

- IANS
Despite high-level committee approvals and a consensus formula, the implementation of a revised cotton cess in Pakistan remains stalled. This inaction, dating back over a decade, is worsening the financial state of the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee. The approved formula would raise the cess to Rs142.80 per bale, but industry groups like Aptma have voiced opposition. The continued policy paralysis is hindering crucial revival efforts for the country's cotton sector.

Policy delays halt cotton cess revision in Pakistan, threatening PCCC finances and sector revival despite high-level approvals. Learn more.

Lahore, April 5 Despite multiple high-level deliberations, formal policy approvals, and a consensus formula endorsed by the Economic Coordination Committee, the long-overdue revision in cotton cess rates remains unimplemented, intensifying concerns over the worsening financial health of the Pakistan Central Cotton Committee and hindering revival efforts in the cotton sector, as reported by Dawn.

According to Dawn, the sixth session of the Cabinet Committee on Essential Cash Crops, convened on October 22, 2025, under Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, reached a unanimous decision to enforce cotton cess collection in line with existing legal provisions and the ECC's 2011 framework.

The committee also approved routing collections through the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and supported the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of National Food Security & Research (MNFS&R), the PCCC, and the FBR. The agreement included provisions for greater industry representation in key decision-making bodies and prioritising research and development funding.

However, implementation has stalled, with the MNFS&R failing to act despite repeated follow-ups from the PCCC. This inaction reflects a broader pattern of delays dating back over a decade.

In 2011, the ECC approved an increase in cotton cess and formed a committee to evaluate research funding needs. The committee recommended raising the cess from Rs 20 to Rs 50 per bale, along with periodic increases of 30 per cent every three years. This proposal was formally adopted by the federal cabinet in 2012, with scheduled increments extending through 2024, as highlighted by Dawn.

Yet, more than 14 years later, the revised rates remain largely unimplemented. Under the approved formula, the cess should now be Rs142.80 per bale, a figure reaffirmed in recent 2025 discussions. An inter-ministerial meeting in December 2025 endorsed a Cotton Revival Plan, but disagreements soon emerged. The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) opposed the official record and suggested limiting the cess to Rs100 per bale. Nonetheless, committee members maintained that the legally established formula must be followed, as reported by Dawn.

- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the wedding of veteran journalist Rajat Sharma's daughter, Disha, to Sudarshan MJ in Mumbai. The Prime Minister interacted with the couple and offered his blessings, which Rajat Sharma said made the occasion "very, very special." The event featured a traditional South Indian ceremony and pre-wedding festivities, including a temple visit and a sangeet. The guest list was star-studded, with Bollywood icons Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan among the notable attendees.

PM Narendra Modi blessed the couple at Disha Sharma's wedding. The star-studded event was attended by Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan.

Mumbai, April 5 Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the wedding festivities of Sudarshan MJ and Disha Sharma, the daughter of veteran journalist Rajat Sharma, in Mumbai on April 4.

Rajat Sharma shared pictures of his meeting with the Prime Minister along with his family on his Instagram.

The Prime Minister was seen warmly interacting with the newlyweds, Disha and her partner Sudarshan MJ, offering his blessings during the celebrations.

Sharing the moment on social media, Rajat Sharma expressed heartfelt gratitude, stating that the Prime Minister's presence made the occasion "very, very special" for the entire family.

The wedding, which took place on April 4 in Mumbai, was conducted as a traditional South Indian ceremony.

The festivities were marked by a series of pre-wedding events. Earlier in the week, the Sharma family visited the revered Tirupati Balaji Temple to seek divine blessings, followed by a lively sangeet ceremony. Rajat Sharma described the evening as one filled with "music, laughter, and unforgettable moments" shared among close friends and well-wishers.

The star-studded guest list included Bollywood icons Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, among other attendees. Salman Khan arrived with his sister Arpita Khan and her husband, actor Ayush Sharma.

Shah Rukh Khan, accompanied by his manager Pooja Dadlani, opted for an elegant black bandhgala and was seen posing with the couple in videos that went viral online.

Reflecting on the milestone, Rajat Sharma, a Padma Bhushan awardee best known for his long-running show Aap Ki Adalat, described raising his daughter as the "most beautiful journey" of his life.

- ANI
India has declared its decades-long Maoist insurgency in the Red Corridor effectively over, closing a half-century-old wound. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government fused tribal welfare and national security into a single doctrine, sending the constitutional promise to doorsteps with housing, banking, and roads. Home Minister Amit Shah set a public deadline to end Naxalism by March 2026, backed by decisive operations that neutralized top leadership and prompted mass surrenders. The strategy filled the state vacuum that the insurgency fed on, achieving in 12 years what 60 years of prior approach could not.

PM Modi and HM Amit Shah's fused security-development doctrine ends 57-year Naxalite insurgency, neutralizing 706 cadres and bringing development to tribal heartlands.

New Delhi, April 5 Picture the forests of Bastar in 2013. No roads. No mobile signals. No banks. No schools worth the name. A parallel government, complete with its own courts, its own tax collectors and its own executioners, ruled these jungles by absolute terror. Tribal families buried their dead in silence, fearing that grief itself might draw suspicion. Security forces moved in convoys because moving alone meant dying.

India, the world's largest democracy, had effectively ceded sovereign territory to a Maoist militia operating on the instructions of a long-dead Chinese dictator. Fifty-seven years of this. Twenty thousand dead. Twelve crore citizens held hostage to an insurgency that previous governments had quietly accepted as a permanent feature of the national landscape. Then, PM Narendra Modi assumed office. And everything changed.

Sixty years of failure: The Inheritance PM Modi walked into

Naxalism did not persist because it was undefeatable. It persisted because defeating it required political will that successive governments refused to summon. Congress, which governed India for sixty of its seventy-five post-Independence years, found tribal grievance more useful as a narrative than as a problem to be solved. The result was catastrophic: 20,000 lives lost, 5,000 of them security personnel, and 12 crore citizens permanently outside the constitutional tent. When PM Modi inherited this in 2014, he inherited not just an insurgency. He inherited half a century of institutional betrayal.

The Masterstroke: PM Modi fuses welfare and security into one doctrine

PM Modi's decisive contribution was an insight that sounds simple but had eluded every predecessor: tribal welfare and national security are not separate problems. They are one. Every previous government ran security operations in one lane and development in another, rarely coordinated, frequently working against each other. PM Modi fused them into a single, non-negotiable doctrine.

For the first time, the constitutional promise reached the actual doorstep. Pucca houses. Gas cylinders. Clean water. Jan Dhan accounts. Food security. Insurance. The state did not merely send in forces. It sent in the Constitution, household by household, village by village. PM Modi understood the truth that had been studiously avoided for decades: an insurgency feeds on the vacuum the state leaves behind. Fill that vacuum completely, and the insurgency starves. Twelve years of that clarity delivered what sixty years of managed ambivalence could not.

HM Amit Shah: The Man who set a deadline and kept it

Strategic vision needs an executor of rare quality. In Home Minister Amit Shah, PM Modi found one. Amit Shah brought to the Home Ministry a combination of a commander's decisiveness paired with a strategist's astuteness and patience.

In August 2024, HM Shah announced publicly that India would be Naxal-free by March 31, 2026. Not a hope or an aspiration. A hard, public commitment. A deadline set by a minister with an unbroken record of delivery concentrates resources, compresses timelines and sends an unmistakable message to every wavering cadre in the forest: the endgame has begun. Come in now.

A Parliamentary address that history will record

Home Minister Amit Shah's ninety-minute address to Parliament on March 30 was one of the most commanding ministerial performances in the Lok Sabha in recent memory. Having personally reviewed over two thousand pro-Naxal articles in the preceding six days, he cited operation dates, committee structures, and surrender numbers with prosecutorial precision. He paid tribute to the fallen with dignity, without exploiting their sacrifice for effect. PM Modi described it as a speech filled with important facts, historical context and a decade of governmental effort. That commendation, from a Prime Minister, said everything.

The numbers that no propagandist can spin away

The data speaks without equivocation. In three years: 706 Naxalites neutralised, over 4,800 surrendered. In 2025 alone: 270 neutralised, 680 arrested, 1,225 laid down arms. The extremist Maoist Politburo dismantled: 12 top leaders killed, the sole remaining fugitive in active surrender talks. The dreaded 27-member state committee of the principal affected region wiped out entirely. Over the decade, more than 8,000 cadres have abandoned the armed movement.

The development record is equally unambiguous. 14,902 kilometres of roads built through the terrain of Maoist areas kept deliberately inaccessible for decades. 8,640 mobile towers commissioned, ending the communications blackout that insurgents weaponised for control. 179 Eklavya Residential Schools now functional. 5,899 post offices with banking services opened in LWE districts. These are not statistics. They are the Constitution, delivered at scale, across the most forgotten terrain in India.

Compassion as a weapon: Naming the propaganda for what it is

Even as this transformation unfolded on the ground, international platforms aligned with Maoist networks described security operations as genocide and portrayed killed armed commanders as martyrs of tribal India. HM Amit Shah exposed this with one precise observation: not one of those two thousand articles mourned the widows of security personnel. Not one grieved for the civilians killed in Maoist ambushes. Not one acknowledged the tribal families whose children were conscripted at gunpoint.

That silence is structural, not accidental. The Naxals never represented Adivasi India. It required the Adivasi suffering to remain unresolved to justify its own existence. Every road built and school opened under PM Modi was a direct blow to that argument. Selective compassion for armed insurgents, with none for their victims, is not humanitarianism. It is insurgent propaganda wearing a humanitarian mask.

Consolidating the win: The work that must not stop

Rehabilitation of surrendered cadres must be sustained with full seriousness. The remaining two affected districts must be brought entirely into the national mainstream. Development momentum in Bastar must not slow once the security headlines move on. The lesson of this decade is irreversible: comprehensive, consistent governance is the most powerful counter-insurgency instrument ever devised. That lesson must now become permanent policy, not merely operational memory.

A constitutional debt, finally settled

The forests of Bastar now have roads, schools and mobile signals. Children there will grow up knowing the Indian state as a protector, not a predator. The Maoist Politburo has been dismantled, cadre by cadre, committee by committee. On March 31, 2026, HM Amit Shah stood before Parliament and closed a chapter that sixty years of governments had chosen to leave open.

PM Narendra Modi provided the structural vision and insight that national security and the welfare of India's most forgotten citizens are one indivisible obligation. HM Amit Shah provided the operational architecture, the public deadline, and the executive will to deliver it.

Together, in twelve years, the courageous leadership and vision of PM Narendra Modi, with diligent efforts and execution of HM Amit Shah has settled a constitutional debt that had accumulated over sixty years. That is not a political achievement. That is a civilisational one.

(The author is a senior advocate practising in the Supreme Court of India)

- IANS
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced a Rs 62 crore allocation to strengthen animal healthcare infrastructure, focusing on modernising veterinary hospitals. The initiative includes establishing 10 modern cow shelters initially, with plans to scale up to 40. District-level SPCA committees will be formed to enforce strict action against animal cruelty. These measures are part of a broader vision to integrate compassionate governance with Delhi's urban development.

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta announces Rs 62 crore for veterinary hospitals, 10 new cow shelters, and district SPCA committees to enhance animal welfare.

New Delhi, April 5 Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday outlined the Bharatiya Janata Party government's vision of inclusive growth, asserting that the national capital is progressing by balancing development with heritage, sensitivity, and compassion.

In a post on X, the Chief Minister highlighted key provisions in the latest Budget aimed at strengthening animal welfare and healthcare infrastructure across Delhi.

She said that a sum of Rs 62 crore has been allocated to bolster animal healthcare services, with a focus on modernising veterinary hospitals and expanding access to advanced treatment facilities, including surgeries and vaccination.

Emphasising the need for systemic improvements, Chief Minister Gupta noted that the Delhi government is working to upgrade existing veterinary infrastructure to ensure better care for animals.

The initiative is expected to significantly enhance the capacity of government-run facilities, making quality treatment more accessible to pet owners as well as caretakers of stray animals.

Alongside healthcare measures, the Chief Minister also announced the establishment of 10 modern cow shelters in the initial phase.

She added that the number will be scaled up to 40 in a phased manner, reflecting the Delhi government's long-term commitment to animal welfare and management.

In a bid to curb cruelty against animals, Chief Minister Gupta said that SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) committees are being formed in every district.

These committees will be tasked with ensuring prompt and strict action against cases of animal abuse, thereby strengthening enforcement mechanisms at the grassroots level.

"The goal is to build a Delhi where empathy for every living being is a shared value and compassion becomes our identity," the Chief Minister said, underscoring the broader vision behind these initiatives.

The announcements come as part of a wider push by the Delhi government to integrate humane governance practices with urban development, positioning the city as a model for balanced and compassionate growth.

- IANS
Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom has begun the main phase of evacuating 198 staff from the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran. The evacuation comes after a projectile hit near the facility, killing one security worker in what is reported as the fourth such attack since late February. Rosatom's head stated the staff are being transported by bus toward the Iranian-Armenian border, with plans for them to fly home from Yerevan. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister condemned the strike and stated Tehran's goal is to secure a conclusive end to the US-Israeli war on the country.

Rosatom evacuates 198 staff from Bushehr plant after projectile attack. Iran seeks lasting end to US-Israeli strikes. Details on the evacuation route.

Moscow, April 5 Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom has begun the main phase of evacuating staff from the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran, Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev said.

A total of 198 Rosatom employees are being transported by bus toward the Iranian-Armenian border, Likhachev said.

"We very much hope that within two to three days our colleagues will safely cross nearly the entire territory of Iran and return home to our country," he said.

Likhachev added that the Iranian side is doing a great deal to ensure the safety of the Rosatom staff evacuation route, and cooperation with the Armenian government is proceeding smoothly, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Russian nuclear specialists will leave the region from Yerevan airport, he said.

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran reported earlier that a projectile had hit an area near the Bushehr nuclear power plant, killing one security worker and marking the fourth such attack since the US-Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28.

Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Tehran seeks to secure the terms of a "conclusive and lasting" end to the US and Israeli war imposed on the country.

Araghchi condemned a US-Israeli strike near Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant and warned of its potential lethal consequences for the West Asia region.

The Bushehr nuclear power plant, located about 17 km southeast of the city of Bushehr and under the cooperation with Russia, began supplying electricity in September 2011. In November 2014, Iran and Russia signed a cooperation agreement to add two reactors to the plant.

- IANS
SpaceX confidentially filed to go public on Wednesday.

The move represents the first of three big IPOs investors are expecting this year, along with OpenAI and Anthropic.

Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue 

SpaceX could be the biggest IPO in history. According to Bloomberg, CEO Elon Musk is targeting a $2 trillion valuation, which would make his rocket company, which also owns xAI and the Starlink satellite internet service, one of the top ten most valuable companies in the world, worth more than Tesla or Meta Platforms.

The company could raise as much as $75 billion in the IPO, which would top Saudi Aramco's haul, making it the biggest IPO in history.

Image source: SpaceX

How SpaceX got to $2 trillion

As of December 2024, SpaceX was valued at just $350 billion based on a secondary share sale as insiders sold $1.25 billion worth of stock to investors.

In February 2026, SpaceX acquired Elon Musk's AI start-up, xAI, in a merger that valued the company at $1.25 trillion, $1 trillion for SpaceX and $250 billion for xAI.

The merger was based on a share exchange, and the valuation was determined by assessments from the board of directors and banks, including Morgan Stanley, though it doesn't reflect the views of real investors. That deal was also executed to prepare for an IPO, as the move helps shore up finances at xAI, which owns the chatbot Grok and the X social media platform, as it's burning cash to compete with OpenAI and Anthropic. SpaceX is highly profitable thanks to Starlink, and the combination will give xAI funding through those cash flows.

The move also prepares SpaceX for a major ambition of Musk's, developing space-based data centers, which Musk has said could launch in two to three years, though some scientists have pushed back on that timeline.

What the numbers say

There are only a handful of companies with valuations of around $2 trillion, and they are all hugely profitable and delivering solid growth.

However, SpaceX is still much smaller than any of those peers, based on both revenue and profits. The company has not yet filed its S-1 Prospectus, but according to Reuters, the company had between $15 billion-$16 billion in revenue in 2025, and around $8 billion in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of $8 billion. It's unclear if SpaceX is profitable on a generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) basis, but as an industrial company, it likely has a large depreciation balance.
Executives from Samsung Electronics and French AI startup Mistral AI met to explore cooperation in the AI memory sector and chip supply chains. The discussion is part of Mistral AI's effort to secure a stable semiconductor supply for its large language model, Mistral Large. This follows recent meetings between Samsung and AMD CEO Lisa Su, who also discussed AI partnerships in South Korea. South Korean officials are actively promoting policies to position the country as a top global AI powerhouse through international collaborations.

Samsung Electronics and French AI startup Mistral AI meet to discuss collaboration on AI chip supply chains and semiconductor technology.

Seoul, April 5 Executives from Samsung Electronics and French artificial intelligence startup Mistral AI discussed potential cooperation in the AI memory sector, industry sources said on Sunday.

Arthur Mensch, co-founder and chief executive officer of Mistral AI, met Jeon Young-hyun, head of Samsung Electronics' device solutions division, on Thursday at the company's Hwaseong campus to explore collaboration on AI chip supply chains and related technologies, the sources said.

Mensch was in South Korea last week on the occasion of French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Seoul for talks with President Lee Jae Myung, reports Yonhap news agency.

Mistral AI, often described as Europe's counterpart to OpenAI, is seeking to secure a stable supply of semiconductors to support its large language model, Mistral Large, and to expand its AI infrastructure. The visit to Samsung's semiconductor facility is viewed as part of that effort.

"Following recent discussions between Samsung executives and Lisa Su, CEO of Advanced Micro Devices, Mistral AI also appears to be pursuing talks with Samsung to ensure a reliable chip supply amid tight memory market conditions," an industry official said.

Last month, Lisa Su, chief executive officer (CEO) of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), met with officials from the South Korean government, Samsung Electronics and Upstage, as the US tech giant aims to step up artificial intelligence (AI) partnerships in the region.

Su met with Im Moon-young, vice chair of the National AI Strategy Committee, and Ha Jung-woo, presidential secretary for AI policy and future planning, discussing potential cooperation in the AI industry.

During the meeting, South Korean officials introduced Seoul's policies aimed at making Asia's fourth-largest economy one of the world's top three AI powerhouses, while discussing ways to create synergies between Korean companies and AMD in the AI sector, according to the committee.

Seoul officials and AMD vowed to continue mutually beneficial cooperation to establish an open and global AI ecosystem, the committee added.

- IANS
The Supreme Court has formally notified a nine-judge Constitution Bench, headed by CJI Surya Kant, to commence hearings on the Sabarimala review petitions from April 7. The bench will re-examine the 2018 judgment allowing women of all ages into the temple and will also address broader constitutional questions on religious freedom affecting other communities. A detailed schedule has been set, with arguments from both sides to be heard through late April. The Centre has expressed support for the review, while the temple board has advocated for a "community-centric" approach to religious practices.

Supreme Court's 9-judge Constitution Bench to hear Sabarimala review from April 7, examining women's entry & broader religious freedom questions.

New Delhi, April 4 The Supreme Court has formally notified the constitution of a nine-judge Constitution Bench, which will commence hearing from April 7 in the long-pending Sabarimala review matter.

As per the cause list published for April 7 on the official website of the apex court, the bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant will hear the reference arising out of review petitions filed against its September 2018 judgment permitting entry of women of all ages into the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala, along with connected issues that raise significant questions on religious freedoms.

The proceedings before the nine-judge bench, which also comprises Justices B.V. Nagarathna, M.M. Sundresh, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, Aravind Kumar, A.G. Masih, Prasanna B. Varale, R. Mahadevan, and Joymalya Bagchi, are scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Chief Justice's court at the Supreme Court.

Apart from the Sabarimala issue, the top court is also expected to examine broader constitutional questions relating to the scope of religious freedom under Article 25, including the entry of Muslim women into mosques and dargahs, the rights of Parsi women to access fire temples after interfaith marriage, the validity of excommunication practices, and the legality of female genital mutilation in the Dawoodi Bohra community.

Earlier, the CJI Surya Kant-led bench had fixed a detailed schedule for the hearing and clarified that the maintainability of the reference is conclusively settled. It also identified seven substantial questions of law for adjudication.

As per the schedule, arguments by parties supporting the review petitions will be heard from April 7 to April 9, followed by submissions from those opposing the review between April 14 and April 16.

Rejoinder submissions, if any, will be taken up on April 21, with final arguments by the amicus curiae expected to conclude on April 22.

The top court had directed all parties to file written submissions in advance and emphasised strict adherence to timelines, observing that Constitution Bench matters are of paramount importance.

In the run-up to the hearings, written submissions filed on behalf of the Travancore Devaswom Board have urged the apex court to adopt a "community-centric" understanding of religion, arguing that courts should refrain from reinterpreting faith-based practices and questioning the continued application of the "essential religious practices" doctrine.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, the Centre's second-highest law officer, informed the apex court that the Union government supports the review petitions.

- IANS
Seth Rogen confirms the second season of Apple TV+'s 'The Studio' will directly confront the real-life loss of co-star Catherine O'Hara. Rogen describes the show as feeling "anchorless" without O'Hara, who was central to the first season's scripts. Collaborator Evan Goldberg called rewriting the season an "unbelievable challenge" as her character was originally at the heart of the story. Rogen also highlighted O'Hara's dedicated behind-the-scenes work, regularly sending script revisions to improve her scenes.

Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg discuss the creative and emotional challenge of making 'The Studio' Season 2 without the late Catherine O'Hara.

Washington, April 5 The upcoming second season of 'The Studio' will confront a profound real-life loss, as co-creator and star Seth Rogen has confirmed that the series will directly address the absence of veteran actor Catherine O'Hara, who passed away in January at the age of 71.

In a recent interview, quoted by E! News, Rogen acknowledged that the Apple TV+ comedy feels "anchorless" without O'Hara, who played Hollywood executive Patty Leigh in its debut season. He emphasised that the show will not sidestep the emotional impact of her death.

"If anything, we're acknowledging the idea that we are a little anchorless," Rogen said, adding that while the series typically avoids heavy themes, elements of grief and loss will naturally shape the upcoming season.

"We are not ignoring it," he said, as quoted by E! News.

O'Hara's passing has left both an emotional and creative gap for the team. Rogen's longtime collaborator Evan Goldberg described the process of reworking the second season as "an unbelievable challenge," noting that scripts had originally been written with her character at the centre.

"Obviously emotionally, dealing with the loss, but also when it comes to the show itself," Goldberg explained, adding, "We wrote it for her to be there. We had it all set and the shock waves permeate throughout the entire new season," as quoted by E! News.

He added that O'Hara had been "the anchor" of the show, underscoring the magnitude of her absence.

Beyond her on-screen performance, O'Hara played a crucial role behind the scenes. Rogen recalled her dedication while accepting her posthumous Actor Award in March, revealing that she would regularly send detailed revisions of her scenes before filming.

"Pretty much every evening before she had a shooting day... she would email me and Evan," he said, noting that her suggestions consistently improved not only her character but the overall quality of the show.

- ANI
Thrissur, Kerala's cultural capital and a traditional Left Front fortress, is the site of a high-stakes electoral contest as the BJP fields Padmaja Venugopal to break the pattern. The party's prospects are buoyed by Suresh Gopi's historic victory in the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat in 2024. The constituency has a history of narrow margins, with the last assembly election decided by fewer than 1,000 votes. Beyond politics, Thrissur is a historic city facing modern challenges like traffic congestion and infrastructure strain.

High-stakes electoral showdown in Thrissur as BJP fields Padmaja Venugopal to challenge the Left Front's long-held stronghold. Analysis of key candidates and shifting political dynamics.

Thrissur, April 5 Thrissur, long regarded as a fortress of Left Front and a cradle of progressive movements in Keralam, is once again at the centre of a high-stakes electoral contest. This time, however, the spotlight is on the growing prospects of the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is striving to expand its footprint in the state.

For decades, the constituency has largely been dominated by the Left, particularly the Communist Party of India (Marxist). K Karunakaran, veteran of the Indian National Congress (INC), the primary architect of the United Democratic Front (UDF) coalition, and four-time Chief Minister of Keralam, played a pivotal role in elevating Thrissur's political and cultural prominence.

The BJP has placed its bet on his daughter, Padmaja Venugopal, hoping to make significant inroads into this traditionally Left-leaning constituency.

Also, another main reason behind the BJP having such high prospects of winning the Thrissur assembly seat is due to Suresh Gopi's success in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, who emerged as the party's first-ever MP from Keralam, by winning the Thrissur seat.

Apart from Padmaja Venugopal, she will be contesting against UDF's Rajan Pallan and LDF candidate Alancode Leelakrishnan.

Beyond politics, Thrissur, often called the cultural capital of Keralam stands as a vibrant symbol of the state's heritage and spiritual depth. With a history spanning over two millennia, the city flourished as a hub of trade and commerce, attracting merchants due to its fertile lands and strategic location. Over time, it came under the rule of powerful dynasties such as the Chera, Pandya, and Perumal kingdoms, each contributing to its rich architectural and cultural legacy.

The city continues to thrive as a cultural powerhouse. Institutions like the Keralam Sahitya Akademi play a crucial role in promoting Malayalam literature, while major events like the International Film Festival of Keralam draw filmmakers and cinephiles from across the globe.

Thrissur's reputation as a Left stronghold is rooted in its socio-political history. A strong working-class base, active trade unions, and the long-term impact of land reforms have ensured enduring support for Left parties. However, the constituency is not without challenges. Rapid urbanisation has brought issues such as traffic congestion due to radial road networks, infrastructure strain, environmental degradation, encroachment on public spaces, and an urgent need for improved waste management systems.

Electorally, the margins in recent years have been remarkably narrow, reflecting a shifting political landscape. In the last election, BJP candidate Suresh Gopi secured 40,457 votes, losing by just 3,806 votes. Padmaja Venugopal, then contesting on a Congress-led UDF ticket, finished second with 43,317 votes, narrowly trailing the Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate, who won with 44,263 votes, a margin of only 946 votes over her.

Looking further back to 2016, LDF's VS Sunil Kumar won the seat with 53,664 votes, defeating Padmaja Venugopal, who polled 46,677 votes, by a margin of 6,987.

- ANI
Shujaat Ali Quadri, chairman of the Muslim Students' Organisation of India, has issued a clarification denying any association with the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM). He stated that certain media reports incorrectly identified him as an AIMIM leader while covering his remarks on Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind. Quadri emphasized his independent, issue-based work and urged media platforms to verify facts before attributing political affiliations. His clarification came after he commented that Jamiat's description of AIMIM as "communal" was surprising and unfortunate.

Muslim Students' Organisation chairman Shujaat Ali Quadri denies being an AIMIM leader, flags media misreporting over his remarks on Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind.

New Delhi, April 6 Muslim Students' Organisation of India chairman Shujaat Ali Quadri has issued a clarification denying any association with the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, after sections of the media described him as a party leader while reporting his recent remarks on Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind.

Quadri said the reference was incorrect and urged media platforms to verify facts before attributing political affiliations to individuals.

In a post on X, he stated: "It has come to my notice that certain sections of the media have incorrectly mentioned my name in connection with AIMIM. I would like to categorically clarify that I have never been a part of AIMIM, nor do I have any present association with the party."

He added that while he respects democratic institutions and secular political organisations, his work has remained independent and issue-based without any formal political affiliation. He also cautioned that inaccurate reporting can create unnecessary confusion among the public.

The clarification came a day after Quadri commented on a separate controversy involving Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind's remarks on AIMIM. In a post written in Hindi on April 4, he said that while political differences with AIMIM's policies are natural and he himself has disagreements, describing the party as "communal" was both "surprising" and "deeply unfortunate".

He further said that it was time for Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind to take responsibility for its statements and explain the basis of such allegations. "Silence is no longer an option; the truth must come out," he said.

However, some media reports, while quoting his comments on the issue, identified him as an AIMIM leader, prompting the clarification.

Quadri reiterated that he has no links with the party and stressed the need for accurate reporting, particularly when it concerns political affiliations.

- IANS
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has called on the European Union to immediately resume dialogue with Russia and lift sanctions on Russian oil and gas imports. He made the appeal following a phone call with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, criticizing the European Commission's approach as "ideological blindness." Both countries are facing oil delivery disruptions via the Druzhba pipeline through Ukraine, heightening regional tensions. Orban has separately announced Hungary will gradually halt gas supplies to Ukraine in retaliation for the blocked oil deliveries.

Slovak PM Robert Fico demands EU lift "senseless" oil and gas sanctions on Russia and restart dialogue to secure energy supplies after talks with Orban.

Bratislava, April 5 Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has called on the European Union to resume dialogue with Russia and lift sanctions on Russian energy raw materials, after holding a phone call with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, local media STVR reported.

"The EU, and especially the EC (the European Commission), should immediately resume dialogue with Russia and ensure such a political and legal environment that individual member states and the EU as a whole replenish the missing gas and oil reserves and enable the supply of these strategic raw materials from all possible sources and directions, including Russia," Fico said in a post on social media on Saturday (local time).

He urged the "senseless sanctions" banning gas and oil imports from Russia to be lifted, and called for "decisive steps" to resume the operation of the Druzhba pipeline, reports Xinhua, quoting STVR media.

According to Fico, the phone call with Orban confirmed that the huge energy crisis cannot be tackled only at the national level. Fico said the governments of Slovakia and Hungary are protecting national economies and their citizens from the "ideological blindness and incompetence" of the EC.

Hungary and Slovakia have recently faced disruptions in oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian crude oil to Central Europe via Ukraine.

The situation has heightened tensions between the two countries and Ukraine, while raising concerns about the potential impact on regional energy supplies.

Meanwhile, earlier in March, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced that his government would gradually halt gas supplies to Ukraine, citing what he described as a continued blockade of crude oil deliveries to Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline.

In a video message posted on social media ahead of the weekly cabinet meeting, Orban said Ukraine has been blocking the pipeline for around 30 days.

"As long as Ukraine does not supply oil, it will not receive gas from Hungary," he said, adding that Ukraine had targeted infrastructure linked to Hungary's southern gas supply route.

Orban said that Hungary would retain gas volumes domestically and increase storage levels to safeguard its own energy security.

- IANS
Former Indian diplomat Sanjay Sudhir warns the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is a direct threat to food security for millions, including 10 million Indians in the Gulf. His comments come as U.S. President Donald Trump issued a final 48-hour ultimatum to Iran to reopen the strategic waterway or face severe consequences. Sudhir emphasized that while global focus is on oil, air cargo is not a sustainable solution for feeding the massive diaspora. The escalating crisis has prompted global alarm, with calls for urgent diplomatic intervention to prevent a wider military confrontation.

Former Ambassador Sanjay Sudhir warns the Strait of Hormuz closure threatens food for 10M Indians in Gulf as Trump issues a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran.

New Delhi, April 5 As the West Asia conflict reaches a critical flashpoint, former Indian Ambassador to the UAE Sanjay Sudhir has cautioned that the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz is no longer just an energy crisis but a direct threat to the food security of millions.

His comments come as U.S. President Donald Trump issued a final 48-hour ultimatum to Tehran, warning that "all hell will rain down" if the strategic shipping lane is not reopened and a deal reached.

Speaking with ANI, Sudhir highlighted a more immediate humanitarian concern: the survival of the 10 million Indians living in the Gulf while global markets remain fixated on oil prices.

Currently, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has halted the primary maritime route for food exports. Sudhir noted that while cargo flights are being used, they are not a "sustainable solution" for feeding millions.

"We have about 10 million Indians living in that part of the world. So, India is one of the main sources of food for the entire GCC, also our 10 million Indians. How does the food get there? It's through the Strait of Hormuz. So, while the focus might be on energy, we have to feed our people. Of course, there are cargo flights, but it's not a sustainable solution. The Strait of Hormuz has to open," he said.

The former diplomat noted that traditional blocs like the G7, NATO, or BRICS have limited leverage in this specific conflict due to the "nature of the combatants." For India, the priority remains a "proactive diplomacy" focused on two fronts, mitigating the "disproportionate hit" to LPG supplies and ensuring the 10 million-strong Indian diaspora in the Gulf does not face a food shortage.

"So, whether it's G7 countries or NATO countries or BRICS countries or India, there are limits to what they can do because the nature of the combatants in this war is of a very different nature altogether. The less said, the better. So India... what India can do only is to safeguard its energy security, the interests of its 10 million people living in that part of the world. I think that it is doing very well," he said.

With the 48-hour clock ticking, the region stands on the precipice of an all-out military confrontation that could permanently alter the global economic and political landscape.

On Saturday, President Trump took to social media to issue a final warning to the Iranian government: Iran has 48 hours (expiring Monday, April 6) to "make a deal" or unilaterally reopen the Strait.

Failure to comply will result in what Trump described as "all hell" raining down, likely referring to the resumption of strikes on Iran's energy and command infrastructure.

Sudhir characterised the regional situation with one word: uncertainty. He addressed the recent assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026, stating that India would not have sided with the military action.

"I don't think India would have sided with Israel on the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei because we were there to convey our condolences. You know, as I said, it's not our war. It's not a war of our making. It's something which we have to deal with. We have to deal with the situation for the advantage of our people, to meet our interests and all. So for that, we have been engaging in very proactive diplomacy. The thing is, for any country, there are limits to what they can do, whether it's India or the UK or Germany," he said

The escalating rhetoric has sparked global alarm. Mohamed ElBaradei, former Director General of the IAEA, issued an "urgent appeal" on X, imploring Gulf leaders and the United Nations to intervene before the region is "turned into a ball of fire."

ElBaradei questioned the efficacy of international institutions, calling on regional neighbours to act before the 48-hour window expires.

- ANI
Praveen Khandelwal has urged the government to take strict action against alleged malpractices by e-commerce and quick commerce companies, including predatory pricing and dark patterns. He called for the formation of a National Retail Development Council to ensure traders' voices are heard in policymaking. Khandelwal also emphasized the need for a comprehensive National E-commerce Policy and stricter regulations. While welcoming the Jan Vishwas Bill, he stressed that protecting India's traders is essential for inclusive economic growth.

MP Praveen Khandelwal calls for strict action against predatory pricing by e-commerce firms and a National Retail Development Council.

New Delhi, April 5 Member of Parliament and Secretary General of the Confederation of All India Traders, Praveen Khandelwal, has urged the government to curb alleged malpractices by certain e-commerce and quick commerce companies and called for the formation of a National Retail Development Council to ensure fair policymaking for the retail sector.

In a communication to Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Khandelwal expressed concern that practices adopted by some companies are "severely distorting India's retail trade ecosystem."

He highlighted that activities such as "predatory pricing, deep discounting, dark patterns, inventory-led models disguised as marketplaces, preferential treatment to select sellers, and the rapid expansion of dark stores" are harming fair competition and threatening the survival of small and medium traders.

"These companies cannot be allowed to operate in a manner that undermines India's economic sovereignty and disrupts fair competition. A level playing field between offline and online trade is essential for a balanced and sustainable growth of the economy," Khandelwal said.

The CAIT Secretary General also demanded that the government expedite the implementation of a comprehensive National E-commerce Policy and put in place strict regulatory frameworks to address these issues.

He further emphasised the need for an institutional platform representing traders and proposed the creation of a National Retail Development Council.

"Policies impacting trade must be formulated with active participation of stakeholders. A National Retail Development Council will ensure that the voice of traders is heard and integrated into the policy framework," he said.

Khandelwal noted that India's "more than 9 crore traders are not merely economic partners; they are the backbone of our supply chains, vital generators of employment, and custodians of trust in the marketplace," and their interests must be protected to ensure inclusive economic growth.

Welcoming the passage of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, Khandelwal said the legislation reflects the government's reform-oriented approach.

He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has strengthened trust-based governance and ease of doing business.

"This landmark reform reflects the Government's transformative, reform-oriented and trust-based governance approach. By further decriminalising business laws and reinforcing ease of doing business, it will significantly boost confidence among traders and entrepreneurs," Khandelwal said.

However, he stressed that while digital commerce has opened new opportunities, it has also created distortions in the marketplace, particularly due to certain foreign-funded e-commerce entities.

"A fair and transparent marketplace is the cornerstone of a strong and self-reliant economy," he added.

The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, recently passed by both Houses of Parliament, aims to further enhance ease of doing business and ease of living in the country.

According to official information, the Bill amends 784 provisions across 79 Central Acts administered by 23 Ministries. Of these, 717 provisions have been decriminalised to promote ease of doing business, while 67 provisions have been amended to facilitate ease of living.

Overall, the legislation seeks to rationalise more than 1,000 offences by removing minor offences and reducing the compliance burden on individuals and businesses, thereby improving the regulatory environment and creating a more conducive ecosystem for economic activity.

- ANI
Syrian authorities have temporarily closed the key Jdeidet Yabous border crossing with Lebanon, citing security concerns. The closure follows an Israeli military warning that it intended to target the road leading to the adjacent Masnaa crossing, alleging Hezbollah's use of the route. Syrian officials deny any military or militia presence at the crossing, asserting it is for civilian use only. Meanwhile, Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa emphasized the country's desire to avoid further conflict and focus on economic recovery.

Syria temporarily closes Jdeidet Yabous border crossing with Lebanon citing security concerns following Israeli military threats. Read details.

Damascus, April 5 Syrian authorities announced that a key border crossing with Lebanon will be temporarily closed due to security concerns following Israeli warnings of possible strikes on the area.

The General Authority for Land and Sea Borders and Crossings on Saturday (local time) said the Jdeidet Yabous crossing, opposite Lebanon's Masnaa crossing, is designated solely for civilian use, not for any military purposes.

"There are no armed groups or militias present at the crossing, and it is not used for any activity outside civilian and legal frameworks," the authority said in a statement.

Traffic would resume once the situation stabilises, it said.

The announcement came after the Israeli military said it intended to target the road leading to the Masnaa crossing, a major transit point along the Syrian-Lebanese border, alleging that Hezbollah uses the route for military actions, reports Xinhua news agency.

Tensions have remained high along the border amid ongoing regional hostilities involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

Meanwhile, earlier on March 31, Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa said that Syria will stay out of any conflict unless it is directly targeted, emphasising the country's focus on recovery after years of war.

"No one is ready to be involved in war, and we will not be in it, unless we are subject to aggression and we have no diplomatic solution," he said at an event hosted by think tank Chatham House in London.

Al-Sharaa said the government's priorities remain stabilising the economy, rebuilding infrastructure, and facilitating the return of displaced citizens.

"We had enough war. We paid a large bill. We are not ready for another war experience," he said. "Those who have been in war know the value of peace."

- IANS
The Chief Ministers and Governors of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh paid floral tributes and extended greetings on the 119th birth anniversary of former Deputy Prime Minister Babu Jagjivan Ram. They lauded his lifelong dedication to fighting caste discrimination, untouchability, and uplifting the Dalit community and working class. The leaders stated his legacy as a freedom fighter and social reformer continues to inspire efforts toward social justice and inclusive development. Each emphasized the need for future generations to carry forward his vision of a just and compassionate society.

Chief Ministers and Governors of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh paid rich tributes to freedom fighter and former Deputy PM Babu Jagjivan Ram on his 119th birth anniversary.

Hyderabad, April 5 The Chief Ministers and Governors of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on Sunday paid rich tributes to freedom fighter and former Deputy Prime Minister Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram on the occasion of his 119th birth anniversary.

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy paid tributes to the great leader's portrait at his residence in Jubilee Hills. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister lauded the efforts undertaken by the leader for the welfare of the downtrodden sections and the working class.

He recalled that Babu Jagjivan Ram fought against caste discrimination and untouchability, and dedicated his entire life to upholding the rights of Dalits. The Chief Minister stated that, inspired by Babuji, the government in Telangana is striving to ensure social justice and the well-being of all sections of society.

Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla extended warm greetings to the people on the occasion of Babu Jagjivan Ram Jayanti.

He described Babu Jagjivan Ram as a towering national leader, freedom fighter, and champion of social justice who worked for the upliftment of the marginalised. His commitment to equality and inclusive development helped shape a progressive India.

The Governor stated that his legacy should live forever, inspiring generations to build a just, inclusive, and compassionate society.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu also paid tributes to Babu Jagjivan Ram, calling him a valiant hero who dedicated his entire life to the upliftment of marginalised sections.

He noted that, as a social reformer, Babu Jagjivan Ram fought against untouchability and awakened public consciousness. Serving as a parliamentarian for a long period, he demonstrated his mettle in Legislative Assemblies, and until his last moments, he strived solely for the emancipation of the Dalit community, said the Chief Minister.

While offering his profound respects to Babu Jagjivan Ram, the Chief Minister hoped that future generations would carry forward his inspiration.

Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer paid rich tributes to Babu Jagjivan Ram on his birth anniversary. The Governor said Jagjivan Ram was a great leader and freedom fighter who worked for equality and the welfare of all sections of society.

His valuable contributions to nation-building and his commitment to social justice continue to inspire people of the nation, said the governor.

- IANS
Control Empresarial de Capitales S.A. de C.V., a 10% owner, reported the direct sale of 2,312,000 shares of Talos Energy (NYSE:TALO) in open-market transactions on March 26 and March 27, 2026, for a total value of approximately $38.5 million, according to a SEC Form 4 filing.

Transaction summary

Metric Value Shares sold (direct) 2,312,000 Transaction value $38.5 million Post-transaction shares (direct) 41,233,604 Post-transaction value (direct ownership) ~$683.24 million

Transaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average price ($16.67); post-transaction value based on March 27, 2026, market close price.

Key questions

What proportion of Control Empresarial de Capitales S.A. de C.V.'s total direct holdings was sold in this transaction?

The 2,312,000 shares sold represented 5.31% of the entity's direct holdings prior to the sale, reducing its direct position from 43.55 million to 41.23 million shares.

How does this sale compare to the entity's historical trading activity in Talos Energy?

This is the first direct sale by Control Empresarial de Capitales S.A. de C.V. since at least November 2023, based on available Form 4 data; previous transactions were acquisitions, not dispositions.

Did the transaction involve any indirect holdings or derivative securities?

No; all shares sold were held directly, and there were no reported transactions involving trusts, entities, or derivative securities in this filing.

Company overview

Metric Value Price (as of market close April 2, 2026) $15.65 Market capitalization $2.66 billion Revenue (TTM) $1.78 billion 1-year price change 123.9%

*1-year price change calculated using April 2, 2026, as the reference date.

Company snapshot

Talos Energy engages in the exploration and production of oil and natural gas, primarily in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and offshore Mexico, with proved reserves across crude oil and natural gas.

The company generates revenue through the extraction and sale of hydrocarbons, leveraging offshore assets and technical expertise to monetize reserves efficiently.

Talos Energy operates as an independent oil and gas exploration and production company with a focus on offshore assets in the Gulf of Mexico and Mexico. The company leverages its technical capabilities and asset base to drive production growth and resource development. Its competitive edge lies in its operational expertise and strategic positioning in key offshore energy basins.

What this transaction means for investors

Individual investors probably dont need to worry that this sale from a 10% owner is a sign of trouble at Talos Energy. For starters, the insider still held 41.2 million shares after the sale. Global oil prices are also likely to remain elevated due to the ongoing war in Iran.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended Easter greetings, highlighting the day's celebration of hope and renewal and urging kindness inspired by Jesus Christ's teachings. Separately, Pope Leo XIV, presiding over the Easter Vigil, called on the faithful to overcome burdens like fear and mistrust that divide people and nations. Easter, marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is the most significant festival in Christianity, celebrated after the 40-day Lenten period and Holy Week. The observance includes special church services and commemorates events from Palm Sunday through Good Friday to Easter Sunday.

PM Narendra Modi extends Easter wishes for peace and unity. Pope Leo XIV, in Easter Vigil message, urges overcoming fear and mistrust that divide.

New Delhi, April 5 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday extended greetings on Easter, saying the day "celebrates hope and renewal."

He wished for peace, joy, and unity, urging that the teachings of Jesus Christ inspire kindness and strengthen social togetherness.

In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Greetings on Easter. This sacred day celebrates hope and renewal. May it bring peace, joy and brightness to everyone's lives. May the teachings of Jesus Christ inspire all to be kind and strengthen the spirit of togetherness in society."

On this occasion, Pope Leo XIV, presiding over the Easter Vigil Mass at St. Peter's Basilica, urged the faithful to overcome fear, mistrust, and resentment.

He said these burdens "weigh heavily on the human heart" and can divide people and nations, calling on all not to be paralysed by them.

"Even today, there are tombs to be opened, and often the stones sealing them are so heavy and so closely guarded that they seem to be immovable. Some weigh heavily on the human heart, such as mistrust, fear, selfishness and resentment; others, stemming from these inner struggles, sever the bonds between us through war, injustice and the isolation of peoples and nations. Let us not allow ourselves to be paralysed by them!" Pope Leo said in a post on X.

Easter, one of the most significant festivals in Christianity, is being celebrated across the country and in different parts of the world with joy and devotion. Churches are holding special Masses and prayer services to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who was crucified and rose again on the third day.

Christians observe a 40-day Lenten period in preparation for Easter each year. This year, Lent began on February 18 with Ash Wednesday. During this period, devotees engaged in various spiritual practices such as fasting, Lenten walks, special meditations, pilgrimages, and participation in the Way of the Cross, reflecting on the sufferings and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

The final week of Lent is observed as Holy Week and holds special significance among the faithful. It began with Palm Sunday last week, followed by Maundy Thursday on April 2 and Good Friday on April 3, during which the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was commemorated.

Good Friday is followed by Easter, which marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is considered the most important festival in Christianity.

- ANI
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is campaigning in Virudhunagar and Madurai districts on Sunday, holding public rallies and a roadshow. In Virudhunagar, he will address a major rally supporting candidates from seven Assembly constituencies. Later, in Thirumangalam, Madurai, he will address another meeting backing nine alliance candidates before holding an evening roadshow in Madurai city. The intensive campaign in southern districts highlights the DMK's final push ahead of the Assembly elections.

Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin holds rallies and a roadshow in Virudhunagar and Madurai districts to campaign for DMK alliance candidates ahead of the Assembly elections.

Chennai, April 5 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will campaign across Virudhunagar and Madurai districts on Sunday, addressing a series of public meetings and a roadshow in support of DMK and alliance candidates.

Continuing his high-energy campaign trail, Stalin addressed public meetings on Saturday in Nagercoil and Sankarankovil in Tenkasi district before halting for the night at a guest house in Virudhunagar.

On Sunday, the Chief Minister is scheduled to address a major public rally in Virudhunagar. The meeting will be held at Chathirareddiapatti along the Madurai four-lane highway, where an elaborate stage has been set up to accommodate party cadres and supporters.

At the Virudhunagar event, Stalin will campaign in support of candidates from seven Assembly constituencies, including Sattur Ramachandran (Aruppukottai), Thangam Thennarasu (Tiruchuzhi), Ashokan (Sivakasi), Thanga Pandian (Rajapalayam), Vijay Prabhakar (Virudhunagar), Mahalingam (Srivilliputhur), and Bernadur Rajachirathur.

Following the Virudhunagar rally, Stalin will proceed to Thirumangalam in Madurai district, where he is slated to address another public meeting at 4 p.m. in Rayapalayam. This event will focus on mobilising support for nine DMK alliance candidates contesting in the district. Among those being backed are Palanivel Thiaga Rajan (Madurai Central), along with candidates from Madurai East, North, South, West, Thirumangalam, Tirupparankundram, Sholavandan, and Usilampatti constituencies.

Notably, the candidate for the Melur constituency is yet to be announced.

Later in the evening, Stalin will arrive in Madurai city, where he will hold a roadshow covering a key stretch from TVS Nagar bridge to Villapuram Jayavilas area in the Madurai West constituency.

The roadshow is expected to draw significant public participation as the DMK seeks to consolidate its voter base in the region.

Concluding the day's campaign schedule, the Chief Minister will depart for Chennai by flight around 7 p.m.

With just days remaining for the Assembly elections, Stalin's extensive campaign tour underscores the DMK's intensified efforts to strengthen its presence across southern districts and rally support for alliance candidates in closely contested constituencies.

- IANS
US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran, threatening "serious consequences" if it does not open the Strait of Hormuz. The warning comes amid existing U.S. military operations involving Iran, including a downed fighter jet. Maryland Governor Wes Moore expressed grave concern, warning the U.S. is "lurching again into another forever war" without clear objectives. Archbishop Timothy Broglio questioned the conflict's morality under just war theory, highlighting the human cost and ethical dilemmas for troops.

US President Trump threatens Iran over the Strait of Hormuz as military tensions rise. Governor Moore and Archbishop Broglio warn of a "forever war."

Washington, April 5 US President Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, threatening severe consequences in a social media post that underscored rising tensions in the region.

"Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!" Trump wrote.

He added: "Open the Strait, or you will face serious consequences - just watch."

Iranian officials had not publicly responded at the time of writing.

The development comes as the U.S. is already engaged in military operations involving Iran, including search and rescue efforts after a U.S. fighter jet was reportedly shot down inside Iranian territory, according to remarks made in a televised interview.

The escalating rhetoric has drawn concern from political and moral leaders, who warned about the risks of a prolonged conflict and its human cost.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore, speaking on CBS News' Face the Nation, cautioned against what he described as a slide into another extended conflict.

"We are very dangerously -- we are lurching again into another forever war," Moore said, recalling past U.S. military engagements.

He added that "no one understands or has articulated to us what exactly it is that we are doing, or what success looks like", calling for greater clarity from the administration.

Moore also linked rising domestic economic pressures to the conflict, saying governors "cannot control the fact that gas prices have gone up by over $1 because we decided to enter into another war of choice".

From a moral perspective, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who oversees Catholic chaplains serving U.S. forces, questioned the justification for the conflict.

"I would think under the just war theory, it is not," Broglio said, adding that the conflict appeared to be addressing a threat "before the threat is actually realised".

He emphasised the toll on both civilians and troops, noting that "lives are being lost, both there and also among our troops".

Broglio also highlighted the ethical dilemmas faced by service members, saying soldiers are often bound to follow orders unless they are "clearly immoral", while urging them "to do as little harm as you can, and to try and preserve innocent lives".

The archbishop added that framing the conflict in religious terms was problematic, noting that "the Lord Jesus certainly brought a message of peace" and that it is difficult "to cast this war as something that would be sponsored by the Lord".

- IANS
Iran has sharply criticized the United States, labeling a recent US military rescue operation a "bitter defeat" and claiming victory after shooting down an aircraft involved in the mission. The statement from Iranian spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari directly contradicts President Donald Trump's portrayal of the mission as a historic and daring success. Trump celebrated the rescue of a second F-15 crew member in a detailed social media post, vowing never to leave a warfighter behind. The incident underscores heightened military tensions, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claiming to have downed a US plane and reports of local tribesmen firing on American helicopters during the search.

Iran dismisses US rescue mission as a "bitter defeat," claiming it shot down a US aircraft. Trump hailed the operation as a historic success.

Tehran, April 5 Ebrahim Zolfaghari, the Spokesperson of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, on Sunday claimed that the United States faced a "bitter defeat" in southern Isfahan after President Donald Trump said that they had rescued the second F-15 crew member, who went missing after Iran downed the jet.

While President Trump called it the "most daring" search and rescue operation for the US military, stating that the government will "not leave a warfighter behind", Iran labelled it as their victory after shooting down one C-130-class aircraft involved in the operation.

According to Press TV, Zolfaghari said, "The heroic operations of Iranian forces against US aggressors in southern Isfahan reveal the hollow nature of the American military and the humiliating failure of its forces. Trump tries to justify the bitter defeat of his feeble army by creating confusion for public opinion."

"We had previously warned that the brave fighters of the nation in the armed forces, with God's help, would cut down any invader and utterly crush the aggressors. The decisive victory of Iranian forces in southern Isfahan is a clear example of this courageous action," he added.

This comes after Trump, in a social media post, hailed the rescue mission as a victory for the US. He also confirmed that the rescued crew member sustained injuries.

The US President wrote, "We got him! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now safe and sound! This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, but was never truly alone because his Commander in Chief, Secretary of War, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and fellow Warfighters were monitoring his location 24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue."

He noted that the US Military sent dozens of aircraft with the "most lethal weapons" for the second rescue mission, after local Iranian groups targeted two Black Hawk helicopters.

Trump said, "At my direction, the US Military sent dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him. He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine. This miraculous Search and Rescue Operation comes in addition to a successful rescue of another brave Pilot yesterday, which we did not confirm because we did not want to jeopardise our second rescue operation. This is the first time in military memory that two US Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory. We will never leave an American warfighter behind!"

"The fact that we were able to pull off both of these operations, without a single American killed, or even wounded, just proves once again that we have achieved overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies. This is a moment that all Americans, Republican, Democrat, and everyone else, should be proud of and united around. We truly have the best, most professional, and lethal Military in the History of the World. God bless America, God bless our Troops, and Happy Easter to all," the social media post read.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that it had shot down a US aircraft involved in the rescue operation.

According to Al Jazeera, Iran's Fars news agency has shared a photograph of smoke rising from a field.

Both the US and Iran were conducting search operations for the missing crew member. During the search operations, Iranian tribesmen reportedly opened fire on American helicopters, according to CNN.

- ANI
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has dismissed reports of confusion within the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) over candidate selection for the upcoming by-elections in Rahuri and Baramati. He clarified that the Baramati seat is with Sharad Pawar's NCP, while three leaders from his own party are interested in contesting from Rahuri. Raut stated that the final decision on Shiv Sena's participation rests with party president Uddhav Thackeray, following discussions within the alliance. The by-elections, scheduled for April 23, 2026, were necessitated by the demise of the sitting MLAs from these constituencies.

Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut clarifies MVA's candidate discussions for Rahuri and Baramati by-polls, emphasizing alliance unity and seat-sharing process.

Mumbai, April 5 Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday refuted claims of any confusion within the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi regarding discussions on the upcoming by-elections in Rahuri and Baramati constituencies.

Speaking at a press conference, Raut emphasised that the Baramati seat belongs to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, who had previously contested from the constituency. Meanwhile, he said, three candidates from Shiv Sena (UBT) have expressed interest in contesting the Rahuri seat.

"We want to make it clear that there is absolutely no confusion or disorder of any kind. There are two by-elections, both due to the unfortunate demise of sitting MLAs. Yesterday, Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray held discussions regarding these elections. Regarding Rahuri, a meeting is scheduled today with Sharad Pawar's party. The Baramati seat was not contested by us; it was contested by Sharad Pawar. For Rahuri, three prominent leaders from our party are interested, but the final decision will be made despite their interest. First preference will be given to the Nationalist Congress Party, since they had contested the seat previously; after our three interested leaders, it will be Congress's turn," said Raut.

Raut further clarified that NCP leader Sunetra Pawar will contest the by-polls in alliance with the BJP, while the final decision regarding Shiv Sena (UBT)'s participation rests with party president Uddhav Thackeray. He added that elections are a matter of respect and honour and it is inappropriate to urge anyone not to contest or leave a seat uncontested.

"Sunetra Pawar is contesting with the BJP, and while this was discussed with Uddhav Thackeray, the final decision rests with him. So far, the Shiv Sena chief has not given the final decision. Elections are a matter of respect and honor, and it is wrong to urge someone not to contest or to make a seat uncontested. Discussions within the Maha Vikas Aghadi are ongoing, and we remain united and together," said Raut.

He also noted that discussions regarding potential candidates took place between Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress Maharashtra chief Harshwardhan Sapkal.

"Regarding Congress, Harshwardhan Sapkal is the state president, and we have spoken with three potential candidates, though it is difficult to say when the candidates will be announced," he added.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the schedule for by-elections to eight Assembly constituencies in six states. The two Maharashtra constituencies include Rahuri in Ahilyanagar district and Baramati in Pune district.

The seats fell vacant following the demise of MLA Shivaji Bhanudas Kardile from Rahuri and MLA Ajit Anantrao Pawar from Baramati. Polling for these by-elections will be held on April 23, 2026, with counting scheduled for May 4.

- ANI
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) announced it will file a formal protest after Israeli soldiers destroyed surveillance cameras at its headquarters in Naqoura. The cameras were solely for monitoring the compound's immediate perimeter to ensure peacekeeper security. This incident follows an explosion at another UN position in southern Lebanon that seriously wounded three peacekeepers. UNIFIL spokesperson Candice Ardell emphasized a difficult week for personnel and reminded all parties of their obligation to avoid combat activities near peacekeepers.

UNIFIL will formally protest Israeli troops destroying security cameras at its Naqoura HQ, amid a week of incidents injuring peacekeepers in Lebanon.

Beirut, April 5 The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon has said that it will file a formal protest after Israeli soldiers destroyed surveillance cameras installed at its headquarters in Naqoura.

UNIFIL spokesperson Candice Ardell said in a statement on Saturday (local time) that Israeli troops had, since Friday, destroyed all cameras facing the Menghi road at the mission's general headquarters in Naqoura.

The cameras were positioned solely to monitor the UNIFIL compound's immediate area, ensuring the security of its peacekeepers, Ardell said.

Ardell said UNIFIL had conveyed its serious concern to the Israeli army and would submit a formal protest, reports Xinhua news agency.

The incident comes amid broader regional hostilities involving the United States, Israel and Iran, as well as repeated recent incidents affecting UNIFIL positions in southern Lebanon.

Earlier on Friday, an explosion inside a United Nations position near the Adaisseh area in southern Lebanon wounded three peacekeepers, two of them seriously, said the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.

UNIFIL spokesperson Candice Ardell said the injured peacekeepers were transported to the hospital, adding that the source of the explosion remains unknown, Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported.

"It has been a difficult week for peacekeepers operating near the central sector of UNIFIL's area of operations. We wish a full and speedy recovery to all those injured," Ardell said, according to the NNA.

She added that UNIFIL reminds all parties of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers, including avoiding nearby combat activities that could put them at risk.

The incident comes after several security incidents affecting UNIFIL positions and patrols were reported in southern Lebanon in recent days amid ongoing tensions along the Blue Line.

- IANS
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan paid tribute to freedom fighter and social justice pioneer Babu Jagjivan Ram on his birth anniversary, praising his service to the nation and welfare of the exploited. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also offered homage, honoring Jagjivan Ram's dedication to social justice and empowerment. Babu Jagjivan Ram, a national leader and Dalit icon, served as a Cabinet Minister for 35 years, holding key portfolios. He is credited with leading the Green Revolution as Agriculture Minister and serving as Defence Minister during India's victory in the 1971 war.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and UP CM Yogi Adityanath pay homage to freedom fighter and social justice pioneer Babu Jagjivan Ram.

New Delhi, April 5 Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday paid tribute to freedom fighter and social justice pioneer Babu Jagjivan Ram on his birth anniversary.

He praised his lifelong service to the nation and his efforts for the welfare of the exploited and weaker sections of society

In a post on X, Chouhan wrote, "On the birth anniversary of the great freedom fighter, pioneer of social justice, and revered Babu Jagjivan Ram Ji, I offer millions of salutations!"

"The work you did for the service of the nation and the welfare of the exploited and deprived sections of society will forever continue to inspire us all," the post read.

Popularly known as Babuji, Jagjivan Ram was one of India's greatest Dalit icons who fought for the rights of the underprivileged.

Babu Jagjivan Ram was a freedom fighter and national leader who fought tirelessly for the upliftment of the downtrodden. He was a Cabinet Minister for 35 years - the longest serving Minister handling several key portfolios. He brought about path-breaking reforms.

As Food and Agriculture Minister, he is credited with the success of the 'Green Revolution' in India, while as Defence Minister, he led India to the historic win in the 1971 war that saw the birth of Bangladesh.

Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also paid homage to freedom fighter Babu Jagjivan Ram on his birth anniversary.

He praised his lifelong dedication to social justice, empowerment of the weaker sections, and the promotion of equality and harmony in society.

In a post on X, CM Yogi wrote, "On the birth anniversary of the great freedom fighter, champion of social justice, former Deputy Prime Minister, and people's leader Babu Jagjivan Ram, humble tributes. Throughout his life, he strengthened the voice of society's deprived, exploited, and weaker sections and continuously struggled for equal opportunities and social harmony."

"His life inspires us that by walking the path of service, dedication, and social harmony, society can be made even more just," the post read.

- ANI
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid homage to former Deputy Prime Minister Babu Jagjivan Ram on his birth anniversary, praising his lifelong dedication to social justice and empowerment. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary also offered tributes, lauding Jagjivan Ram's struggle and contribution to nation-building. Jagjivan Ram, a revered Dalit icon and freedom fighter, served as a Cabinet Minister for 35 years, holding key portfolios. He is credited with the success of India's Green Revolution as Food Minister and led the country to victory in the 1971 war as Defence Minister.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath and Bihar Dy CM Samrat Choudhary honor freedom fighter and former Deputy PM Babu Jagjivan Ram's legacy of social justice.

Lucknow, April 5 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday paid homage to freedom fighter and former Deputy Prime Minister Babu Jagjivan Ram on his birth anniversary.

He praised his lifelong dedication to social justice, empowerment of the weaker sections, and the promotion of equality and harmony in society.

In a post on X, CM Yogi wrote, "On the birth anniversary of the great freedom fighter, champion of social justice, former Deputy Prime Minister, and people's leader Babu Jagjivan Ram, humble tributes. Throughout his life, he strengthened the voice of society's deprived, exploited, and weaker sections and continuously struggled for equal opportunities and social harmony."

"His life inspires us that by walking the path of service, dedication, and social harmony, society can be made even more just," the post read.

Further, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary also paid tribute to Jagjivan Ram, lauding his dedication, lifelong struggle for social justice, and lasting contribution to nation-building.

"On the birth anniversary of the country's former Deputy Prime Minister, great freedom fighter, and pioneer of social justice, Babu Jagjivan Ram Ji, I offer him countless salutations," Choudhary wrote in a post on X.

"His dedication, struggle, and contribution to nation-building will forever continue to inspire us all," the post read.

Popularly known as Babuji, Jagjivan Ram was one of India's greatest Dalit icons who fought for the rights of the underprivileged.

Babu Jagjivan Ram was a freedom fighter and national leader who fought tirelessly for the upliftment of the downtrodden. He was a Cabinet Minister for 35 years, the longest serving Minister handling several key portfolios. He brought about path-breaking reforms.

As Food and Agriculture Minister, he is credited with the success of the 'Green Revolution' in India, while as Defence Minister, he led India to the historic win in the 1971 war that saw the birth of Bangladesh.

- ANI
The production unit of the upcoming Tamil film 'Arivu' undertook the renovation of a government school in Letchmi, Munnar, while shooting sequences there. Noticing a lack of basic facilities, producer Sai Vinod Jayakumar initiated work to provide drinking water and a fresh coat of paint. The socially conscious gesture has been widely praised by local students and residents. The film, which features a storyline centered on women's rights, has completed its first schedule in Munnar and is now shooting in Theni.

The unit of Tamil film 'Arivu' renovates a Munnar school, providing facilities and paint. Producer Sai Vinod Jayakumar led the CSR gesture during shooting.

Chennai, April 5 The unit of director Sathya Siva's eagerly awaited Tamil film 'Arivu', which recently completed the film's first schedule of shooting at Munnar has now renovated a government school in the place much to the delight of the people in the region.

Sources close to the unit of the film, which features actor Vijay Kumar of Uriyadi fame and actress Kayal Anandhi in the lead, said some sequences of the film were shot at a government school in a place called Letchmi near Ottapaarai in Munnar.

While shooting there, the film's unit noticed that the school did not have adequate basic facilities for students. Immediately, the producer of the film, Sai Vinod Jayakumar, chose to undertake steps to provide such facilities at the school, sources said.

Accordingly, renovation work was carried out in the school. Also, the structure was given a fresh coat of paint. In addition, drinking water facilities have now been provided at the school. This gesture by the film unit has come in for praise from the students and the people in the region.

After completing the first phase of the film's shooting at Munnar, the unit is now in the midst of its second schedule at Theni.

For the unaware, 'Arivu' will feature a strong social storyline centered on women's rights. Apart from Vijay Kumar and Anandhi, the film will also feature I M Vijayan, Deepa Shankar and Singam Puli in pivotal roles.

Sathyasiva, who has written the story and screenplay, is known for conveying strong social themes in a vibrant cinematic language. The film is being produced by Sai Vinod Jayakumar under the banner of Movietron Productions.

On the technical front, music for the film is being scored by D. Imman. Cinematography for the film is by Dil Raju while editing is by Vetri Krishnan. Art direction is by S K Ramu.

Sources close to the unit say that the team plans to complete shooting before the Tamil New Year.

- IANS
Iranian journalist Elham Abedini asserts that lasting peace in the region requires the United States and Israel to acknowledge the end of their hegemony. She dismisses diplomatic talks leading only to temporary ceasefires, emphasizing Iran's goal is a comprehensive victory that forces a Western retreat. The comments come as Iran defiantly rejected a 48-hour ultimatum from US President Donald Trump concerning the Strait of Hormuz. Concurrently, Iranian military officials claimed to have shot down US fighter jets and vowed to achieve complete control of the country's airspace.

Iranian analyst Elham Abedini states the war won't end until the US and Israel accept their regional dominance is finished, dismissing Trump's ultimatum.

Tehran, April 5 Iranian journalist and international relations analyst Elham Abedini has stated that the ongoing regional conflict will not conclude until the United States and Israel recognise that their "hegemony" in the Middle East is over.

Speaking to ANI, Abedini addressed the current geopolitical friction, stating, "We notice what the United States and the Israeli regime want from us. These are just reminders of colonialism and imperialism. Iran has announced that the Strait of Hormuz and maritime activity in this region would never be the same as it was before the war, and the 47 years of hospitality in the region are just over."

Regarding the prospects of a diplomatic breakthrough, Abedini emphasised that Tehran is seeking more than a temporary pause in hostilities.

"The important issue about diplomatic talks or any ceasefire is that the United States accept that this kind of hegemony in this region is over. This war would not end until the United States and the Israeli regime understand this issue. What is obvious is that any ceasefire, any talks to a ceasefire, would lead us to a temporary ceasefire, not a stable peace. This is not what Iranians and Iranian officials want," she added.

These remarks come as Iran's central military command dismissed a 48-hour ultimatum issued by US President Donald Trump, who threatened the destruction of the nation's essential infrastructure should a peace agreement not be reached, Al Jazeera reported.

The US leader warned of severe military consequences if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened.

Responding to the ultimatum, General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, representing the "Khatam al-Anbiya" Central Headquarters, characterised the American president's rhetoric as "a helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action."

The defiant stance from Tehran follows a post by President Trump on his Truth Social platform, which served as a stern reminder of a previous deadline.

"Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out--48 hours before all hell will rain down on them. Glory be to GOD! President DONALD J. TRUMP," the post read.

The escalating rhetoric marks a sharp pivot from earlier diplomatic windows.

On March 26, Trump had stated he was pausing strikes on energy infrastructure until April 6, 2026, claiming the extension came as per a "request" from the Iranian Government and that negotiations were "going very well."

On the military front, Iran on Saturday asserted it will "achieve complete control" of its airspace after claiming to have shot down multiple US fighter jets, according to Iranian state media Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).

While the spokesperson of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters described Friday as a "Black Friday and a disgrace" for US and Israeli forces, US official sources confirmed to CNN only the downing of an "F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet."

Commenting on these reports of a US fighter jet being shot down, Abedini told ANI, "Iran's ambition is to win this war comprehensively. We know our strengths and weaknesses. The United States and the Israeli regime don't understand their weaknesses. We want peace and stability in the region, not just for Iran, but for all countries in the region. Our final aim is to force the United States and the Israeli regime to evacuate and flee the region."

The spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, as quoted by IRIB, stated that the "steadfast and brave warriors of Islam" delivered accurate strikes against enemy aircraft.

"We had previously announced that we would show our abilities on the field. The enemy should know that we are equipped with modern air defence systems that have been built by the proud and knowledgeable youth of this country and are being unveiled one after another in the field. We will definitely achieve complete control of our country's skies and prove to the world the infernal enemy's inhumanity more than ever before," the spokesperson said.

Additionally, a commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Ashura unit told Tasnim News Agency that the "ultimate victor in the war is the Iranian nation."

The commander noted that the expectation of the Iranian people is a "direct confrontation with the policies of America and the Zionist regime," and that "officials must stand alongside the people."

- ANI
BCE Inc. (NYSE:BCE) is included among the 15 Cheapest Stocks with Highest Dividends.

TD Securities Turns Cautious on BCE, Lowers ARPU Estimates

On April 2, TD Securities downgraded BCE Inc. (NYSE:BCE) to Hold from Buy and set a C$37 price target. Analyst Vince Valentini reduced his average revenue per user (ARPU) growth estimates by 100 basis points across the next seven quarters for three major telecom players.

On March 16, Reuters reported that BCE plans to invest an additional $1.7 billion to build a 300-megawatt AI data center in Saskatchewan, with Cerebras Systems and CoreWeave signed on as tenants. A unit of BCE, Bell Canada, is working with a provincial government to develop and operate what it described as the largest purpose-built AI data center in Canada once completed. The company expects to spend around $1.3 billion in capital expenditures in 2026 to support construction. Funding will come from a mix of debt and available cash.

Cerebras Systems is expected to supply AI chips for large-scale training and computing. CoreWeave will provide AI computing capacity using processors from NVIDIA. Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring. The project will roll out in phases, with the first stage expected to be operational in the first half of 2027. The facility is intended to serve as a regional hub for advanced computing. It is expected to support the expansion of Canadas AI ecosystem and contribute to economic growth in Saskatchewan.

It will also connect to Bells fibre network through a partnership with SaskTel. Both companies will act as go-to-market partners to deliver AI-powered products and services. BCE has also raised its forecast for AI-driven solutions revenue to about $2 billion by 2028, up from a prior estimate of roughly $1.5 billion.

BCE Inc. (NYSE:BCE) is a Canada-based communications company. It provides broadband Internet, wireless, television, media, and business communication services through its Bell brand. The company operates through two segments: Bell Communication and Technology Services and Bell Media.

While we acknowledge the potential of BCE as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 13 Best Diversified Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now and 14 Cheap DRIP Stocks to Buy Now

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.
The United States has successfully rescued a second crew member from an F-15E fighter jet shot down over Iran in a daring operation described by President Trump. The weapons systems officer was recovered from hostile, mountainous territory after being unaccounted for since Friday. The high-risk mission involved dozens of aircraft and special operations forces, with two support aircraft destroyed during the operation. The rescue comes amid heightened tensions, with Trump issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz.

President Trump announces the successful rescue of a second US airman shot down over Iran in a high-risk, behind-enemy-lines mission.

Washington, April 5 The United States has rescued a second crew member of a fighter jet shot down over Iran, President Donald Trump said, describing the operation as one of the most daring search-and-rescue missions in recent military history.

"WE GOT HIM!" Trump posted on Truth Social in the wee hours of Sunday, announcing that the missing airman had been recovered after hours of intensive operations deep inside Iranian territory.

U.S. forces "located and evacuated the missing weapons systems officer who was downed over Iran," Fox News reported, citing senior officials and sources familiar with the mission.

The airman had been unaccounted for since Friday, when an F-15E fighter jet was shot down during a combat mission. Both crew members ejected, with one pilot rescued earlier, triggering a large-scale effort to recover the second officer behind enemy lines.

Trump said the rescued officer had been "behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies," but was "now SAFE and SOUND." He added the airman "sustained injuries, but he will be just fine."

According to US officials cited by multiple media outlets, the operation involved dozens of aircraft and special operations forces navigating hostile terrain. The Washington Post reported the mission was "high risk," with rescue aircraft flying over mountainous areas while Iranian forces and militias moved closer to the crash site.

The Pentagon has not released full operational details. However, officials confirmed that all personnel involved in the rescue are now out of Iranian airspace safely.

In a separate development, two US Special Operations aircraft were destroyed on the ground during the mission after becoming unusable, according to a person familiar with the operation.

The rescue marked the second successful recovery in as many days. Trump said an earlier operation had retrieved another pilot, but the information was not disclosed at the time to avoid jeopardising the ongoing mission.

"This is the first time in military memory that two U.S. Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory," Trump said, adding: "WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND!"

He also claimed the operations demonstrated US "overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies," noting that "we were able to pull off both of these operations, without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded."

The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Trump has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning that "all hell will rain down" if the demand is not met, according to media reports.

The F-15E Strike Eagle involved in the incident is a two-seat combat aircraft used for air-to-ground and air-to-air missions. Both crew members - a pilot and a weapons systems officer - are trained to operate in high-risk combat environments.

- IANS
A senior US lawmaker, John Moolenaar, has sharply criticized China's record on religious freedom ahead of Easter. He accused the Chinese Communist Party of persecuting Christians, specifically mentioning imprisoned figures like Pastor Jin and Jimmy Lai. Moolenaar called on Chinese leadership, including Xi Jinping, to allow religious freedom, drawing parallels to biblical accounts of persecution. The remarks highlight ongoing human rights scrutiny and broader tensions between Washington and Beijing.

A senior US lawmaker accuses China of persecuting Christians and calls for greater religious freedoms, drawing parallels to early Christian persecution.

Washington, April 5 A senior US lawmaker has criticised China's record on religious freedom ahead of Easter, accusing the Chinese Communist Party of persecuting Christians and calling for greater freedoms in the country.

Chairman John Moolenaar of the Select Committee on China said the faith of imprisoned Christians in China would continue to inspire others despite state repression.

"When he was imprisoned for his faith in Jesus, Paul wrote to the Philippians, 'It has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear,'" Moolenaar said in a statement marking Easter.

He drew parallels between early Christian persecution and present-day conditions in China.

"Such is the case in China, where the CCP's chains on Pastor Jin, Jimmy Lai, and other followers of Jesus will only encourage others to spread the good news of Christ's victory over the grave," he said.

Moolenaar also called on Chinese leadership to change course.

"As we celebrate Easter this Sunday, I pray that just as Paul was once a vicious oppressor of Christians, that Xi Jinping and the CCP will see the light and allow the people of China to have freedom of religion - a right we have had as Americans for 250 years," he said.

The remarks come amid ongoing scrutiny in Washington over China's treatment of religious minorities, including Christians, Muslims, and other faith groups.

Lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties have frequently raised concerns over restrictions on worship, surveillance, and detention linked to religious practices.

The statement also reflects broader tensions between Washington and Beijing, where human rights issues remain a persistent point of friction alongside trade, technology, and security disputes.

- IANS
Top US senators have urgently called on President Donald Trump to block Chinese automakers from operating in the United States, citing severe economic and national security risks. They warned that allowing Chinese state-backed firms into the US market could displace millions of American jobs supported by the auto sector. The lawmakers highlighted concerns over connected vehicles transmitting sensitive infrastructure data and ties to China's military-civil fusion strategy. They also urged action to prevent Chinese vehicles made in Canada and Mexico from entering the US market.

Top US senators urge President Trump to block Chinese automakers, citing risks to national security, American jobs, and economic competition.

Washington, April 5 Top US senators have urged President Donald Trump to block Chinese automakers from operating in the United States, warning of risks to national security and American jobs, according to a congressional press release.

Senators Tammy Baldwin, Chuck Schumer, and Elissa Slotkin called for action after Trump signalled openness to Chinese firms entering the US market, saying at a forum: "Let China come in."

In a letter to the president, the lawmakers warned: "Allowing automakers headquartered in China, which operate with backing from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), to build and sell vehicles in the United States would have far-reaching consequences for our economic and national security."

They added: "We urge you to stay the course and make it clear that Chinese auto manufacturers and their products present unprecedented dangers to our economic and national security, and their manufacture, sale, or operation on US soil is non-negotiable."

The senators also asked the administration to prohibit Chinese vehicles made in Canada and Mexico from entering the US, and to coordinate with allies to counter what they described as a growing global threat.

The letter said the US auto sector accounts for roughly 3 to 5 percent of GDP and supports about 10.95 million jobs, including a wide supply chain spanning steel, semiconductors and tyres.

Lawmakers argued that Chinese state subsidies and labour practices distort competition. They said China's system of "illegal state subsidies" and "low wages, and poor working conditions" creates an uneven playing field for US workers.

They also warned that Chinese firms' vertically integrated supply chains could displace American jobs. "For every job on a vehicle assembly line, there are roughly two jobs in the auto parts and supplier network," the letter noted.

The senators flagged growing Chinese auto ties with Canada and Mexico, including reduced Canadian tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, as a potential threat to North American trade arrangements.

National security concerns featured prominently. Lawmakers said modern connected vehicles could transmit sensitive data about infrastructure. They warned such systems "can connect with systems outside of the vehicle itself, sending information about our infrastructure and built environment to external entities."

They also raised concerns about remote control risks and links between Chinese companies and military-civil fusion strategies.

"The United States must reaffirm our clear position - that Chinese vehicles of all types and automakers are not welcome to operate here in any capacity," the senators said, urging continued restrictions on connected vehicles.

The push reflects broader bipartisan concerns in Washington over China's role in critical supply chains, including technology, manufacturing and infrastructure.

- IANS
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that the state is most fortunate to possess the largest youth energy, which is crucial for national progress. He invoked Swami Vivekananda's vision and cited the youthful sacrifices of historical figures like Maharana Pratap and Chhatrapati Shivaji. The CM also paid tribute to former Deputy Prime Minister Babu Jagjivan Ram on his birth anniversary, praising his dedication to social justice. He emphasized that this demographic strength is pivotal in shaping the nation's future.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath emphasizes youth energy as key to India's future, invoking Swami Vivekananda and historical heroes in Gorakhpur address.

Gorakhpur, April 6 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday highlighted the importance of youth power, saying that the energy of young people is the driving force behind the nation's progress.

Addressing a gathering in Gorakhpur, he recalled the words of Swami Vivekananda, who had said that "If I get 100 energetic youths, I will change the destiny of India", underlining the transformative potential of the younger generation.

The Chief Minister also paid tribute to historical figures such as Maharana Pratap, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and Guru Gobind Singh, noting that they made great sacrifices for the country in their youth.

"Swami Vivekananda Ji had said that if I get 100 energetic youths, I will change the destiny of India. This means that youth energy is the energy of the nation... All great heroes, including Maharana Pratap, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who sacrificed their lives for the country, were youths... In India, youth power has always been aligned with truth, the eternal, and positive energy. The world is fortunate, and within India, Uttar Pradesh is the most fortunate, to have the largest youth energy", he said.

He emphasised that this demographic strength plays a crucial role in shaping the future of the nation.

CM Yogi Adityanath on Sunday paid homage to freedom fighter and former Deputy Prime Minister Babu Jagjivan Ram on his birth anniversary.

He praised his lifelong dedication to social justice, empowerment of the weaker sections, and the promotion of equality and harmony in society.

In a post on X, CM Yogi wrote, "On the birth anniversary of the great freedom fighter, champion of social justice, former Deputy Prime Minister, and people's leader Babu Jagjivan Ram, humble tributes. Throughout his life, he strengthened the voice of society's deprived, exploited, and weaker sections and continuously struggled for equal opportunities and social harmony."

"His life inspires us that by walking the path of service, dedication, and social harmony, society can be made even more just," the post read.

- ANI
The Congress party has named P. Viswanathan as its candidate for the Melur Assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu. The selection ends internal discussions and reported differences among senior leaders over the nominee. Viswanathan is a seasoned leader, a former MP, and currently a Congress national secretary. With this announcement, the party has completed its candidate slate for all 28 constituencies allotted to it in the DMK-led alliance.

Congress names P Viswanathan as its candidate for Melur in Tamil Nadu polls, finalizing its 28-seat slate for the DMK alliance.

Chennai, April 5 With the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections scheduled for April 23, political parties have entered the final phase of candidate selection and campaign mobilisation.

The Congress, a key ally in the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, has been allotted 28 constituencies for the 2026 Assembly elections. The party has now announced its candidate for the Melur Assembly constituency.

After days of internal discussions and reported differences among senior leaders, the Congress has finalised its candidate for Melur. The party has named P. Viswanathan as its nominee, bringing closure to speculation surrounding the seat.

According to party sources, the delay in announcing the Melur candidate stemmed from differing opinions between senior Congress leaders, including MPs Manickam Tagore and Karti Chidambaram.

There were also suggestions that a Youth Congress leader be fielded from the constituency. However, the final decision is believed to have been influenced by senior leader P. Chidambaram, whose intervention reportedly played a key role in Viswanathan's selection.

P. Viswanathan is a seasoned Congress leader and a former Member of Parliament from the Kancheepuram constituency. He currently serves as a national secretary of the Congress and is also in charge of party affairs in Telangana.

Known for his organisational experience, Viswanathan had recently expressed interest in contesting from a general constituency, which has now materialised with his nomination from Melur.

Earlier, the Congress released a list of candidates for 27 constituencies across Tamil Nadu, including key seats such as Ponneri, Tiruperumbudur, Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Karaikudi, Sivakasi, Krishnagiri, and Ambasamudram, among others.

The party has fielded a mix of experienced leaders and fresh faces as part of its strategy to strengthen its presence in the state.

With the announcement of Viswanathan's candidature, the Congress has now completed its slate of nominees for all 28 constituencies allocated to it under the alliance arrangement.

The focus now shifts to campaign intensity, as the DMK-led alliance aims to retain power in Tamil Nadu amid a multi-cornered contest involving the AIADMK alliance and other regional players.

As the countdown to polling day begins, all eyes are on how these final candidate selections will influence electoral dynamics across key constituencies.

- IANS
President Donald Trump confirmed the successful rescue of a second F-15 crew member who had been missing in Iran after the jet was downed. He described the mission as one of the most daring search and rescue operations in U.S. history, involving dozens of aircraft. The operation faced challenges as local Iranian tribal groups reportedly fired upon American Black Hawk helicopters during the search. Trump emphasized that both rescues were completed without a single American casualty, showcasing U.S. air dominance.

President Donald Trump confirms a daring US military operation rescued a second F-15 crew member in Iran, vowing to never leave a warfighter behind.

Washington DC, April 5 United States President Donald Trump on Sunday confirmed that the military rescued the second F-15 crew member, who went missing after Iran downed the jet amid the West Asia conflict.

In a post on social media portal Truth Social, Trump called it the "most daring" search and rescue operation for the US military, stating that the government will "not leave a warfighter behind."

He also confirmed that the crew member sustained injuries.

He wrote, "We got him! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now safe and sound! This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, but was never truly alone because his Commander in Chief, Secretary of War, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and fellow Warfighters were monitoring his location 24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue."

He noted that the US Military sent dozens of aircraft with the "most lethal weapons" for the second rescue mission, after local Iranian groups targeted two Black Hawk helicopters.

Trump said, "At my direction, the US Military sent dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him. He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine. This miraculous Search and Rescue Operation comes in addition to a successful rescue of another brave Pilot yesterday, which we did not confirm because we did not want to jeopardise our second rescue operation. This is the first time in military memory that two US Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory. We will never leave an American warfighter behind!"

"The fact that we were able to pull off both of these operations, without a single American killed, or even wounded, just proves once again that we have achieved overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies. This is a moment that all Americans, Republican, Democrat, and everyone else, should be proud of and united around. We truly have the best, most professional, and lethal Military in the History of the World. God bless America, God bless our Troops, and Happy Easter to all," the social media post read.

Both the US and Iran were conducting search operations for the missing crew member. During the search operations, Iranian tribesmen reportedly opened fire on American helicopters, according to CNN.

The incident occurred in the isolated highlands of the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad provinces, as well as the Bakhtiari region, where local groups targeted two Black Hawk helicopters on Saturday, as detailed by Iran's Fars News Agency.

Following the confrontation, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) praised the tribal groups, describing them as "courageous, valiant and victorious guardians of the borders," as per reports cited by CNN.

This followed the release of footage on Friday allegedly depicting nomadic Bakhtiari tribesmen armed with rifles patrolling the mountainous terrain of Iran's Khuzestan province in search of the American personnel. In the video, one of the individuals is heard saying, "God willing, he will be found."

To further incentivise the search, Iranian authorities had reportedly announced substantial financial bounties for the successful capture of the missing individual.

- ANI
Yemen's Houthi group claims it conducted a joint military operation with Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hezbollah, targeting Israel's Ben Gurion Airport and other sites using missiles and drones. The group's military spokesperson stated the operation successfully achieved its objectives, though Israeli authorities have not immediately confirmed the strikes. This attack is part of a series of escalatory actions the Houthis have launched since late March in support of allied forces across the region. The spokesperson emphasized their intervention is "gradual" and will continue to respond based on developments in the ongoing regional confrontation.

Yemen's Houthis claim a joint operation with Iran's IRGC & Hezbollah targeted Israel's Ben Gurion Airport. Read the latest on escalating Middle East tensions.

Sanaa, April 5 Yemen's Houthi group has said that it had carried out a joint military operation targeting Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, along with other key military sites, using a ballistic missile and multiple drones.

In a statement broadcast by the group's al-Masirah television on Saturday (Local time), Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said the operation was conducted with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Iranian army, and Hezbollah in Lebanon, adding that the mission had "successfully achieved its objectives."

There was no immediate confirmation from Israeli authorities regarding the strikes, reports Xinhua news agency.

The Houthis began launching missile and drone attacks against Israel on March 28 in support of its allied forces across the region, including those in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and Palestine, as tensions continue to rise in the Middle East.

The group, which has controlled Sanaa and much of northern Yemen since late 2014, previously supported Iran during last year's 12-day conflict with the United States and Israel.

Earlier on Thursday, the Houthis said that they had launched a fourth wave of coordinated ballistic missile attacks targeting Israel, saying the move is part of an escalating regional confrontation involving multiple allied forces.

In a statement aired by the group's al-Masirah television, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said the group had carried out a joint operation alongside Iran and Hezbollah against what he described as "vital enemy targets" in the Jaffa area in Israel.

"Our military intervention in this important and exceptional battle is gradual," Sarea said, adding that the group would continue to respond based on developments on the ground.

"We will not stop here and will respond to developments according to whether the enemy escalates or de-escalates," he said.

Sarea noted that the missile attacks were part of ongoing support for allied forces across the region, including those in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and Palestine, as tensions continue to rise in the Middle East.

- IANS
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly praised US President Donald Trump following the successful rescue of a US F-15 crew member from Iran. He called the operation a testament to decisive leadership and the shared military ethos of leaving no soldier behind. Netanyahu drew parallels to Israel's own history of daring rescues, including the Entebbe operation where his brother was killed. President Trump confirmed the rescue, calling it one of the most daring operations in US military history.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu congratulates President Trump on the daring rescue of a US F-15 crew member from Iran, citing shared military values.

Tel Aviv, April 5 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday praised US President Donald Trump following the high-risk rescue of a US F-15 crew member from Iran after it was downed by the Islamic Republic earlier this week, calling it a testament to decisive leadership and shared values between the two nations.

In a video statement posted on X, Netanyahu congratulated Trump on the successful operation, stating that "all Israelis rejoice in the incredible rescue of a brave American pilot by America's dauntless warriors".

Highlighting the significance of the mission, Netanyahu said the operation demonstrated how "free societies muster their courage and their resolve" to overcome "seemingly insurmountable odds" and confront threats posed by "forces of darkness and terror."

He further emphasised the enduring military ethos of both countries, noting that the rescue reinforced the "sacred principle" that no soldier is left behind - a value deeply rooted in both Israeli and American history.

"Congratulations, President Trump! All Israelis rejoice in the incredible rescue of a brave American pilot by America's dauntless warriors. This proves that when free societies muster their courage and their resolve, they can confront seemingly insurmountable odds and overcome the forces of darkness and terror. This rescue operation reinforces the sacred principle: no one is left behind. This is a shared value demonstrated time and time again in the history of both our countries," the Israeli PM said.

Drawing from personal and national experience, Netanyahu referenced Israel's history of daring rescue missions, including the Entebbe rescue operation, in which his brother, Yonatan Netanyahu, was killed and also recalled his own injury during a military operation, underscoring his understanding of the risks involved in such decisions.

"As a nation that repeatedly carried out daring rescue operations, and as someone who was wounded in such a mission and lost a brother in the Entebbe rescue, Israelis and I know what a bold decision you took," Netanyahu added.

Praising Trump directly, Netanyahu added, "President Trump, Donald, my dear friend, once again your decisive leadership brought another great victory to America. I salute you! We all do!"

Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump confirmed that the military rescued the second F-15 crew member, who went missing after Iran downed the jet.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump called it the "most daring" search and rescue operation for the US military, stating that the government will "not leave a warfighter behind". He also stated that the crew member sustained injuries.

"We got him! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now safe and sound! This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, but was never truly alone because his Commander in Chief, Secretary of War, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and fellow Warfighters were monitoring his location 24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue," Trump stated in his post.

- ANI
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (NYSE:TSM) is one of the best future stocks to buy for the next 5 years. On April 1, Reuters reported that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., or simply TSMC, is set to launch 3-nanometre wafer production at its second factory in Japan in 2028. According to a Taiwanese government filing, the facility will have a monthly capacity of 15,000 12-inch wafers using this advanced process technology.

This follows a February meeting between TSMC CEO CC Wei and Japans Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, where the shift toward more sophisticated semiconductor manufacturing was first indicated. This strategy marks an advancement from TSMCs earlier plans for its Japanese operations, which initially focused on less-advanced nodes. While the first fabrication plant began volume production in late 2024, the total investment for the first two facilities is expected to exceed $20 billion.

Reports suggest the second factory alone could require ~$17 billion in investment, though Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (NYSE:TSM) has not officially confirmed that specific figure. The venture is managed through Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing/JASM, a unit established in 2021 with support from Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation. Together, these facilities are projected to reach a combined monthly capacity of 100,000 12-inch wafers, spanning a range of technologies from 40-nanometre down to the new 3-nanometre standard.

TSMC (TSM) to Launch 3nm Wafer Production at Second Japan Factory in 2028

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (NYSE:TSM) is a technology company that develops ICs and other semiconductor devices. Its products are used in HPC, smartphones, IoT, automotive, and consumer electronics.

While we acknowledge the potential of TSM as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 33 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 15 Stocks That Will Make You Rich in 10 Years.

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.
Director of Environmental Protection Samuel Chui has expressed sorrow after a worker was today found unconscious at a works site on an artificial island off Shek Kwu Chau and later certified dead in hospital.

Mr Chui extended his deepest condolences to the deceased workers family. The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has requested that the contractor provide appropriate assistance to the family.

At around 11am, the worker, hired by a sub-contractor at the island's waste-to-energy facility, was found unconscious on the ground inside the facility.

On-site first aid officers used an automated external defibrillator to perform first aid treatment. The worker was subsequently transported by the Government Flying Service to Eastern Hospital for resuscitation.

The EPD said it was very concerned about the incident. In addition to immediately deploying staff members to the hospital, it has notified the Labour Department about the incident.

It has also requested the contractor to fully co-operate with the Labour Department in its investigation, and to submit an incident report within seven days.
In Kenya's Rift Valley, a sleepy farm town has become an unlikely node in the global wildlife black marketthanks to red queen ants that can sell for about $220 apiece. The BBC reports that Gilgil is now a collection hub for giant African harvester ant queens, whose long lifespans and colony-building prowess have made them a coveted species in the booming hobby of ant-keeping. One fertilized queen can found a colony and live on for decades, and the insects are easily slipped through airport scanners in test tubes padded with cotton. A 2025 bust turned up 5,000 queens in a Naivasha guesthouse; another this month intercepted 2,000 queens at Nairobi's main airport. It's often a dangerous journey for the little critters, with many dying in transit from disease, cold temps, and bacteria, Reuters reported last year.

Collectors aren't the only ones interested in the ants: The South China Morning Post notes that traditional-medicine practitioners also use the ants, specifically for rheumatism. Scientists warn the stakes go beyond smuggling. Researchers say that exporting these "keystone" seed-harvesters could damage Kenyan grasslands, while their spread abroad risks invasive colonies that might threaten crops in places like southern China. Yet Kenya is also weighing how to legalize and profit from ant farming under new "wildlife economy" guidelines. Meanwhile, the importance of the ants to Kenya's ecosystem and biodiversity can't be understated. "If we were to lose all the elephants in Africa, we would be devastated, but the grassland would continue," entomologist Dino Martins told Reuters. "If we were to lose all the harvester ants and termites, the savannah would collapse." More here.
Cape Town's postcard views are colliding with a housing crunch that locals say is pushing them out of the city's core. In a dispatch from South Africa for the New York Times, John Eligon uses one slick condo, the Sagewhere more than a third of units are short-term rentals going for roughly $350 a nightto illustrate a broader shift: about 70% of downtown residential space is now taken up by hotels or Airbnb-style stays. Workers such as telemarketer Lizanne Domingo, who commutes two hours each way from a distant settlement, argue the city center is effectively being refashioned for visitors and wealthier newcomers, not longtime Capetonians.
A quiet dog walk in a Florida subdivision ended in a fatal, seemingly random stabbing, authorities say. The attack unfolded in the Southwood community of Stuart after multiple 911 callers reported a man going door-to-door asking about a nonexistent bank, according to Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek. Soon after, dispatchers received calls that a woman out walking a small dog was under assault, reports ABC News . A passerby tried to pull the attacker away but couldn't, the sheriff said. A deputy responding to the earlier "suspicious person" report arrived to find the man stabbing the victim and arrested him without a struggle.

The woman, described as in her mid-70s, suffered multiple wounds to her upper body and died at a hospital. She has not yet been publicly identified. The suspect, 25-year-old Kersten Francilus, faces a first-degree premeditated murder charge. Budensiek said Francilus lived nearby with family, and had no known criminal record and no apparent link to the victim. "We all were maybe concerned about him, but we weren't concerned in a manner where we thought he would do us any harm," a neighbor tells WBPF. "We just thought, all right, he's having trouble. That was it. Like he's weird, but not weird in a bad way, right?"
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Pope Leo XIV celebrated the first Easter Mass of his tenure on Sunday with a call to lay down arms and seek peace to global conflicts through dialogue, but he departed from a tradition of listing the world's woes by name in the Urbi et Orbi blessing from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica. Leo emphasized Easter's message of hope as a celebration of Jesus' resurrection after being crucified, in both the blessing and his homily, the AP reports. "Let us allow our hearts to be transformed by his immense love for us! Let those who have weapons lay them down! Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace! Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue! Not with the desire to dominate others, but to encounter them!" the pope implored.

Leo greeted the global faithful in 10 languages, including Arabic, Chinese, and Latin, reviving a past practice. With the US-Israeli war on Iran in its second month and Russia's assault on Ukraine continuing, Leo acknowledged a sense of indifference "to the deaths of thousands of people ... to the repercussions of hatred and division that conflicts sow  to the economic and social consequences they produce." Without mentioning the wars by name, Leo quoted his predecessor, Pope Francis, who during his last public appearance from the same loggia last Easter reminded the faithful of the "great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day." Francis, weakened by a long illness, died the next day, Easter Monday.

The Urbi et Orbi blessing, Latin for "to the city and the world," has traditionally included a litany of the world's woes. Leo followed that formula in his Christmas blessing. There was no immediate explanation for the shift. Earlier, Leo addressed some 50,000 faithful from an open-air altar in St. Peter's Square flanked with white roses, while the steps leading down to the piazza were filled with spring perennials, symbolically resonating with the pope's words. He implored the faithful to keep hope in the face of death, which lurks "in the abuses that crush the weakest among us, because the idolatry of profit that plunders the earth's resources, because of the violence of war that kills and destroys." Speaking from the loggia, the pope announced a prayer vigil for peace April 11 in the basilica.
Monday marks the end of a 10-day deadline Trump previously gave Iran to open the strait, notes Axios. The new threat on Truth Social amplifies Trump's earlier warning that the US would bomb Iran back to the "stone ages" by going after its energy, water, and oil infrastructure. Tehran has accused him of plotting war crimes and vowed to respond in kind against infrastructure in Israel and Gulf states. The two sides have engaged in indirect talks via Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey, but mediators report no real movement.

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She lost her husband, son on the Titan,
Actress Tori Spelling and four of her children were among eight people taken for medical treatment after a two-car crash in Southern California. The Riverside County Sheriff's Office said deputies arriving at the site about 5:45pm Thursday in Temecula, about 80 miles from Los Angeles, found both vehicles damaged. No arrests were made at the scene, People reports. The crash took place when another driver apparently sped through a red light and struck Spelling's vehicle, per TMZ.
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Visas modeled fair value has been trimmed slightly, with the price target moving from US$400.20 to US$396.83, signaling a small reset in what some analysts see as reasonable upside. This shift sits alongside a mixed research backdrop, where certain firms are easing targets while others maintain constructive views and keep Visa on preferred lists. As you read on, you will see how to interpret these moves and track the evolving story around Visas risk and reward setup.

Analyst Price Targets don't always capture the full story. Head over to our Company Report to find new ways to value Visa.

What Wall Street Has Been Saying

 Bullish Takeaways

BofA reinstated Visa with a Buy rating, a US$410 price target, and also placed the stock on its "US 1 List," signaling that its analysts see Visa as one of their preferred ideas within U.S. financials.

Loop Capital, Cantor Fitzgerald, Daiwa, and Rothschild & Co Redburn each initiated or upgraded Visa with bullish views, reflecting confidence in the companys execution and positioning within payments.

Freedom Capital upgraded Visa to Buy from Hold and raised its price target to US$375, citing relative valuation versus Mastercard as a key part of the appeal.

Truists buy side survey indicated that many investors view Visa as one of the names they would be comfortable defending in financials, pointing to perceived resilience in the story.

 Bearish Takeaways

Several firms, including Evercore ISI, UBS, JPMorgan, BofA, Truist, and Piper Sandler, have reduced price targets on Visa, which signals more caution on upside even while many ratings remain positive.

Truist highlighted that its broader consumer finance coverage is flirting with bear market territory and flagged investor concerns around regulation and AI driven shifts in spending, which some readers may see as risk factors for large card networks such as Visa.

Do your thoughts align with the Bull or Bear Analysts? Perhaps you think there's more to the story. Head to the Simply Wall St Community to discover more perspectives!

NYSE:V 1-Year Stock Price Chart

See how Visa's fair value stacks up across multiple valuation models  not just analyst targets.

What's in the News
President Trump's profanity-laced threat to Iran on Sunday has drawn criticism from Democrats and a few Republicans, as well as warnings by experts that destroying important infrastructure could constitute a war crime. Trump threatened to blow up power plants and bridges in Iran unless it reopens the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday night. Separately, the president told the Wall Street Journal that if the strait isn't cleared for shipping, Iran will "lose every power plant and every other plant they have in the whole country." Trump made the threat on Christianity's holiest day, hours after Pope Leo XIV used his Easter message to urge nations to choose peace. Political reaction included:

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer : "Happy Easter, America," the Democrat posted, per the Guardian. "As you head off to church and celebrate with friends and family, the President of the United States is ranting like an unhinged madman on social media."

: "Happy Easter, America," the Democrat posted, per the Guardian. "As you head off to church and celebrate with friends and family, the President of the United States is ranting like an unhinged madman on social media." Former Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene : Everyone in the Trump administration who claims to be Christian should "beg forgiveness from God" and intervene to stop the president's "madness." She added that this isn't "what we promised the American people when they overwhelmingly voted in 2024."

: Everyone in the Trump administration who claims to be Christian should "beg forgiveness from God" and intervene to stop the president's "madness." She added that this isn't "what we promised the American people when they overwhelmingly voted in 2024." GOP Rep. Don Bacon : "Americans don't want their President to be profane and vulgar." Bacon added, per the New York Times, "Part of leadership is self-control."

: "Americans don't want their President to be profane and vulgar." Bacon added, per the New York Times, "Part of leadership is self-control." Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy: "If I were in Trump's Cabinet, I would spend Easter calling constitutional lawyers about the 25th Amendment," he posted, adding: "He's already killed thousands. He's going to kill thousands more."

The public response from Iran's leadership was defiant, per the Times. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of parliament, posted that Trump's "reckless moves are dragging the United States into a living HELL for every single family," adding that "the only real solution is respecting the rights of the Iranian people and ending this dangerous game." Legal and policy experts warned that carrying out the threat could violate the laws of war, per the Washington Post. Power plants, bridges, and water systems are typically considered civilian or "dual use" facilities, protected unless specific military use is shown. "A threat to attack all bridges or power plants or to attack them without distinguishing between lawful and unlawful targets would be a threat to commit war crimes," said Brian Finucane, a former State Department legal adviser. Trump said he'll hold a press conference at 1pm ET Monday, per the Journal.
Fairbanks, AK (99701)

Today

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 29F. SSW winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 29F. SSW winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph.
Dr. Mike makes the good case that five things can be done to boost standard of living everywhere. The standard of living is how much real goods, services, housing, energy, healthcare, and comfort the average person can actually afford. It is the #1 thing societies care about (even if they vote on it indirectly through jobs, taxes, or regulations). Instead of just waiting for markets to innovate or spending huge sums on new government infrastructure, he says we can get fast, massive gains almost for free or even for negative costs.

1. Housing

Let people build freely. End endless permitting, neighbor vetoes, special hearings, excessive environmental reviews, and pre-construction lawsuits.

 If a project meets clear, known-in-advance safety codes, it gets automatic approval within a short deadline.

Allow duplexes, fourplexes, ADUs, and small apartments by default in most residential zones.

Result: huge supply increase  much lower rents and home prices in months/years.

2. Energy Production & Grid

Apply the same deregulation to power plants (especially nuclear/small modular reactors), high-voltage transmission lines, transformers, and the grid.

One lead agency with strict deadlines; standardize safe reactor designs so they dont need case-by-case approval.

Energy is the foundation of civilization  cheap, abundant energy multiplies everything else (including the coming robotics boom).

Result: falling energy costs  cheaper products/services across the entire economy.

3. Healthcare Supply & Competition

Remove artificial limits on new hospitals, clinics, and providers. Allow interstate insurance sales, let nurses/physician assistants/pharmacists perform routine care theyre trained for, and require price transparency.

Replace heavy licensing with private ratings + informed patient consent.

Create a true spectrum of care levels so people can choose cost vs. expertise.

Result: more supply and competition  better and cheaper healthcare.

4. Faster Drug & Medical Innovation

Allow voluntary experimental use of promising new drugs/treatments (patient + doctor + pharma company all sign a waiver of liability).

Skip or accelerate slow sequential trials by gathering real-world data from willing participants.

Use simple labeling: This drug has been in use X months/years with Y adverse events.

Risk-tolerant people get access early; safer options stay available for everyone else.

Result: dramatically faster safe innovation without lowering overall safety standards.

5. Talent, Business Mobility & Smart ImmigrationMake it easy for businesses and licensed professionals to operate across state lines (automatic reciprocity).

Massively liberalize legal high-skill immigration: job offer + clean criminal record = fast visa.

5-year path to citizenship with ultra-basic services only during the wait period; instant deportation for serious crimes.

Zero tolerance for illegal immigration. End most occupational licensin
File photo of the now shuttered The Place 2 Be restaurant in Blue Back Square, West Hartford. The former restaurant's furnishings and equipment are to be auctioned on Wednesday. Liese Klein/Hearst Connecticut Media

WEST HARTFORD  Equipment and furnishings at the shuttered Place 2 Be restaurant in West Hartfords Blue Back Square are to be auctioned on Wednesday.

The online auction is part of the complete liquidation of the restaurant at 50 Memorial Road, according to a notice posted on LocalAuctions.com.

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Available inventory includes commercial refrigeration units, tabletop griddles, sinks, workstations, racks and modern dining furnishings, according to the notice. Bids start at $5. Preview is scheduled for 11 a,m. to 1 p.m. and bidding is set for 1-3:23 p.m., according to the notice.

Late last month, the state Department of Revenue Services revoked the sales tax permits at all three of the restaurants Connecticut locations  one each in New Haven, Hartford and West Hartford. The chains bakery spin-off, in Hartford on Franklin Avenue, was closed, a DRS spokesperson said.

The revocations were the latest in a cascade of legal, financial and criminal troubles for restaurant owner Gina Luari, who could not be reached immediately on Sunday.

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The state can suspend a sales tax permit after giving the holder 10 days' notice and when the holder violates state sales tax regulations. Any business in the state that sells or rents goods or a taxable service is required to register for a sales tax permit. The revocations mean that none of the restaurants can sell food or drink.

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In a stipulated agreement filed in state Superior Court last year that was signed by attorneys for both Blue Back Capital Partners and Luari, the restaurant had to leave the space at 50 Memorial Road no later than March 31 of this year and had to pay $9,042.41 a month for continued use of the space starting last September.

The agreement followed a complaint that was first filed in court by Blue Back Square in December 2024, contending that the restaurant failed to pay its rent in October and November of that year.

Subsequent court filings claimed that the restaurant hadnt paid rent in July last year. That same claim says that the restaurant also violated its lease agreement after a severe cockroach infestation on site and the suspension of its food license by the West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District on July 1 because of that infestation.

Luari also faces charges in East Hartford of second-degree larceny and issuing a bad check for allegedly not paying a contractor for restaurant equipment. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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The Place 2 Be and Luari are also facing more than a dozen lawsuits alleging various forms of nonpayment, including for rent, supplies, food and credit card payments at the chains locations, according to court filings.
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Tidewater Renewables is now modeled with a fair value price target of about CA$7.94, up from CA$5.00. This change signals a meaningfully different view of what the shares could be worth in updated analyst work. Bullish and bearish voices are both active around this shift, with higher targets tied to refreshed assumptions and differing confidence levels in how those numbers might play out. As you read on, you will see how this evolving narrative could matter for how you track and interpret future updates on the stock.

Stay updated as the Fair Value for Tidewater Renewables shifts by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on Tidewater Renewables.

What Wall Street Has Been Saying

 Bullish Takeaways

National Bank, through analyst Dan, has lifted its Tidewater Renewables price target by CA$4.50, which points to a more constructive stance on what the shares could be worth under its updated assumptions.

RBC Capital has also raised its price target by CA$1.50, reinforcing the idea that more than one research desk now sees room for a higher fair value based on current information.

Together, these revisions suggest analysts are refining their models around Tidewater Renewables execution plans and project pipeline. Readers may want to watch for further updates.

 Bearish Takeaways

Even with higher targets from National Bank and RBC Capital, the level of dispersion across estimates and the need for recent model changes highlight that assumptions on growth and project delivery remain a key source of debate.

The relatively small set of published target moves also means investors have limited Street data to cross check when weighing potential risks around funding, timelines, or future cash flow visibility.

Do your thoughts align with the Bull or Bear Analysts? Perhaps you think there's more to the story. Head to the Simply Wall St Community to discover more perspectives!

TSX:LCFS 1-Year Stock Price Chart

We've flagged 2 risks for Tidewater Renewables. See which could impact your investment.

How This Changes the Fair Value For Tidewater Renewables
The New Haven Police headquarters is shown in this file photo. Hearst Connecticut Media file photo

NEW HAVEN  City officers arrested a juvenile linked to one of two robberies that took place Friday night, police said.

New Haven Police Department said in a release Saturday the first of the two robberies took place at 9:57 p.m., when officers were dispatched to a reported armed heist at Street Heat Boutique on Grand Avenue. According to witness testimony, a store employee reported two unidentified black males entering the business, wearing all black, with ski masks covering their heads, police said. After displaying firearms, the suspects took a small amount of cash and fled the area on foot, police said.

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Later Friday at 11:55 p.m., a second robbery was reported by a food delivery driver in the 400 block of Huntington Avenue, police said. The victim reported being approached by two Hispanic males who threatened his life if he didn't give them the keys to his moped, police said. Afterward, the two males fled into a nearby house, police said. Officers later arrived and detained one of the males, a 17-year-old from New Haven, police said.

The teen suspect was arrested on charges of second-degree robbery and second-degree threatening, police said.

Police said they're still investigating to identify the second male suspect.
File photo of Connecticut State Police cruiser. Hearst Connecticut Media

POMFRET  One person was flown by Life Star helicopter to a hospital Saturday after suffering serious injuries in a crash between a box truck and an SUV on Mashamoquet Road, state police said.

Connecticut State Police said the collision occurred at 5:50 p.m. and Troop D personnel responded.

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The road remained closed at 7:30 p.m. as an investigation and cleanup were being conducted, police said.

The condition of the injured person was not released.
A hole is seen in the dome of the Grand Hosseiniyeh mosque that officials say was hit by U.S.-Israeli airstrikes Tuesday in Zanjan, Iran, Saturday, April 4, 2026. Francisco Seco/AP Pedestrians look at a destroyed building within the Grand Hosseiniyeh, with the mosque visible in the background, which officials at the site say was hit by U.S.-Israeli airstrikes Tuesday, in Zanjan, Iran, Saturday, April 4, 2026. Francisco Seco/AP Mohammad Qubaisi, 53, with burn wounds from an Israeli airstrike on southern Lebanon, undergoes surgery by Dr. Mohammed Ziara, left, and his team, at the Sidon Government Hospital, in Sidon, Lebanon, Thursday, April 2, 2026. Emilio Morenatti/AP Tamara and her sister Amal color pictures on the floor as their parents, Sara and Ahmed, who fled their village of Khiyam in southern Lebanon due to Israeli bombardment, sit inside a tent used as a shelter in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, April 3, 2026. Emilio Morenatti/AP Palestinian Muslims attend Friday prayers outside Jerusalem's Old City due to restrictions linked to the Iran war, April 3, 2026. Mahmoud Illean/AP

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday stepped up his threat to hit Iran's critical infrastructure hard if the country's government doesnt reopen the Strait of Hormuz by his Monday deadline.

Trump punctuated his threat with profanity in a social media post Sunday, saying that Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran.

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He also offered details of the rescue of a seriously wounded and really brave U.S. service member he identified as a respected colonel who was missing since Iran shot down a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle on Friday.

The U.S. president said the rescue was a rarely attempted type of operation because of the potential dangers. A second crew member was rescued earlier in broad daylight after seven hours over Iran.

The war began with joint U.S.-Israel strikes on Feb. 28 and has killed thousands, shaken global markets, cut off key shipping routes and spiked fuel prices. Both sides have threatened and hit civilian targets, bringing warnings of possible war crimes.

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Here is the latest:

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Strikes in Iran kill at least 9 people

From Sunday into Monday across Iran, local media and activists reported strikes on Ahvaz, Bandar Lengeh, Karaj and Shiraz.

The strikes in Bandar Lengeh and Kong killed at least six people and wounded 17 others, the state-run IRAN newspaper said.

Another airstrike in southeastern Tehran hit a home, killing at least three people, Iranian state TV reported.

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Iranian strikes hit Haifa

Israels Magen David Adom and Fire and Rescue services said early Monday that there are two reported sites of Iranian missile hits in the northern city of Haifa.

Video footage provided by Magen David Adom of the affected sites show active fire and bombed cars in what appears to be a residential area.

It is still unclear whether those were direct hits or damage from falling shrapnel from interceptions.

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The missile strikes comes a day after another attack from Iran also hit a Haifa residential area, killing two people and injuring others.

Two people were still trapped in the rubble caused by the Sunday attack and their fate is unknown.

Meanwhile, Israels military warned the public Monday morning of another missile barrage coming from Iran, the third-such alert of the day.

Airstrike on Iranian city of Eslamshar kills at least 13

An airstrike early Monday struck a residential building in a city southwest of Irans capital, Tehran, killing at least 13 people, Iranian media reported.

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The semiofficial Fars news agency and Nour News reported the strike near Eslamshar.

It wasnt clear why the building had been struck.

Neither Israel nor the United States claimed the strikes early Monday, but they came after Trump issued a profanity-laced threat to Iran that it must reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Airstrikes hit Tehran university linked to weapons work

Airstrikes early Monday morning on Irans capital targeted the Sharif University of Technology.

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Iranian media reported the strikes and damage to buildings there, as well as a natural gas distribution site next to the campus.

It wasnt immediately clear what had been targeted on the grounds of the university, which is empty of students as the war has forced all schools in the country into online classes.

However, multiple countries over the years have sanctioned the university for its work with the military, particularly on Irans ballistic missile program, which is controlled by the countrys paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.

Meanwhile, the Guard and other security forces have been using secondary sites as rally points as their bases have come under repeated attack during the war.

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Airstrike in the Irani city of Qom kills at least 5

The state-run IRAN daily newspaper said in an online message that an airstrike in a residential area of Qom killed at least five people. Qom is a holy Shiite seminary city just south of Tehran.

It wasnt unclear what the target of the strike was.

Iran has not provided overall casualty figures from the war in days. It also hasnt discussed its materiel losses.

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Airstrikes hit Iran's capital

Before dawn Monday, a series of airstrikes hit Irans capital, Tehran. Explosions rang out into the night, though it wasnt immediately clear what had been struck. The sound of low-flying fighter jets could be heard off and on for hours.

In Israel, authorities sounded one missile alert. In Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, two such alerts went off with air defenses firing, but it wasnt immediately clear what had been targeted by Iran. Kuwait also said its air defenses worked multiple times overnight to intercept incoming.

Crude oil prices jump in early trading after Trump threats

Crude oil prices jumped sharply in early trading Sunday after U.S. President Donald Trump issued fresh, heightened threats against Iran and its infrastructure.

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The price of Brent crude, the international standard, rose more than 2% to $111.25. U.S. crude oil prices were up nearly 3% to $114.54 a barrel.

The last time front-month prices for U.S. crude oil prices were above $115 a barrel was the summer of 2022, in the aftermath of Russias invasion of Ukraine and during a period of high inflation across the globe.

Trump on social media vowed to hit Irans power plants and bridges and said the country would be living in Hell if the Strait of Hormuz, crucial for global trade, isnt opened by Tuesday.

Official with Lebanese Christian party killed in Israeli strike

Pierre Mouawad, an official with the Lebanese Forces party, was killed along with his wife in an Israeli strike Sunday on an apartment building in the village of Ain Saadeh in the mountains east of Beirut, the state-run National News Agency reported.

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Another woman was killed and three women were wounded, Lebanons health ministry said.

The Israeli military has made no statement about the strike, and its intended target remains unclear.

The Lebanese Forces party is opposed to Hezbollah and has blamed the Shiite militant group for dragging Lebanon into a new war with Israel.

Israeli strikes in Christian-majority areas have led to sectarian tensions, with local residents fearing that Hezbollah members may be hiding among displaced Shiite civilians taking refuge there.

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Doctors Without Borders condemns Israeli strike in Beirut neighborhood

The international aid group, known by its French acronym MSF, said the strike in Beiruts Jnah neighborhood on Sunday hit a densely populated residential area  only meters from Rafik Hariri Public Hospital.

Lebanons Health Ministry said the strike, which came without a warning, killed four people and wounded 39.

We are seeing elderly people and adolescents arriving with critical injuries to the head, chest, and abdomen, including shrapnel wounds, Luna Hammad, MSF medical coordinator working in the hospital, said in a statement. When strikes hit crowded residential areas without warning, the consequences are severe, both in human casualties and in hospitals capacity to respond.

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MSF said that strikes this close to a hospital spread fear and can stop people from seeking lifesaving care.

The Israeli military has not named the intended target of the strike, which comes five weeks into the renewed Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon.

Iran says US bombarded its own aircraft, personnel

Irans joint military command spokesperson said Sunday that the U.S. had to bombard its own military aircraft and personnel that were struck and downed by Iranian fighters to prevent embarrassment for President Trump and the hollow image of its military.

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Ebrahim Zolfaghari added that several U.S. military aircraft entered Iranian airspace to carry out a rescue operation for the pilot of a downed U.S. fighter jet, but said Iranian fighters and air defense systems struck the aircraft and forced them to make an emergency landing in an area south of Isfahan.

A regional intelligence official, who was briefed on the covert mission and who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss it, said the U.S. military blew up two transport planes due to a technical malfunction that forced them to bring in additional aircraft to complete the rescue.

Over the weekend, the United States pulled off a daring rescue of two aviators whose fighter jet was shot down by Iran, plucking the pilot from behind enemy lines before setting off a complicated extraction of the second service member who hid deep in the mountains as Tehran called for Iranians to help capture him.

___

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 Associated Press reporter Toqa Ezzidin contributed to this report.

Bahrains foreign minister urges action on Strait of Hormuz

Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani wrote in a statement Sunday that Irans weekslong chokehold on the critical waterway has created an escalating crisis that threatens global stability, food security, and the foundational principles of international law.

He urged action by the United Nations Security Council on a Bahrain draft proposal, which has faced crucial opposition from Russia, China and France over several issues, including language authorizing the use of force to open the strait. All three countries wield veto power over any resolution in the 15-member council.

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The vote on the heavily revised and watered-down draft was scheduled to take place last week, but has been postponed due to lack of consensus.

Al-Zayani noted that the window of opportunity is narrowing day by day and failure by the international community to act sends a dangerous message that vital arteries of the global economy can be threatened without consequence.

Iranian negotiators have immunity from death, Trump says

The U.S. president made the comments during an off-camera interview with Fox News.

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Weve given them immunity from death. And weve told the people that were dealing with, who are the top people, the president said.

Trump contended that the Iranians had already conceded on having a nuclear weapon.

Theyre not even negotiating that point, its so easy, Trump told Fox News. Thats already been conceded. Most of the points are conceded.

4 wounded in fire at UAEs Khor Fakkan port

The United Arab Emirates Sharjah government said that one Nepali and three Pakistani nationals were wounded Sunday in a fire caused by falling debris from an intercepted Iranian projectile at Khor Fakkan port, according to a statement posted on the social platform X.

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One individual was severely wounded and had to be hospitalized, while the others suffered mild and moderate injuries, the statement said.

The statement did not specify whether the intercepted projectile was a missile or a drone.

3 missing in Haifa apartment building strike

Israels Fire and Rescue Authority said Sunday they were searching for three people in the northern Israeli city of Haifa after an Iranian missile strike.

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Paramedics said they rushed to the scene and searched through the rubble to dig out the injured, finding an older man in serious condition. They added that three other people were mildly injured, including a baby.

Associated Press video filmed at the scene showed much of the multistory building reduced to rubble.

The rescuers described the damage as resulting from a direct hit, but it was not immediately clear if the building had been struck by a missile or shrapnel from an interception.

Israeli fire kills 1 Palestinian in Gaza City, health officials say

The strike on a group of people also wounded others, according to health officials at the Shifa hospital, where the casualties arrived.

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The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Gaza Strip has seen near-daily Israeli fire and strikes since a fragile ceasefire was reached in October, and more than 700 Palestinians have been killed since then, according to figures from the Gaza Health Ministry.

The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-led government, maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts. But it does not give a breakdown of civilians and militants.

Since the Iran war began over a month ago, Gaza militants have sat out the conflict and havent claimed any attacks against Israel.

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Irans head of parliament lashes back at Trump

In a social media post on Sunday, Irans parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf dismissed Trumps recent threats of targeting Irans infrastructure as reckless.

You wont gain anything through war crimes, Qalibaf wrote on X. The only real solution is respecting the rights of the Iranian people and ending this dangerous game.

Top Iranian official threatens closure of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait

A former foreign minister and adviser to the supreme leader warned Sunday that the resistance front could target the Bab el-Mandeb Strait off the Red Sea, through which about 12% of the worlds trade typically passes.

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If the White House thinks of repeating its stupid mistakes, it will quickly realize that the flow of global energy and trade can be disrupted with a single signal, Ali Akbar Velayati said on social media, signaling possible closure of the vital waterway if the U.S. escalates attacks.

Iran leads the so-called Axis of Resistance, which includes armed groups in Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen, where Houthi rebels had in the past cut off transit through Bab el-Mandeb with attacks on vessels.

Iran has effectively stopped cargo traffic through the Strait of Hormuz during the conflict, leading to higher oil and gas prices globally.

Iran floats a new condition for Strait of Hormuz reopening

Seyyed Mohammad Mehdi Tabatabaei, a presidential spokesperson, wrote Sunday on the social platform X that the reopening of the vital waterway can only happen if transit revenues are partially earmarked to compensate Iran for war damages.

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There has been growing alarm over Irans grip on the Strait of Hormuz, critical for shipments of oil and gas from the Persian Gulf to Europe and Asia. Trump has threatened to attack Irans infrastructure if it fails to reopen the strait by Monday.

Oil-producing countries decide on symbolic output increase

Eight countries from the OPEC+ oil cartel say they will increase production again in May to ensure stability on the oil market  a decision overshadowed by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz to tanker traffic due to the Iran war.

The countries said in a statement carried Sunday on the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries website that production would be increased by 206,000 barrels per day.

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That, however, remains largely on paper due to the loss of an estimated 12 million barrels a day from Persian Gulf producers due to the Hormuz closure.

The countries  Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman  warned that damage from attacks on oil infrastructure will take a long time to repair and return supply to previous levels.

Such attacks, as well as disruption of navigation, undermine efforts to support stable prices for the benefit of producers, consumers and the global economy, they said.

Iranian government minister dismisses Trump threat in AP interview

Irans culture minister has dismissed President Donald Trumps latest threats, calling the U.S. leader an unstable, delusional figure.

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Iranian society generally does not pay attention to his statements, as it believes he lacks personal, behavioral and verbal balance, and constantly shifts between contradictory positions, Sayed Reza Salihi-Amiri told The Associated Press in an interview Sunday.

Trump on Sunday said he would strike Irans power plants and bridges this Tuesday if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to marine traffic. In an expletive-laden post, Trump promised the Iranians would be living in Hell if the waterway isnt opened.

It seems Trump has become a phenomenon that neither Iranians nor Americans are able to fully analyze, said Salihi-Amiri.

He said the Strait of Hormuz is open to the world but closed to Irans enemies.

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Latest attack from Iran hits Haifa apartment building, Israels rescue services say

Paramedics say they rushed to the scene and searched through the rubble to dig out the injured, finding an older man in serious condition. They say three other people were mildly injured, including a baby.

Photos and video showed much of the multistory building reduced to rubble.

The rescuers described the damage as resulting from a direct hit. It was not immediately clear if the building had been struck by an Iranian missile or shrapnel from a missile interception.

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2 Black Hawk helicopters were hit during the rescue, but got to safety

The two helicopters were able to navigate to safe airspace, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive information.

It was not clear where the Black Hawks landed or if their crew members were injured.

Irans joint military command has claimed it struck two U.S. Black Hawk helicopters.

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___

 Associated Press reporter Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.

Kuwait and Qatar report further aerial attacks

The Kuwaiti army said Sunday that Iran had fired a total of nine ballistic missiles, four cruise missiles and 31 drones at Kuwaiti territory over the past 24 hours.

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That brings the total number of projectiles that have targeted Kuwait since the war erupted to 740 drones, 336 ballistic missiles and 13 cruise missiles, according to an official statement posted on the social platform X.

Also, the Qatari army reported that it had on Sunday intercepted several drones and two cruise missiles fired by Iran, according to another statement on X.

Muslim civil rights group accuses Trump of mocking Islam

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a nationwide advocacy group, assailed Trump for invoking Allah in his Truth Social post threatening Iran.

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President Trumps deranged mocking of Islam and his threats to attack civilian infrastructure in Iran are reckless, dangerous, and indicative of a mindset that shows indifference to human life and contempt for religious beliefs, CAIR said in a statement.

Trump, in his post on Easter Sunday, demanded that Iran open the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday, or youll be living in Hell  JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.

The casual use of Praise be to Allah in the context of violent threats reflects a disturbing willingness to weaponize religious language while simultaneously denigrating Islam and its followers, CAIR said.

Iranians say Trumps threats to strike infrastructure is intent to commit war crime

Hours after Trumps expletive-laden post promising Iran will be living in Hell over the Strait of Hormuz closure, Tehrans mission to the U.N. called the open threats to target civilian infrastructure a direct and public incitement to terrorise civilians and clear evidence of intent to commit war crime.

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The international community and all States have legal obligations to prevent such atrocious acts of war crimes, the mission said in a post on the social platform X. They must act now. Tomorrow is too late.

Iran says Ahvaz Shahid Soleimani airport hit

Iran state-run television IRIB quoted a security official as saying that so far, no casualties were reported in the aftermath of a US-Israeli strike on Sunday.

Also on Sunday, the United Arab Emirates Sharjah government said that Khor Fakkan port was targeted and that no casualties were reported so far, according to a post on the social platform X by the governments media office.

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Earlier, UKMTO said that a captain had witnessed multiple splashes from unknown projectiles near his vessel while conducting loading operations at the same port.

Border crossing between Lebanon and Syria awaits threatened Israeli strikes

The main border crossing between Lebanon and Syria was closed Sunday after the Israeli military warned of plans to strike it the night before, alleging that Hezbollah was using it to smuggle military equipment.

Samir Abdelkhaleq from the Lebanese border town of Majdal Anjar said the closure is an economic blow to many.

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These are real losses for people and for business owners, he said. Everyone is just waiting for the strike to be over.

Syrian authorities, who have a hostile relationship with Hezbollah, have denied that the crossing is being used for smuggling. In recent days, Syria announced the discovery and closure of several tunnels they said were being used by Hezbollah for smuggling.

More than 200,000 people have crossed from Lebanon into Syria in the five weeks since the outbreak of renewed war between Israel and Hezbollah.

US official says CIA launched deception campaign to find second crew member

Details about the rescue of a second U.S. crew member in Iran, who was a weapons systems officer, are trickling out hours after Trumps announcement.

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A senior U.S. administration official said Sunday that before locating the crew member, the CIA spread word inside Iran that U.S. forces had already found him and were moving him on the ground for exfiltration.

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet made public, said the campaign managed to confuse Iranian officials while the agency conducted its search-and-rescue operations.

___

 Associated Press reporter Matthew Lee contributed to this report.

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Over 1,400 people in Lebanon have been killed in war between Israel and Hezbollah militant group

Among the 1,461 killed are 97 women, 129 children, and 54 paramedics, according to Lebanons Health Ministry.

4,430 people have been wounded since the latest fighting began on March 2.

After Hezbollah fired rockets toward northern Israel, the Israeli military launched an intense military operation with daily strikes across the country and a ground invasion into southern Lebanon.

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Top satellite imagery provider says US asked it to suspend access to Mideast imagery

The U.S. government has asked top providers of satellite imagery to stop publishing photos from parts of the Middle East because of the Iran war, says the company Planet Labs.

Planet Labs and companies like it provide near-daily imagery crucial to reporting on regions where on-the-ground access for journalists is impossible, limited or unsafe. That has made it an especially key tool for reporting on the Iran war, which has impacted nearly all Middle Eastern countries.

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In a Saturday email to users, including the AP, Planet Labs said it was complying with the U.S. governments requests and would indefinitely delay publication of imagery taken after March 9, 2026. It said it would release new imagery on a case-by-case basis and for urgent, mission-critical requirements or in the public interest.
People make their departure following an Easter Sunday sunrise prayer service at the Lincoln Memorial, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Washington. Rod Lamkey/AP This screenshot taken from social media site X shows a post about Easter by the Department of State's official account. AP This screenshot taken from social media site X shows a post about Easter by the Department of Homeland Securitys official account. AP

Numerous previous presidents have issued statements in recognition of Easter Sunday. This year, the Trump administration went a step farther, with several key Cabinet departments heralding Christs resurrection on their official social media accounts.

He is risen, declared the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department.

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The Defense Department shared a post on X from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth: The tomb is empty. The promise is fulfilled. Through His sacrifice, we are redeemed. We stand firm in faith, courage, and truth.

The Justice Department also chimed in on X.

Today, as millions of Christians gather in their churches across the nation to celebrate the resurrection of Christ, this Department - is proud to protect and defend religious liberty, it said.

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The posts drew thousands of comments. Some people expressed joy at the departments open embrace of Christianity; others were outraged, saying government agencies should not be promoting the doctrine of a particular faith.

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Hegseth frequently invokes his evangelical faith as head of the armed forces, depicting a Christian nation trying to vanquish its foes with military might.

Last week, Hegseth hosted his first monthly Christian worship service at the Pentagon since the Iran war began.

Let every round find its mark against the enemies of righteousness and our great nation, Hegseth prayed during the livestreamed service. Give them wisdom in every decision, endurance for the trial ahead, unbreakable unity, and overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy.

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Trump, in a statement issued on Good Friday, evoked the Iran war only indirectly.

From the Christian patriots who won and secured our liberty on the battlefield and every generation since, the love of Christ has unfailingly guided our Nation through calm waters and dark storms, he said.

On Easter Sunday morning, his tone was harsher. In a profanity-laced post on Truth Social, he demanded that Iran open the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday, or youll be living in Hell  JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a nationwide advocacy group, responded by assailing Trump's deranged mocking of Islam.

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Statements of faith are common in American public life, across political parties and religious traditions. Pentagon aides and Hegseths defenders cite examples from history, such as President Franklin D. Roosevelts support for issuing Bibles to troops.

But the overall tradition, widely adhered to over the decades, has been for presidents and their administrations to honor the constitutional separation of church and state, and avoid a clearcut favoring of one faith over others.

Past presidents had various tones in their Easter messages. Republican George W. Bush, in 2003, explicitly celebrated the resurrection of Christ. Republican Ronald Reagan and Democrat Barack Obama sometimes issued messages recognizing both Easter and Passover.

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___
Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer departs during a Women's History Month event with President Donald Trump, not pictured, in the East Room of the White House on March 12, 2026 in Washington, D.C. Al Drago/Getty Images

We seem to have moved into the firing segment of Donald Trumps second term.

We are also nearing the end of the brief interval during which a columnist could cite prediction market activity without it seeming like an incredibly lazy form of analysis.

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Id like to use my final 17 seconds to point out that, as late as 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer was leading Attorney General Pamela Jo Bondi 59.4 to 16.7 as a Kalshi bet on the next Trump cabinet secretary to leave.

The only other name on the board was Tulsi Gabbard.

Theres a theme emerging, you might say.

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Chavez-DeRemer is an interesting case because she has somehow stayed out of late-night comedy monologues and SNL sketches despite having a doozy of a run.

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A member of the secretarys security team has been placed on administrative leave after an internal complaint that Chavez-DeRemer was having an affair with him.

This is the kind of thing that could come up in marriage counseling, but then so could the fact that Chavez-DeRemers husband has been barred from the Labor Department premises after two complaints  one of them captured by surveillance camera  of him inappropriately touching women staffers.

Chavez-DeRemer also denied using department funds for her own birthday party. Her chief of staff circulated an internal memo threatening serious legal consequences for anyone who talked about the birthday party even though it had been renamed a swearing-in party and even though Chavez-DeRemer told the House Appropriations Committee, I did not have a birthday party.

The first rule of Chavez-DeRemer birthday parties is: you do not talk about Chavez-DeRemer birthday parties. But then a picture surfaced of her blowing out candles on a birthday cake. What other shoes are waiting to drop? A clown? A pony? A pony wearing shoes removed from the feet of a dead evil clown? (That would be a dealbreaker for me.)

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Before coming to Washington, Chavez-DeRemer was mayor, for eight years of Happy Valley, Ore. Its possible she just got bitten by the fun bug and cant quit now.

Chavez-DeRemer is also under investigation for using department funds for personal travel and for keeping champagne, bourbon and Kahlua on the premises so she could drink on the job.

Of course, if they fire her, thatll turn up in the April jobs report. You can see the dilemma.

Lets give Trump a little credit here. He has, in Susie Wiles, appointed the first woman chief of staff in White House history, and he has made a special effort to pack his administration with admirable women, two of whom he has recently fired and replaced with men.

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Tulsi Gabbard, as director of national intelligence, has a far worse problem than affairs, gropy husbands, birthday cakes, absenteeism or being present-but-plastered

She has contradicted Trump. In early March, Trump justified attacking Iran by claiming the country was a mere two weeks away from developing a nuclear weapon.

On March 18, as part of her testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee, Gabbard submitted a written statement that included: As a result of Operation Midnight Hammer, Irans nuclear enrichment program was obliterated. There has been no efforts (sic) since then to try to rebuild their enrichment capability.

Operation Midnight Hammer was the bombing of Iran in June 2025. A Midnight Hammer is also two parts bourbon, one part Kahlua, plus the gentlest kiss of champagne.

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When Gabbard read her statement aloud to the committee she skipped the part about there being no attempt by Iran to rebuild its uranium enrichment. Trump watches a lot of TV, so you dont want to be on camera saying that.

I am thrilled to report that Gabbards second husband Abraham Williams seems to have been a perfect gentleman and has been described as dashing by the Times of India.

The Gabbard-Williamses appear to be genuinely nuts about each other, and under the circumstances I see no reason to pry into their mutual ties to a secretive Hawaii religious group named Science of Identity which asks its followers to refrain from taking intoxicants (including all sorts of drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, and so on); from having illicit sex; from gambling; and from eating meat, fish, and eggs.

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Wynn Resorts (WYNN) in the UAE is shaping up to be one of the markets most misunderstood growth stories. Investors have lately been headline-sensitive, focusing on regional conflict and construction risk. However, Wynn still offers a rare mix of balance-sheet strength and Macau momentum. It also has a first-mover advantage on Al Marjan Island. In the meantime, with sentiment still cautious, shares appear to offer an unusual disconnect between perceived risk and underlying value. This is why I am bullish on WYNN stock.

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A Fortress Built on Steel or Sand?

There is a certain kind of grit required to restart a multi-billion-dollar construction site just 12 days after missile defense systems lit up the nearby night sky. To the skeptics, Wynns recent decision to resume work on its $5.1 billion UAE mega-resort, the first of its kind in the region, might be like a textbook capital trap. It makes sense that some investors see a live war zone and shudder at the thought of $5.1 billion in glass and gold sitting in the middle of a geopolitical tornado.

Yet if you look closer at the numbers, you start to see the Fortress Balance Sheet logic that Craig Billings and his team are leaning into. With about $4.7 billion in liquidity, a healthy balance sheet, including a well-structured debt maturity mix that provides substantial flexibility, Wynn is operating from a position of strength. Historically, it has managed these periods effectively. Also, the Marjan project creates a geographic monopoly. By the time it opens in 2027, Wynn will have effectively cornered the high-end gaming market in a region with more concentrated wealth than almost anywhere else on Earth.

The recent pause in construction was a blink, a momentary intake of breath to ensure worker safety. In the meantime, I would dare argue that Wynns first-mover advantage is worth more than the physical assets themselves. As the only integrated resort in the region positioned to serve luxury gaming demand between Europe and East Asia, the property could command unusually attractive economics for a hospitality business. In that context, I believe the project represents a key catalyst for a meaningful step-change in Wynns earnings growth.

The Macau Engine and the Path to Growth

Beyond the desert, the real heavy lifting for the bottom line is happening in the East. Macau has shed its VIP-only skin and emerged as a mass-market powerhouse, and Wynn Palace is the gleaming heart of that transformation. We are seeing premium mass drop numbers that would have been unthinkable two years ago.
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
When Gerri Walsh, president of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation, graduated from the New York University School of Law, she was swamped with student debt that far surpassed what she had ever imagined.

In one year of law school, I had more than doubled all of my undergraduate debt, Walsh told Yahoo Finance. I thought that I would then graduate from law school with times four my undergrad debt. I figured I needed to become a lawyer in order to pay off that debt. But I graduated with times seven.

That was her first financial mistake. Then I cashed out my 401(k) after only a couple of years to buy a house. I could have borrowed from my 401(k) to put that down payment together, but I didn't understand how they worked.

Those financial missteps propelled Walsh, who is retiring this month, to dedicate her career to helping people make smart money decisions throughout their lives.

For many people, a financial life path starts with enrolling in their employers 401(k) plan and understanding that they are now an investor, she said.

You need to think about your choices and to adjust those choices over time, whether it's what you're invested in, how much you're investing, how much you grow those assets by increasing your contributions until you're contributing to the maximum, Walsh said. And also understanding how the power of compound interest can work in your favor.

Read more: How much do you really need to save for retirement?

Higher levels of financial knowledge are correlated with more positive downstream financial behaviors and outcomes, she added.

She should know.

Walsh was deputy director of the Securities and Exchange Commissions Office of Investor Education and Assistance and served as a senior attorney in the SECs Division of Enforcement, investigating and prosecuting violators of the federal securities laws.

Walshs passion for education has been the spine of it all.

Financial literacy is still lagging in the US. A recent FINRA study found that fewer than 3 in 10 Americans correctly answered at least five of seven basic financial knowledge questions. On average, respondents answered slightly less than half of the investing quiz questions correctly.

I reached out to Walsh for one last interview before she steps down. Here are edited excerpts of our recent conversation:

Kerry Hannon: What are some of the biggest mistakes investors are making today?

Gerri Walsh: FOMO is the biggest mistake  the fear of missing out on a new product, a new strategy, or on market movements. Taking that short-term view is something that too many investors tend to do, and it can cause substantial losses.
Who doesnt love a good round of FOMO? From dot-com to Web 2.0, virtual reality to blockchain, the tech industry has had its share of being too afraid to miss out on a trend.

The AI bubble is the big daddy of them all. Its first offspring  the rush to lock down power for data centers  is now begetting a mad dash to secure natural gas supplies and equipment. If FOMOs could have babies, then the AI bubble is already having grandkids.

Microsoft said on Tuesday that its working with Chevron and Engine No. 1 to build a natural gas power plant in West Texas that could grow to produce 5 gigawatts of electricity. This week Google confirmed that its working with Crusoe to build a 933 MW natural gas power plant in North Texas. And last week, Meta announced that it was adding another seven natural gas power plants to its Hyperion data center in Louisiana, bringing the site to 7.46 GW of capacity  enough to power the entire state of South Dakota.

Are we missing anyone?

The recent investments are concentrated in the southern U.S., home to some of the largest natural gas deposits in the world. Recently, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated that theres enough in one region to supply energy to the entire United States for 10 months by itself. Every data center operator seems to want a part of it.

The scramble for natural gas has led to a shortage of turbines for the power plants, with prices likely to rise 195% by the end of this year relative to 2019 prices, according to Wood Mackenzie. The equipment contributes 20% to 30% of the cost of a power plant. Companies wont be able to place new orders until 2028, and its taking six years to get turbines delivered, the consultancy notes.

That means tech companies are betting that the AI fever wont break, that AI will continue to need exponential amounts of power, and that natural gas generation will be necessary for success in the AI era.

They may come to regret that third assumption.

Though natural gas supplies in the U.S. are plentiful, and because shipping the fuel isnt cheap, the country remains somewhat insulated from the turmoil in the Middle East. But supplies arent unlimited, and recently, growth in production in the big three regions  responsible for three-quarters of all U.S. shale gas production  has slowed considerably.

Its not clear how insulated tech companies are from price swings since none of them have disclosed specific terms of their agreements. A lot will depend on how firm the price is in those contracts.

Even if the contracted prices are as firm as can be, the companies could still face repercussions.
Kevin Boulom bangs an oversized drum. The 2026 Louisiana Lao New Year Festival parade rolled through Lanexang Village in Coteau, La on Sat., April 4, 2026. Buddhist monks from around the country lead the celebration held on the grounds of Wat Thammarattanaram Temple.
Three Wilkinsons plus one Lant equals one Mississippi River bridge.

That was the original equation for the $46 million, cantilever "New Mississippi River Bridge" after it opened on to Interstate 10 traffic April 10, 1968.

Originally, the Louisiana State Legislature considered placing two names on the bridge that year, with one name representing three people and the other commemorating a single person. In the end, only one name was placed on the bridge: Horace Wilkinson.

Who was Norman E. Lant?

Still, Ernie Smithling is correct in pointing out that state lawmakers considered giving the bridge a double moniker.

"I once read where the bridge was going to be named for the three Horace Wilkinsons in West Baton Rouge Parish and a guy named Norman Lant," the Walker resident said. "If this is true, who was Norman Lant?"
With oil prices surging past $100 per barrel and the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, the Trump administration reached for an unusual lever. It decided to use Iran's own oil against it.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox Business Network's "Mornings with Maria" that the U.S. was preparing to lift sanctions on approximately 140 million barrels of Iranian crude already sitting on tankers at sea.

The move, he said, was designed to add supply to global oil markets and cap prices as U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran continued.

"In the coming days, we may unsanction the Iranian oil that's on the water. It's about 140 million barrels," Bessent said. "In essence, we will be using the Iranian barrels against the Iranians to keep the price down for the next 10 or 14 days as we continue this campaign. So we have lots of levers."

What Bessent actually announced

The 140 million barrels represent Iranian crude that had been stranded or flowing at steep discounts, primarily to China, under existing sanctions.

Temporarily lifting those restrictions would allow the oil to reach global markets at full price, diverting it away from China and toward U.S. allies including Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and India, according to The Hill.

Related: Longtime oil analyst sends dire oil price message

"When we go through, as we plan, to unsanction the Iranian oil, that oil will go up to a market price and it will end up in places other than China," Bessent said. "It can flow into Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, India, who have been good actors in this,".

The administration followed through. The Treasury lifted the sanctions on March 20, issuing a statement that the move would free up 140 million barrels "to relieve the temporary pressures on supply caused by Iran," reported The Hill. Bessent specified the authorization was "strictly limited to oil that is already in transit and does not allow new purchases or production."

There's a broader oil problem

The Iranian unsanctioning was part of a larger coordinated effort to keep oil prices from spiraling further.

The administration had already taken a similar step with Russian oil the previous week, temporarily lifting sanctions on approximately 130 million barrels of Russian crude already on the water, per Fox Business. That gave markets around 130 million additional barrels before the Iranian move added another 140 million.

More Oil and Gas:
An Exeter school has become the first secondary school in the country to receive a silver award from Christian Aid for its work tackling global poverty and injustice.

St Peter's Church of England High School was presented with the honour through Christian Aid's Global Neighbours scheme, which recognises schools helping students understand global inequality and take action to address it.

The school previously received a bronze award in 2024.

Among the projects undertaken by pupils was a letter-writing campaign in which more than 1,000 letters were sent to their local MP raising concerns about mental health provision, prompted by debates in Prime Minister's Questions. Students also set up their own companies through a Young Enterprise programme and launched a campaign raising awareness of misogyny.

Headteacher Phil Randall said the award reflected the school's commitment to developing students as global citizens. "We are thrilled to be recognised for the work we have done as a whole school community to raise awareness of the extreme inequalities and injustices across our globe and more importantly, the steps St Peter's students take to address these.

"Our world is increasingly connected, and our hope is for our children to grow as responsible global citizens who care about issues such as the environment, mental health and misogyny."

Sarah Potter, children and young people's officer at Christian Aid, praised the school community's commitment. "It's fantastic to see how the whole school community at St Peter's have taken this to heart and are seeking to tackle injustice," she said.

The Global Neighbours scheme, launched in 2018, offers three levels of accreditation: bronze, silver and gold, assessed across five areas including school leadership, pupil participation and community engagement. It is open to primary and secondary schools across England, Scotland and Wales.
Torbay has introduced its own beach monitoring system and network.

Torbay has introduced its own beach monitoring system and network.

Out go the Blue Flags and in comes the councils English Riviera Beach Standards, a new locally designed and managed framework that celebrates the diversity of the Bays coastline while strengthening environmental protection and safeguarding water quality.

The council says the new system has been developed specifically for Torbays longterm needs.

They say: The ERBS provides a modern approach to coastal management that supports biodiversity, enhances safety, increases transparency and strengthens community involvement.

The council says it replaces the previous national onesizefitsall criteria, which no longer reflected the character or community use of many Torbay beaches.

The approach allows each location to be recognised for its strengths, without disadvantaging beaches that do not fit traditional resortstyle expectations, says the council.

The new system gives Torbay full ownership of its coastline, ensuring decisions are shaped by local priorities and evidence across the Bays 27 accessible beaches and coves that make up the English Riviera.

Of these beaches 25 are being awarded under the Standards this year, with Preston and Paignton temporarily not included while improvement works progress. Both beaches are set to join ERBS once these works have been completed.

Under the new system, beaches fall into three categories:

Excellence  beaches with strong visitor facilities, consistently high standards and excellent water quality.

Quality  beaches offer a positive visitor experience without requiring extensive built infrastructure with good to excellent water quality.

Natural  wild, undeveloped coastal locations recognised for environmental value, tranquillity and biodiversity.

Beaches such as Maidencombe and Ansteys Cove are formally recognised under the new Quality category.

The council says: These locations previously stepped away from national award schemes to maintain dog access, but under the ERBS they are celebrated for their scenic beauty, accessibility and natural coastal character.

This ensures a fuller and more accurate reflection of the Bays coastline and its diverse range of beaches.

The local authority adds: With an exceptional 13 beaches rated Excellent for water quality, the English Riviera stands among the countrys leading coastal destinations.

As part of the ERBS, water quality remains a central focus, with all statutory bathing water testing in Torbay carried out by the Environment Agency at the designated bathing waters: Maidencombe, Watcombe, Oddicombe, Babbacombe, Ansteys Cove, Meadfoot, Beacon Cove, Torre Abbey, Hollicombe, Preston, Paignton, Goodrington, Broadsands, Breakwater and St Marys Bay.

As part of its national monitoring programme, the EA undertakes a minimum of ten waterquality samples each bathing season at these sites.

Under the ERBS, Torbay Council will ensure that any designated bathing water participating in the scheme continues to meet this minimum requirement of ten EA samples per season. This guarantees that all Excellence and Quality standard participating beaches benefit from consistent, independent and nationally recognised water quality monitoring, " says the council.

It adds: To support transparency, four years of EA bathing water results for ERBS beaches will be published on the Torbay Council website, helping residents and visitors clearly understand local water quality and how ERBS classifications are determined.

To maintain impartiality and support shared governance, Torbay Council will establish a Beach Stakeholder Forum involving partners such as the tourism sector and the RNLI.

This ensures community and expert voices play an active role in how the Standards develop over time, says the council.

The English Riviera BID Company contributed as consultees throughout the development of the ERBS and expressed their support for the proposal.

The new system recognises and protects seagrass beds, sensitive marine habitats, natural cliff and cove formations and biodiversityrich beaches that are best preserved in their undeveloped state. Natural beaches will be marked with onsite plaques and supported by additional online information.

The ERBS avoids restrictive zoning that separates swimmers, paddlers and other water users. Instead, it introduces a tailored, riskbased safety approach suited to the nature of each beach.

Torbay will also launch annual seasafety campaigns featuring windsocks at relevant beaches, seasonal safety boards and clear, locally informed guidance.

Councillor Adam Billings, Cabinet Member for Pride in Place and Parking, said: "Torbays coastline is one of our greatest assets, and these new English Riviera Beach Standards ensure we are protecting, celebrating, and investing in it in the right way.

"It will also strengthen Torbays environmental commitments, including our dedication to the UNESCO Global Geopark, and support our ambition to become a more sustainable visitor destination."

"By recognising the strengths of every beach, the ERBS plays a key role in delivering clean, safe, and wellmaintained seafronts. Torbay is setting a new standard for coastal stewardship, ensuring its beaches remain welcoming, safe and environmentally protected for generations to come.
UK domestic gas production could be sustained at 140 million barrels of oil equivalent a year, Ward says. But projections from the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA), the industry regulator, now suggest it will fall to around 40 million by 2035.

Wards estimate is 1.5 billion barrels worth, equating to 250 billion cubic metres of gas, or between three and four years of UK needs. That lost production, he points out, does not mean we use less gas  it just means we have to import more.

Oil is largely exported, so its main benefits are in jobs and taxes. However, the gas would be flowing straight into our pipes, supporting us through the latest energy crisis. So how much are we missing out on from those frozen fields?

It means, in total, an equivalent of 3.25 billion barrels of oil have been left to languish in the ground, accounting for both oil and gas projects.

Another 60 projects  mostly extensions to existing fields  have been held back for the same reason, says Ben Ward, market intelligence manager at the trade body.

According to Offshore Energies UK, there are 51 known fields in British waters that could feed gas into UK pipes. Their progress has been halted not by geology but by politics and taxes.

Jackdaw and Rosebank , the UKs most controversial virgin fields, are similarly in doubt. Last week, Miliband put operator Aduras permit applications on hold. Jackdaw is capable of providing 6pc of the UKs gas within months.

Hundreds of miles away in the southern North Sea, the Glengorm gas field  which could provide Britain with millions of cubic metres of gas  has also faced difficulties. Today, its economics are too uncertain for it to be progressed.

Glendronach is just one of dozens of gas and oil fields lying under British waters that are now at risk.

Facing rising taxes and windfall levies  imposed by the Conservatives and increased by Rachel Reeves  investors are pulling their money out of the North Sea. Ed Milibands ban on exploration has only made matters worse.

But Britains politicians have pushed Glendronach and others like it into a limbo that could prove permanent.

The gas is there, as is the technology to extract it.

Despite being one of the largest unexploited energy assets in UK waters, Glendronachs fate is far from secure.

Discovered eight years ago off the coast of Shetland, the reservoir has the potential to start pumping gas into the system within two to three years, heating homes and supporting industry.

Story Continues

This matters a lot to the UK. The gas in those fields could reduce our reliance on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the 25pc predicted by 2030, under current policies, to single digits.

The blocked projects are just one part of the picture. There are many more potential sources of gas and oil lying under UK waters, industry experts say.

Last month, Chris Cox, the chief executive of Serica Energy, now one of the UKs largest gas and oil producers, suggested that the waters west of Shetland may hold five trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas.

Cox, whose company recently took over the Glendronach project and hopes to move it on, says it may sound like a big number, and it is.

Its equivalent to supplying every household in the UK for five years. And yet, some people continue to say that the amount of gas we can produce in the UK is not significant.

Some of that gas lies in areas that are already licensed, but the rest  perhaps the majority - is in unlicensed sectors. This means Miliband would have to lift his ban on exploration before it could be drilled. He has made clear there is little chance of such a move.

Britain may also be sitting on huge onshore gas resources too. Exploration firm Egdon Resources has reported early evidence for a giant gas field under Lincolnshire containing 425bn cubic metres  enough to meet the UKs needs for a decade if proven.

The problem is that gas could only be extracted by hydraulic fracking, which, like new exploration, is currently banned.

Mark Abbott, Egdons chief executive, says the energy spikes caused first by the Ukraine conflict and now by the Iran war show that such bans, imposed in more peaceful times, should be revisited.

Natural gas should be classified as a strategic resource given its continued importance in the UKs energy mix and home-grown production prioritised and supported over a growing reliance on imports.

A report from analysts at Wood Mackenzie found last week that Milibands no-exploration policy would soon leave the UK dependent not just on imports but on imports from a single main source: America.

By 2035, the UK will rely on US LNG for over 60pc of gas supply, says Wood Mackenzies Gail Anderson.

Her estimate, based on government data, is that the UK has 526 billion cubic metres of gas, roughly six years worth, left under its seabeds  which is where most of it will stay if current policies remain in place.

She says Britain must exploit these new fields. If we dont, our import dependency will grow faster. And this would mean higher gas costs, more emissions, and less security of supply.

If, for example, the UK found itself under direct threat from hostile nations, it could be forced to rely on its own resources rather than imports. Exploration would then be of strategic national importance.

For the Conservatives and Reform, the richest pickings in the North Sea are political. Miliband may have delighted his Labour Party and NGO supporters by banning exploration, but his enemies have made it into a stick with which to beat him.

They point to the apparent folly in banning exploration for new gas while the UK is simultaneously relying on ever more imports.

Those beatings are becoming ever more frequent as the May regional elections loom  especially because they will determine who wins control of the Scottish Parliament, home to most of the UKs oil and gas workforce.

Last week, the Conservatives, conveniently forgetting their own role in creating the windfall tax, denounced it  proclaiming that they planned to get Britain drilling.

Kemi Badenoch, the Partys leader, claimed that more drilling would secure cheap, reliable energy and cut bills, adding: We need to get Britain drilling in the North Sea. Its good for our energy security, our financial security, and our national security.

In reality, opening new gas fields will do little to benefit households and businesses. This is partly because wholesale prices are set by the European markets, but mainly because the biggest factor controlling UK energy bills is the taxes added to gas by the British Government.

Claire Coutinho, shadow energy secretary, said banning new exploration in the North Sea was an unforgivable mad plan.

Shutting down the North Sea means we are losing out on 25bn in tax receipts and makes us more reliant on imported energy, just as the world is becoming more dangerous. Starmer must rein in his ideological energy secretary and get Britain drilling.

Miliband and his energy department see things differently. A spokesman said issuing new licences to explore new fields cannot give us energy security and will not take a penny off bills.

International markets set the price for British bill payers  making us a price taker, the spokesman added. The only way to protect ourselves from price spikes is to get off the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets.

0304 North Sea still has untapped resources

But the companies that actually produce the UKs gas point out that Britain is decades away from quitting that rollercoaster  and right now gas provides a third of our electricity, fuels 26 million domestic boilers and supports industry.

Perenco, which operates 23 gas fields in the Southern North Sea, last year produced about 1.5 billion cubic metres of gas and has about 1.6 trillion cubic feet of gas remaining under the seabed.

It plans to drill some of the last fields for which it won licences and has others in need of similar permits.

Perenco believes the resources waiting for explorers are far greater than Miliband and his regulators claim, with their figures way too pessimistic because they assume the current punitive tax regime, which is killing investment, will stay in place.

The company says making the fields attractive again is easy. Simply abolish the windfall tax.

Do so, and dozens of oil and gas fields would finally escape from years of limbo  and sites such as Glendronach would be one step closer to heating Britains homes.

Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.
A gruelling but iconic scenic run will return to the historic fishing village of Clovelly this May to raise money for the RNLI.

The popular Yellow Welly Cobble Wobble is a 12-mile challenge through some of the most picturesque scenery surrounding Clovelly over some endurance-challenging terrain.

This years event is on Sunday, May 3 and follows a spectacular route along the North Devon coast which has become a favourite among the local running community since its launch in 2019.

Last year attracted more than 100 runners with another good turn out expected this year and a limited number of spaces still available.

READ NEXT: RNLI to host open water charity swim challenge at Clovelly this August

Wearing yellow wellies is not suggested or desirable for runners, but the Cobble Wobble does offer exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the historic Clovelly Estate, a landscape steeped in history and rarely seen by the public.

While the village itself dates back to the 11th century and is listed in the Domesday Book, this event opens up hidden corners far beyond the famous cobbled street.

Entrants will tackle a challenging and scenic course featuring woodland trails, steep climbs and dramatic coastal views.

Highlights include the bluebell-carpeted Brownsham Woods, breath-taking stretches of the South West Coast Path and a descent to Mouth Mill beach, before finishing with a leg-burning sprint up Clovellys picture postcard cobbled street.

Clovelly Lifeboat press officer Suzi Marsh said: The Cobble Wobble continues to be a real highlight in the local running calendar. After such a strong turnout last year, were thrilled to see it return once again.

Its a fantastic way to experience some of North Devons most beautiful scenery while supporting the RNLI.

All finishers will receive a commemorative medal and free entry to Clovelly village after completing the course. Entry is 35 per person, with all proceeds going directly to support the RNLI.

Places are limited and expected to fill quickly. Registration is available online by CLICKING HERE and more information is available by emailing suzi_marsh@rnli.org.uk

READ NEXT: North Devons very own coast path comes out tops as Britains favourite
President Catherine Connolly has laid a wreath to commemorate those who died during the 1916 Easter Rising, for the first time since taking office.

Thousands of people lined Dublins main thoroughfare OConnell Street for an event marking the 110th anniversary of the armed rebellion against British rule in Ireland.

The commemoration was also attended by Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Simon Harris, Defence Minister Helen McEntee, Lord Mayor of Dublin Ray McAdam, Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald.

Crowds began to gather before 11am for the ceremony which saw a parade of Defence Forces personnel and music from a military brass band.

 Remembrance at the GPO. Where Padraig Pearse declared the birth of the Irish Republic. The Easter Rising changed the course of history. Today, we commemorate those brave heroes who gave everything for freedom. They inspire us as we continue our journey to a United Ireland. pic.twitter.com/2dZjfbVoJ5  Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) April 5, 2026

A Defence Forces chaplain led a prayer and the national tricolour flag above the General Post Office (GPO) was lowered to half-mast at noon.

Following a reading of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic, the flag was raised again after Ms Connolly laid a wreath to commemorate those who had died in the Rising and the national anthem was played before an Air Corps flyover.

The reading was by Captain Eva Houlihan, the fourth woman to do so in the annual commemorations.

A minutes silence was also observed, breaking almost exactly as a hail shower fell on OConnell Street after the otherwise sunny event.

In a statement, Mr Martin said: Today, at the GPO, we gather to mark the anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising and remember those who lost their lives.

At a later Sinn Fein event for the anniversary, Ms McDonald used her speech to accuse Mr Martin of a dereliction of duty over what she described as inaction over Irish reunification.
Woodside Energy Group has recently assumed operational control of the Beaumont New Ammonia facility in southeast Texas from OCI Global, a US$2.35 billion acquisition that can produce and export up to 1.10 million tonnes of ammonia per year.

While lower-carbon ammonia output has been pushed back until after 2026 due to third-party feedstock issues, Woodside is already securing offtake agreements at prevailing market prices from the conventional ammonia market, underlining how this asset could broaden its revenue base beyond liquefied natural gas.

Well now examine how full operational control of a large US ammonia export hub could reshape Woodsides investment narrative and risk profile.

The future of work is here. Discover the 33 top robotics and automation stocks leading the charge in AI-driven automation and industrial transformation.

Woodside Energy Group Investment Narrative Recap

To be comfortable owning Woodside today, you need to believe that long term LNG projects and disciplined capital allocation can support steady cash generation, while newer low carbon initiatives gradually diversify the business. The Beaumont New Ammonia facility adds a fresh revenue stream but does not fundamentally change the near term picture, where execution on major LNG developments and exposure to commodity price swings still look like the key catalyst and the biggest risk.

The most relevant recent announcement is Woodsides 2026 production guidance of 172186 MMboe, which frames how important incremental assets like Beaumont are to the broader portfolio. Guidance reinforces that LNG remains the core earnings driver for now, with ammonia providing portfolio diversity rather than replacing the primary cash engine. As Beaumont ramps up and offtake builds, investors can watch how much it contributes relative to the guided production and the LNG project pipeline.

Yet while Beaumont broadens Woodsides portfolio, investors should still pay close attention to...

Read the full narrative on Woodside Energy Group (it's free!)

Woodside Energy Group's narrative projects $13.7 billion revenue and $2.5 billion earnings by 2029.

Uncover how Woodside Energy Group's forecasts yield a A$31.69 fair value, a 9% downside to its current price.

Exploring Other Perspectives

ASX:WDS 1-Year Stock Price Chart

Some of the most pessimistic analysts were already assuming Woodsides revenue would fall about 5 percent a year to around US$11.7 billion and earnings to roughly US$934 million, which is a very different story from the consensus and could be challenged or reinforced by how Beaumont and the wider LNG portfolio actually perform.
Day 2 of the 2026 Irish Open 1,150 Main Event, sponsored by PokerStars and Paddy Power Poker, is in the books. In ten exciting levels of poker, the 1,236 players who returned to the Royal Dublin Society from the record-breaking field of 5,003 entries were whittled down to just 122 players, all having secured a piece of the 4,852,910 prize pool as the bubble burst shortly after the first break of the day.

Gavin Sardini was one of just eight South African players who entered the 2026 Irish Open Main Event, and he will have made his home country proud as he bagged 5,015,000 after a stellar day, good for nearly 84 big blinds at the start of Day 3 and netting him a third place on the overall leaderboard. Meanwhile, the chip lead is in the hand of Ukrainian native Ivan Chegusov with 5,250,000, while Irish regular Conor O'Driscoll bagged 5,025,000, looking to improve on his recent sixth-place finish at EPT Prague and catch the 517,100 top prize.

Day 2 Top Ten Chip Counts

Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Ivan Chegusov Ukraine 5,250,000 88 2 Conor O'Driscoll Ireland 5,025,000 84 3 Gavin Sardini South Africa 5,015,000 84 4 Manuel Ferrari Italy 4,915,000 82 5 Kenneth Svendsen Norway 4,735,000 79 6 Narcis Nedelcu Romania 4,600,000 77 7 Barry Furlong Ireland 4,495,000 75 8 Steve O'Dwyer Ireland 4,375,000 73 9 Gerard Carbo Spain 4,300,000 72 10 Mircea Stanescu Romania 4,100,000 68

2022 Irish Open Champion Steve O'Dwyer ended the night with over twice the average stack, while 2016 winner Dan Wilson and 2019 champion Weijie Zheng are still in contention with above-average stacks of 2,715,000 and 3,085,000, respectively. Alex Romero is the last-standing member of Team PokerStars and bagged 1,270,000, while O'Dwyer's fellow EPT champion Ian Hamilton is one of the short stacks with 660,000. Other notable names who still have a shot at the trophy include Ali Abdulzahra (2,850,000), Dean Hutchison (2,400,000), Leo Worthington-Leese (2,010,000), Ben Collins (1,895,000), and Nikolai Mamut (870,000).

Steve O'Dwyer

Bubble Bursts at Breakneck Speed

At the start of play, the 1,236 returning players were told that 735 spots would be paid. That did not deter the chips from flying in, with early casualties including PokerStars' Julien Brecard and Paddy Power Poker's Dara O'Kearney. Those who thought the bubble would be a long and drawn-out process would be mistaken, as three players busted at the same time when play was halted. No hand-for-hand was necessary as Brian Quigley, Niall Grace, and Yan Song split two min-cashes and took home 1,200.

Having made the money, many a household name exited. PokerStars' Guillermo Sanz (696th - 1,990) and Rory Jennings (461st - 2,620) received a return on their investment, while defending champion Simon Wilson saw his run end in 616th place for 1,990. Both of the Davenports cashed, with Sinead Davenport finishing in 666th, while husband Matthew Davenport ended up in 148th place for 5,240, barely missing the end of the night. Barny Boatman and his brother Ross Boatman also both made the money, with Barny claiming 642nd and Ross running a bit deeper, taking home 3,450 for his 303rd place.

Ross Boatman

Meanwhile, the 122 remaining players have secured themselves a payout of 5,970, with a pay jump to 6,890 being three eliminations away. Five-figure prizes await the top 55 finishers, while the top six can expect eye-watering six-figure sums.

Remaining Payouts

Place Prize Place Prize 1 517,100 16-17 24,120 2 323,250 18-20 20,960 3 230,900 21-23 18,250 4 177,620 24-27 15,870 5 136,650 28-31 13,780 6 105,070 32-39 11,990 7 80,800 40-55 10,430 8 62,170 56-71 9,070 9 47,800 72-95 7,910 10-11 39,840 96-119 6,890 12-13 33,190 120-122 5,970 14-15 27,710

The 2026 Irish Open Main Event will continue with Day 3 tomorrow, Sunday, April 5, at noon local time. Blinds will restart at Level 26: 30,000/60,000 with a 60,000 big blind ante. Another ten levels of 60 minutes are scheduled to be played, during which the tournament will get into the business end of things. The survivors at the end of the night bag up and will return to crown a winner on Day 4.

PokerNews will be back on the floor in Dublin tomorrow to provide an extensive live report, so check back in then to not miss any of the action from the 2026 Irish Open Main Event.
John McDermott has been the business editor of The Post and Courier since 2006. He's written about all facets of the South Carolina economy, served in the U.S. Air Force and is a graduate of the University of Hawaii-Manoa journalism program.
It becomes extremely difficult to switch to Original Medicare with the hope of obtaining a Medigap policy. (Photo subject is a model.) - Getty Images/iStockphoto

Dear Quentin,

This is a growing crisis for Americas seniors.

I am learning from bitter firsthand experience that there is an underreported but devastating contraction in cancer-care providers accepting Medicare Advantage plans, and this issue is not confined to my home state of Florida. Many major hospitals do not accept Medicare Advantage.

Most Read from MarketWatch

If someone is diagnosed with cancer after a one-year trial period, it becomes extremely difficult to switch to Original Medicare with the hope of obtaining a Medigap policy. Medigap applications are medically underwritten and often rejected due to a now pre-existing cancer diagnosis.

Compounding the issue, insurers have pushed certain cancer-care centers out of network. This makes it immensely difficult for patients to secure new coverage and avoid interruptions in their cancer treatment. (This has happened to me twice within the past six months.)

Although these insurers often state that patients can apply for continuity of care, the process can be nearly impossible to navigate. Patients struggle to find the correct channel to request the necessary forms, and in some cases insurers insist on sending forms by U.S. mail.

This is an overlooked catastrophe for Americas seniors.

Cancer Patient on Medicare Advantage

Dont miss: I want safe returns: Im 73 with $300,000 saved. Im not interested in the stock market. What should I do?

You are outlining structural problems  re-enroling for Medigap policies  and systemic challenges  hospitals that pick and choose the kind of coverage they choose to accept. - MarketWatch illustration

Dear Patient,

Your tenacity and spirit is noted and appreciated.

There are two challenges outlined in your letter. You are outlining structural problems  re-enrolling for Medigap (supplemental) policies  and systemic challenges  hospitals allegedly picking and choosing the kind of coverage they choose to accept.

Original Medicare is the government-run, fee-for-service program (Parts A and B) accepted by most healthcare providers. Medicare Advantage (Part C) is offered by private insurers and bundle hospital, medical and prescription-drug coverage (Parts A, B and often D).

About the latter: Many major cancer centers  I wont name them in this column, as its about the system rather than one hospital  either do not accept most Medicare Advantage plans or are very selective, leaving patients like you with limited access to premier cancer care. They must be in-network for full coverage.

This JAMA Network study published last year confirms your concerns. The research found that patients enrolled in Medicare Advantage are less likely than those on traditional Medicare to undergo cancer surgery at high-quality hospitals.
President Bola Tinubu has approved a N3.3 trillion payment plan to settle outstanding debts in Nigerias electricity sector under the Presidential Power Sector Financial Reforms Programme.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Presidents Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the payment plan to finally settle the outstanding debts under the Presidential Power Sector Financial Reforms Programme, the statement said.

According to the presidency, the decision followed a final review of legacy debts that have plagued the power sector for over a decade.

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The government said the liabilities accumulated between February 2015 and March 2025, adding that after verification, 3.3 trillion was agreed as a full and final settlement.

Implementation has already commenced, with 15 power generation companies signing settlement agreements valued at 2.3 trillion, the statement noted .

Mr Onanuga said the federal government has raised 501 billion so far to fund the payments, out of which 223 billion has been disbursed, with further payments ongoing.

The intervention comes amid persistent electricity shortages across Nigeria, forcing households and businesses to rely heavily on petrol and diesel generators and solar alternatives. Similarly, electricity grids have collapsed multiple times this year, leaving millions in the dark across the country.

The power supply challenge has significantly increased operating costs for businesses, many of which pass the additional burden on to consumers through higher prices of goods and services.

Labour opposition

The approval comes months after the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) criticised demands by power generation companies for financial intervention.

In February, the union described a reported N6 trillion demand by the companies as a clandestine scheme to siphon public funds under the guise of sectoral support.

The NLC accused the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC) of seeking an unjustifiable bailout, arguing that the privatisation of the power sector has failed to deliver improved generation capacity or reliable service. At the heart of the dispute is the federal governments reported contemplation of a N3 trillion intervention for GENCOs.

The union also rejected claims that it lacked the expertise to comment on electricity market issues, noting that its affiliates include workers within the sector.

According to the NLC, a key concern is that assets reportedly acquired for about N400 billion are now linked to demands running into trillions of naira, despite what it described as stagnant output since privatisation.

This is not economics; this is plunder. They call it business, but we call it a heist, NLC President Joe Ajaero said at the time.

Expected impact

The federal government said the debt settlement is expected to improve liquidity across the power value chain and enhance electricity generation.

It noted that timely payments to gas suppliers and generation companies would help stabilise operations and improve service delivery.

This programme is not just about settling legacy debts. It is about restoring confidence across the power sector  ensuring gas suppliers are paid, power plants can keep running, and the system begins to work more reliably, said Olu Arowolo-Verheijen, Special Adviser on Energy to the President.

She added that the initiative forms part of broader reforms, including improved metering and service-based tariffs linked to electricity supply quality.

The government also said it is prioritising power supply to industries, businesses, and small enterprises to support economic growth and job creation.

The goal is simple: more reliable power for homes, stronger support for businesses, and a system that works better for all Nigerians, she said.

President Tinubu commended stakeholders involved in resolving the sectors long-standing issues and confirmed that the next phase of the programme (Series II) will commence this quarter.
For three months, Felix Dauda* struggled to get his home connected to the electricity grid and obtain a prepaid meter. What was supposed to be a simple process became complex when officials of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) attempted to extort him.

When he visited the AEDC office in Orozo, a community in the Abuja Municipal Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the officials requested a N25,000 fee for a single-page form he would fill out to make the request. They told him it would cost N25,000 in Orozo and N20,000 at the Area office in Jikwoyi, another community a short distance away.

That is where I started to feel uneasy, Mr Dauda told PREMIUM TIMES, wondering why there was a difference in cost for the same product. When I probed further why the form costs that much, they said the company doesnt supply them with printing machines or the paper necessary for it.

The 40-year-old would later discover that the single-page form is part of a nine-page document available for free on the companys website.

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When he printed the form from the website, filled it out and visited the AEDC office again in August, the officials maintained he had to pay the N25,000, this time under a different title.

They told me it covers their transport, and to settle their accountant and the manager who would sign the form after filling, he said.

Mr Daudas experience reflects a troubling pattern identified by PREMIUM TIMES through interviews with several victims. Those who spoke to our reporter shared stories of extortion, sowing frustration and distrust in a system meant to provide an essential service.

The process vs reality

According to the AEDC, the process of getting a new home connected to the electricity grid includes completing a free Supply and Agreement form, available on the companys website.

This form, which the AEDC said can also be obtained free of charge at any of its offices, was what the AEDC officials at Orozo asked Mr Dauda to pay N25,000 for.

After filling out the form, AEDC officials would conduct a site verification of the house and generate a contract number and payment notification for the purchase of a meter. After payment is made, a meter is assigned to the home and installed.

The meter is purchased under the Nigerian governments Meter Asset Provider (MAP) initiative. Through the MAP initiative, the government engaged third-party vendors to provide meters to electricity consumers at a cost that will be refunded over time.

However, this process appears alien to most of the residents interviewed by this newspaper.

Apart from the initial fee for the forms, which was supposed to be free, residents interviewed in the Orozo, Kubwa, and Katampe areas of the FCT said they were also made to pay a Licensed Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria (LECAN) registration fee.

Tunde Seilman and Ruth Ajuwon in Katampe said they paid N10,000 each for the LECAN fee, while Mr Dauda paid N5,000.

LENCAN is a group of professional electricians. For membership, electricians are encouraged to obtain a certificate from the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), which comes at a cost.

According to its website, the LECAN fee is not required to apply for a meter or the NEMSA certificate.

Meanwhile, the AEDC said it doesnt charge customers for LECAN fees.

The companys spokesperson, Kenechukwu Ofili, told PREMIUM TIMES that although the company recognises the association, it has nothing to do with it and does not request payment for it.

The customer is supposed to do that themselves, not AEDC. They are not to pay the money to anybody, Mr Ofili said in a phone interview.

Mr Ofili also stressed that the requirements for customers getting connected, including the forms and their processing, are free.

If you go to our website, you will see that our form clearly states that the form is not for sale, and, two, the process of that form is free, and that is the official position, he added.

Mr Dauda said he also attempted to speak with one of the companys representatives on WhatsApp concerning the LECAN, but the official did not provide a specific registration fee for LECAN, indicating that prices vary without a clear explanation.

The person just told me the price varies, and didnt provide any amount, even as I pressured, he said.

The money is compulsory

One Thursday morning in August, our reporter visited the AEDC Orozo office alongside Mr Dauda. What unfolded was a brazen attempt at extortion by AEDC officials.

Even after completing the application, one of the staff members who attended to us insisted that we pay LECAN N5,000 and another N20,000, which she said would cover her transport and also settle her boss and the people who would sign and generate the account.

The money is compulsory. They said it is free (referring to the company policy), but if you dont do their thing here, the people at Jikwoyi will just drop your file. And if you keep going, they tell you it is network issue, you should come back. They will never do it, the staff member, who declined to provide her name, told our reporter.

After some negotiation, she agreed to collect a total of N20,000 instead of N25,000. She said the N20,000 would cover LECAN and the settlement.

Daudas ordeal is not an isolated case.

More frustration

For Mr Seilman, a homeowner at Katampe, getting connected and obtaining meters took two years of extortion and frustration.

Mr Seilman said he was extorted by a staffer at the AEDC in 2022, who told him the government was about to distribute new prepaid meters to Nigerians.

He told me that I should register because only registered people would be given. Then he said I would be paying N8,750 for seven meters, he recalled.

Mr Seilman paid the money for two months, estimated at N122,500. Three months later, another official, whom he said was a friend, told him to stop the payment, saying the initiative wasnt genuine.

He was forced to start registration afresh, delayed for another month, before he secured the seven meters for his homes.

I had to start a fresh registration. I think I paid N10,000 for the LENCAN. I cant remember how much I paid for the form again. But I paid a certain amount. Unfortunately, the new meters they supplied came with debt. We discovered that they are removing 50 per cent, 25 per cent on the meters, he added.

Mr Seilmans complaints to the AEDC yielded little response, leaving him without resolution after two years of persistent follow-up, forcing every tenant to pay the money.

They told me it was a mistake that they had written to the head office, he said.

One of his tenants who was affected by the illegal bill, Akinola Oyewole, further revealed that Mr Seilman was told at the AEDC office in Katampe that the meter started reading at the point of purchase, even without being connected to the grid.

So, he went to AEDC, and they told him that the meter that we installed started reading the moment he purchased the meters. That doesnt make sense at all, Mr Oyewole added.

Ruth Ajuwon, a resident of Kubwa, was frustrated last year till she abandoned the process.

She said she was consistently asked to pay several charges without knowing what they were for. After visiting the office several times without an expected result, she stopped and started saving for an alternative.

They mentioned that LENCAN too, and several other things, amounting to N100,000 plus. I was visiting them as if I were begging. So I decided to get Solar energy.

The difficulty and corruption Nigerians encounter in obtaining prepaid meters are among the numerous challenges in Nigerias energy sector. Aside from the frequent grid collapses that cause blackouts affecting households and businesses, this series of extortions has also led to distrust and frustration among energy consumers.

AEDC speaks

When contacted, Mr Ofili said the company is looking into a new method in which customers will download the form from its website, fill it out, and send it back on the platform without approaching any offices.

Soon our customers will be able to do everything online. Including submitting the form online instead of taking it to any branch, he said.

He added that the office is willing to look into the matter and ensure their customers are being treated upright.

Please send me all the evidence so we can also do our investigation, he concluded.

READ ALSO: AEDC reports power outage due to national grid disruption

Metering initiative

In 2020, the Nigerian government commenced the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) to increase the metering rate and reduce metering gaps in the country.

This, according to the government, would also eradicate arbitrary estimated billing, strengthen the local meter manufacturing sector, create jobs, and reduce collection losses.

The Nigerian government, through a partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), invested N200 billion in the program and subsequently engaged the nations electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) and Meter Asset Providers (MAPs).

Access to Electricity

Meanwhile, about 39 per cent or 86.8 million Nigerians lack access to electricity, the largest electricity deficit in the world, according to the World Bank..

These discouraging experiences are forcing many Nigerians to consider costlier alternatives like generators and solar.

A 2021 report by the National Bureau of Statistics revealed that generators powered by petrol, diesel, and gas provide 48.6 per cent of the electricity consumed by power users across the country, while Nigerians spend approximately $14 billion annually to fuel their generators.
It is now 37 days since the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes that triggered a sweeping Iranian retaliation.

What began as a targeted military operation has hardened into a full-blown regional war, one that has extended conflict across the Middle East and convulsed the global economy.

Iran continues to maintain a tight grip on the Strait of Hormuz, the critical waterway through which a significant share of the worlds oil and gas supplies flow, while striking economic targets in Gulf states it accuses of supporting the US-Israeli war effort.

Here is a comprehensive roundup of major developments on the 36th day of the war.

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Missing US fighter rescued

President Donald Trump announced that the United States military has rescued the second crew member of an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet downed over southwestern Iran, ending a tense two-day search operation.

Two US officials had earlier confirmed recovery to news agencies.

The rescue efforts began after Iran said on Friday that its air defences had brought down the aircraft  the latest such incident since Washington and Tel Aviv launched their joint assault on Iran on 28 February.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the first crew member was rescued shortly after the crash.

Mr Trump said the second airman is now safe and sound.

48-hour deadline to make a deal

Mr Trump has issued another threat to Iran, writing that it has two days to make a deal or open up the Hormuz Strait.

The American leader reiterated his demands for Tehran to make a deal or relinquish control of the waterway. He warned that all hell would rain down within 48 hours otherwise.

The brief post offered no further details, but it followed a series of posts earlier in the week in which the US president threatened to attack Irans power plants, oil facilities and, potentially, all of its desalination infrastructure.

Tehran responded by calling Mr Trumps post a helpless and nervous ultimatum.

Talks at a Standstill

Diplomatic efforts to end the war remain deadlocked.

No meaningful negotiations have resumed, and Mr Trumps repeated public threats have further narrowed the space for back-channel dialogue.

The combination of military escalation and hardening rhetoric on both sides has left little room for a near-term settlement.

Iran exempts Iraqi ships from Hormuz restrictions

In a development that analysts said could signal a calibrated easing of tensions with Baghdad, Iran announced on Saturday that Iraqi vessels would be exempted from all restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz.

Irans Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, in a statement reported by Al Jazeera, said controls would apply only to enemy countries, explicitly excluding Iraq.

We hold profound respect for Iraqs national sovereignty, the military command said.

The announcement was seen as the latest effort by Tehran to distinguish between nations it views as adversaries in the conflict and those it regards as neutral or sympathetic.

Attacks on Iranian medical facilities and schools draw international concern

The US and Israel have carried out multiple strikes on medical infrastructure inside Iran since the war began, prompting an appeal from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to international health organisations.

Mr Pezeshkian specifically cited the targeting of the Pasteur Institute in Tehran, a leading public health facility among a string of medical sites hit during the conflict. Iranian officials said more than 30 universities have also been struck since hostilities began. The WHO and other UN bodies have condemned the deliberate targeting of health facilities during the war.

Irans joint military headquarters, through its spokesperson, maintained a firm line on retaliation, warning that any further attack would be met in kind. In case of any attack, there is going to be retaliation  a tit-for-tat strategy, the spokesperson said, in what observers described as a strong message of defiance and resilience from Tehran.

Hours after Mr Trumps 48-hour ultimatum, Iran launched a wave of missiles and drones targeting both Israel and Kuwait early on Sunday.

Both countries said their air defence systems were actively responding to the incoming projectiles on Sunday morning.

Kuwait confirmed that the Iranian drone attacks had caused damage to power infrastructure and water desalination plants and sparked a fire at an oil complex, though no injuries were immediately reported.

In a separate statement, Iranian authorities said US-Israeli strikes had killed five people and wounded 170 others at the Mahshahr Petrochemical Zone  one of Irans major industrial hubs.
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced plans to commence a nationwide strike, citing the federal governments decision to suspend the implementation of the Professional Allowance Table (PAT) and failure to meet longstanding financial obligations to its members.

The decision was disclosed in a communique issued at the end of a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held virtually on Saturday, 4 April.

In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Shuaibu Ibrahim, NARD described the governments decision on the PAT as unfortunate and a significant setback to efforts to improve the welfare of resident doctors.

NARD said its members would embark on a total and comprehensive industrial action beginning at 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 7 April 2026.

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Demands

The association outlined some demands it expects the federal government to address as a condition for suspending the strike.

These include the immediate reversal of the decision to discontinue the PAT from April 2026, payment of promotion and salary arrears owed to doctors in affected centres, and the prompt conclusion of the process for disbursing the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF).

It also demanded the immediate payment of outstanding arrears of the professional allowance, which it said had accumulated over a period of 19 months.

The association urged its members to stand together in opposing the injustice and to ensure the matter is pursued to a proper conclusion.

Recurring dispute

The planned strike adds to a series of industrial actions that have disrupted Nigerias public health sector in recent years.

Last year, the association embarked on a nationwide strike that lasted 29 days before it was suspended following negotiations with the federal government.

Earlier this year, they again embarked on another industrial action over delayed salaries and arrears, highlighting the persistent disputes over allowances and remuneration.

PREMIUM TIMES reporting shows that patients are often the hardest hit during these strikes, with public hospitals forced to scale down services, surgeries postponed, and critical care disrupted.
Two men were killed in Kokami Village, Danja Local Government Area of Katsina State, after a dispute over the purchase of garri and sachet water escalated into deadly violence.

The incident, which occurred on 4 April, involved Ibrahim Auwal and a trader identified as Joe, also known as K.C. Jones.

The disagreement turned violent when Mr Jones allegedly stabbed Mr Auwal during an altercation at his shop. Mr Auwal was rushed to Abdullahi Makama Hospital in Dabai, where he was later confirmed dead.

His death triggered a reprisal attack, as some youths in the community reportedly mobilised, attacked Mr Jones, killed him, and set his body ablaze along a nearby highway.

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Police arrest suspects

The Katsina State Police Command said it has arrested four suspects in connection with the mob killing.

In a statement on Sunday, the police spokesperson, Abubakar Aliyu, said officers responded promptly to the incident and restored calm in the area.

The suspects are currently in custody, and investigations are ongoing, he said.

The Commissioner of Police, Ali Fage, condemned the violence and urged residents to report disputes to security agencies rather than resort to mob action.

Government condemns killings

The Katsina State Government also condemned the incident, describing it as deeply unfortunate and unacceptable.

In a statement, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Nasir Muazu, said the violence stemmed from a personal dispute and should not be misinterpreted as an ethnic or religious conflict.

READ ALSO: Why Tinubu only addressed victims of Plateau violence at airport Presidency

No individual has the right to take the law into their own hands. All those involved will be brought to justice, he said.

Mr Muazu added that security personnel have been deployed to the area, with joint patrols ongoing to maintain peace.

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, according to the statement, commiserated with the families of the victims and urged community leaders to promote peace.
Suspected terrorists have reportedly attacked two churches in Ariko in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing at least seven people and abducting several others.

According to a report by Punch, the assault occurred in the early hours of Sunday during Easter celebrations, throwing the community into panic.

The affected worship centres are the First ECWA Church and St Augustine Catholic Church, both located within Ariko.

A councillor from the area, Mark Bawa, confirmed the incident to the newspaper, saying casualty figures were still being verified, noting that initial reports put the death toll at seven. He added that he was on his way to the area to ascertain the full extent of the attack.

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Mr Bawa further attributed the scale of the assault to poor telecommunications coverage in the area, which may have delayed a timely response by security agencies.

As of the time of the report, details on the number of abducted victims and any security intervention remained unclear.

Mansir Hassan, the spokesperson for the Kaduna police command, could not be immediately reached for comment.

Mr Hassan, an assistant superintendent of police, did not respond to calls placed through his official line, and an enquiry sent to him remained unanswered.
Nigerias former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has signed a $1.2 million (about N1.9 billion) contract with a United States lobbying firm as he intensifies moves ahead of a likely presidential ticket contest within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), PREMIUM TIMES can report.

Documents filed with the US Department of Justice show that Atiku engaged Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., a Washington-based lobbying firm, under a 12-month deal signed on 10 March and formally registered with the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) Unit on 1 April.

According to the filing, the firm will provide strategic advisory, congressional and executive branch engagement, and reputational management services targeted at the US policymakers and institutions for Atiku.

Atiku, who served as Nigerias vice president between 1999 and 2007, has contested the presidency multiple times.

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His latest political move follows a realignment ahead of the 2027 election, with the ADC emerging as a potential coalition platform.

Scope of the deal

The lobbying firm will inform and, where appropriate, influence the US government officials on issues relating to Nigeria, including democratic governance, regional stability, economic development, and bilateral relations.

The firm is also expected to shape Atikus policy messaging, coordinate meetings with the US officials, and manage his perception among policymakers in Washington.

The agreement outlines four key objectives: advancing understanding of Atikus leadership vision, strengthening his reputation in Washington, countering narratives from incumbent authorities, and building structured relationships across US institutions.

The services include preparing policy briefs, arranging meetings with members of Congress and executive officials, and advising on political and reputational risks.

ADC battle looms

The development comes months after Atiku defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ADC, where he is expected to contest the partys presidential ticket against Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, who was the Labour Partys 2023 presidential candidate.

The lobbying services, it is believed, are geared towards addressing longstanding concerns around Atikus global standing, especially his temporary ban from the US linked to decade-old bribery scandals.

PREMIUM TIMES exclusively reported in 2018 how the former vice president sold off his controversial $2.95 million US home after he was blocked from entering the US.

The property, in a posh neighbourhood of Potomac, Maryland, gained international notoriety in 2005 after the Federal Bureau of Investigation searched it in connection with a bribery scandal involving disgraced former US Congressman William Jefferson.

Long history of US lobbying

Atiku has maintained a long and costly relationship with American lobbyists and public affairs consultants spanning over two decades.

In September 2022, he engaged a US-based non-profit, the Public Policy Advocacy and Research Council, for lobbying, public relations, and campaign messaging. The group reported no direct payment but indicated it expected exclusive interviews as compensation.

Earlier, in 2019, the law firm Fein & DelValle PLLC disclosed receiving $30,000 for advocacy services in support of Atikus presidential campaign.

Between 2018 and 2019, Atiku also contracted services to secure a US visa and arrange political engagements, including a $50,000 deal with Ambassador Sada Cumber and Holland & Knight LLP.

The US authorities later determined that some aspects of the engagement qualified as political activities under FARA.

In October 2018, filings showed a proposed $16.5 million agreement involving Cumber and Legacy Logistics LLC aimed at supporting Atikus campaign strategy and international profile, although the extent of implementation remains unclear.

Other disclosures include a $150,000 proposed arrangement in 2018 to facilitate high-level meetings in Washington, which was later reported to be unsuccessful, and engagements in 2021 with US political advisers to support visa applications and outreach to government officials, alongside small political donations routed through intermediaries.

Earlier engagements dating back to 2005

Atikus relationship with US lobbyists dates back to his time as vice president from 1999 to 2007.

In 2005 alone, he engaged multiple firms, including Weidenfeld Law Firm at $13,000 per consultation to promote democratic transition in Nigeria and J.C. Watts Companies on a $120,000 annual retainer for the US government relations.

In 2006, he contracted Alexander Strategy Group for $420,000 to promote democratic governance and his political views.

Subsequent engagements included $40,000 paid to APCO Worldwide in 2007 and $60,000 to Qorvis Communications in 2008 for crisis communications and public relations support.

Transparency under US law

The latest disclosures were obtained from the FARA Unit of the US Department of Justice, which enforces a 1938 law requiring agents representing foreign principals to disclose their activities, funding, and relationships publicly.

The law is designed to ensure transparency in foreign influence on the US policy and political processes.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has unveiled the list of successful candidates for the Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) Course 34/2025.

The announcement was contained in a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Ehimen Ejodame, on Saturday in Abuja.

Mr Ejodame said the announcement followed the completion of the rigorous Selection Board Interview held at NAF Base Kaduna between 12 January and 8 February.

He said the names of successful candidates are available on the official NAF recruitment portal for verification and further information.

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Interested candidates are urged to check the portal at https://nafrecruitment.airforce.mil.ng/updates/.

Selected candidates are expected to commence a six-month Basic Cadet Training programme at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Afaka, Kaduna, starting April 18, he said.

Mr Ejodame, an air commodore, emphasised that candidates must report with their original credentials for documentation and admission.

He further warned that failure to report by 6:00 p.m. on Monday, 20 April, will result in automatic forfeiture of the offer.

According to him, only upon successful completion of the training and formal commissioning will candidates attain full status as NAF officers.

He urged candidates to prepare diligently for the training and uphold the values of the Service.

(NAN)
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) is included among the 15 Cheapest Stocks with Highest Dividends.

Poland, Romania Ordered to Honor Vaccine Deal with Pfizer

On April 1, Reuters reported that a Belgian court ordered Poland and Romania to take delivery of 1.9B ($2.2B) worth of COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) and BioNTech. The case has been building for some time. Pfizer brought the lawsuit in late 2023, asking the court to enforce a contract signed with the European Commission. The agreement required both countries to accept a fixed number of vaccine doses over several years.

Back in April 2022, Poland and Romania declined to take those doses. They pointed to changing pandemic conditions, the war in Ukraine, and concerns around Pfizers position in the market. The Brussels court dismissed those arguments. It ruled that both countries must accept and pay for the vaccines. Polands obligation stands at about 1.3 billion, while Romanias is around 600 million. Poland said it intends to challenge the decision. Romania indicated the total amount could increase due to penalties. It also noted that payment would still be required even if an appeal is filed.

Pfizer said the ruling reinforces the contractual commitments made during the EUs pandemic response, when governments secured large vaccine supplies alongside BioNTech and Moderna.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) is a research-based global biopharmaceutical company. It is engaged in the discovery, development, manufacturing, marketing, sale, and distribution of biopharmaceutical products worldwide. Its Biopharma segment includes the Pfizer U.S. Commercial Division and the Pfizer International Commercial Division.

While we acknowledge the potential of PFE as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 13 Best Diversified Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now and 14 Cheap DRIP Stocks to Buy Now

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.
Soldiers serving in Operation Enduring Peace, a multi- security task force in Plateau State, have arrested two suspects with an AK-47 rifle and ammunition during a stop-and-search in Jos North and Jos South local government areas.

The arrest followed heightened security pressure across the two LGAs due to the recent attacks and killings in Anguwan Rukuba and some parts of the state that claimed more than 30 lives.

In a statement on Saturday, the spokesperson of the operation, Polycarp Oteh, said the intensified operations were meant to curb the escalation of tensions within Jos metropolis.

In a proactive move to prevent further escalation of the ongoing crisis in Jos North, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE initiated a comprehensive stop-and-search exercise across the Jos metropolis on Friday.

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This strategic intervention is part of a broader mandate to restore absolute normalcy and ensure the safety of lives and property within the state.

The heightened security presence yielded immediate results as troops successfully intercepted and arrested 2 suspects, as well as recovered one fabricated AK-47 rifle, along with four rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and one pump action with a cutlass.

The arrest and recoveries were made during targeted operations conducted across key flashpoints and transit routes, including Jos North and Jos South, along Dadinkowa, the Old Airport Junction, Tudun Wada, and the State Low-cost housing estate, the statement added.

Mr Oteh, an army captain, further disclosed that troops of the operation have also foiled an attack by gunmen in a cattle market in Yelwa, Shendam LGA.

In a simultaneous development, troops also responded swiftly to a distress call regarding sporadic shooting in the Yelwa Cattle Market area of Shendam.

Upon the arrival of the troops, the unidentified gunmen were forced to retreat into the surrounding bushes under superior tactical pressure.

During a subsequent sweep of the immediate vicinity, troops discovered two residents who had sustained gunshot wounds, he said.

The military vowed to maintain a security presence throughout the state, adding that the operation will continue until all threats of violence are neutralised.
The Nigerian Army, 8 Division, Sokoto, has debunked a social media report alleging an attack on the residence of Matthew Kukah and the Sokoto Catholic Cathedral.

This is contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Sokoto by Olaniyi Osoba, the acting deputy director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division.

Mr Osoba, a lieutenant colonel, described the report circulating on Facebook as misleading and unfounded.

The attention of the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army and Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, has been drawn to a misleading social media post.

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The post falsely reported an armed attack on the residence of Bishop Matthew Kukah, the Bishop of the Sokoto Catholic Diocese, as well as the Sokoto Catholic Cathedral.

We categorically debunk these unfounded claims, as there was no such attack in Sokoto State.

The safety and security of Bishop Kukah and the Sokoto Catholic Cathedral remain intact. Bishop Kukah is currently fulfilling his Easter duties without any disruption, he said.

Mr Osoba added that the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with other security agencies, remained committed to ensuring the safety of residents across the state.

He said that adequate security measures had been put in place to guarantee a peaceful Easter celebration within the divisions Area of Responsibility (AoR).

In a related development, the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto also dismissed the report, saying it was false and unfounded.

In a statement issued by Pascal Salifu, director of Communications of the Diocese, the church described the report as false and misleading.

READ ALSO: Pope appoints Bishop Kukah to top Vatican role

According to the statement, the video accompanying the claim began circulating following the murder of Deborah Yakubu in May 2022.

This is the work of persons committed to causing havoc in society.

We wish to inform the general public that the information is totally false. The Bishops residence, the Cathedral, and the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Sokoto remain safe, intact and fully operational, it added.

The diocese extended its goodwill messages from Bishop Kukah to the faithful and other residents, wishing them a joyful and grace-filled Easter celebration.

It also expressed appreciation to the military and other security agencies for their prompt response following the circulation of the false video.

(NAN)
The police in Jigawa State said they are investigating a tragic incident that occurred in Kazaure Local Government Area, involving the alleged killing of a father by his biological son.

The police spokesperson in the state, Shiisu Adam, in a statement on Sunday, said the incident occurred on 1 April at Lokon Malamai, Magama Quarters in Kazaure town. The police said the 60-year-old man died in a fire suspected to have been started by his son.

Preliminary investigations revealed that, on the same date, an unidentified person poured a reasonable quantity of a flammable item, suspected to be petrol, on the victims body and set him ablaze.

In-depth surveillance and investigation led to the arrest of one Kabiru Nuhu, 27 years, of the same address, who happened to be the biological son of the victim, with several fresh fire burns and wounds on his forehead, arms, and toes, the police stated.

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Mr Adam said the victim was rushed to the hospital after the fire was extinguished.

He said the victim was later referred to a higher medical centre for intensive treatment but died from the injuries sustained.

The suspect is currently in custody and will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Dutse, for discreet investigation and diligent prosecution, he added.

The Commissioner of Police, Jigawa State Command, CP Haruna Alaba Yahaya, psc, mnips, condemns in strong terms this heinous act and assures the public that justice will be served.

READ ALSO: NHRC seeks justice for Ebonyi woman allegedly murdered over inheritance

He further calls on residents to seek peaceful means of resolving disputes and to report any signs of domestic violence or conflict to the nearest police station.

The Command also urges members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with the police as investigations continue and further developments will be communicated in due course, the statement concluded.
Amnesty International has criticised the Nigerian government over renewed killings in Plateau State, describing the latest attack in Jos South as evidence of failure to protect citizens.

The organisation said three young men were killed on Friday, 3 April, when gunmen ambushed them in Nyangom Gel, Jos South Local Government Area.

The attack came days after gunmen killed about 30 people in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North, in one of the deadliest incidents recorded in the state in recent weeks.

In the statement, Amnesty International said the pattern of violence and delayed security response reflects systemic gaps in protecting vulnerable communities.

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The utter failure of President Bola Tinubus government to address widespread insecurity is costing lives, the organisation said.

It added that victims of recent attacks told the group that security forces were often absent during assaults and arrived only after attackers had fled.

Some of the affected communities said their villages have been attacked repeatedly, not once, not twice, but up to six times, the statement said.

Recurring attacks, rising casualties

Amnesty International said the situation in Plateau reflects a broader trend of violence affecting both rural and urban communities.

Plateau State is increasingly becoming unsafe, with attacks forcing residents to live in constant fear of the next assault, it said.

The organisation cited data showing that between December 2023 and February 2024, at least 1,336 people were killed in the state. Of the victims, 533 were women, 263 were children, and 540 were men, while over 29,000 people were displaced.

The group said the figures underscore the scale of the crisis and the need for urgent intervention.

Call for investigation, accountability

Amnesty International urged Nigerian authorities to take concrete steps to prevent further attacks and ensure accountability.

It called for thorough, independent and impartial investigations into the Angwan Rukuba killings and other recent incidents.

The mass burial of victims is a reminder of the failure of authorities to protect lives, the organisation said.

It also demanded that suspected perpetrators be brought to justice and that victims and survivors receive adequate compensation.

Context of ongoing violence

PREMIUM TIMES has reported attacks and reprisals across Plateau State in recent days, including the Palm Sunday killings in Angwan Rukuba, which triggered heightened tension, curfews, and security deployments.

Despite assurances from President Tinubu and security agencies that the situation is under control, fresh incidents have continued to emerge, including the recent killings in Jos South.

The developments have raised concerns among residents and civil society groups about the effectiveness of current security measures and the governments ability to prevent further violence.
The Plateau State Police Command has launched a manhunt for gunmen who killed three persons and injured another in Chwel Nyango Community, Jos South Local Government Area.

The police said the attack occurred at about 9:20 p.m. on Friday when the victims were ambushed while returning from a mining site.

In a statement on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Alfred Alabo, said the command received a distress call and immediately deployed officers to the scene.

Unidentified armed assailants ambushed and opened fire on a group of individuals who were returning from work at a mining site, resulting in the death of three persons, while one other sustained injuries, Mr Alabo said.

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He said a patrol team led by the Divisional Police Officer of B Division, Bukuru, was dispatched to the area, adding that the injured victim was evacuated to a hospital and is receiving treatment.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Bassey Ewah, expressed condolences to the families of the victims and described the attack as senseless.

New restrictions imposed

Following the incident, the police announced fresh security measures across the state.

Mr Alabo said the commissioner had directed the immediate enforcement of a statewide ban on night grazing and night mining activities.

He also reiterated that the ban on commercial motorcycles in the Jos-Bukuru metropolis remains in force.

According to him, the measures are aimed at preventing further attacks and strengthening public safety.

In addition, the police placed a temporary ban on the operation of commercial tricycles, popularly known as Keke Napep, on Sunday, 5 April, citing security concerns during the Easter period.

Residents were advised to limit night-time movement and to report suspicious activities to security agencies.

Renewed security concerns

The latest directive follows a series of violent incidents in the state.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported the killing of residents in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North, on Palm Sunday, which triggered heightened tension, reprisals, and increased deployment of security forces.

Subsequent attacks and unrest in parts of Jos and surrounding communities have continued to raise concerns about safety in the state.

President Bola Tinubu, during a recent visit to Plateau, assured residents that security agencies would bring perpetrators to justice and prevent further attacks.

However, despite these assurances and ongoing operations by security forces, fresh incidents such as the Chwel Nyango attack highlight the fragile security situation.

The police said they have intensified deployment in affected areas and are working to apprehend those responsible.

The command remains committed to maintaining peace, law and order across the state, Mr Alabo said, adding that efforts are ongoing to ensure that the perpetrators face the full weight of the law.
Governor Abba Yusuf returned to Kano on Saturday to a rousing welcome, greeted by a massive throng of supporters following his 10-day trip to Kaduna and Abuja where he attended the zonal and national conventions of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Addressing the crowd, the governor took a swipe at the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), dismissing their chances of attaining power at the national or state levels.

The governors remarks were a direct response to a burgeoning Falle Daya (One Term) campaign reportedly promoted by ADC members.

After being escorted by thousands of supporters from the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport to the Government House, Governor Yusuf urged his followers to ignore the rhetoric of one term being championed by the opposition.

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Any ADC member saying Falle Dayathat we will serve only one termtell them they will not even smell the seat of power, let alone serve a single term, the governor stated to a thunderous applause by the supporters at the Government Houses gate.

Mr Yusuf lauded an improvement in the states relationship with the centre, stating that Kano is finally receiving federal support that was hitherto lacking.

He expressed high confidence in his partys momentum, suggesting that with the current unity in Kano, the APC is positioned to sweep the 2027 elections, from the presidency to the State House of Assembly.

The governor urged eligible voters to revalidate their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), and the new voters reaching the age of 18 should register immediately to ensure their voices are heard in 2027.

He called on the leadership of the party at the local government level to facilitate the voter registration card for all eligible voters.

Support for President Tinubu

Governor Yusuf declared that the federal governments economic and physical reforms, as evidenced in infrastructural, health, education and agricultural development in the country, are credible enough to guarantee President Tinubu a second term.

Governor Yusuf said President Tinubu has been doing his best for the country and has improved the economy.

Let me seize this opportunity to thank the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCRF, for his doggedness in ensuring that dividends of democracy are provided in Nigeria.

And let me say that he is also doing his best to ensure that all infrastructure is provided within all the zones and within the limited time and resources available to the Federal Government. The Presidents economic impact is evidence-based especially on education, health, agriculture, infrastructure, social welfare and other sectors.

Let me assure Mr President that Kano belongs to APC and APC is synonymous with Kano. We are going to mobilise total support to vote for APC and President Tinubus re-election in Kano. The President should be assured that we are fully in charge of the politics in Kano.

Let me say that we in Kano State are fully behind Mr President and we will support his re-election come 2027, by the Grace of Allah (SWT), the governor said.
The former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, has lost his wife, Hadiza Jega.

The former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, confirmed the death and announced his condolences to the bereaved family in a statement on Facebook.

I extend my deepest condolences to Professor Attahiru Jega and his entire family on the passing of his beloved wife, Hajiya Hadiza Attahiru Jega.

This is indeed a painful and irreplaceable loss. Hajiya Hadiza was a woman of grace, dignity, and remarkable virtue whose life impacted many beyond her immediate family. Her contributions to family, community, and society will not be forgotten.

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At this moment of grief, I pray that Almighty Allah grants her Aljannatul Firdaus and gives Prof. Jega and the entire family the strength and fortitude to bear this great loss. May Allah forgive and grant her Jannah Firdaus, Mr Malami stated.

Mr Jega, a professor, currently serves as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Saadatu Rimi College of Education (SRCOE) in Kumbotso, Kano State.

He was also appointed by President Bola Tinubu in 2025 as Special Adviser and Coordinator of the Presidential Livestock Reform Initiative.

The funeral prayer for the deceased will be held at the National Mosque, Abuja, today, Sunday, 5th April 2026, the management of Bayero University announced
A Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered bus exploded at a transport terminal in Kaduna State, raising concerns over the safety of gas-powered vehicles in Nigerias public transport system.

The explosion, which occurred on Sunday at about 2 a.m., tore through at least one luxury bus and affected another, scattering debris across the terminal.

Umar Mohammed, a worker at the Mando motor park, said the incident was not a security attack but a gas-related explosion.

It was a big blast, tearing a luxurious bus apartin fact, two buses.

People are clearing the debris, and for now, we cannot say if there are any injuries or even deaths. Everywhere is calm, he said.

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He noted that the timing of the blastwhen there was minimal human movementmay have reduced the risk of casualties.

Residents around the popular motor park said the loud explosion caused panic in surrounding areas, although calm has since been restored.

Efforts to reach the police spokesperson in Kaduna were unsuccessful, as calls to the official line went unanswered.

A police officer at a division in Mando said he could not comment on the incident, noting he was not authorised to speak.

Authorities are yet to confirm casualty figures or the exact cause of the explosion, but investigations are expected to focus on possible mechanical failure, poor handling of gas systems, or lapses in safety compliance.

Nigerias push for CNG transport

The adoption of CNG-powered buses forms part of Nigerias strategy to cushion the impact of rising fuel costs and transition to cleaner energy alternatives.

Following fuel subsidy reforms, governments across the country have accelerated the rollout of gas-powered mass transit systems to reduce transportation costs for citizens.

In Kaduna State, authorities introduced a fleet of CNG buses to provide subsidisedand in some cases freetransport services to residents. The initiative quickly gained traction, moving large numbers of passengers daily and offering relief amid economic pressures.

At the national level, the programme aligns with broader efforts to leverage Nigerias vast natural gas reserves, reduce reliance on petrol, and cut transport-sector emissions.

Safety questions come to the fore

Despite its economic and environmental benefits, experts warn that CNG technology requires strict adherence to safety protocols.

These include proper installation of gas cylinders, routine inspections, and trained personnel to manage fueling and maintenance systems. Any lapse, they say, could result in catastrophic incidents.

The Kaduna explosion is expected to intensify calls for stronger regulatory oversight, improved infrastructure, and public awareness as Nigeria deepens its transition to gas-powered transportation.
At least 17 people have been reported killed in an attack on Mbalom in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State, in the latest violence to hit the states rural areas.

The attack, which occurred on Sunday, coincided with Easter celebrations, with residents narrating how the gunmen stormed the community and opened fire on villagers.

Local sources who did not want their names mentioned for security reasons said the assailants also set houses ablaze, displacing many residents, with many missing as search efforts continue.

This is heartbreaking. People were caught unawares. Many are still missing, a resident said.

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Witness accounts indicate that the attackers struck without warning, forcing families to flee into the bush as gunshots rang through the community.

The latest killings have renewed concerns over persistent insecurity in parts of Benue, where farming communities have faced repeated attacks by armed groups.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the attack, describing it as heinous and unacceptable.

The statement, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, said the governor expressed sympathy to affected families and assured residents that the government would pursue those responsible.

Mr Alia also noted what he described as a pattern of calculated and selective attacks in parts of the state and pledged to strengthen security measures to prevent further violence.

He commended the security agencies for their response and urged them to intensify operations to apprehend the perpetrators.

The incident adds to a history of deadly violence in the Mbalom area. In April 2018, suspected herders attacked a Catholic church in the community, killing two priests, Joseph Gor and Felix Tyolaha, during a morning mass.

At least 15 other persons were reportedly killed in that attack, which also saw houses burnt and properties destroyed.

The Catholic Diocese of Makurdi had at the time condemned the killings and criticised what it described as an inadequate security response to the violence.

Sundays attack mirrors that earlier incident, with similar reports of killings, arson, and displacement of residents.

Across Benue State, such attacks have continued to disrupt livelihoods, particularly in agrarian communities, raising broader questions about security and protection for vulnerable populations.

Authorities say investigations are ongoing, while security agencies have launched efforts to track down those responsible.
For years, the epicentre of terrorism has been the North-East. But the geography of terror is no longer static. It is expanding. Increasingly, attention is turning to Kwara State  once considered relatively stable  as a potential new frontier. Bordering pressure zones and sitting along critical transit corridors, Kwara offers the kind of terrain where non-state actors can establish footholds and expand influence.

There is a kind of fear that does not announce itself with gunfire. It does not arrive on motorcycles or through midnight phone calls demanding ransom. It settles quietly, reshaping how people think, what they believe, and even what they dare to hope for. This is the fear that outlives the bullet.

In April 2014, the world woke up to a phrase that would become both a rallying cry and a haunting reminder of Nigerias vulnerability: Bring Back Our Girls. In the quiet town of Borno State, over 270 schoolgirls were taken from their dormitories in the dead of night by fighters loyal to Boko Haram.

But the abduction was never just about the girls. It was about what they represented.

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Books. Classrooms. The idea that a young girl in Northern Nigeria could sit behind a desk, learn, and imagine a future beyond the boundaries imposed by fear or tradition. In the logic of terror, that idea itself was a threat.

Years later, in February 2018, history echoed in Dapchi, where more than 100 schoolgirls were again abducted. Most were eventually returned. One was not.

Leah Sharibu remained in captivity  her continued detention reportedly tied not to ransom, but to refusal. Refusal to renounce her faith. Refusal to submit.

In that moment, the nature of the conflict became unmistakably clear. This was no longer about money. It was about belief.



From Violence to Ideology

In the third edition of THE SUNDAY STEW, we launched The Insecurity Triad, beginning with kidnapping  the marketplace where human lives are traded. In the second, we confronted banditry  the siege on Nigerias land and food systems.

But beneath both lies a deeper, more enduring force. One that does not merely extract wealth or occupy territory, but seeks to capture the mind itself.

This is terrorism  not just as violence, but as ideology. Not just as conflict, but as a competing vision of order.

Across parts of Northern Nigeria, the authority of the state is no longer the only voice. In its place, groups like Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram have attempted to construct an alternative reality  one governed not by constitutional law, but by rigid interpretations of belief, enforced through fear.

Unlike banditry, which is driven largely by profit, terrorism is anchored in ideology. Its objective is not simply to coerce  but to convert, to dominate not just territory, but thought.

Where the bandit demands payment, the terrorist demands submission. Where the kidnapper negotiates, the extremist dictates.

This distinction explains why terrorism is often more enduring  and more difficult to dismantle. You can disrupt a supply chain. You can block financial flows. But dismantling an idea  especially one rooted in identity  is infinitely more complex.

By the Numbers: The Expanding Terror Footprint

The scale of terrorism in Nigeria is no longer anecdotal  it is measurable.

Nigeria is now ranked among the four most terrorism-affected countries globally, reflecting a sharp deterioration in its security environment.

In 2025 alone:

Over 170 terrorist incidents were recorded;

Fatalities climbed to approximately 750 deaths;

Nearly 80 per cent of these deaths were linked to Boko Haram and ISWAP.

Even more revealing is the global contrast. While terrorism-related deaths declined worldwide, Nigeria recorded one of the sharpest increases, signalling a crisis that is not just persistent  but intensifying.

Geographically, the crisis remains concentrated  but not contained.

Borno State alone accounts for the majority of attacks and fatalities, yet the pattern is shifting.

The trend is clear: Fewer but deadlier attacks, and a widening operational footprint.

The War Against Education

One of the clearest expressions of this ideological war is the sustained attack on education.

The very phrase Boko Haram loosely translates to Western education is forbidden. But beyond semantics, the message is unmistakable: knowledge itself is seen as subversive.

Schools are not just buildings; they are symbols. They represent mobility, empowerment, and the possibility of a future that exists outside extremist control.

To attack a school is to attack the future.

From Chibok to Dapchi, and in numerous smaller incidents across the North-East, the targeting of students has been both strategic and symbolic. It sends a message to communities: education carries a cost  and that cost may be too high to bear.

Parallel Sovereignty

Terrorism thrives where the state recedes.

In many affected regions, extremist groups have moved beyond hit-and-run attacks to establish systems of governance:

They collect levies;

They enforce rules;

They adjudicate disputes,

In doing so, they create what can only be described as parallel sovereignty  a competing structure of authority that challenges the legitimacy of the Nigerian State.

With millions displaced across the North-East, terrorism has already begun reshaping not just territory, but population patterns and governance realities.

The New Frontier: From the North-East to Kwara State

For years, the epicentre of terrorism has been the North-East. But the geography of terror is no longer static. It is expanding. Increasingly, attention is turning to Kwara State  once considered relatively stable  as a potential new frontier. Bordering pressure zones and sitting along critical transit corridors, Kwara offers the kind of terrain where non-state actors can establish footholds and expand influence.

Recent intelligence patterns suggest growing movement across the North-Central corridor, linking parts of Niger, Kogi, and Kwara states.

What begins as sporadic incursions can evolve into:

Embedded cells;

Supply networks;

Ideological penetration.

This is how insurgencies spread  not always through conquest, but through incremental penetration.

The danger is not just isolated attacks, but normalisation.

If the North-East was the birthplace of insurgency, then Kwara represents its next testing ground.

Terrorism in Nigeria is no longer confined to a region  it is becoming a pattern.

Mazrui and the Fracture of Identity

To understand the depth of this conflict, we return to Ali Mazrui. In The Africans: A Triple Heritage, Mazrui described African identity as a synthesis of three forces: Indigenous, Islamic, and Western.

His thesis was one of harmony.

What we are witnessing now is rupture.

Terrorism represents an attempt to violently reorder this balance  rejecting pluralism and imposing a singular worldview.

Where Mazrui saw convergence, the extremist sees contradiction.

Where he envisioned coexistence, the terrorist enforces exclusion.

This is not merely a security crisis. It is a civilisational contest.

The Psychology of Fear

Terrorism operates not only through violence, but through psychological dominance.

The goal is not just to killbut to condition.

Not just to destroybut to reshape behaviour.

Communities begin to self-censor.

Parents withdraw children from school.

Expression becomes cautious.

Over time, fear becomes internalised.

This is the true victory of terror: when society begins to regulate itself according to fear.

The Sovereignty Question

At its core, terrorism poses a fundamental question:

Who governs?

Is it the constitution?

Is it elected authority?

Or is it the actor that can most effectively project fear?

A nation does not lose sovereignty only when borders are breached. It loses it when its authority is contested from within.

Breaking the Cycle

Confronting terrorism requires more than military force. It demands a multidimensional response:

Security Presence: Intelligence-driven, sustained operations;

Education Protection: Safeguarding schools as national assets;

Counter-Ideology: Promoting pluralism and coexistence;

Community Trust: Rebuilding confidence between citizens and the state.

This is not simply a war of weapons. It is a war of ideas, legitimacy, and identity.

Closing Argument: The Final Pillar

If kidnapping commodifies life, and banditry captures the land, terrorism seeks to colonise the mind. And a nation that loses control of its mind risks losing everything else.

The Insecurity Triad is not just a framework  it is a warning. Each pillar reinforces the other  financially, territorially, and ideologically.

But the urgency has deepened.

What was once a regional crisis is now a national drift. From the classrooms of the North-East to the forests of the North-Central, the geography of terror is widening.

The frontlines are no longer fixed.

The war for Nigerias soul is no longer distant. It is moving  quietly, steadily  into new spaces, new communities, and new consciousness.

The question is no longer whether the threat exists.

The question is no longer where it exists.

The question now is whether we have the clarity  and the will  to stop its spread.

As The Insecurity Triad concludes with this edition, new vistas begin to emerge. Chief among them is the need to interrogate the concepts developed in this series within the context of Nigerias evolving insecurity  now a single, interlocking system of money, land, and mind, eroding sovereignty, fracturing identity, and placing the nation under siege.

Next week, we will confront it fully.

Dont miss it.

Happy Easter.

Trust is Sacred. Stay Seasoned.

Max Amuchie, CEO of Sundiata Post, writes The Sunday Stew, a weekly syndicated column on faith, character, and the forces that shape society, with a focus on Nigeria and Africa in a global context. X: @MaxAmuchie | Email: [email protected] | Tel: +234(0)8053069436.
OpenAI builds artificial intelligence. It does not buy talk shows. Until now.

The company announced April 2 that it has acquired TBPN, the Technology Business Programming Network, a daily live tech and business show that has become something of a cult phenomenon in Silicon Valley, per OpenAI. It is the company's first acquisition of a media company. Deal terms were not disclosed.

The New York Times once described TBPN as "Silicon Valley's newest obsession," and as "SportsCenter for the terminally online M.B.A. grad," per The Wrap. The show streams three hours a day, weekdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT, on YouTube, X, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, LinkedIn, Substack, and Instagram.

What TBPN actually is

TBPN was launched by former tech founders John Coogan and Jordi Hays in October 2024 and began its daily livestream format in March 2025. The show covers tech, business, AI, and defense, with guests ranging from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella to Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff. Sam Altman has appeared multiple times.

Related: OpenAI is shutting down Sora, and the Disney deal is off

The show has 11 employees and averages around 70,000 viewers per episode across platforms, per Variety. Despite its relatively small footprint, TBPN generated approximately $5 million in advertising revenue in 2025 and was profitable with no outside investors, per Axios citing the Wall Street Journal. It was on track to exceed $30 million in revenue in 2026, per CNBC.

TBPN attracted sponsorships from fintech companies Ramp and Plaid, Google's Gemini, and holds a partnership with the New York Stock Exchange.

Why OpenAI bought a talk show

The acquisition is not about content. It is about communications, per OpenAI's own announcement.

Fidji Simo, OpenAI's CEO of AGI Deployment, explained the rationale directly. "As I've been thinking about the future of how we communicate at OpenAI, one thing that's become clear is that the standard communications playbook just doesn't apply to us," she wrote. "We're not a typical company. We're driving a really big technological shift. And with the mission of bringing AGI to the world comes a responsibility to help create a space for a real, constructive conversation about the changes AI creates," per OpenAI.

More AI Stocks:

TBPN will sit within OpenAI's Strategy organization and report to Chris Lehane, the company's chief global affairs officer. Coogan and Hays will also contribute to OpenAI's broader communications and marketing efforts outside the show.
There was something about the moment that did not feel staged. It came in the middle of an official outing, on Saturday, 4 April in Iperu, Ogun State, where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had just commissioned the new Federal Operations Unit Zone A complex of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

It was meant to be another auspicious engagement by Mr President; one of many. But in the course of the event, the President deliberately paused to speak about the leadership of the Nigeria Customs and its Comptroller-General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. And in that brief moment, the event took on a different weight.

Tinubu described Adeniyi as very dedicated and performing. It was not a long sentence, and it did not try to impress. But it landed. Perhaps because it came without noise, without the usual excess that follows public praise. It sounded like something observed over time, not something prepared for the day.

The setting made it even more significant. This was not a closed-door meeting or a quiet conversation behind the scenes. It was a public commissioning, with officers, government officials, and stakeholders present. The unveiling of the new FOU A complex was already a statement about expansion and direction within the Nigeria Customs.

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Yet, in the middle of that, the President chose to speak directly about the man leading the institution. Then he went further. He spoke about the ease of doing business and Adeniyis commitment to the welfare of Customs officers. Those words did not come randomly. They touched two areas that define the daily reality of the Service.

On one hand, the pressure to facilitate trade and keep the system moving. On the other, the responsibility to ensure that the officers carrying out that work are not left behind. What stood out even more was Tinubus admission that he had watched Adeniyis presentation many times again and again.

That line revealed something deeper than a passing endorsement. It suggested attention. It suggested that beyond public appearances, there had been a deliberate effort to understand what the Customs leadership is putting forward.

And then came the part that lingered. Mr President spoke about legacy. He said Nigeria would continue to remember CGC Adeniyi, his commitment, and his patriotism. It is not the kind of statement that disappears once the event ends. It places the work being done now within a longer horizon, one that stretches beyond immediate outcomes.

Around them stood the newly commissioned complex, solid and expansive, a clear shift from the congestion of the old Ikeja base. The facility, with its supporting warehouse and operational structures, reflects more than relocation. It reflects a Service trying to reposition itself in response to growing demands.

You could sense that this was not just about space, but about intention. There was also the quiet symbolism of presence. Officers moving around, equipment in place, systems already being talked about in practical terms. Even the mention of the nearby cargo airport, where Customs had already begun operations, added to the sense that this was part of a larger, unfolding picture.

For Adeniyi, the moment did not appear to be about personal recognition. His remarks remained focused on balance  revenue, trade facilitation, and enforcement. Three mandates that rarely sit easily together. Yet, what seems to be emerging is an attempt to hold them in place without letting one overshadow the others.

President Tinubus emphasis on welfare brought that effort into sharper focus. Institutions often speak of reform in big terms, but their strength is usually measured in how they treat the people within them. By acknowledging this, Tinubu was, in a way, affirming that leadership is not only about outcomes, but about those who deliver them.

Because it happened yesterday, the moment still feels fresh. Not yet absorbed into routine headlines or lost in the cycle of daily events. It remains what it was  a brief pause during a commissioning in Ogun where words were spoken that felt considered. And sometimes, in the middle of official ceremonies, it is those unscripted recognitions that tell the real story.

Mahmud Abdulsalam wrote from Minna, Niger State. Email: [email protected].
To drive that point home, he chose to shred the garb of a neutral umpire or the claim of respecting an order of the Court of Appeal that existed entirely in his imagination, threatening political Armageddon on the ADC if they proceed with a party congress. As if to confirm who the whisperer is, presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga advised the ADC to please listen to the INEC chairman. He is a professor of law. Beneath the ruse of law, a malevolent design lurks in plain sight.

In Nigeria, every act of political grubbiness, sooner or later, ends up before the courts. The kinds of things that come out of the courts in these disputes defy understanding. Colonial rule in Nigeria established a durable method of cleaning up dirty politics. It always found a judge or judicial order to give it the cover of law.

Since the onset of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in May 2023, the playbook has become a familiar script, turning Nigerian judges into what has been described as authors of confusion. It usually begins with an orchestrated internal leadership dispute in an opposition political party. Then one faction goes to court, the court issues a vague interim order dressed in Latin, total confusion erupts, INEC is paralysed, and the opposition party is crippled. Its the ruse of law.

As the country hurtles supposedly towards national elections in 2027, the judges have become very busy indeed. The latest object of their attentions is the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

It all began with what looked like a routine playbook of diabolical political sorcery. By the middle of 2025, the former ruling party and then leading opposition platform, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had all but been hollowed out. The cause or actors in that will be the subject of separate treatment. Leading members of the party decided that it was no longer a viable vehicle for their ambitions. In a country where independent candidacy is precluded, control of a party is the lifeblood of political ambition.

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Those of them who desired to quit the PDP had two options. One was to register a new party. For this, they needed the sanction of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) but they knew that an INEC under the control of the ruling party was not going to register a new party capable to making the 2027 elections interesting. So, they settled for the second option of entryism into an existing party. For this project, it appears, they did a deal with the then existing leadership of the ADC.

On 2 July 2025, Ralph Nwosu, the founder and chairman of the ADC announced the resignation of the national executive of the party that he led and threw his support behind a new interim national leadership under former Senate President, David Mark and former Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola.

Four weeks later, Nafiu Bala Gombe, who ran on the platform of the party in 2023 as governorship candidate in Gombe State, proclaimed himself the new interim chairman of the ADC. Nafiu Bala claimed that he took that step in his capacity as the Deputy National Chairman under Ralph Nwosu. In a release around 1 August 2025, he dismissed as entirely false, deceptive, malicious, and fake a letter dated 18 July 2025, in which he is said to have resigned from the position of deputy national chairman of the party.

In his own judgment, Okon Abang, the junior Justice of Appeal on the panel whose text ran into 15 pages, initially said he concurred. In fact, he did not. He ruled that having not secured the permission required for him to appeal, David Marks appeal was incompetent. Indeed, Okon Abang described the case a nullity. That means there was in fact no appeal. It is difficult, therefore, to understand how he could have dismissed an appeal that did not as a matter of law exist.

One month later, on 2 September 2025, Nafiu Bala initiated a court action at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to restrain INEC from recognising the new leadership of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola. The case was assigned to Emeka Nwite, a judge. Nafiu Bala followed up his case by applying to the judge to issue an order granting him the orders he sought, without hearing the other parties sued. Those were Rauf Aregbesola, INEC, the ADC and Ralph Nwosu.

Very importantly, David Mark was not party to that court case and no one applied to join him. When the application came up for hearing around 4 September, the judge declined Nafiu Balas importuning and, instead, asked him to put all the defendants on notice to enable the court make an informed determination of the issues, after granting all involved a hearing.

Thereafter, the wheels appeared to come off the facts.

Around 9 September 2025, INEC formally recognised David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as the new leaders of the party. This is important because it gave them access to INECs portal for the purpose of certifying candidates on the platform of the party in elections.

Thereafter, David Mark, who was not a party to the case at the High Court, lodged an appeal at the Court of Appeal, in which he questioned the power of the court to issue the order inviting the parties to respond to Nafiu Balas case. My friends who think they know Nigerian law advice  and I verily believe them  that this had them all scratching their heads.

Now, because he was not party to the original case at the High Court, David Mark could not appeal against the decision, except with permission of the court. He did not seek nor did he receive one. Having not done so, the conditions for a competent appeal did not exist and the Court of Appeal had no business hearing the appeal.

The only thing more inexplicable than the appeal itself is that it took the Court of Appeal over five months and nearly 60 pages to come to a decision on this case.

Three Justices of the Court of Appeal heard the case. On 12 March, they issued their decision. In a 40-page judgment, Uchechukwu Onyemenam, the senior Justice of Appeal, dismissed the appeal with costs assessed at two million naira.

The irony was lost on INEC and its leadership that it chose to issue this position on All Fools Day. Party primaries are to begin in three weeks. The parties must submit their membership register to INEC 21 days before their primaries. A party mired in manufactured court disputes cannot do either. That would disqualify it as a platform for the 2027 elections.

Thereafter, the judge took initiative to protect the integrity of the proceedings before Emeka Nwite at the Federal High Court and ordered the parties to maintain the status quo ante-bellum and refrain from taking any step or doing any act capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court or otherwise rendering nugatory the proceedings before the trial court.

In his own judgment, Okon Abang, the junior Justice of Appeal on the panel whose text ran into 15 pages, initially said he concurred. In fact, he did not. He ruled that having not secured the permission required for him to appeal, David Marks appeal was incompetent. Indeed, Okon Abang described the case a nullity. That means there was in fact no appeal. It is difficult, therefore, to understand how he could have dismissed an appeal that did not as a matter of law exist.

The other Justice of Appeal on the panel was Mohammed Mustapha. To him belonged the privilege of the tie-breaker. But if he issued any judgment, it is yet to be found.

The parties to whom the Court of Appeal directed the order to respect the status quo ante-bellum included INEC. The Commission has a rich supply of senior lawyers on its payroll, both on the staff and as external solicitors. Indeed, its chairman, Joash Amupitan, is both a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and a professor of law.

The Commission took all of three weeks to parse this judgment and, at the end of that, sent a journalist, Mohammed Haruna, to announce that out of respect for the order of the Court of Appeal, it had decided to withdraw its recognition of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as chairman and secretary of the ADC.

The irony was lost on INEC and its leadership that it chose to issue this position on All Fools Day. Party primaries are to begin in three weeks. The parties must submit their membership register to INEC 21 days before their primaries. A party mired in manufactured court disputes cannot do either. That would disqualify it as a platform for the 2027 elections.

Chairman Amupitan knows what he is doing.

To drive that point home, he chose to shred the garb of a neutral umpire or the claim of respecting an order of the Court of Appeal that existed entirely in his imagination, threatening political Armageddon on the ADC if they proceed with a party congress. As if to confirm who the whisperer is, presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga advised the ADC to please listen to the INEC chairman. He is a professor of law. Beneath the ruse of law, a malevolent design lurks in plain sight.

Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, a lawyer, teaches at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and can be reached through [email protected].


Every Tamuno, Dike and Hadi knows that the 2027 elections in Nigeria will be primarily between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The recent de-listing of ADCs officials (Senator David Mark and former governor Rauf Aregbesola) from the INEC portal will not stop the gang-up against the APC. As my ex-barber used to say, a decapitated man may still smoke a cigarette  if God permits one last smoke!

I now yield the floor to Tamuno, Dike and Hadi as they gather in Biolas lounge.

ADC vs INEC

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Tamuno: I dont want to be accused of being anti-establishment, but how does one explain INECs de-recognition of David Marks and Aregbesolas names on its website? It seems there is a grand plan to frustrate the opposition, so that only the APC will be intact by the time the 2027 elections are held.

Dike: APC is scared but ADC will spring a surprise. Now, it is becoming clear to the ruling party that their overwhelming number of governors and legislators will not translate into victory for their presidential candidate in 2027. They are in for a surprise.

Hadi: I think you Southerners should go and resolve your problems. The impression is always given that the North is the problem of Nigeria, but you can see that it is the south that has not made up its mind on which candidate to present for 2027. The Yorubas have enjoyed the position twice, with a vice-presidential slot to boot. But will they cede the presidency to Peter Obi of the ADC, so that the Igbos of the South-East can have a taste of the position for once? Whichever way it turns out, we know that the presidency will return to the North in 2031.

Biola: You guys must be living on the moon! You think that some puny conspiracy can derail a president who has touched every facet of our national life, whether you admit it or not?

Dike: Yes, he has touched every facet of our national life negatively.

Tamuno: Thats not charitable. Hes recorded some wins and some failures. He has the courage of his convictions  which is more than can be said of some of his rivals.

Hadi: I hope you realise that somehow the North still holds the key. If ADC nominates a Southerner to fly its flag, who will it be?

Dike: It will be Peter Obi.

Tamuno: I agree with you. I think Obi is the most popular southerner in the ADC.

Biola: Peter Obi will emerge as their candidate.

Hadi: Are you joking, Biola? You want Peter Obi?

Biola: Not me! You asked who ADC was likely to nominate as its presidential candidate.

Dike: Everybody knows that Peter Obi will make a better president than Tinubu.

Biola: There you go again with your generalisations! When did you conduct the research which showed you that everybody agrees that Obi will be a better president. Have you bothered to look at his baggage?

Dike: What baggage?

Biola: When it comes to the crunch, will the core north vote for him?

Religious Factor

Tamuno: From my experience during the Jonathan administration, I doubt if the Muslim North is ready to vote overwhelmingly for a Christian president. Maybe Hadi will educate us better.

Hadi: To be honest, the prevailing sentiment in the Muslim North is that, if they had a say in the matter, they would rather vote for a fellow Muslim. That is why you have a Muslim/Muslim ticket now. The local Northerner would like to see his own person on the ticket, preferably at the top.

Dike: But they wont mind having Obi for four years, especially is he has somebody like Kwankwaso as vice president?

Tamuno: I reckon that about 40 per cent of the North is Christian. So, we shouldnt be talking as if it is a monolithic entity.

Hadi: Will Kwankwaso accept to play second fiddle to Obi?

Dike: That is an insulting way of putting it. Why cant Kwankwaso be vice president to Obi? What makes him better than anybody else? If this coalition is going to succeed, everybody will have to pocket his ego.

Biola: But will everybody pocket his religious biases?

Hadi: Not biases. Convictions. You cant blame people for their religious heritage.

Tamuno: Which heritage? Are you an Arab? Why should a foreign religion divide one brother from another in the same country?

Hadi: That is the problem I have with dreamers like you. There is nothing wrong with being different. You have to understand our respective differences.

Dike: So, your point is that Kwankwaso will not agree to be a vice president to Obi?

Hadi: If thats the way you have chosen to trivialise it, you can reach your own conclusions. You see, it is such a narrow mindset that allows Tinubu to consistently show you people a clean pair of heels in every electoral race. The man is a realist. He does what he has to do. He doesnt take anybody for granted.

Dike: Oh, youre already crowning him ahead of 2027. Is that why the APC instructed INEC to delist David Mark and Aregbesola? You want to reduce Nigeria to a one-party state where there is no credible opposition?

Hadi: Me? Haba!

Conflicting Egos

Tamuno: But wait! Why not the other way around? Suppose ADC decides to field Atiku Abubakar or Kwankwaso as the presidential candidate with Peter Obi as the running mate?

Dike: That will break the traditional North/South rotation. It is the turn of the South now. The refusal of Atiku to abide by that convention led to the destruction of the former leading opposition party, the PDP.

Biola: You havent answered the question.

Hadi: Obis supporters want the presidency and nothing else. But I always caution that politics is not all black-and-white. There are many shades of grey.

Tamuno: So, which is the better choice between APC and ADC?

Biola: Can you talk of a better choice when both parties have no definite ideology?

Dike: ADC has a better ideology.

Biola: What is your ideology?

Dike: Read our manifesto.

Tamuno: Actually, Nigerians may not be looking for an ideology this time. They probably just want trustworthy competent people.

Biola: Hehehe Trustworthy people? And the people you have mentioned are the good people that will take Nigeria to el Dorado?

Hadi: My fear is that ADC may just give the presidency to APC by default. If ADC wants to win, nobody should insist on his fixed ideas and expectations. Otherwise, they will still be arguing among themselves while Tinubu is being sworn in for a second term in 2027.

Wole Olaoye is a Public Relations consultant and veteran journalist. He can be reached on [email protected], Twitter: @wole_olaoye; Instagram: woleola2021
Air Peace, Nigerias largest airline and a leading carrier in West Africa, has announced plans to commence international flight operations from Gateway International Airport to London this summer.

The airlines Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema, disclosed this during an interview with journalists after inspecting the airport facilities alongside Governor Dapo Abiodun. The visit followed the official commissioning of the airport by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to Mr Onyema, Air Peace will operate flights connecting the airport to both London Gatwick Airport and Heathrow Airport, marking a significant milestone for Ogun States aviation sector.

He praised the state government for delivering a world-class aviation facility, describing the airport as one of the best-equipped in Sub-Saharan Africa.

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This is one of the best-equipped airports in Sub-Saharan Africa, and Air Peace will not sit back and watch this facility go unused, Mr Onyema said. When you see a promising initiative, you must embrace it, he added.

He emphasized that the airports infrastructure meets global standards and highlighted its 4-kilometre runway, capable of accommodating large aircraft such as the Airbus A380. Air Peace, he noted, plans to deploy its Boeing 777 fleet for the London route.

Mr Onyema also revealed that he had received approval from the Minister of Aviation to proceed with the operations, describing the project as a national asset rather than a purely state initiative.

Governor Abiodun, in his remarks, announced plans to further expand the airports ecosystem with the construction of an international conference and convention centre, alongside a 550-room five-star hotel. He said the development would position Ogun State as a hub for global business and tourism.

The governor also disclosed that cargo operations have already commenced with Allied Air, while Ethiopian Airlines is expected to begin operations soon. Additionally, another European carrier is set to launch cargo services into the state.

Mr Abiodun projected that approximately 50 cargo flights would operate through the airport between April and the end of the year.

He further revealed the establishment of Gateway Airlines, which has acquired two Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft. The 90-seater planes are expected to enhance connectivity between Ogun State, Abuja, and other major Nigerian cities.

With these developments, the governor expressed confidence that the Gateway International Airport could soon become Nigerias third busiest aviation hub, after Lagos and Abuja.
I recall reading with rapt attention and a sense of euphoria a trending article on social media titled Rethinking How God Has Used Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah To Save Enugu State From Doom, written by Hyginus Banko Okibe, Associate Professor on 26 March 2024.

The article, which was factual, timely, and thought-provoking, painstakingly x-rayed and chronicled Governor Mbahs tortuous journey to the governorship, highlighting what the author described as divine manifestations in his emergence. It further underscored how Governor Mbah has, so far, demonstrated equity, vision, fairness, transparency, and commitment in governance, particularly in infrastructural development, without regard to whose ox is gored.

The writer made it clear that the divisive tendencies, utterances, and political tensions that characterized the 2023 governorship campaigns have since been consigned to the dustbin of history.

Governor Mbah, he noted, has remained focused, unperturbed, and steadfast in delivering dividends of democracy to all residents of Enugu State, irrespective of cultural zone, political leaning, status, or religion.

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As I reflected deeply on the article and its significance, Governor Mbah once again reaffirmed its essence through decisive action, demonstrating that he is indeed a governor for all. This was evident in his signing into law the bill establishing a teaching hospital for the State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS), Igbo-Eno, Enugu State.

It is important to recall that SUMAS was conceptualized and established on 16 June 2022, by his predecessor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, as the 60th state university and the 219th institution in Nigerias expanding university system.

By signing the Teaching Hospital Bill into law, Governor Mbah not only strengthened but also ensured that the university can now train medical and allied health professionals without the constraints of inadequate clinical facilities.

That singular act represented a major milestone and yet another masterstroke by Governor Mbah, who continues to demonstrate capacity, sincerity, and purposeful leadership despite the distractions of naysayers, skeptics, and political opponents.

It is instructive to recall that during the conception and early stages of the university project, particularly at the twilight of the Ugwuanyi administration and ahead of the 2023 elections, some opposition figures, especially from Enugu North Senatorial Zone, dismissed the initiative as a white elephant project. They politicized it, ridiculed it, and even attempted to erode public confidence through deliberate misinformation.

Among the falsehoods peddled was the claim that Governor Mbah, if elected, would shut down or relocate the university. These narratives were clearly aimed at misleading the people and creating distrust between the leaders and the host communities.

However, despite these campaigns of calumny, the Ugwuanyi administration remained focused and resolute. With the support of committed stakeholders, including top government officials and academic leaders such as the then Deputy Chief of Staff, Prof Malachy Okwueze, President of Nsukka Professors, Prof Osy Okanya and others, the foundation of SUMAS, was firmly laid and brought to fruition.

Today, history has vindicated vision and sincerity. By signing into law the establishment of the SUMAS Teaching Hospital, Governor Mbah has not only silenced critics, but has also proven, beyond doubt, his administrations commitment to quality, accessible, and affordable education and healthcare.

Further confirmation of this progress came recently through a job vacancy advertisement published in The Sun Newspaper of 2 April 2026, indicating that the SUMAS Teaching Hospital is completed and ready for full operation. This is indeed a giant stride and a defining milestone.

With this development, Enugu State now boasts five major tertiary health institutions: the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), ESUT Teaching Hospital (Parklane), and now SUMAS Teaching Hospital (SUMATH), National Orthopedic Hospital Enugu and Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Enugu.

This completion of facilities and subsequent ongoing recruitment of health personnel will significantly enhance healthcare delivery, not only for the people of Enugu State but also for the neighbouring states such as Kogi and Benue.

It is also noteworthy that SUMAS, which was officially unveiled on 18 February 2023, with an initial intake of 789 students, remains a landmark legacy project of the Ugwuanyi administration. As a specialized institutionthe first of its kind in the South-East and second in Nigeriait has rapidly evolved into a centre of academic promise.

The university now boasts of six faculties, 22 departments, and a fully functional medical school supported by a teaching hospital. This positions SUMAS as an institution of both national relevance and international potential.

More importantly, the establishment of SUMAS has eased the burden on the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where gaining admission into medical programs had long been extremely competitive and difficult, particularly for students from Enugu State.

Beyond academics, the university has become a catalyst for socio-economic transformation.

Host communities have witnessed rapid development, with increased investments in student housing, businesses, and recreational facilities. Employment opportunities have expanded, and local economies have been significantly energized.

With the operationalization of the SUMAS Teaching Hospital, access to quality healthcare has been further decentralized. Residents of Enugu North Senatorial Zone and surrounding communities now have a viable alternative to UNTH and ESUT, bringing critical medical services closer to the people.

Indeed, Governor Mbah has not only complemented the visionary efforts of his predecessor but has also elevated them, turning what skeptics once dismissed into a living, thriving reality.

The story of SUMAS and its Teaching Hospital is not merely about infrastructure; it is a compelling testament to the power of vision, continuity in governance, and purposeful leadership.

It is a reminder that true development is achieved when successive administrations build on existing foundations rather than dismantle them.

History will undoubtedly be kind to both Mr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for conceiving this bold initiative, and Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for consolidating and

expanding it into a full-fledged centre of excellence. Together, they have written a remarkable chapter in Enugu States development journey, one that will resonate for generations.

As the pages of history continue to unfold, the establishment of the SUMAS Teaching Hospital will stand as a defining moment, where vision triumphed over doubt, truth over falsehood, and leadership over cynicism.

*Ezea writes from Independence Layout, Enugu State
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has called on Christians to use the Easter season to pray for peace in the state and across Nigeria, following recent deadly attacks in parts of Jos.

In an Easter message issued on Sunday, the governor said the celebration, which marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ, offers hope and renewal amid the states security challenges.

Easter is more than a spiritual event. It offers a sacred opportunity to reflect on the cornerstone of our faith, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Mr Mutfwang said.

The governors message comes days after the killing of residents in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area, and subsequent violence in other parts of the state, which heightened tension and triggered security measures, including curfews and evacuations.

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Mr Mutfwang urged residents to pray for the victims of the attacks and for the restoration of peace.

Let us pray fervently for peace in Plateau State, especially for the families affected by the Angwan Rukuba tragic incident that claimed innocent lives, he said.

He also called for prayers for leaders and communities, seeking divine intervention, healing, renewal, peace, progress, and prosperity for the state and the country.

The governor commended Christians for observing the Lenten season and encouraged them to sustain values such as self-denial and spiritual discipline.

He said the resurrection of Christ symbolises victory over adversity and expressed confidence that Plateau would overcome its current security challenges.

His resurrection assures us of victory over sin, despair, and every adversity, he said, urging citizens to embrace unity and collective responsibility in addressing insecurity.

PREMIUM TIMES has reported a series of attacks and reprisals in Plateau State in recent days, including the Palm Sunday killings in Angwan Rukuba and subsequent unrest in parts of Jos, despite assurances from authorities that the situation is under control.

The governor said the state would continue efforts to restore stability, urging residents to remain committed to peace and lawful conduct.
The Catholic Diocese of Sokoto has dismissed as false the claim in a video circulating on social media that the residence of Matthew Kukah, the Holy Family Catholic Cathedral, and a Catholic Pastoral Centre worth N1 billion were set ablaze by Islamist protesters in Sokoto.

The Director of Communications for the diocese, Pascal Salifu, said in a statement on Saturday that the information was totally false, adding that the Bishops residence, the Cathedral, and the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Sokoto remain safe, intact, and fully operational.

The claim, which circulated widely on social media, alleged that the facilities were attacked by hoodlums protesting the arrest of suspects linked to the 2022 killing of Deborah Yakubu, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto.

Mr Salifu said the video accompanying the claim was misleading and had resurfaced in the context of the earlier incident. He described it as the work of individuals committed to causing havoc in our society.

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READ ALSO: Robbers attack Katsina journalist in midnight home raid

He added that security agencies, including the military and other state operatives, responded promptly after the video began to circulate.

According to the diocese, Sokoto remains calm, with no reported attack on the bishops residence or any Catholic facility in the state.

The statement also conveyed Mr Kukahs goodwill message to residents, extending early Easter greetings to all the faithful and people of goodwill.
On the surface, the decision by the senator representing Sokoto East Senatorial District, Ibrahim Lamido, to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) appears to be a protest against worsening insecurity in his constituency.

However, party insiders and political observers say the move is also shaped by an internal struggle within the party in Sokoto State.

While Mr Lamido has publicly cited the federal governments inadequate response to banditry in Sabon Birni, Isa and Rabah as his primary grievance, sources familiar with the states political dynamics say the planned exit follows a prolonged rift with the state APC leadership.

The security argument

Sokoto East has in recent months witnessed recurring attacks by armed groups, resulting in killings, kidnappings and displacement.

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The senators frustration has grown amid what he described as insufficient government action.

Framing his position around insecurity resonates with communities in Sokoto and across other parts of the North-west, where banditry remains a major concern.

Internal friction within APC

However, the security narrative tells only part of the story.

Since the 2023 elections, the APC structure in Sokoto has remained under the strong influence of former governor Aliyu Wamakko, according to party sources.

Multiple sources said Mr Lamido has been involved in a prolonged disagreement with key figures in the state party hierarchy, particularly over control of political structures in Sokoto East.

The tensions reflect a broader contest for influence within the party, as competing blocs seek to consolidate control ahead of future elections.

Insiders describe the situation as part of a power configuration linked to the Wamakko and Governor Ahmed Aliyu camp, which dominates decision-making within the state chapter.

APC response

The APC leadership in Sokoto rejected Mr Lamidos claims, describing them as politically motivated.

The state party chairman, Isa Achida, dismissed the senators reference to insecurity as a moral smokescreen.

According to him and other party officials, including Publicity Secretary Muhammad Umar, the disagreement is rooted in influence over local party structures.

Mr Achida suggested the senators move is driven by political survival, citing uncertainty over securing the partys ticket in 2027.

ADC link and political realignment

Although Mr Lamido has not formally announced his next political platform, there are indications he may align with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Some of his close allies have recently left the APC and are already associated with the party.

Sources said the senators loyalists have begun organising an alternative structure, suggesting early signs of a broader realignment.

Analysts say the development could position the ADC as a potential third force in Sokoto politics, alongside the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Analysis

Mr Lamidos planned exit reveals both governance concerns and shifting political alignments in Sokoto State.

His stance on insecurity provides a public basis for the move, particularly in communities affected by banditry.

At the same time, the internal contest for control within the APC appears to have narrowed his political space.

The movement of his allies also points to efforts to build an alternative political base outside the dominant parties.

What comes next

Mr Lamido said he is continuing consultations with supporters and political associates, and observers say a formal defection could occur in the coming weeks.

A formal defection by Mr Lamido could further reshape political alignments in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Kano State Police Command has received a report of a 16-year-old boy found wandering in Dadin Kowa village, Doguwa Local Government Area of the state.

The police spokesperson, Haruna Kiyawa, in a statement on Saturday, said the teenager had arrived in Nigeria via Abuja International Airport and travelled to Kano to visit his father.

According to reports, Alex Ansol, along with his four relatives, arrived in Nigeria from Spain on March 30, 2026, via Abuja International Airport.

He was travelling to Kano to visit his father, Ansol Fan. However, he lost contact with his relatives along the Jos to Saminaka road, the police spokesperson said.

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Mr Kiyawa said the teenager provided details of his home address in Spain.

The boy, who speaks English, is thin and black in complexion, with no tribal marks. He gave his address as Barsa Rub, Opp 46 Stadium, Spain.

The Police are making efforts to locate his relatives and reunite them with Alex.

Anyone with information about Alexs relatives or family should contact the Office of the PPRO, Kano State Command Police Command, or contact the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Doguwa Division Kano via 07038363421, the police spokesperson said.
Nigerian soldiers have rescued 31 worshippers abducted by terrorists from a church in Ariko village in the Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, following a swift response to a distress call.

PREMIUM TIMES reported earlier that terrorists attacked two churches, killing at least seven people and kidnapping many others.

The attack occurred during Easter services at the First ECWA Church and St. Augustine Catholic Church.

However, the army only confirmed the attack on the ECWA church. It stated that its troops, acting on intelligence and assisted by local residents, pursued the attackers into surrounding areas.

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According to the military, the troops engaged the fleeing terrorists in a fierce gun battle, overpowering them with superior firepower.

The sustained pressure forced the assailants to abandon 31 captives, including one injured victim, who is currently receiving medical attention.

The army said five victims were killed by the terrorists, with their bodies recovered at the scene. Blood trails along escape routes indicated that the fleeing attackers may have suffered significant casualties during the encounter, the army stated.

The army reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and maintaining national security, urging members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing operations.
Two health assistant trainees in Enugu State, Makuochukwu Eze and Joy Ezeugwu, have been suspended indefinitely over a viral video in which they complained about the poor condition of a hospital in the state.

The hospital, Uwani Health Centre, is also known as Uwani General Hospital.

In a video clip which surfaced on social media in late March, Mses Eze and Ezeugwu, who were on clinical posting at the clinic, lamented that the facility was battling scarcity of basic amenities such as water and power supply.

Were on duty, and its night duty, and I cant believe that in a hospital like this, theres no water, theres no light (power supply), everywhere is littered. Theres no cleaner, Ms Ezeugwu said, gesturing with her hands in front of the facility.

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Mosquitoes are everywhere here. I dont know what the government is doing about it.

Ms Eze, on her part, corroborated Ms Ezeugwu, pointing out that the hospital was in a terrible state and that its environment was not conducive.

Theres a woman currently in labour, and theres no light, Ms Eze said. Theres no oxygen either.

What if theres complications? What do we do? Ms Ezeugwu wondered.

The clip showed that the clinic and its surroundings were in total darkness.

Suspension

The health workers were later suspended indefinitely for the comments in the clip, which has now gone viral.

I am the girl that posted about the hospital at Uwani. Sadly, I was given an indefinite suspension.

Now, I have been removed from my clinical duties, Ms Ezeugwu said in another clip circulating on social media.

She did not indicate the authority that issued the suspension order.

The health worker said she did not post the video to attack the government or paint them in a bad light.

I only did that to bring the situation (of the clinic) to their attention, she stated.

She added that after the video went viral, authorities quickly restored power to the clinic and resumed renovations of the facility.

I am so broken, Nigerians. I didnt know that my goodness would result in my being punished so badly, Ms Ezeugwu said, crying profusely.

Its internal disciplinary measure, College speaks

Meanwhile, PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the health workers were indefinitely suspended by their school, Ezzy Healthcare Training College, a privately owned institution in Enugu State, Nigerias South-east.

The college is headquartered in California, US.

The Ezzy International College of Nursing Sciences, which is in Enugu State, is affiliated with the training college.

The management of Ezzy International College of Nursing Sciences, in a statement posted on its Facebook page on Thursday, confirmed that the suspended health workers were students of its affiliate institution, Ezzy Healthcare Training College.

Miss Stella Makuochukwu Eze and Mrs Joy Chisimdili Ezeugwu are students of Ezzy Healthcare Training College undergoing their 18 months programme to obtain a health care assistance/technician qualification, it said.

The Ezzy International College of Nursing Sciences, in another post on Saturday, rejected the public criticism of the US-based institution for the suspension of the students.

It is baffling why a standard internal disciplinary action has been dragged onto social media.

We must reject these baseless negative perceptions aimed at tarnishing the institutions reputation, it wrote on Facebook.

PREMIUM TIMES contacted the college through its official mobile number on Saturday.

An official of the institution declined to speak on the matter when our reporter enquired about it.

I dont want to speak on this issue, the official said, before dropping the call immediately.

Enugu govt speaks

Before now, many Nigerians, particularly on social media, have repeatedly linked the Enugu State Government to the suspension of the students.

But in a statement on Saturday, the Commissioner for Information in Enugu State, Malachy Agbo, denied the governments involvement in the suspension of Ms Eze.

Mr Agbo, who was silent on the fate of Joy Ezeugwu, said Ms Eze was suspended by her institution due to a breach of her institutions code of conduct, an internal administrative matter within a private institution.

READ ALSO: Enugu ALGON assures of effective distribution of UNICEF nutrition commodities

The commissioner stressed that the Enugu State Government has no connection to the suspension of the health worker.

The government is not involved in the internal affairs or disciplinary processes of the private college and is only conveying information as made available to it, he said.

The official, however, said the state government has engaged the college and other authorities in response to the concerns raised by the student nurses in the viral video.

Concurrently, the rehabilitation of general hospitals is ongoing, including secondary healthcare facilities such as Uwani General Hospital, where the reported incident occurred, he said.

Mr Agbo then stressed that Governor Peter Mbahs administration has recorded giant strides in the health sector to reposition healthcare delivery in the state.

The commissioner said, for instance, that the government would soon roll out the 260 Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) built across wards in addition to the recruitment of 2,250 healthcare workers to strengthen PHC services in the state.

The government encourages residents to utilise healthcare facilities within their communities and reaffirms its openness to constructive feedback, he said.
President Bola Tinubu has praised infrastructure and security investments in Ogun State, saying they reflect the impact of his administrations economic reforms and a growing capacity of states to deliver development.

In a post shared on his official X account, the president said his visit to Iperu left him encouraged by the deliberate and sustainable progress, particularly at the Gateway International Cargo Airport.

President Tinubu was originally scheduled to visit Ogun State earlier in the week, but the trip was postponed following the deadly attack in Jos, Plateau State.

The visit was later rescheduled to Saturday, when he eventually travelled to the state for the commissioning of projects, including the cargo airport and the Nigeria Customs Service complex.

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At the airport, the president was received by Governor Dapo Abiodun, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Governor Olusegun Osoba, and former Governor Gbenga Daniel, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, alongside other dignitaries.

Commissioning of Gateway Cargo Airport

Mr Tinubu said the airport project demonstrates what is possible when vision is matched with discipline, adding that investments in infrastructure are ultimately aimed at improving livelihoods and driving long-term prosperity.

I returned to Ogun State today with a full heart. What I saw in Iperu is the kind of progress we must insist on as a nation. Quite deliberate, and built to last.

The Gateway Cargo Airport stands as proof of what is possible when vision is matched with discipline. As I said, our investment is about our people. Todays foundation is for tomorrows prosperity.

Mr Tinubu also acknowledged the efforts of Governor Abiodun, whom he commended for maintaining focus on policies that deliver tangible benefits to residents.

According to him, projects inaugurated during the visit, including newly launched aircraft, electric motorcycles, agricultural tractors and security assets, represent practical steps toward inclusive development.

He said his administrations Renewed Hope agenda has increased financial resources available to subnational governments, creating room for states to implement projects and respond to local needs.

Our Renewed Hope reforms are not abstract. They have provided more resources for sub-nationals and are creating room for states to act and deliver. Many states, including Ogun, are rising to the moment, the President stated.

N73bn customs complex

The president also commissioned a N73 billion facility for the Nigeria Customs Service in Iperu, Ogun State. He described the hub, which includes residential barracks, a training college, a warehouse and a hospital, as a comprehensive investment in strengthening institutions and supporting personnel responsible for trade and border security.

This is how institutions are strengthened. This is how we support the men and women who keep our economy secure and our borders working. Well done, @CustomsNG, Mr Tinubu said.

He said the project would enhance border management, improve revenue generation and strengthen Nigerias logistics chain, particularly as the state positions itself as a key industrial and export hub.

He noted that the facilitys proximity to the Gateway International Cargo Airport would improve coordination in cargo handling and boost economic activities linked to import and export.

He said investments in such infrastructure are aimed at supporting the personnel responsible for securing the countrys borders while also creating an enabling environment for trade.

He added that the federal government would continue to prioritise projects that strengthen institutions and expand economic opportunities across states.
TOMS RIVER, N.J., April 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Bielat Santore & Company, New Jersey's premier hospitality real estate firm, proudly announces the sale of The Office Lounge, a historic restaurant and bar at 820 Main Street in Toms River. After five decades, this beloved local landmark has changed ownership, marking a significant milestone in its history.

The Office Lounge, Toms River, NJ

The transaction, which included the business, real estate, furniture, fixtures, equipment, and a plenary retail consumption liquor license, was brokered by Richard Santore, Vice President of Bielat Santore & Company, Allenhurst, New Jersey. The firm leveraged its proprietary database of over 12,000 qualified buyers to facilitate the deal, maintaining its reputation as the firm that has sold more restaurants in New Jersey than any other.

The Office Lounge has long been considered an Ocean County institution. The expansive property features a 270-seat restaurant and bar, a specialized sushi bar, and seasonal outdoor seating for an additional 50 patrons. Also included in the sale is "The Villa," a 5,384-square-foot secondary building used for private affairs and meetings with a capacity for 168 guests.

"The sale of an operating business of this magnitude demands a careful balance of marketing and confidentiality," states Richard Santore. "We maintained strict confidentiality, at least up to the time when the liquor license transfer was publicly announced. Confidentiality is a core aspect of our marketing approach. We are very pleased to have matched this historic property with a purchaser who understands its value to the Toms River community".

The property was acquired by the Esperto Hospitality Group. The Office Lounge now joins a portfolio of Esperto-operated establishments that includes Centrada, Red Bank, NJ, Covo Italian Steakhouse, Marlboro, NJ and Local House Kitchen + Bar, Tinton Falls, NJ. The Office Lounge will remain open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Guests are encouraged to reserve the Villa, located adjacent to the lounge, for special events.

About Bielat Santore & Company: Since 1978, Bielat Santore & Company has specialized chiefly within the restaurant and hospitality industry. The firm provides a complete strategic toolkit, including commercial brokerage, business valuations, and debt and equity financing. For more information, visit www.123bsc.com.

SOURCE Bielat, Santore and Company
SHANGHAI, April 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The 93rd China International Medical Equipment Fair (CMEF) will be held from April 9 to 12 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) in Shanghai. As the largest global medical device industry chain exhibition, this year's event under the theme of "Innovation Fusion, Boundless Evolution," will focus on cutting-edge technologies and international trade cooperation.

Covering a total area of over 320,000 square meters, it will bring together nearly 5,000 brands and companies from more than 20 countries and regions and is expected to attract over 200,000 professional visitors and buyers from 150 countries and regions.

This year's CMEF highlights the rapid rise of AI, with a new lineup of "AI + healthcare" products reshaping the industry. Making its global debut, an AI agent capable of "one scan, multiple diagnoses" enables simultaneous detection of conditions across different parts of the body. A specialized AI diagnostic software suite is already in clinical use, while an integrated AI training and inference platform will enhance computing capabilities for healthcare institutions.

With advances in medical robotics, the exhibition will showcase new products across surgery, rehabilitation, and elderly care, driving the field toward greater intelligence and precision.

For the first time, CMEF is setting up a Future Tech Arena focusing on three key tracks: BCI, embodied intelligence, and university innovation achievements. The exhibition zone will showcase cutting-edge products such as AI-assisted MRI diagnostic systems for Alzheimer's disease, brain-computer interface systems for cognitive impairment assessment and training, and exoskeleton robots.

CMEF also serves as a premier trade hub for enterprise globalization and industry collaboration. The International Zone will host exhibitors from over 20 countries and regions, showcasing the latest global innovations, including Germany, the U.S., South Korea, Japan, the U.K., France, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.

CMEF's upgraded "We" series of international brand activities will host the "WeTalk Stage," featuring representatives from foreign consulates, leading industry associations, and multinational corporations; the "WeMatch Hub" is designed to enable targeted matchmaking based on verified buyer demand; and the "International WeTour" customizes tours to help international visitors explore exhibitor offerings. During the show, CMEF will also partner with the international departments of several leading hospitals to provide tailored medical services, ensuring comprehensive healthcare support for global attendees.

Hundreds of forums will be held during the fair, bringing together global experts and industry leaders to explore the evolving healthcare landscape.

Global Harmonization Working Party (GHWP) and the Ministry of Health of Malaysia will convene to co-host a series of highlevel events, including the 3rd GHWP Innovative Medical Device Seminar and the ASEAN Forum on Medical Device Innovation and Collaboration (Shanghai). Onsite sessions will deliver targeted insights into regulatory policies and market access opportunities across key global markets, supporting the convergence and alignment of international medical device regulatory frameworks and facilitating more efficient global trade.

For registration, visit: https://reg.reed-sinopharm.com/pc/#/login?id=0fe1fc984f9147b49ad107cda4d97a88&channelUuid=744003af4a2b4310a819f2d14ff447f1

SOURCE CMEF
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





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Washington, April 5 : Top US senators have urged President Donald Trump to block Chinese automakers from operating in the United States, warning of risks to national security and American jobs, according to a congressional press release.

Senators Tammy Baldwin, Chuck Schumer, and Elissa Slotkin called for action after Trump signalled openness to Chinese firms entering the US market, saying at a forum: "Let China come in."

In a letter to the president, the lawmakers warned: "Allowing automakers headquartered in China, which operate with backing from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), to build and sell vehicles in the United States would have far-reaching consequences for our economic and national security."

They added: "We urge you to stay the course and make it clear that Chinese auto manufacturers and their products present unprecedented dangers to our economic and national security, and their manufacture, sale, or operation on US soil is non-negotiable."

The senators also asked the administration to prohibit Chinese vehicles made in Canada and Mexico from entering the US, and to coordinate with allies to counter what they described as a growing global threat.

The letter said the US auto sector accounts for roughly 3 to 5 percent of GDP and supports about 10.95 million jobs, including a wide supply chain spanning steel, semiconductors and tyres.

Lawmakers argued that Chinese state subsidies and labour practices distort competition. They said China's system of "illegal state subsidies" and "low wages, and poor working conditions" creates an uneven playing field for US workers.

They also warned that Chinese firms' vertically integrated supply chains could displace American jobs. "For every job on a vehicle assembly line, there are roughly two jobs in the auto parts and supplier network," the letter noted.

The senators flagged growing Chinese auto ties with Canada and Mexico, including reduced Canadian tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, as a potential threat to North American trade arrangements.

National security concerns featured prominently. Lawmakers said modern connected vehicles could transmit sensitive data about infrastructure. They warned such systems "can connect with systems outside of the vehicle itself, sending information about our infrastructure and built environment to external entities."

They also raised concerns about remote control risks and links between Chinese companies and military-civil fusion strategies.

"The United States must reaffirm our clear position  that Chinese vehicles of all types and automakers are not welcome to operate here in any capacity," the senators said, urging continued restrictions on connected vehicles.

The push reflects broader bipartisan concerns in Washington over China's role in critical supply chains, including technology, manufacturing and infrastructure.
Tehran, April 5 : A top Iranian commander warned that any US or Israeli strike on Iran's infrastructure would be met with "devastating and continuous" attacks on all US military assets in West Asia and Israeli infrastructure, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

Ali Abdollahi, chief commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, issued the warning Saturday as a 10-day deadline set by US President Donald Trump for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz is due to expire Monday, Xinhua news agency reported.

"After having admitted successive defeats, the aggressive and warmongering president of the United States has, in a desperate, nervous, unbalanced and foolish move, threatened (to target) Iran's infrastructure and national assets," Abdollahi said.

He said the Iranian armed forces would not hesitate "for a moment" to defend the country's rights and protect national assets and "will put the aggressors in their place."

In a post Saturday on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT," adding, "Time is running out -- 48 hours before all Hell will reign (sic) down on them."

On March 21, Trump threatened to "hit and obliterate" Iranian power plants if the country failed to fully open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. Two days later, however, he postponed strikes on power plants for five days after holding "productive conversations" with Tehran. He later pushed the deadline back again.

Meanwhile, Iran's IRGC Navy said it had hit an Israel-linked vessel with a drone, setting it on fire. In a statement on its official news outlet Sepah News, the IRGC confirmed the attack, saying its forces had targeted an Israeli-owned commercial ship in a port in Bahrain.

Iran has authorised the passage of ships carrying essential and humanitarian goods through the Strait of Hormuz to it ports, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

The developments come amid heightened regional tensions following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran starting February 28, to which Iran and its regional allies responded with attacks on Israeli and US interests across the Middle East.
New Delhi, April 5 : The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has achieved its highest-ever expenditure of Rs 11,810.82 crore during the financial year 2025-26.

This represents a nearly 14 per cent increase over the expenditure of Rs 10,409.00 crore incurred in FY 2024-25, reflecting the Department's strong focus on timely utilisation of funds for welfare-oriented schemes, according to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

"During FY 2025-26, the Department has also recorded the highest-ever expenditure on welfare schemes for Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes," it said in a statement.

The government said it has similarly posted record expenditure in schemes relating to Drug Demand Reduction, welfare of Sanitation Workers, welfare of Senior Citizens, welfare of Transgender persons, and welfare of persons engaged in Beggary.

The record expenditure achieved in FY 2025-26 underlines the Government's commitment to social justice, empowerment and inclusive development for disadvantaged and vulnerable communities across the country.

Meanwhile, as many as 349 Divyang-friendly training centres across the country imparted skill training and certified 1,883 people during 2025-26.

Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar, in a reply to a query in the Parliament last month, shared data indicating that in Financial Year 2025-26, as many as 2,395 Divyangjan (differently-abled persons) were trained by these centres and of these 1,883 were certified.

The data showed that during this period, Madhya Pradesh topped among all states by imparting training to 947 Divyangjan, of which 761 were certified finally.

Minister Virendra Kumar said the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities is providing skill training to Persons with disabilities (PwD) through empanelled government organisations and NGOs under the National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities to enable them to have gainful employment and become self-reliant.

IANS

na/
New Delhi, April 5 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address a public meeting on Sunday at 4:15 p.m. in Cooch Behar, West Bengal, marking the Bharatiya Janata Party's intensified push ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

New Delhi, April 5 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address a public meeting on Sunday at 4:15 p.m. in Cooch Behar, West Bengal, marking the Bharatiya Janata Partyas intensified push ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

The Prime Minister will speak at the BJPas aBijoy Sankalpa Sabhaa at the historic Ras Mela Grounds, signalling the start of an aggressive outreach campaign in a region that has emerged as a saffron stronghold in recent years and remains a crucial electoral battleground.

Elections to the 294-member West Bengal Legislative Assembly are scheduled to be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.

The Sunday rally will be Prime Minister Modias first election meeting in the state since the poll dates were announced.

This will mark the fourth occasion that PM Modi addresses a public gathering at the Ras Mela Grounds. He had earlier held rallies at the venue during the campaigns for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the 2021 West Bengal Assembly polls, and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

According to party leaders, the rally will be followed by a series of public meetings, roadshows, and organisational programmes by senior BJP figures across West Bengal, as the party gears up for a final push to secure a decisive mandate.

The Prime Minister had last visited the state on March 14, when he addressed a major rally at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata. The event marked the culmination of the BJPas statewide aParivartan Yatraa campaign in the run-up to the elections.

During that visit, Modi also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for infrastructure and connectivity projects worth approximately Rs 18,680 crore. These included national highway developments valued at around Rs 16,990 crore, covering over 420 kilometres of road projects. The initiatives are aimed at improving road safety, easing congestion, reducing travel time, and boosting regional connectivity and economic growth in eastern India.

With the campaign entering a crucial phase, todayas rally is expected to set the tone for the BJPas strategy in north Bengal and beyond.
Beirut, April 5 : The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has said that it will file a formal protest after Israeli soldiers destroyed surveillance cameras installed at its headquarters in Naqoura.

UNIFIL spokesperson Candice Ardell said in a statement on Saturday (local time) that Israeli troops had, since Friday, destroyed all cameras facing the Menghi road at the mission's general headquarters in Naqoura.

The cameras were positioned solely to monitor the UNIFIL compound's immediate area, ensuring the security of its peacekeepers, Ardell said.

Ardell said UNIFIL had conveyed its serious concern to the Israeli army and would submit a formal protest, reports Xinhua news agency.

The incident comes amid broader regional hostilities involving the United States, Israel and Iran, as well as repeated recent incidents affecting UNIFIL positions in southern Lebanon.

Earlier on Friday, an explosion inside a United Nations position near the Adaisseh area in southern Lebanon wounded three peacekeepers, two of them seriously, said the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.

UNIFIL spokesperson Candice Ardell said the injured peacekeepers were transported to the hospital, adding that the source of the explosion remains unknown, Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported.

"It has been a difficult week for peacekeepers operating near the central sector of UNIFIL's area of operations. We wish a full and speedy recovery to all those injured," Ardell said, according to the NNA.

She added that UNIFIL reminds all parties of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers, including avoiding nearby combat activities that could put them at risk.

The incident comes after several security incidents affecting UNIFIL positions and patrols were reported in southern Lebanon in recent days amid ongoing tensions along the Blue Line.
Chennai, April 5 : With election campaigning in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry reaching a decisive phase, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi are scheduled to arrive in Chennai on Monday, triggering extensive security arrangements at the airport.

According to official sources, Amit Shah will land at the Chennai airport at 3.15 p.m. from Kochi in a private aircraft. Soon after his arrival, he will board a private helicopter at 3.20 p.m. and depart for Puducherry.

During his visit, HM Shah is expected to campaign in support of candidates of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), as part of the Bharatiya Janata Partyas intensified efforts to strengthen its presence in the union territory.

After concluding his engagements in Puducherry, HM Shah will return to Chennai by helicopter, landing at approximately 6.10 p.m. Instead of exiting the airport immediately, he is likely to spend some time at the VIP lounge within the old airport premises.

Senior BJP leaders from Tamil Nadu are expected to meet him during this period to discuss election strategies and coordination. Following these interactions, HM Shah will depart for New Delhi later in the evening by private aircraft.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to arrive earlier in the day at 10.00 a.m. from New Delhi. He will be received at the airport by senior leaders of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee.

Gandhi is expected to hold a closed-door meeting with party leaders at the VIP lounge, focusing on campaign planning and coordination ahead of the crucial polls. Subsequently, he will travel to Puducherry in a smaller aircraft with a seating capacity of around 12 passengers, to participate in election campaigning for Congress and alliance candidates.

His return schedule to Chennai has not been officially confirmed, indicating that he may continue his engagements in the region.

With both leaders passing through the same airport on the same day, airport authorities have significantly stepped up security measures.

Officials confirmed that an emergency coordination meeting was held to review protocols, regulate the issuance of VIP passes, and ensure seamless movement within the airport.

The back-to-back visits of two prominent national leaders underline the high-stakes nature of the ongoing election campaign in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, as major parties intensify their final outreach efforts ahead of polling.
Tripoli, April 5 : The head of Libya's Presidential Council, Mohamed Al-Menfi, has instructed that no new deals be made concerning already developed oil fields in the country, according to a report.

The instruction to Masoud Suleiman, chairman of the National Oil Corporation (NOC), confirmed Saturday (Local time) by the Presidential Council's media office, prohibits all forms of agreements in this regard, including contractual arrangements, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting Al-Ahrar TV.

Menfi also requested immediate reports to the Council on the legal, technical, and economic procedures and backgrounds of any previous deals.

The move is intended to strengthen protection of Libya's national economy and secure optimal returns from its strategic oil resources, said reports.

This development followed a previous decision by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah to suspend a controversial oil development agreement, reportedly with the Arabian Gulf Oil Company, citing mounting concerns over transparency and public backlash.

Oil and gas exports are Libya's main source of revenue, but production has been repeatedly disrupted in recent years due to conflict or political instability.

Meanwhile, earlier on Thursday, Libya's Ports and Maritime Transport Authority announced that an operation to tow a damaged Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker had failed.

In a statement, the authority said the tanker is now "completely adrift and out of control at sea due to severe weather conditions caused by a deep depression, with winds reaching 40 knots and waves up to 5 meters."

The statement added: "We inform all ships, maritime units, and relevant authorities that the towing operation failed at 4:00 a.m. on April 2. The tanker is now out of control, and the tugboat is unable to return and reconnect under these dangerous weather conditions."

The 277-meter-long tanker, named "Arctic Metagas," was carrying an estimated 62,000 metric tonnes of LNG when it went down in waters between Libya and Malta on March 3, according to a navigational circular reported by the Libyan News Agency.
Khartoum, April 5 : At least 2,042 people have been killed and 785 injured in 214 attacks on health care facilities in Sudan since the conflict began nearly three years ago, two UN agencies have announced.

In a joint statement on Saturday (local time), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said 184 deaths and 295 injuries occurred in the first quarter of this year alone, expressing concern over the growing scale and frequency of such attacks in conflict-affected areas.

"These attacks further restrict access to health care at a time when it is needed most," said WHO Representative to Sudan Shible Sahbani, who called for the protection of patients and health workers.

UNICEF Representative Sheldon Yett said attacks on hospitals "are a grave violation of children's rights," adding that they deprive children of critical services and protection during vulnerable moments, reports Xinhua news agency.

The agencies said attacks on health facilities, staff, and patients violate international humanitarian law and deepen an already severe humanitarian crisis. They called on all parties to respect and protect health care, ensure the safety of civilians and aid workers, and allow sustained access to essential services.

Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since mid-April 2023 has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions, according to international organisations.

Meanwhile, earlier on Thursday, the UN reopened its headquarters in Khartoum, alongside the resumption of operations of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), paving the way for a gradual restoration of its activities after nearly three years of suspension following the outbreak of conflict in the country.

Sudan's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mohi El-Din Salem, UN officials and representatives of the Khartoum State government attended the reopening ceremony.

In a statement, the Sudanese minister said the reopening reflects the resumption of cooperation between the Khartoum State government and the UN, hailing the step as a "positive indicator" of renewed international partnerships and support for the country's stabilisation efforts.

For his part, Associate Administrator of the UNDP Xu Haoliang said the return of UN agencies to Khartoum represents important support for Sudan in the current phase.

Xu said the UNDP is focusing on humanitarian response while strengthening the capacities of national institutions and local communities, contributing to recovery and reconstruction efforts.

The UN had previously relocated a large portion of its operations outside Khartoum, while maintaining some humanitarian activities through field offices in other states, amid significant challenges related to access and the deterioration of infrastructure and basic services.

Sudan is facing one of the largest humanitarian crises in the region. The ongoing war has displaced millions internally and externally, alongside a sharp decline in health and education services and surging food insecurity.

Earlier, the UN warned of growing humanitarian needs in Sudan as the war approached its third year.

According to the Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan for 2026, recently announced by the UN, about 33.7 million people in Sudan will require humanitarian assistance this year -- an increase of 3.3 million compared to 2025.
Gandhinagar, April 5 : Authorities in Gujarat have imposed fines totalling Rs 1,40,900 on 17 food establishments and destroyed approximately 615 kilograms of substandard food during a statewide enforcement drive, officials said on Sunday.

The action forms part of ongoing efforts to ensure food safety and transparency in the use of paneer (Indian cottage cheese) and analogue paneer in hotels, restaurants, dhabas, and street food units.

The Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) issued an order on April 4 directing all food business operators to clearly disclose whether they are using milk paneer or analogue paneer made from vegetable fat, starch, or other substitutes.

"Products made using substitutes should not be labelled or sold as 'paneer' and must instead be described as 'paneer analogue' or 'analogue'," the FDCA order stated.

The authority emphasised that any attempt to mislead consumers or provide incorrect information would be considered a violation and attract strict legal action.

During Saturday's drive, a total of 347 establishments across Gujarat, including restaurants, dhabas and food stalls, were inspected.

Among those penalised for not displaying accurate information were hotels/eateries in Ahmedabad, while Surat Municipal Corporation and Rajkot Municipal Corporation recorded fines of Rs 52,300 and Rs 3,600, respectively.

This follows earlier enforcement under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Between January 1 and March 31, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) collected 2,049 food samples, of which 74 were found substandard.

"Out of the above samples, 74 food samples were declared substandard. Action has been taken against the concerned Food Business Operators as per the provisions," AMC officials said.

The samples included 85 of paneer, 59 of milk, 89 of milk products, 20 of mango milkshake and sugarcane juice, 56 of bakery products, 68 of sweets, 99 of namkeen, 61 of sugar-boiled confectionery, 178 of flours and grains, 85 of edible oil, 26 of beverages, 35 of sugar and related items, three of tea, 248 of spices and iodised salt, and 937 classified as others.

During the same period, 4,294 food business units were inspected, 1,411 notices were issued, 1,033 tests were conducted, Rs 22,42,300 were recovered as administrative charges, and 3,081 kilograms of unsafe food were destroyed.

The AMC officials also highlighted the focus on paneer quality, reporting that of 85 samples collected in the first three months of 2026, a total of 25 were found substandard, mainly for failing fat content standards or using analogue paneer instead of milk paneer.

Penalties exceeding Rs three lakh were imposed, and action was initiated against 12 establishments.

More than 15,000 food business operators have been instructed via email to clearly indicate whether they are using milk paneer or analogue paneer, with non-compliance attracting legal action.

Officials said these measures show the continued commitment to protecting consumer interests and ensuring food safety across Gujarat.
New Delhi, April 5 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid homage to Babu Jagjivan Ram on his birth anniversary, honouring the former Deputy Prime Minister for dedicating his life to equality and social justice.

Jagjivan Ram, born April 5, 1908, was a Dalit leader, freedom fighter, and key political figure whose birth date is observed as Samata Diwas in parts of India.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Humble salutations to former Deputy Prime Minister Babu Jagjivan Ram Ji on his birth anniversary. He dedicated his life to equality and social justice. His invaluable contribution to the nation will always be remembered."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, paying tributes to the former Deputy PM, called him "the pioneer of social justice".

"Babu Jagjivan Ji dedicated his entire life to national service and social justice. He made unprecedented contributions to the freedom struggle and steadfastly confronted divisive forces while opposing religious conversion. His struggle for the rights of the weaker and deprived sections of society will continue to inspire us forever," Shah said in a post on X.

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda also took to social media and paid homage to Babu Jagjivan Ram.

"On the birth anniversary of Babu Jagjivan Ram ji, a pioneer of social justice, a great freedom fighter, and a skilled administrator, I pay my humble respects to him. As a pioneer of social justice, Babu Jagjivan Ram ji performed the noble task of changing the condition and direction of the poor, Dalits, and deprived," Nadda posted on X.

"Your unprecedented efforts for the upliftment of the nation and society are an inspiration to all of us," he said.

Taking to X, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also paid heartfelt tributes to the former Deputy PM.

"On the birth anniversary of Babu Jagjivan Ram ji, who served as the former Deputy Prime Minister and the country's Defence Minister, I pay my respects to him. Social justice and the defence of India were the highest priorities of his life. His contribution to the nation's development and its protection will always be remembered," Singh said.

Jagjivan Ram was a lifelong advocate for equality and the abolition of untouchability. In 1935, he co-founded the All India Depressed Classes League to fight for the rights and equality of Dalits.

He coordinated demonstrations against caste discrimination during his university years at Banaras Hindu University and the University of Calcutta, and subsequently organised rural labour movements following his election to the Bihar Legislative Assembly in 1937.

As a member of the Constituent Assembly (1946a"1950), he was instrumental in incorporating provisions for reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in education, employment, and legislatures into the Indian Constitution.
New Delhi, April 5 : Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav on Sunday lashed out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, asserting that the public sentiment in the state is turning against her.

Commenting on the Chief Minister's recent statements about potential election boycotts, Yadav said, "People have already given up on her. Mamata Banerjee has realised the public sentiment is against her. That is why she is talking about boycotting the vote and stepping back from the battlefield. Anyone who retreats from the battlefield can understand what the situation there is like"

He further criticised the ruling party over law and order issues, particularly regarding upcoming political events. "Law and order is a matter that falls under the state government, and especially when the Home Minister is going to have an event there, any lapse in their security clearly indicates a situation of disorder. People are now fed up with Trinamool Congress" he added.

The remarks come amid rising political heat in the state as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) gears up for elections to the 294-member West Bengal Legislative Assembly, scheduled in two phases on April 23 and April 29.

Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee addressed a rally in Manikchak on Saturday, urging voters to halt polling wherever electronic voting machines (EVMs) malfunction during the upcoming elections. She also warned voters to be vigilant against alleged attempts by the BJP to use Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel to prevent genuine voters from reaching polling stations.

"The BJP might try to prevent genuine voters from reaching the polling stations on polling day by using the CAPF. The EVMs are manufactured by a Central government entity. If there are cases of EVM malfunction, refrain from voting and stop the polling process. Insist on bringing new EVMsWomen should especially take the lead role," CM Banerjee said.

She further cautioned voters about outsiders entering localities to influence voters and emphasised, "After winning in Bengal again this year, our next target will be New Delhi."
New Delhi, April 5 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday extended heartfelt greetings to the countrymen on the occasion of Easter and wished for the teachings of Jesus Christ to strengthen the spirit of togetherness in society.

Easter Sunday is observed by Christians to honour the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which occurred three days following his crucifixion on Good Friday.

This day is regarded as the most important celebration in Christianity, representing the victory of life over death, the atonement of sins, and the assurance of eternal life for the faithful.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Greetings on Easter. This sacred day celebrates hope and renewal. May it bring peace, joy and brightness to everyone's lives. May the teachings of Jesus Christ inspire all to be kind and strengthen the spirit of togetherness in society."

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla extended greetings to the people on Easter, wishing for peace and happiness in everyone's lives.

In a post on X, Birla said, "Wishing you a joyful Easter Sunday. May this beautiful day bring new beginnings, strengthen your faith and fill your life with happiness, peace and countless blessings through God's grace."

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda also took to X and wished the countrymen on the joyous occasion.

"Warm greetings to everyone on the blessed occasion of Easter. This day reminds us of hope, kindness and new beginnings. May we follow the path shown by Lord Jesus Christ and spread love, compassion, and peace in our lives and society. Wishing happiness and prosperity to you and your loved ones," Nadda said.

Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, taking to social media, extended best wishes on Easter.

"May this holy occasion inspire harmony, compassion and service to others. Remembering the teachings of Lord Christ, may our lives be filled with hope, light and togetherness," Rijiju said in a post on X.

Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand also took to Facebook and extended Easter wishes to the people, wishing for peace in the state.

"Easter is a powerful reminder that even after the darkest of times, hope rises, wounds heal, and new beginnings are always possible. Today, this message carries a deeper meaning for our state," he said.

"Manipur has faced challenges that have tested our unity, trust, and resilience. But just as Easter signifies renewal and the triumph of faith, I firmly believe that our state, too, will emerge stronger, more united, and more determined than ever before. This is the time to rise above divisions, to rebuild bonds between communities, and to restore the spirit of brotherhood that has always defined Manipur. Peace is not just a goal, it is our collective responsibility," Khemchand said.

He reaffirmed his government's commitment to "restore normalcy, ensure justice, and bring inclusive development to every corner of the state".

"We will continue to work tirelessly to heal, rebuild, and move forward together. Let this Easter inspire each one of us to choose peace over discord, unity over division, and hope over despair," the Manipur Chief Minister added.
New Delhi, April 5 : In a significant breakthrough, the Delhi Police have apprehended a habitual and desperate offender following a targeted operation based on actionable intelligence.

According to a press release issued by the Special Staff of South District police on Sunday, Akshat Maheshwari, aged 25, and a resident of Rajapuri, Bharat Vihar, Dwarka, Delhi (presently residing at Sangam Vihar, Delhi), was wanted in five criminal cases, including robbery, burglary, and motor vehicle theft.

He had also been declared a Proclaimed Offender in cases related to robbery and motor vehicle theft and had been absconding for 1.4 years, frequently changing hideouts.

The release stated, "The vigilant staff of Special Staff, South District, has done commendable work by apprehending a desperate robber, auto-lifter, and burglar, namely Akshat Maheshwari."

The operation was carried out under the directions of senior officers as part of a special drive to trace proclaimed offenders. During record scrutiny, Maheshwari was identified as a proclaimed offender in two cases. The team, comprising Sub Inspector Amit Grewal, ASI Dushyant, Head Constable Manish, HC Rakesh, and HC Sandeep, was led by Inspector Anuj Kumar and supervised by Arvind Kumar, ACP/OPS/SD, who employed technical surveillance and informer inputs to track the accused.

On April 4, specific intelligence indicated Maheshwari's presence near Cherry County, Greater Noida. Acting swiftly, the team conducted a raid and successfully apprehended the accused. During interrogation, he disclosed his involvement in three additional cases of motor vehicle theft and burglary.

The press release further detailed the cases linked to Maheshwari: FIR No. 77/25 u/s 309(4) BNS, Police Station K.M. Pur (PO), FIR No. 80038489/25 u/s 305/331(3) BNS, PS Defence Colony, FIR No. 002928/25 u/s 305(b) BNS, PS Defence Colony, FIR No. 005843/25 u/s 305(b) BNS, PS Jagat Puri and FIR No. 033334/24 u/s 305(b) BNS, PS Defence Colony (PO).

The release highlighted Maheshwari's extensive criminal background, noting involvement in over eight previous cases, including theft, receiving stolen property (IPC 379/411), and burglary, registered across multiple police stations, including Binda Pur, Vasant Vihar, Safdarjung Enclave, Sangam Vihar, Preet Vihar, and Okhla Industrial Area.

The police concluded the release by stating, "The team involved in this commendable work is being suitably rewarded," recognising the efforts of officers in apprehending a dangerous offender and ensuring public safety.
Seoul, April 5 : Executives from Samsung Electronics and French artificial intelligence (AI) startup Mistral AI discussed potential cooperation in the AI memory sector, industry sources said on Sunday.

Arthur Mensch, co-founder and chief executive officer of Mistral AI, met Jeon Young-hyun, head of Samsung Electronics' device solutions division, on Thursday at the company's Hwaseong campus to explore collaboration on AI chip supply chains and related technologies, the sources said.

Mensch was in South Korea last week on the occasion of French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Seoul for talks with President Lee Jae Myung, reports Yonhap news agency.

Mistral AI, often described as Europe's counterpart to OpenAI, is seeking to secure a stable supply of semiconductors to support its large language model, Mistral Large, and to expand its AI infrastructure. The visit to Samsung's semiconductor facility is viewed as part of that effort.

"Following recent discussions between Samsung executives and Lisa Su, CEO of Advanced Micro Devices, Mistral AI also appears to be pursuing talks with Samsung to ensure a reliable chip supply amid tight memory market conditions," an industry official said.

Last month, Lisa Su, chief executive officer (CEO) of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), met with officials from the South Korean government, Samsung Electronics and Upstage, as the US tech giant aims to step up artificial intelligence (AI) partnerships in the region.

Su met with Im Moon-young, vice chair of the National AI Strategy Committee, and Ha Jung-woo, presidential secretary for AI policy and future planning, discussing potential cooperation in the AI industry.

During the meeting, South Korean officials introduced Seoul's policies aimed at making Asia's fourth-largest economy one of the world's top three AI powerhouses, while discussing ways to create synergies between Korean companies and AMD in the AI sector, according to the committee.

Seoul officials and AMD vowed to continue mutually beneficial cooperation to establish an open and global AI ecosystem, the committee added.

a"IANS

na/

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Rotavirus cases are on the rise in the U.S., data shows. (BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty)





A stomach virus that can prove fatal in small children is surging in California, recent data shows. But is it in Texas?

WastewaterSCAN, which monitors traces of viruses in municipal wastewater, reports generally high levels of rotavirus across the country. As of April 3, high concentrations of the virus were detected near Amarillo, the Woodlands and the Dallas-Fort Worth area, as well as facilities in Wichita Falls and Gainesville.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also tracks rotavirus cases by weekly tests and the share of positive results. The National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) Dashboard offers national and regional data, showing a spike in cases in the South in February and March.

Heres what to know about rotavirus.

People are also reading: Is the new COVID cicada variant in Austin? See whats going around

How does rotavirus spread?

Rotavirus is spread through contact with an infected persons stool, according to the CDC. The virus particles can enter the body when people:

Put unwashed hands that are contaminated with stool into their mouth

Touch contaminated objects or surfaces and then touch their mouths

Eat contaminated food

Those infected with rotavirus are most contagious when they have symptoms and during the first three days after recovering. However, the virus can also be spread before symptoms appear.

What are rotavirus symptoms?

The CDC reports that symptoms of rotavirus typically begin about two days after a person is exposed to the virus, and vomiting and watery diarrhea can last between three and eight days. The most common symptoms are severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever and stomach pain.

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Rotavirus can also cause a loss of appetite and bodily fluids. The CDC warns dehydration can be especially dangerous for infants and young children." Symptoms of dehydration include:

decreased urination

dry mouth and throat

feeling dizzy when standing up

crying with few or no tears

unusual sleepiness or fussiness

Whats the treatment for rotavirus?

Unfortunately, theres no specific medicine for treating rotavirus infection. Antibiotics are ineffective because they combat bacteria, not viruses.

A health care provider may suggest treatments to relieve symptoms, such as fluids to prevent dehydration.

Who is more at risk for rotavirus?

Infants and young children are most at risk for severe rotavirus illness, with children between three and 35 months at the highest risk for severe symptoms. However, older children and adults can also become sick, including those with weakened immune systems. Adults who contract the virus typically have milder symptoms, the CDC says.

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Like norovirus  also known as the stomach flu  rotavirus tends to spread in crowded settings like hospitals and child care centers. Its most prevalent from January to June.

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) warns children who become dehydrated due to the rotavirus may need to be hospitalized and can even die.

How can I prevent rotavirus? CDC recommends rotavirus vaccine

The CDC says rotavirus vaccination is the best way to protect children. Practicing good hygiene, like washing hands and staying clean, is important but may not fully prevent transmission.

Children, even those who are vaccinated, may get infected and sick from rotavirus more than once, the CDC explains. That is because neither natural infection with rotavirus nor vaccination provides full protection from future infections. However, vaccinated children are less likely to get sick from rotavirus.

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Unlike the flu shot, the rotavirus vaccine is given through drops in the mouth. The Texas DSHS recommends infants receive two or three doses, with the first administered before 15 weeks of age and the last administered before eight months of age.

 San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Ariana Bindman contributed to this report.
Kolkata, April 5 : In an early morning operation on Sunday, the sleuths of Cooch Behar District Police in poll-bound West Bengal have successfully seized a consignment of arms and ammunition at Changrabandha Bypass under Mekliganj Police Station in that district.

The arms and ammunition had taken place just 10 hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a mega campaign rally in Cooch Behar town in the same district at around 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Sources from the Cooch Behar District Police said that amid the crucial two-phase assembly elections in the state later this month, the district police authorities have intensified the Naka-checking activities in the district, which has international borders with Bangladesh.

"The precautions on this count were more since Saturday evening because of the Prime Minister's scheduled programme in the district. On Sunday at around 4 a.m., our men deployed at such a Naka-checking point at the Changrabandha Bypass area stopped a four-wheeler as part of routine checking. From that vehicle, four counter-made pistols and two rounds of ammunition were recovered," the district police officer said.

Two persons have been arrested in this connection. They have been identified as Manirul Islam and Shamim Rahman. Both have been handed over to the Crime Branch of the district police.

"Interrogation is on to know what their motive was for carrying those arms and ammunition illegally. Both will be presented at a district court on Sunday, and the public prosecutor will seek their police custody," said the district police official.

From preliminary interrogation, the investigating officials have come to know that both were coming from Siliguri in Darjeeling district, and their destination was Dinhata in Cooch Behar district.

The police suspect that the weapons were being taken to create panic during the forthcoming elections. Police have launched an investigation into the matter.

Following the instructions from the Election Commission of India (ECI), the state police are carrying out special operations throughout the state, focusing on the recovery of illegal firearms, explosive items, liquor, and cash.

The two-phase Assembly elections in West Bengal are scheduled on April 23 and April 29. In the first phase, polling will be held for 152 Assembly constituencies, and in the second phase, for the remaining 142 seats.

The results will be declared on May 4.
Beypore : , April 5 (IANS) Home Minister Amit Shah is set to visit Beypore in Kerala on Sunday, where he will spearhead a high-intensity roadshow in support of NDA candidate K.P. Prakash Babu.

The roadshow forms part of an election campaign by the NDA ahead of the upcoming Kerala Assembly polls, scheduled for April 9. The procession is scheduled to pass through key stretches from Mathottam Bijith Junction to Naduvattam and Perachanangadi.

In the lead-up to the event, enthusiasm among local residents and BJP supporters was visible, with many gathering for the Home Minister's roadshow.

"Many people are gathered here for our leader, Amit Shah. We are very happy," a local resident told IANS.

Another attendee expressed hope for political change in the state, saying, "We want a change, and we want the BJP to form a government here. We are excited for Home Minister Amit Shah's visit."

A BJP supporter told IANS, "Every seat will go to the BJP this time. We want a change here. Our blessings and love are with Home Minister Amit Shah."

Another local also highlighted expectations from the visit, stating, "This time, we want the BJP government here. We are happy that the top leadership of the party is visiting us today."

Authorities have made extensive preparations for the roadshow, with heightened security arrangements in place as large crowds of supporters continue to gather for the programme.

Earlier on Saturday, Narendra Modi addressed a public rally in Kerala's Thiruvalla, where he opened his speech with the slogans "Jai Keralam! Jai Vikasita Keralam!"

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that the growing trust of the people in the NDA, along with strong backing from women across Kerala, is clearly visible.

He remarked that although he had visited the state earlier, the current atmosphere appears markedly different and indicative of change, adding that Kerala seems prepared for a historic transformation.
Hyderabad, April 5 : A woman was killed and her husband injured after a DCM vehicle hit the scooty they were riding and dragged it for about a kilometre in Hyderabad.

The incident occurred in the IT hub of Madhapur late on Saturday night. The deceased was identified as Haniya Ayesha (22). Her husband, Abdul Basit (26), sustained grievous injuries and has been admitted to a private hospital.

According to police, the scooty was hit by the vehicle at Mindspace. While Abdul Basit fell by the roadside, the woman, along with the scooty, was dragged by the vehicle for about a kilometre.

On noticing the DCM vehicle dragging the woman along with the scooty, passersby chased and intercepted it. The DCM driver, however, managed to escape. But the locals caught hold of the cleaner, thrashed him and then handed him over to the police.

Both the woman and her husband were shifted to AIG Hospital, where the doctors declared Ayesha dead on arrival. Abdul Basit was undergoing treatment for serious injuries.

The couple, hailing from Kerala, was working in a Malabar Gold store. They were returning home in Maheshwaram after watching a movie in Kukatpally.

Police shifted the womanas body for post-mortem examination. A police officer said the coupleas family has been informed about the accident.

Madhapur police registered a case and took up an investigation.

The police were on the lookout for the DCM driver. The vehicle was registered in Karnataka.

Meanwhile, a container truck carrying autorickshaws caught fire in Andhra Pradeshas Chittoor district.

The accident occurred near Bengaluru-Chennai National Highway in Bangarupalem mandal of Chittoor district.

The container, transporting eight autos from Hosur to Jharkhand, suddenly caught fire. The vehicle was gutted before the fire tender could rush to the scene to douse the flames.

The cause of the fire was not known. Police registered a case and launched an investigation.
New York, April 5 : The second crew member of a US plane that was shot down by Iran has been rescued in a military operation deep inside that country, President Donald Trump said on Sunday.

"We got him", Trump said in a post on Truth Social just after midnight. "I am thrilled to let you know is now safe and sound!"

The officer, who Trump said was a "highly respected colonel", was on the F-15E Strike Eagle jet that was brought down by Iran on Friday.

Both the crew on the jet on a mission over Iran ejected from it, and the pilot was rescued shortly afterwards in a search-and-rescue mission, while the search continued for the colonel.

US aircraft had intensified pounding of targets within Iran and on Thursday had destroyed a major bridge that was a major gateway to Tehran.

Iran had put a bounty on the colonel, and if the officer had been captured, it would have been a bargaining point for Tehran.

Earlier on Saturday, while the search was on for the colonel, Trump, in a post, warned Iran that he would hit it hard if it did not open up the Strait of Hormuz.

"Remember when I gave Iran ten days to make a deal or open up the Hormuz Strait. Time is running out -- 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them. Glory be to God", he said on Truth Social.

The successful US operation deep inside Iran was also a test of the American ability to launch ground operations.

"The fact that we were able to pull off both of these operations, without a single American killed, or even wounded, just proves once again, that we have achieved overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies", he said.

Trump said that the "US Military sent dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him" from "behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran".

"He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine", he said of the colonel, who was described by the media as a weapons officer.

Additionally, another US A-10 Warthog aircraft that may have been hit by Iranian fire crashed near the Gulf of Hormuz also on Friday, according to media reports, but the pilot was rescued after landing outside Iranian territory.

Air crew carry beacons and communication devices to help locate them and stay in contact.

Several helicopters and other aircraft had been deployed in the search for the second officer, and troops landed in Iran to carry out the rescue.

US sources that had received briefings were quoted by the media as saying that during the rescue operation, aircraft dropped bombs on Iranian forces heading towards the colonel.

A firefight also took place, the reports said.

Reports said that a helicopter used to rescue the pilot had been damaged by Iranian fire but managed to fly out.

Two days before the US jet was shot down, Trump had claimed in an address to the nation that Iran's air defence systems had been totally destroyed.
Mumbai, April 5 : Actress Anu Aggarwal, on Sunday morning, took a trip down memory lane, recalling her experience of shooting a love song with 'someone she barely knew.'

The actor shared stills from one of her songs from her iconic film Aashiqui, and recalled umpteen number of memories.

Reflecting on the moment, Anu revealed how she had to perform intense romantic emotions despite not knowing the person who was her co-actor at the time.

The actress hasn't mentioned either the movie nor the actor she had been referring to.

She wrote, "The next day, I was back on set. Shooting a love song. With someone I barely knewdefinitely not in love with. She wasn't me. She was a character. But I learned how to find what was real within me that matched the roleand give it to her. That's where building a character begins (sic)."

She added, And then you live herin the smallest details: how she thinks, how she feels, even how she moves through everyday moments. I don't just love acting. It's my nature."

In a separate post shared on Saturday by Anu Aggarwal, she had also revealed another incident from the same phase of her life.

She had spoken about how deeply she had immersed herself into a scene that she ended up injuring her hand during the shoot

Despite the injury, the actress returned to the set the very next day, determined to continue working.

She wrote, "Some moments on screen don't come from acting alone. On the sets of Aashiqui, I went so deep into the emotion that the line between performance and reality blurred. I injured my hand during that shot. In my twenties, living alone and finding my way, I was learning fastabout the work, and about myself.

She added, That's when I understoodI go all in. And I need to be aware of how deep I go. The next morning, I was back on seton time. Doing my own hair and makeup. Once I commit, I deliver. And that hasn't changed.(sic)"
Kolkata, April 5 : Tensions escalated once more during Congress candidate Adhir Chowdhury's campaign rally in Berhampore in West Bengal's Murshidabad district on Sunday, where he encountered 'go back' slogans from Trinamool Congress supporters in three different locations.

Incidentally, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to hold an election rally in Berhampore later in the day. Meanwhile, a large number of Central forces and police were deployed to avoid an untoward incident.

Earlier in the morning, Adhir Chowdhury, the Congress candidate for the Baharampur Assembly constituency, set out on his election campaign. He commenced his procession from the Mohan Roy Para intersection in Ward No. 5 of the Berhampore Municipality. For the most part, he conducted his campaign on foot. He was accompanied by local Congress leaders and party workers. Following the unrest on Saturday, a heavy contingent of Central forces and police personnel were deployed since the very start of the campaign on Sunday.

However, he faced 'go back' slogans at three places -- in the Dayamoyee Kali Bari area of aaward number 3, Dayanagar intersection and Kandnagar Road areas -- where the Trinamool Congress workers protested. The police and Central forces present there managed to rein in the situation.

It may be noted that on Saturday evening, the West Bengal Police took disciplinary action against IC (Inspector-in-Charge) Berhampore and initiated action against four accused Trinamool Congress members for unlawful obstruction during the election campaign of Chowdhury.

On Saturday morning, Adhir Chowdhury was campaigning with his workers and supporters. He allegedly faced obstacles from the Trinamool Congress as soon as he entered ward number 19.

According to the senior Congress leader and former MP, "Trinamool Congress is systematically creating obstacles in the campaigning. They are scared of the election results; therefore, they have resorted to violence and intimidation."

However, local Trinamool Congress councillor Bhishmadev Karmakar dismissed the allegations. He said, "He is a traitor. He is trying to create chaos by bringing in outsiders. Local people have protested against him."

Incidentally, Adhir Chowdhury was also the subject of protests on Friday night. A group of Trinamool leaders and workers shouted 'go back' slogans on seeing him. The incident took place on Abdus Samad Road in Berhampore. Chowdhury had gone to the area to see a district Congress leader who is admitted to a nursing home due to illness. On his return, Trinamool workers allegedly shouted 'go back' slogans on seeing him.
New Delhi, April 5 : A young girl who had left her home without informing her family was found in a distressed condition at Anand Vihar Metro Station and was safely reunited with her family following timely intervention by Delhi Police, officials said on Sunday.

The incident came to light on Saturday when Head Constable Adarsh, accompanied by Woman Constable Sunita, was on routine area patrol. During their patrol, the team reached the metro station premises, where they noticed a young girl sitting alone, visibly upset and crying.

According to officials, the police personnel immediately approached her and ensured her safety.

"The police officials promptly approached the girl and ensured her safety. With due sensitivity and under the supervision of Woman Constable Sunita, the girl was counselled in a calm and reassuring manner. Initially hesitant, she was gradually comforted and persuaded to share her details," an official statement said.

After sustained counselling and efforts to build trust, the girl eventually revealed her identity.

During questioning, she disclosed that she had been under mental stress over the past two to three days due to academic pressure from her family. She said she had left her house around 4 a.m. without informing anyone.

Once the police gained her confidence, they obtained her father's contact details and immediately reached out to him. Her father confirmed that she had left home without informing the family and that they had been searching for her.

He was informed about her safety at the metro station and told the police that he was on his way to Delhi, officials said.

He also conveyed that his younger brother had been sent ahead to assist. Soon after, the girl's uncle arrived at the police station along with other relatives and identified her as his niece.

"Upon the arrival of the girl's father, he and other family members were thoroughly briefed in the presence of the girl. The family was advised to get the girl medically examined; however, they declined, stating that she was in normal condition," the officials said.

After completing all necessary formalities and verifying the details, the girl was safely handed over to her father in the presence of her relatives.

"The incident highlights the prompt response, vigilance, and compassionate approach of the Metro Unit Police in handling sensitive cases involving distressed individuals. The timely intervention, patient counselling, and coordinated communication with the family ensured the safe reunion of the girl without any untoward incident," the officials said.

"Such proactive policing reflects the commitment of Delhi Police towards public safety, especially in ensuring the well-being of vulnerable individuals within metro premises," they added.
New Delhi, April 5 : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday raised concerns over women's safety and the functioning of One Stop Centres (OSCs), alleging that many women in distress are still unable to access timely support.

In a post on his WhatsApp channel, Gandhi wrote: "Women are knocking on doors for help, but the government has shut those doors."

He further mentioned: "I asked in Parliament: when a woman escapes violence and reaches a One Stop Centre (OSC), why does she not receive help? Why does she find it locked? Why is there a shortage of staff? Why are complaints from across the country being ignored? What was the government's response? Everything is 'satisfactory'. If everything is 'satisfactory', then why are there so many reports highlighting problems in OSCs?"

"If safety is a priority, why are 3 out of every 5 women still not receiving help? And why is only 60 paise out of every Rs 100 of the Women and Child Development Ministry being spent on OSCs?" he asked.

The LoP further stated, "Safety is not a scheme; it is the basic responsibility of the government. Calling everything 'satisfactory' does not ensure safety; it shows that the Modi government is not listening to anyone."

Gandhi's remarks come in the context of a question he raised in the Lok Sabha on March 27, 2026, seeking details about the functioning of OSCs across the country. He had asked whether several centres were non-functional, not operating round the clock, or facing staff shortages.

He also sought data on the number of women seeking assistance, funds allocated and utilised, and vacancies in key positions such as administrators, counsellors, and medical staff.

Responding to the query, Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur said that OSCs operate under the Mission Shakti scheme and are designed to provide "integrated and immediate assistance" to women affected by violence, including medical aid, legal support, temporary shelter, police assistance and psychosocial counselling.

The government stated that "since its inception on April 1, 2015, till December 31, 2025, more than 13.37 lakh women have been assisted" through OSCs across the country. It also clarified that "the overall implementation of the OSC scheme lies with the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations", while funds are released as per prescribed guidelines.

Highlighting monitoring mechanisms, the ministry said that "once a year, the Programme Approval Board (PAB) reviews the progress of activities under the scheme" and that officials conduct regular reviews through meetings, video conferencing, and field visits.

The government further noted that "third-party evaluationsthrough NITI Aayog in 2020 and 2025 found the scheme's relevance, effectiveness and sustainability to be satisfactory."

Despite these assurances, Gandhi maintained that continued reports of gaps in access and services suggest a disconnect between official claims and the situation on the ground.
Hyderabad, April 5 : The Chief Ministers and Governors of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on Sunday paid rich tributes to freedom fighter and former Deputy Prime Minister Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram on the occasion of his 119th birth anniversary.

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy paid tributes to the great leader's portrait at his residence in Jubilee Hills. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister lauded the efforts undertaken by the leader for the welfare of the downtrodden sections and the working class.

He recalled that Babu Jagjivan Ram fought against caste discrimination and untouchability, and dedicated his entire life to upholding the rights of Dalits. The Chief Minister stated that, inspired by Babuji, the government in Telangana is striving to ensure social justice and the well-being of all sections of society.

Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla extended warm greetings to the people on the occasion of Babu Jagjivan Ram Jayanti.

He described Babu Jagjivan Ram as a towering national leader, freedom fighter, and champion of social justice who worked for the upliftment of the marginalised. His commitment to equality and inclusive development helped shape a progressive India.

The Governor stated that his legacy should live forever, inspiring generations to build a just, inclusive, and compassionate society.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu also paid tributes to Babu Jagjivan Ram, calling him a valiant hero who dedicated his entire life to the upliftment of marginalised sections.

He noted that, as a social reformer, Babu Jagjivan Ram fought against untouchability and awakened public consciousness. Serving as a parliamentarian for a long period, he demonstrated his mettle in Legislative Assemblies, and until his last moments, he strived solely for the emancipation of the Dalit community, said the Chief Minister.

While offering his profound respects to Babu Jagjivan Ram, the Chief Minister hoped that future generations would carry forward his inspiration.

Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer paid rich tributes to Babu Jagjivan Ram on his birth anniversary. The Governor said Jagjivan Ram was a great leader and freedom fighter who worked for equality and the welfare of all sections of society.

His valuable contributions to nation-building and his commitment to social justice continue to inspire people of the nation, said the governor.

--IANS

ms/dpb
New Delhi, April 5 : Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson of Biocon Limited, on Sunday raised concerns over the condition of NH44, the key IT corridor connecting the city to Hosur.

In a social media post on platform X, she criticised the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for what she described as poor design and maintenance along the stretch.

Mazumdar-Shaw highlighted that the medians and barricades along the highway are "terrible," while the shoulders remain unpaved, creating an "eyesore" for commuters.

She questioned whether NHAI considers this section as part of its reputed track record of road infrastructure development across the country.

"Whilst NHAI boasts of its road infrastructure across the country why is the country's key IT corridor NH44 (formerly NH7) viz Hosur Road so shoddily designed and ill maintained?," she wrote on X.

"It's an eyesore - the medians and barricades are terrible and the shoulders are not asphalted," Shaw noted.

Despite several complaints over the years, she pointed out, the issue has seen no response from the authorities, directly tagging Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and NHAI's official social media handle.

"Despite several complaints over several years there is no response. Is this what NHAI considers its proud track record?" she mentioned.

Meanwhile, the country's leading women industrialist last year raised serious concerns over garbage emerging as a "serious malaise" in the country, particularly in big metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and others.

In a post on X in October last year, she also slammed the respective municipalities of these cities, as well as state governments, for their gross ignorance and negligence of the issue, which has been reaching alarming levels lately and posing a serious threat to the well-being of citizens.
You may think you know how old you are, but your body doesnt follow a calendar.

That is, your chronological age, which measures how many years have passed since you were born, may not match your biological age, which reflects wear and tear on your body at a cellular level.

Based on factors including genetics, lifestyle habits and medical history, you may be biologically older or younger than your chronological age. Thats because these two measures dont always progress at the same pace, according to Dr. Douglas Vaughan, director of the Potocsnak Longevity Institute at Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine.

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Every time you have a birthday, you add another year to your life, Vaughan said. We all experience that at the same rate, and its relentless, its unforgiving, its cosmically indifferent.

On the other hand, biological age, also called epigenetic age, reflects more of the changes inside you that occur over time, he said.

Scientists have developed a number of ways to estimate biological age, including so-called epigenetic clocks that measure changes to DNA at the molecular level. These clocks, often created for clinical research purposes, are becoming mainstream in the form of direct-to-consumer test kits.

We have lots of tools now that allow us to get some insight into a given individuals biological age, Vaughan said. This whole field is exploding right now, as we learn that there are ways to measure biological age that we never even thought about before.

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As the longevity industry booms, so too does the biological age testing market, which reached $1.28 billion globally in 2024, according to market research and consulting firm Dataintelo. Its projected to reach $3.09 billion by 2033.

Biological age test kits are widely available online, ranging from $299 saliva-based tests to $499 blood tests. But all tests arent created equally, and there are limitations to the health insights they provide.

The measurement of epigenetic age is not prime-time yet for general consumers, Vaughan said. The data and the value of those kinds of tests is quite uncertain.

What can epigenetic clocks tell us?

Epigenetic clocks are algorithms based on DNA methylation. This process, according to Daniel Belsky, an associate professor of epidemiology at the Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center at Columbia University, may be thought of as a dimmer switch that turns genes on and off.

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Still, such clocks are largely engineered without any reference to biology. Its a purely statistical process, Belsky said. The labels for different epigenetic clocks are different, and they have very significant consequences for what that clock means.

For example, a clock called PhenoAge estimates biological age. GrimAge  a clock named after the Grim Reaper  reflects the probability that a person will die within a year.

In 2022, Belsky was involved in developing a clock called DunedinPACE, which measures the rate of biological aging. (The clock is now exclusively licensed to TruDiagnostic, a company that sells biological age tests and for which Belsky is an occasional adviser.)

We try to use the distinction of speedometer versus odometer, Belsky said. An odometer tells you how far youve traveled; thats like your biological age. [DunedinPACE] is your speedometer, tells you how fast youre going.

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A DunedinPACE value of 1 means a person is aging at the average rate, Belsky said. A score of 2 would indicate theyre aging twice as fast, and a score of 0 would mean theyre not aging at all. (In theory, a negative value would imply a person is getting younger.)

Most peoples values fall between 0.5 and 1.5, Belsky said. Even a 10% difference in the face of aging is a big deal. If you only age 11 months for every 12 that you live, thats not bad.

Biological age is a snapshot

Steve Horvath, a professor of human genetics and biostatistics at UCLAs David Geffen School of Medicine, helped develop the first epigenetic clock in 2011 using saliva.

Though it boasts a U.S. patent, nobody uses this clock  nobody, including me, Horvath said. It just wasnt good enough.

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However, his early efforts paved the way for epigenetic clocks in use today. In 2013, he went on to create the Horvath Clock, a timekeeper capable of analyzing various tissues and cell types, which is patented in Europe and China. The Regents of the University of California hold all patents associated with Horvaths clocks.

Horvath also had a hand in inventing PhenoAge in 2018 and GrimAge in 2019. A number of over-the-counter tests use these markers to estimate biological age.

Horvath stressed that the primary use for these clocks remains in the laboratory. In the near future, though, he hopes testing may become a routine part of medical exams.

The tests arent there yet because the clinical validation hasnt caught up, Horvath said. However, very serious medical researchers are conducting tests to see whether there is a benefit.

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Considering how quickly longevity science is advancing, it could be that I will change my mind in two years, he added. Who knows?

Biological age is more than a number, according to Christopher Hine, the principal investigator of his own laboratory within Cleveland Clinic Researchs department of cardiovascular and metabolic sciences.

It compares your current state of health  in terms of multiorgan systems, metabolism, weight, bone density  to your chronological aging, Hine said. Itd be the same thing thinking of the terms lifespan and health span. Lifespan is the number of years you live, but health span is the number of years you live without chronic diseases.

No matter the type of biological age test, it represents a snapshot in time, Hine said. Something as simple as having a cold might influence your results.

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Only doing it once isnt so telling, because you dont know if youre [on] an upward trajectory or downward trajectory in terms of the rate of your aging, Hine said. Having more snapshots of your epigenetic clocks is probably going to be better.

Consider biological age comprehensively

While Hine anticipates biological age tests may play a larger role in medicine sooner rather than later, he cautioned that for the time being, theyre not intended to diagnose disease. Even taking a test on a whim isnt risk-free, he said.

For example, a person who believes they live an active, healthy lifestyle might be shocked to learn their biological age is five years older than their chronological age and take drastic steps to try to improve it.

There could be risk for individuals who become obsessed with bringing biological aging down, Hine said. You might want to go see a medical professional to follow up on it, as opposed to self-diagnosing or self-medicating, either through exercise or overdoing supplements.

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Chemical changes to DNA are malleable to a certain extent, said Vaughan, of Northwestern. For instance, research has shown that tobacco smoking is associated with faster biological aging, while taking daily multivitamins may slow biological aging in older adults.

Belsky also said consumers should interpret test results with caution, as its not uncommon for epigenetic clocks to disagree with one another.

These are research tools that may provide some additional information to curious people, Belsky said. There are clocks that are better and worse at predicting future health outcomes.

The most powerful predictor of any disease is chronological age, according to Vaughan, a cardiologist by training. Now, biological age may be an even better one, he said.

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Its really refined and improved our ability to think about what puts people at risk for a variety of different diseases as we age, Vaughan said. However, considering biological age alone can be misleading and not provide real guidance to someone about their health and their future well-being.

Resist jumping to conclusions about biological age test results, Vaughan said  especially if theyre positive.

If you do a test and you find out that your biological age is 10 years younger than your chronological age, well, that makes for great cocktail party conversation, Vaughan said. But whats your cholesterol? Whats your blood pressure? If those kinds of things arent addressed, youre going to have a problem.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
New Delhi, April 5 : The Delhi Police has busted an organised racket involved in the illegal diversion and sale of government-supplied medicines meant for free distribution in public hospitals, officials said on Sunday.

The Crime Branch arrested five persons in connection with the case and recovered medicines worth around Rs 70 lakh, along with two vehicles used for transportation.

According to police, the operation was carried out by the NR-II team of the Crime Branch under the supervision of ACP Girish Kaushik and led by Inspector Neeraj Sharma, following specific inputs developed by Sub-Inspector Pritam Chand.

The accused initially apprehended were identified as Neerej Kumar (53), Sushil Kumar (47), both residents of Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, and Laxman Mukhia (48), a resident of Delhi. They were intercepted on April 2 near Rajendra Market in Tis Hazari while transporting a large consignment of medicines in a Mahindra Champion tempo and a Baleno car.

Police said the seized medicines were clearly marked "Government Supply Not For Sale", indicating their illegal diversion into the open market.

During sustained interrogation, Neerej Kumar disclosed that he had been operating the illegal supply chain for the past one to one-and-a-half years, procuring medicines through a network of insiders and distributing them across multiple cities via brokers.

Based on his disclosure, two more accused -- Binesh Kumar (54), a pharmacist-cum-storekeeper at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, and Prakash Mehto (30), a contractual helper at the same hospital -- were arrested.

Investigations revealed that the duo played a key role in siphoning off medicines from hospital stock by manipulating records and facilitating their illegal sale. Mehto allegedly acted as a middleman, handling extraction, storage, and financial transactions, including UPI payments, in return for commissions.

The recovered stock included a large quantity of high-value antibiotics and critical care drugs such as Cefixime, Amoxycillin with Clavulanate, Ceftriaxone, Ceftazidime, Meropenem, Erythropoietin injections, and Rabies Antiserum, among other essential medicines.

"All recovered medicines and vehicles have been seized as case property, and a case has been registered at the Crime Branch police station as per law," an official said.

Police said the racket involved a well-organised supply chain comprising hospital staff, transporters, and distributors, enabling the diversion of medicines meant for free distribution to patients in government hospitals.

Efforts are underway to identify other associates, trace financial transactions, and uncover the complete modus operandi of the network.

Officials said the crackdown highlights the commitment of the Delhi Police to curb the misuse of public resources and ensure that essential medicines reach the intended beneficiaries.
Virudhunagar, April 5 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin on Sunday addressed a major public meeting at Chathirareddiapatti near Virudhunagar, where he introduced candidates of the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) contesting across seven Assembly constituencies in the district, while launching a sharp attack on opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami.

Speaking at the rally, Stalin highlighted the strength and unity of the alliance, expressing confidence in a sweeping victory in the region.

He specifically referred to the Tiruchuzhi constituency, stating that rival candidates were reluctant to contest against DMK nominee and State Minister Thangam Thennarasu, underscoring what he described as the minister's strong grassroots support and performance.

In a notable political remark, Stalin referred to DMDK candidate Vijay Prabhakaran, contesting from Virudhunagar, as his "brother", signalling a nuanced political tone in the multi-cornered contest. However, his speech largely focused on criticising the AIADMK leadership and its policies.

Taking aim at Palaniswami, Stalin accused him of spreading baseless allegations instead of highlighting his own achievements.

Stalin contrasted this approach with the DMK government's welfare measures, particularly the coupon-based scheme for homemakers. He said the initiative had been widely welcomed by the public, allowing beneficiaries to purchase essential goods according to their needs.

"People are happy with the coupon scheme, but Palaniswami appears unhappy. Perhaps because there is no scope for commissions in such a transparent system," Stalin remarked, in a direct jibe at the opposition leader.

The Chief Minister further asserted that government employees would not support the AIADMK in the upcoming elections, claiming that their trust lay with the DMK administration.

Stalin also criticised Palaniswami for his remarks about former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, calling them misleading and disrespectful.

He rejected allegations that the DMK had denied space at Chennai's Marina Beach for the memorials of leaders like K. Kamaraj and Janaki Ramachandran, terming such claims as false.

Recalling history, Stalin said Karunanidhi had stood "like a son" to pay his last respects when Kamaraj passed away, emphasising the DMK's legacy of respect for leaders across political lines.

The rally marked a key moment in the DMK's intensified campaign in southern Tamil Nadu ahead of the Assembly elections.
Seoul, April 5 : Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol urged Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to strengthen cooperation to help stabilise energy and raw material supply chains amid prolonged tensions in the Middle East, the finance ministry said on Sunday.

Koo, who also serves as deputy prime minister, met with ambassadors from the six GCC countries in Seoul on Friday at the residence of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ambassador to discuss economic cooperation, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

The GCC comprises the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait, reports Yonhap news agency.

Koo and GCC ambassadors expressed concern that the escalating conflict in the Middle East has heightened volatility in global oil prices and financial markets, and warned that rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz could weigh on the global economy.

The strait is a key maritime chokepoint through which roughly 25 percent to 30 percent of the world's crude oil and about 20 percent of liquefied natural gas shipments pass.

Koo noted that South Korea imports about 70 percent of its crude oil from the Middle East, with more than 95 percent of those shipments transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

"A prolonged conflict in the region could further intensify the negative effects on the Korean economy," he said.

Koo called on GCC countries to ensure stable energy supplies to South Korea and maintain uninterrupted shipments of key industrial materials, including naphtha and urea. Saudi Arabia is South Korea's largest crude oil supplier, while Qatar is a key provider of LNG.

In response, GCC ambassadors said South Korea is a priority partner and pledged close cooperation with Seoul to ensure stable supply conditions.

Koo said the government will use all available measures to mitigate the impact of the conflict, including fuel tax cuts, price stabilisation measures for petroleum products, and broader financing support for affected businesses.

The government also plans to promptly carry out a supplementary budget worth 26 trillion won ($17 billion) to help minimise the economic fallout.

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New Delhi, April 5 : Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has strongly refuted allegations made by leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), who accused him of failing to raise issues concerning Punjab in Parliament.

In a detailed public statement released on Sunday, Chadha termed the accusations "completely false" and politically motivated, asserting that his parliamentary record clearly contradicts such claims.

"I outrightly dismiss the baseless and maliciously motivated allegations being levelled that I failed to raise Punjab's issues in Parliament," Chadha said, emphasising that his interventions are documented and accessible in official records. He added, "This is not a matter of opinion, propaganda, or political convenience. It is a matter of official record, available for every citizen to verify."

Addressing one of the key accusations -- that he failed to raise the issue of pending funds for Punjab -- Chadha stated, "I categorically raised this demand on 31st July 2024," pointing to recorded proceedings available via Sansad TV. He specifically mentioned raising concerns about pending Rural Development Fund (RDF) dues and what he described as "financial injustice" toward the state.

Chadha further highlighted a wide range of issues he claims to have consistently raised in Parliament. These include groundwater depletion, farmers' distress, Minimum Support Price (MSP) concerns, rising agricultural costs, and the need for crop diversification. He also cited discussions on federalism, industrial revival, employment generation, infrastructure gaps, and border security challenges in Punjab.

In addition, Chadha pointed to his advocacy on sensitive and culturally significant matters, including the expansion of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor and improved pilgrimage access to Nankana Sahib. He stressed that these were "serious, documented interventions" rather than symbolic gestures.

"My role as a Member of Parliament has never been to indulge in noise, theatrics, or performative outrage," he stated. "I entered Parliament to create impact, not to create ruckus."

Concluding his remarks, Chadha criticised what he described as a "coordinated misinformation campaign" against him, asserting, "No smear campaign can silence my voice or weaken my resolve. Truth will prevail. Facts will prevail. And every lie will stand exposed."

The statement comes amid ongoing political tensions within AAP, with Chadha positioning his record as evidence of his continued commitment to Punjab and its people.
Kathmandu, April 5 : Dol Prasad Aryal, vice-president of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), was declared elected Speaker of Nepal's House of Representatives after emerging as the sole nominee for the post.

At a meeting of the lower house on Sunday, senior-most lawmaker Arjun Narsingh KC formally announced Aryal's unopposed election. He becomes the 10th Speaker of the lower house and the first non-communist to hold the post in nearly two decades.

Given that the RSP holds a near two-thirds majority in the 275-member House of Representatives, Aryal's elevation to the post was widely seen as a formality.

In the recent elections held on March 5, the RSP emerged as the largest party in the lower house, securing 182 seats as it swept the polls amid public discontent with traditional political parties.

Aryal was elected to the lower house from Kathmandu-9 constituency, defeating his closest rival, Nepali Congress candidate Nanumaya Bastola, by a wide margin.

Born in Maidi (now Jwalamukhi Rural Municipality) of Dhading district, adjoining Kathmandu, the 51-year-old leader represents a rise from humble beginnings.

After moving to Kathmandu in search of work in the early 1990s, Aryal began his career as a labourer and worked in restaurants before leaving for Japan in 1996 for foreign employment.

He spent nearly eight years there. After returning to Nepal, Aryal became active in multiple businesses, including tourism, education, cooperatives, and remittance services.

He has been associated with ventures such as Sumire Tours and Travels, Yokohama Japanese Language Academy, HEMS School, Jansagar Savings and Credit Cooperative, and EasyLink Remittance, serving in executive roles including director and CEO.

A founding member and vice-chairperson of the RSP, Aryal has also served as the party's acting chair, notably leading the organisation when party president Rabi Lamichhane was in custody over alleged irregularities in cooperatives.

Aryal entered Parliament after being elected in the 2022 general elections through the proportional representation system. He later served twice as Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security, both tenures being brief due to the formation of multiple coalition governments under former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, as no single party had secured a majority in the previous lower house.

With the Speaker now elected, attention has shifted to the deputy Speaker position. As per constitutional provisions, either the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker must be a woman, and the two positions must be held by members of different political parties.

The Nepali Congress has signalled its claim to the post as the main opposition, while the Shram Sanskriti Party -- a newly formed political party led by former Dharan mayor Harka Rai -- has also announced plans to field a female candidate.

Given the RSP's strong presence in Parliament, its support is expected to play a decisive role in determining the next deputy Speaker, a position that also carries influence within the Constitutional Council, which makes key appointments to constitutional bodies.
Kabul, April 5 : Police have discovered illegal drugs, including 300 kg of hashish, and arrested four drug smugglers, said a statement of Afghanistan's Ministry for Interior Affairs on Sunday.

"Counter-narcotics police officers seized 300 kilograms of hashish in Helmand province," the statement posted on the ministry's social platform X said.

According to the statement, police have also discovered and seized 2,800 intoxicating tablets from Jalalabad city, the capital of eastern Nangarhar province, and 1,000 stimulant tablets locally known as "tablet K" from Herat, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Four individuals have been taken into custody for allegedly being involved in the smuggling of illegal objects, the statement said, warning that legal action would be taken against anyone who produces or smuggles illegal drugs in the country.

On March 29, Afghanistan's Ministry of Interior Affairs said that Afghan security forces have dismantled two clandestine heroin processing laboratories and destroyed more than 6,000 kg of illicit drugs in western Ghor province.

Counter-narcotics units carried out targeted operations on the outskirts of the province, demolishing the facilities and seizing 6,140 kg of precursor substances used in heroin production, according to the ministry's statement.

Afghan authorities have intensified their nationwide crackdown on narcotics trafficking and production, pledging to sustain operations until poppy cultivation and heroin manufacturing are completely eradicated across the war-torn country.

On February 24, provincial police office in a statement said that Afghan police in the drive against illegal drugs arrested two drug smugglers and recovered 41 kg of illicit drugs from their possessions in northern Afghanistan's Takhar province.

The arrested suspects, according to the statement, were attempting to smuggle 29 kg of opium poppy and 12 kg of hashish out of the province on February 23.

On February 3, provincial police spokesman Mullah Kalimullah Nangyal said police in western Afghanistan's Farah province have arrested two drug smugglers and seized 75 kilograms of narcotics.

The official added that acting on intelligence, security forces raided a location in Farah Rod district on Monday, apprehending the two suspects and confiscating 75 kg of raw opium.

An assault rifle was also recovered from the operation site, the spokesman said.
Cooch Behar : , April 5 (IANS) A large number of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers and supporters gathered at the Rash Mela Ground in West Bengal's Cooch Behar on Sunday ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public meeting, reflecting growing enthusiasm within the party ranks as campaigning intensifies for the upcoming Assembly elections.

It marks PM Modi's first rally in the state after announcement of the poll schedule and has drawn crowds from various parts of the district and nearby areas.

Since Sunday morning, BJP supporters were seen arriving in groups, carrying party flags and raising slogans, as the venue gradually filled up.

Many attendees expressed confidence that the BJP would perform strongly in the upcoming state elections, citing the turnout at the rally as an indicator of public sentiment.

Several BJP supporters also voiced dissatisfaction with the current Trinamool Congress government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

"We want the present (Trinamool Congress) government to be defeated. In the upcoming election, we will exercise our right to vote properly," a local resident told IANS while waiting for Prime Minister Modi's rally to begin.

Another BJP supporter claimed that the PM's gathering would send a strong message across the state.

aFrom today's meeting, it will become clear that Mamata Didi will not get support. People across West Bengal are standing with PM Narendra Modi," he said.

Party workers also praised the Prime Minister's leadership, saying his policies and governance have influenced voters beyond traditional party lines.

"He (Prime Minister Modi) has done real work, and people trust him. We are with him and will continue to support him," a BJP worker said.

As the crowd continued to swell, some attendees remarked that space at the venue was becoming limited due to the large turnout.

Security arrangements were tightened in and around the Rash Mela ground, with police personnel deployed in large numbers to manage the crowd and maintain order during the high-profile event.

The BJP has stepped up its campaign efforts in West Bengal in recent weeks, with top party leaders holding rallies and outreach programmes across regions.
Imphal, April 5 : Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Sunday reiterated that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government's primary objective is to restore peace and harmony in the state.

Currently on a three-day visit to the mixed-populated Jiribam district, which shares its border with southern Assam, the Chief Minister announced plans to develop the district into a model region.

Addressing media persons at the proposed site of the Inter State Truck Terminus in Jiribam, Chief Minister Khemchand Singh highlighted the district's significance in the state's peace-building efforts.

He noted that Jiribam has emerged as the first district where people from all communities gathered and shared a meal together following the unprecedented ethnic crisis that began on May 3, 2023.

Describing the gathering as a memorable milestone, the Chief Minister said the state government would explore the feasibility of developing tourism projects at the Truck Terminus site in consultation with the Town Planning Department, given the availability of ample land in the area.

Referring to his visit, Chief Minister Khemchand Singh said that this was his second visit to the Jiribam district since assuming office on February 4.

He reiterated that strengthening bonds among different communities and restoring lasting peace remain central to his government's agenda.

As part of his visit, the Chief Minister also led a tree plantation drive at the site, organised by the Jiribam Forest Division.

Several BJP MLAs and senior state government officials joined him in planting saplings.

Earlier on Saturday, accompanied by State BJP President Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi and nine party MLAs, the Chief Minister undertook his second visit to the district.

The delegation travelled over 220 km by road from Imphal to Jiribam via National Highway-37, completing the journey in around six hours.

This marked a significant road journey by a sitting Chief Minister since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur in May 2023.

The route passes through Kangpokpi, a region predominantly inhabited by Kuki-Zo tribal communities, adding symbolic importance to the visit.

Since the outbreak of the conflict, members of the Meitei and Kuki communities have largely avoided travelling through areas dominated by each other.

During his interaction with residents in Jiribam on Saturday, Chief Minister Khemchand Singh reaffirmed that the state government is making all possible efforts to support Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) affected by the ethnic violence.

He assured continued assistance within the state's capacity.

"I may not be able to fulfil all your wishes, but I will continue to support each one of you in whatever way I can. Everyone aspires to return home, and our government is making every effort to assist IDPs in building new houses," the Chief Minister said.

He also added that Jiribam has set an example by becoming the first district in Manipur where communities have come together to restore peace after nearly three years of ethnic unrest.

During the programme, Chief Minister Khemchand Singh interacted with IDPs from Meitei, Kuki, Paite, and Hmar communities, listening to their concerns.

A Meitei woman expressed apprehension about returning home, while a young Hmar tribal girl highlighted the difficulties faced by people in remote areas in accessing government jobs.
Chennai, April 5 : Greeting his friends and fans on the occasion of Easter, actor Vishal on Sunday said that irrespective of difference in caste, creed or religion, we are all one.

Taking to his Instagram page to pen a greeting for his friends and fans on the occasion of Easter, he wrote, "Happy Easter to one and all. One of my favourite days in the year where my friends rejoice it along with me not because itas a holiday but because it brings us close to the holy father Lord Jesus. Peace and harmony. Irrespective of difference in caste creed religion. We all are one."

He went on to say, "Happy Easter once again. Am waiting for my goodies. Darling friends, consider this tweet as a shameless self invite for them. lol. Love to all. Ah! There we go. Got my first cake while I type. Thanks to @prasadrajk101 bro, @stefey_prasad for the cake, God bless."

On the work front, Vishal has two films lined up next. The actor had recently announced that he had completed his film 'Magudam' and that he was heading to Goa for the next schedule of director Sundar C's 'Purushan'.

It may be recalled that the makers of 'Purushan' had announced its title in January this year on the occasion of director Sundar C's birthday. Tamannaah Bhatia plays the female lead in the film.

Expectations from the film shot up after the makers released a promo of the film recently.

The title promo that was released showed Vishal playing the husband of Tamannaah in the film. The promo shows Tamannaah calling the shots in the family while he appears to be a docile, subservient husband. As she watches a television serial sipping a beverage, Vishal is seen mopping the house.

Yogi Babu, who is a television actor and also the couple's neighbour in the film, enters their home at this point with clothes that Tamannaah has put out to dry. He says that it was about to rain and therefore he thought he would bring the clothes in.

A star struck Tamannaah thanks him and sings Yogi Babu's praises to her husband Vishal, even as she puts him down. She eventually asks her husband to make some tea for Yogi Babu. As Vishal obeys and goes to make tea, he senses assassins entering their premises. A big fight ensues in the kitchen, even as Vishal continues to make tea. Yogi Babu, who comes to the kitchen to get a glass of water for himself, sees Vishal whacking the bad guys. However, Tamannaah has no clue of how capable her husband is...

The film, which will have music by Hip Hop Tamizha, will have cinematography by Gopi Amarnath and editing by Roger. The film is being produced by A C S Arun Kumar.
New Delhi, April 5 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress on Sunday lashed out at Pakistan after its Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned India that in case of any future conflict between the neighbouring countries, the rogue nation will strike West Bengal's capital Kolkata. Asif had also accused India of planning a "false flag operation" against Pakistan.

Speaking to reporters, Khawaja Asif had said, "They (India) (plan) some kind of false-flag operation through their own men or through the Pakistanis in their detention by planting dead bodies somewhere and claiming they were terrorists who had done so..."

"If they (India) try to enact such a drama this time, then God willing, we will take it to Kolkata," he added.

Criticising the Pakistan Defence Minister's remark, Congress MP Manish Tewari commented that Pakistan has achieved a "PhD in false flag operations".

Tewari told IANS, "Since 1971, Pakistan has been conducting false flag operations against India. They have achieved PhD in false flag operations. Whether it is Afghanistan, India or other South Asian countries."

The Congress MP also called Pakistan as the 'epicentre of terrorism'.

Tewari said, "If there is any epicentre of terrorism in South Asia, that is Pakistan."

"So those (Pakistan) who have done PhD in false flag operations, when they put baseless allegations on others, they, in fact, make a mockery of themselves," he added

BJP Spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo reminded the neighbouring country of how its terror infrastructures were destroyed by India during last year's Operation Sindoor.

"Does Pakistan have the courage to challenge India? During Operation Sindoor, when we struck inside their territory, they must not have forgotten how we destroyed the entire families of terrorists. We had not spared even their military installations," Deo said.

He asserted that Pakistan had begged India for ceasefire and said, "We stopped the war on our terms and conditions."

Moreover, BJP leader Deo emphasised that Kolkata is beyond the reach of Pakistan.

"They (Pakistan) just talk big. Kolkata is even beyond their reach. In fact, whenever we (India) want, we can (strike) any part of their country (Pakistan)," he said.

"India is a peace-loving country. It never wants a war to happen. We never function on the philosophy of attacking first but if somebody raises their eyes at us then what we did to Pakistan in Operation Sindoor, we will do 100 times worse than that, if they try to (strike at us) again," Deo told IANS.

Janata Dal-United leader Neeraj Kumar also echoed similar view while criticising Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.

He said, "I hope Pakistan's Defence Minister is aware of the wounds of Operation Sindoor. Pakistan's terror infrastructures were reduced to rubbles in minutes. This type of statement from the Pakistan Minister is heavily objectionable."
New Delhi, April 5 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed India's maritime heritage and invaluable contribution on National Maritime Day and reaffirmed commitment to further strengthen the sector.

National Maritime Day is celebrated annually on April 5 to commemorate the maiden voyage of the first Indian-owned ship, SS Loyalty, from Mumbai to London in 1919.

Officially established in 1964, this day honours the maritime industry's crucial role in India's economy, supporting international trade and recognising the efforts of seafarers.

Taking to X, PM Modi said, "On National Maritime Day, we recall India's maritime heritage and the invaluable contribution of all those associated with this sector. Their dedication strengthens our economy, trade and connectivity."

"We will continue to harness the immense potential of our maritime sector for a prosperous future," he added.

The Prime Minister also shared a video message, stating, "In the 21st century, India's maritime sector is progressing rapidly. We have replaced the century-old colonial shipping laws with 21st-century modern and futuristic laws. These new laws empower state maritime boards, strengthen safety and sustainability and digitalise port management."

He mentioned that under the 'Maritime India' vision, over 150 initiatives have started, due to which major port capacity has increased two times, turnaround time has decreased, and cruise tourism is surging.

Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took to X and said, "Greetings to the personnel of India's maritime sector on National Maritime Day."

"Your professionalism and courage have played a crucial role in steering the nation's growth, whether in peacetime or during trying times. The nation salutes your commitment," he added.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, taking to X, said, "Through the ages India has had a glorious tradition of connecting with the world using the maritime sea routes. On National Maritime Day I congratulate the courageous and adventurous seafarers and highlight the importance of the sector towards the growth of our economy."

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways also extended greetings on National Maritime Day.

"On the 63rd National Maritime Day, MoPSW honours the resilience and service of our seafarers navigating challenging conditions in West Asia. Their efforts keep India moving, and we are fully committed to safeguarding their well-being at all times," the Ministry added.
New Delhi, April 5 : Nepal's first billionaire, Binod K Chaudhary, has said that Bangladesh and Nepal could strengthen economic ties in energy and cross-border trade, with closer regional cooperation involving India.

"We would like to enter into a much bigger economic engagement with Bangladesh, but without India playing a positive role, that's not going to happen," Chaudhary said on Saturday at a press conference organised by the International Chamber of Commerce Bangladesh (ICCB) in Dhaka, according to a report in The Daily Star.

Chaudhary pointed to Nepal's growing hydropower capacity as a concrete opportunity, saying the South Asian country could develop projects specifically targeting the Bangladeshi market, with India facilitating transmission.

"India's evolving stance on cross-border energy cooperation offers a window for such initiatives. This becomes necessary due to geography. As Nepal is a landlocked country, trade of this nature depends largely on India's cooperation," he noted.

Binod Chaudhary controls Nepal's CG Corp Global. The businessman made it to the Forbes billionaire list in 2013. Forbes estimates his current net worth at $2.1 billion.

Also speaking at the event, Abdul Awal Mintoo, Bangladesh's Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister, referred to classical economic theory to stress the value of neighbouring markets.

He cautioned that reliance on natural resources alone cannot be a sustainable path to growth, noting that many resource-rich countries had struggled while trade-driven economies had fared better.

The Minister also said strengthening economic ties with adjacent countries should take precedence over distant partnerships when it comes to boosting trade and long-term growth.

Political considerations should not be allowed to override the economic logic of regional integration, he added.

The Minister said enhanced connectivity, energy collaboration, and trade integration among South Asian nations could unlock substantial economic opportunities, provided countries prioritise pragmatic partnerships over political constraints.

Nepalese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Ghanshyam Bhandari, said the two countries share similar economic challenges and aspirations, making cooperation in trade and investment both natural and necessary.

The longstanding bilateral relationship, he added, is rooted in geographic and economic interdependence, symbolically linked by rivers flowing from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal.

He identified stronger engagement between the business communities of the two countries as the practical vehicle for expanding bilateral trade.

The Ambassador said Nepal and Bangladesh have the opportunity to define their own economic trajectory through closer regional cooperation, with trade acting as the central pillar of that engagement.
New Delhi, April 5 : All Indian seafarers in the Persian Gulf region are safe, and no incident involving Indian-flagged vessels has been reported in the past 24 hours, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on Sunday.

A total of 17 Indian-flagged vessels with 460 Indian seafarers remain in the western Persian Gulf region, with Director General (DG) Shipping, in coordination with ship owners, placing agencies and Indian Missions, actively monitoring the situation, the statement said.

The Ministry also said that it continues to closely monitor shipping movements, port operations and the safety of Indian seafarers, while ensuring continuity of maritime trade.

The DG Shipping Control Room remains operational 24x7 and has handled 5,088 calls and 10,547 emails since activation; in the past 24 hours, 73 calls and 122 emails have been received.

The DG Shipping has facilitated the safe repatriation of more than 1,479 Indian seafarers so far, including 159 in the last 24 hours from airports and various regional locations across the Persian Gulf.

Port operations across India remain normal, with no congestion reported, as confirmed by State Maritime Boards of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways continues to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Missions and maritime stakeholders to ensure seafarer welfare and uninterrupted maritime operations.

Meanwhile, across the region, Indian Missions and Posts remain in close contact with the Indian community, while continuing to provide assistance and issue necessary advisories for their safety and well-being, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

A total of 345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran returned home on Saturday. The Indian Embassy in Tehran facilitated their movement from South Iran to Armenia, from where they boarded flights to Chennai.

The Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the Gulf and West Asia region, with safety, security and welfare of Indian nationals as the highest priority.

A dedicated control room remains operational, with regular coordination with states/Union Territories and Indian Missions.

Missions and Posts are operating round-the-clock helplines, issuing advisories, and engaging with Indian community associations, companies and local authorities.

Assistance includes visas, consular services, transit facilitation and logistical support.

Welfare of Indian students remains a priority. Missions are coordinating with local authorities, Indian schools, Boards and the National Testing Agency to address academic concerns.

Missions are in continuous contact with Indian crew on vessels, providing consular support, facilitating family communication and assisting in return requests.
Kolkata, April 5 : Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday alleged that West Bengal is gradually moving out of constitutional control and claimed that the state is no longer safe under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, citing the Malda incident as an example.

The remarks come amid intensifying political exchanges between the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, scheduled for April 23 and 29.

BJP leaders have been maintaining that people in the state are "fed up" with what they describe as the Trinamool Congress government's misrule and are seeking a change, adding that there is growing support for the party across Bengal.

After arriving in Jhargram, Pradhan reiterated his party's confidence, stating that the current political climate indicates the formation of a "double-engine" government in the state.

Speaking to the media, Pradhan said, "Bengal is gradually slipping out of constitutional control. Chief Minister Mamata, who currently bears the responsibility of governance, no longer possesses any agenda to deliver good governance to the people. This style of governance, which relies on instilling fear and terror across various sections of society and intimidating the public, is contrary to the Constitution."

The Union Minister referred to a recent incident in the Malda district where judicial officers deputed for work relating to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls were allegedly gheraoed and attacked by a mob, and called it an "example" of deteriorating law and order.

"The Malda incident is an example of this. The situation escalated to a point that the Supreme Court had to give a statement, and the Army was deployed. This is not something that happens in a state with proper law and order. Bengal is not safe under Mamata Banerjee," he said.

Pradhan further said that over the past decade, the BJP has grown into a significant political force in West Bengal, highlighting its performance in previous elections.

"The BJP has won several Lok Sabha seats in the state. It had also emerged as the principal opposition party in the last Assembly term. This time, the people of Bengal have firmly resolved to establish a double-engine government in the state," he said.

Touching upon the National Education Policy 2020, the Union Education Minister also addressed criticism of the policy, asserting that opposition to it is misplaced.

"The NEP 2020 explicitly states that in the foundational years of schooling, education will be imparted in the mother tongue. In Bengal, this will be in Bengali; in Tamil Nadu, it will be in Tamil. Those speaking out against the NEP are attempting to sow fear and confusion within society for political ends, but they will not succeed," he added.
New Delhi, April 5 : The flight situation from the Gulf region to India continues to improve with 90 non-scheduled flights expected to arrive from the UAE on Sunday, according to an official statement.

Flights are also operating from multiple airports in Saudi Arabia and Oman to India, while the Qatar airspace is partially open with around 8-10 flights expected to arrive on Sunday.

While the airspace in Kuwait and Bahrain is closed, flights are operating via Dammam (Saudi Arabia) to India. Travel from Iran is being facilitated via Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Similarly, travel from Israel to India is being facilitated via Egypt and Jordan, while travel from Iraq is being facilitated via Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

Besides, the mortal remains of an Indian seafarer, who tragically lost his life in an attack on a ship off the coast of Oman, have been brought back to India, and all necessary assistance is being extended to the bereaved family, the statement added.

Meanwhile, across the region, Indian Missions and Posts remain in close contact with the Indian community, while continuing to provide assistance and issue necessary advisories for their safety and well-being, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

A total of 345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran returned home on Saturday. The Embassy in Tehran facilitated their movement from South Iran to Armenia, from where they boarded flights to Chennai.

The Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the Gulf and West Asia region, with the safety, security and welfare of Indian nationals as the highest priority. A dedicated control room remains operational, with regular coordination with states/UTs and Indian Missions.

Indian Missions and Posts are operating round-the-clock helplines, issuing advisories, and engaging with Indian community associations, companies and local authorities. Assistance includes visas, consular services, transit facilitation and logistical support.

Welfare of Indian students remains a priority. Missions are coordinating with local authorities, Indian schools, Boards and the National Testing Agency to address academic concerns.

The Missions are in continuous contact with Indian crew on vessels, providing consular support, facilitating family communication and assisting in return requests.
New Delhi, April 5 : Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan said on Sunday that the challenges faced by the world today can be resolved through meditation, which can play a role by bringing peace and clarity, while fostering the ability to listen and understand others.

Addressing the Global Conference of Meditation Leaders -- Meditation for Holistic Living and a Peaceful World at the Bharat Mandapam here, the Vice-President referred to the vision of 'Viksit Bharat@ 2047' and said that along with economic growth, nurturing mental well-being is equally important.

"He said that meditation plays a vital role in cultivating inner calm, emotional balance, and clarity of thought, which are essential for a progressive nation," a statement said.

The conference was organised by the Pyramid Spiritual Societies Movement and the Buddha-CEO Quantum Foundation, it added.

Vice-President Radhakrishnan underlined that the true power of meditation lies in transforming human beings.

He noted that meditation helps reduce stress, improve focus, enhance emotional resilience, and address issues such as overthinking and overworking.

The Vice-President cautioned against the relentless pursuit of material success at the cost of meaningful living, saying that while wealth should enable comfort, it should not overshadow life itself.

He stressed that meditation enhances thinking and enables individuals to lead balanced and fulfilling lives.

Vice-President Radhakrishnan also dispelled the notion that meditation is only for spiritual seekers, asserting that it is for everyone and can elevate ordinary individuals towards higher consciousness.

Recalling the teachings of the revered Tamil sage Thirumoolar, Vice-President Radhakrishnan highlighted that meditation is akin to lighting an inner lamp that dispels ignorance and leads to truth and peace.

He noted that Thirumoolar described the human body as a temple and meditation as the means to realise the Divine within.

Highlighting his long-standing commitment to combating drug abuse, the Vice-President recalled his padyatra in 2004 aimed at drug eradication.

"Expressing concern over rising substance abuse, particularly among youth, he said that meditation can serve as a powerful tool in addressing addiction by helping individuals overcome stress, anxiety, and lack of direction," the statement said.

"Former Director of CBI and CRPF D.R. Kaarthikeyan, President and Spiritual Head of Paramarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, Swami Chidanand Saraswati, Chairman of Quantum Life University Newton Kondaveti, Founder of Buddha-CEO Quantum Foundation Chandra Pulamarasetti, Chairman of Pyramid Spiritual Trust (Hyderabad) Vijay Bhaskar Reddy, along with meditation leaders, policymakers, and scholars were present on the occasion," the statement added.
New Delhi, April 5 : Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday opposed any move to operationalise the Women's Reservation Bill without a fresh population census, asserting that the absence of updated data would render the entire exercise flawed and unjust.

In a post on social media platform X, Yadav questioned the very basis of the proposed reservation, arguing that accurate enumeration is essential for fair representation. "If the counting itself is wrong, how can the reservation be correct?" he said, adding that any genuine intent to implement policy must be free of ambiguity.

He further contended that the Women's Reservation Bill rests on a mathematical framework, where one-third of total seats are to be reserved for women, and such calculations cannot be based on outdated or uncertain figures. "Mathematics depends on numbers, not vague assumptions. The foundation of numbers is population, which in turn is based on a census," Yadav said.

Highlighting that the last Census was conducted in 2011, the SP chief argued that using such data to determine women's share in representation would weaken the very foundation of the policy. "If outdated 2011 data is used as the basis for the women's population, then the foundation of women's reservation itself becomes flawed. When the foundation is weak, how can a true and fair outcome emerge?" he asked.

Yadav maintained that his party's primary objection is procedural and rooted in ensuring fairness. He demanded that a fresh Census be conducted before any discussion or implementation of women's reservation takes place. "A government that does not want to count women properly cannot be expected to provide them a fair reservation," he said, accusing the BJP and its allies of attempting to "deceive" women through premature policy moves.

"In conclusion, our message to the government is clear  no census, no discussion on women's reservation," he asserted.

The remarks come a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a three-day special sitting of Parliament later this month to fast-track steps for operationalising 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, with the aim of implementing it from the 2029 general elections.
Guwahati, April 5 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday strongly refuted allegations made by Congress leader Pawan Khera, terming the documents circulated against his family as "fabricated" and part of a "malicious propaganda campaign." Guwahati, April 5 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday strongly refuted allegations made by Congress leader Pawan Khera, terming the documents circulated against his family as "fabricated" and part of a "malicious propaganda campaign."

In a post on X, Sarma claimed that the documents being shared publicly contain "glaring inconsistencies" that point towards "crude and poorly executed digital manipulation."

Highlighting the discrepancies, the Chief Minister said the surname in the documents was incorrectly written as "Sarma" instead of the official "Sharma," raising questions about their authenticity.

He further noted that the photograph used appeared to be a publicly available image rather than a standard biometric capture. Sarma also flagged anomalies in the alleged UAE identity details, including inconsistencies in the ID sequence that do not align with the expected year-of-birth pattern.

Additionally, he pointed out a mismatch in nationality, where the document reportedly lists Egypt while the machine-readable zone (MRZ) reflects a different country code.

Referring to an alleged Antigua and Barbuda passport, Sarma said there was a discrepancy between the expiry date mentioned in the printed field and the MRZ.

Similarly, in the case of an Egyptian passport, he cited inconsistencies between the printed section and the MRZ, including spelling errors such as "Egyptiann" and incorrect Arabic references.

The Chief Minister also questioned the validity of a title deed being circulated, stating that its QR code does not resolve to any authentic record. "These inconsistencies strongly indicate possible fabrication or digital manipulation," Sarma said, asserting that "truth will prevail" and warning that those spreading misinformation would be held accountable.

Expressing confidence, he added that Pawan Khera's "campaign of falsehood is nearing its end," and alleged that the Congress leader could face legal consequences.

The controversy erupted after Khera alleged irregularities involving the Chief Minister's family, claims which Sarma has categorically denied.

Earlier, addressing a press conference in Delhi, Khera had alleged that Sarma's wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, holds passports of three countries, the UAE, Antigua, and Egypt and claimed that certain overseas assets, including properties in Dubai, were not disclosed in official filings.

He also alleged that a company registered in Wyoming in the United States is linked to Sarma and claimed that it involves financial dealings worth thousands of crores of dollars.

The Congress leader termed the matter a case of alleged concealment of assets and sought a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe by the Union Home Ministry.
Hyderabad, April 5 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said on Sunday that all pillars of democracy must work with mutual respect and avoid confrontations.

He stated that his government gives the highest respect not only to all court verdicts and judgments, but also to various observations and feedback.

He was speaking at the foundation-laying of Zone-II of the new building of Telangana High Court in the presence of Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant.

"In our democracy, the three branches operate with autonomy, inter-dependence and respect for each other: legislature, executive and judiciary. For a common citizen, the court represents the final door to knock, the last resort. Therefore, it is a great opportunity for me, maybe of a lifetime, that my government could initiate the project to build a new High Court complex for Telangana," he said.

Revanth Reddy said many governments and Chief Ministers in the past could have taken up this project, but for some reason, it was left for his government to undertake this noble task.

"The new High Court will become an icon, a functional lifeline for society and democracy. This will be the platform where the poor and weak will come seeking justice. For the next 100 years, the poor, the weak, the voiceless and the oppressed will come to this temple of justice, seeking to be heard, and will hope to find justice," said the Chief Minister.

He noted that the current High Court, a building of great historical significance, was no longer able to physically support the needs of all stakeholders.

"Beyond legacy, this building shows my government's view and values of democracy. We believe that all pillars must work collaboratively, with mutual respect. My government gives the highest respect for the judiciary," he said.

He believes that it is the duty of the political executive to provide the judiciary with the best modern facilities to perform to their highest level of capabilities.

"What we are building here will not only be one of the largest High Court buildings in India, but a benchmark of modernity and excellence in public infrastructure. When we formed our government in December 2023, one of the first decisions was to create this new High Court complex at Rajendranagar. We handed over 100 acres of land for the project," he said.

He mentioned that work is in progress for Zone I for the institutional buildings. The Zone-II comprises residential buildings, and the government aims to finish this in record time by December next year.

The Chief Minister revealed that across the state, his government was working on several new projects for 49 courts and many residential quarters in various towns and districts.
Kabul, April 5 : At least one person was killed and five others seriously injured in a traffic accident on the major Kabul-Kandahar highway in eastern Afghanistan's Wardak province, the official Bakhtar news agency reported on Sunday.

The collision took place on Saturday evening in Sayyed Abad district of the province. Following the accident, the injured were promptly transported to a nearby medical facility for treatment, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The incident has brought renewed attention to road safety challenges on Afghanistan's vital transportation corridors.

On April 3, two commuters were killed and 13 others sustained injuries as a passenger bus veered from the road in eastern Afghanistan's Ghazni province, provincial police spokesman Khalid Sarhadi said.

The deadly mishap took place on the main road in Qarabagh district early Friday morning, the official said, adding that efforts were being made to search for a missing boy.

Blaming reckless driving for the accident, Sarhadi said an investigation into the accident is underway.

On March 28, one commuter was killed and 10 others sustained injuries as a mini-bus struck two motorists in east Afghanistan's Laghman province, said a statement of the provincial police office.

A mini-bus, according to the statement, struck a three-wheel rickshaw and a motorbike simultaneously due to carelessness in the provincial capital Mehtarlam on March 28, killing one on the spot and injuring 10 others, including five children and two women.

All the injured commuters were shifted to the hospital for medical treatment, the statement said, calling on drivers to respect traffic rules and regulations while driving to avoid road accidents.

On March 1, at least three people were killed and six others injured in a highway accident in northern Afghanistan's Jawzjan province, the provincial police office said in a statement.

The incident occurred when two high-speed vehicles collided due to reckless driving in the Hadbakhshi region along the Jawzjan-Sari Pul highway, killing both drivers and a female passenger on the spot and injuring six others, including two children, the statement added.
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Bhopal, April 5 : Nature unleashed its fury across Bhind district on Saturday as a sudden spell of fierce storms, torrential rain and severe hailstorms disrupted normal life, claiming two lives and injuring at least half a dozen people, including a female councillor.

Thick layers of hailstones blanketed fields and roads, turning rural areas into scenes of devastation. The unseasonal weather, triggered by a Western Disturbance, brought strong winds, lightning and hail as large as lemons and chickpeas in several parts of Madhya Pradesh, including Bhind.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued alerts for thunderstorms, hail and winds of up to 60a"70 kmph in districts such as Bhind, with the conditions expected to persist.

In Madhi Jetpura village under Lahar tehsil in the Raun police station area, farmer Sanjay Singh Rajawat was killed instantly when he took shelter under a neem tree during the rain and hailstorm.

The tree or a lightning-related mishap proved fatal. The entire village plunged into mourning, with the victimas family left inconsolable.

In the Mau region, a house wall collapsed amid strong winds and heavy rain, tragically crushing nine-year-old Ragini Yadav to death.

Around half a dozen others sustained injuries in the incident and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Four people also lost their lives due to lightning strikes in the Seoni and Rewa districts.

This sudden shift in weather patterns has created an atmosphere of fear in rural areas.

A drop in temperature ranging from 2 to 7 degrees was recorded in several places, providing relief from the heat, yet the weather conditions remained hazardous.

In the Mihona region, a large tree crashed onto a house during the storm, causing a wall to collapse. Pooja Kushwah, councillor of Ward No. 2, was trapped in the debris and injured.

She was immediately taken to hospital and is undergoing treatment. In Machhand village, strong winds uprooted a neem tree that fell across the road.

A young man riding a motorcycle narrowly escaped injury while returning home from a shop. Elsewhere, a parked car was badly damaged when a tree fell on it.

Infrastructure also took a hit -- a mobile tower tilted dangerously, raising fears of network disruption in the area. An electric pole toppled onto a fruit vendor's cart, though the vendor escaped unhurt by moving away in time.

Several roads became waterlogged due to heavy rain, severely disrupting traffic and daily life. Hailstones covered fields like a white blanket, completely flattening standing crops ready for harvest and destroying harvested produce left in the open.

Farmers in the district suffered heavy financial losses, with months of hard work washed away in hours. The district administration and local authorities have begun assessing the damage. Relief and support measures for affected families, especially farmers, are expected to be announced soon.

This incident adds to the widespread impact of the recent Western Disturbance across Madhya Pradesh and neighbouring states, where unseasonal hail and rain have caused significant agricultural damage.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Yellow Alert for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning at isolated places over several districts of Madhya Pradesh on Sunday.

The districts likely to be affected include Gwalior, Datia, Bhind, Singrauli, Sidhi, Rewa, Mauganj, Satna, Anuppur, Shahdol, Umaria, Dindori, Seoni, Mandla, Balaghat, Panna, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, Niwari and Maihar.

These areas may also experience gusty winds (30-50 kmph) along with thunderstorm activity as part of the ongoing active Western Disturbance affecting central India.

Residents in these districts, especially in rural and open areas, have been advised to stay indoors during such spells, avoid taking shelter under trees, and stay away from electric poles and water bodies to prevent lightning-related mishaps. Farmers have also been urged to secure standing crops and harvested produce.

This weather pattern is expected to continue with varying intensity over the next couple of days before conditions gradually improve.
Hyderabad, April 5 : Two persons were charred to death after a refrigerator exploded at a house in Telangana's Nirmal town, the police said.

Hyderabad, April 5 (IANS) Two persons were charred to death after a refrigerator exploded at a house in Telanganaas Nirmal town, the police said.

The incident occurred late on Saturday night in the Mahalakshmiwada area of the Nirmal district headquarters, about 200 km from Hyderabad.

The fire broke out after the refrigerator exploded due to a suspected short circuit.

A man and a woman were trapped in the flames. They sustained critical burn injuries and were rushed to the district headquarters hospital, where both succumbed to their injuries during treatment.

One of the deceased was identified as Odisela Vijay (50), a daily wage earner. The woman has not yet been identified.

Neighbours told police that they heard a loud explosion. Firefighting personnel rushed to the spot and doused the flames.

Meanwhile, a person died in a road accident in Adilabad district of Telangana on Sunday.

According to police, a man was killed on the spot when a speeding lorry mowed down a two-wheeler at Mukhra (K) village in Echoda mandal.

The deceased was identified as Vittal from Karatwada village.

The accident occurred when a lorry coming from the opposite direction hit the motorcycle on National Highway 44. The man died on the spot.

The driver of the lorry fled the spot following the mishap.

Meanwhile, in another accident in Andhra Pradesh, passengers of a Road Transport Corporation bus had a narrow escape when it caught fire after coming into contact with a high-tension wire.

The incident occurred at Veeranna Gattupalli in Vempalli mandal of YSR Kadapa district. The bus belonging to the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) caught fire after coming into contact with 11 kV power lines.

Passengers raised an alarm on noticing the flames. Acting swiftly, the driver stopped the bus, and all 18 passengers escaped unhurt.

Firefighting personnel rushed to the scene and brought the blaze under control.

The bus, belonging to the Kadiri depot, was travelling from Vempalli to Kadiri.
Kolkata, April 5 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday warned her party leaders and workers of possible tampering of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and asked them to guard the machines vigilantly.

Addressing an election rally in Jiaganj in Murshidabad district, CM Banerjee said: "If an EVM is damaged, you will have to wait. Do not allow the same EVMs to be used again for voting. Do not allow them to reuse an EVM after repairs. They may insert a chip in the name of repair to tamper with it. There is no job that they cannot do. Once the voting is done and EVMs are stored, guard these machines with your lives."

Meanwhile, CM Banerjee also broke her silence over the chaos that unfolded during the BJP's roadshow in her Bhabanipur constituency last week, which was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Claiming that people were brought in from outside for the roadshow, she said, "There was an attack in front of my house in Bhabanipur. They were spitting on my posters. Shoes were pointed at Abhishek's house. Local people protested against it. This is not politics. They even brought outsiders to file their nominations."

Last week's roadshow in Kolkata was marred by chaos as Trinamool Congress workers showed black flags and shoes to BJP leaders and workers while the procession was passing near Banerjee's residence.

A scuffle soon ensued between workers of the two parties.

The Union Home Minister had to get down from the makeshift 'rath' and travel in a car to the Survey Building in Alipore, where BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari filed his nomination papers. In the aftermath of the incident, the Election Commission suspended four police officers in the Bhabanipur area.

Meanwhile, she claimed that the Election Commission removed around 500 officers in a manner that could disrupt administrative work in the state.

Banerjee also warned that deleting names from voter lists amounts to intimidating voters. "This time we will bring a separate budget for farmers... 500 officers have been removed from here so that Bengal's work stops. You can halt the work for one month, but after the elections, all work will resume. If you are striking off someone's name, you are trying to intimidate them," she said.
New Delhi, April 5 : Iran's internet blackout, imposed following a joint US-Israel military operation on Tehran, has now entered its fifth week, making it the longest nationwide internet shutdown on record, according to digital monitoring group NetBlocks on Sunday.

In a post on social media platform X, NetBlocks reported that the shutdown has continued for 37 consecutive days, exceeding 864 hours, surpassing all previous comparable incidents in terms of duration and scale.

"Iran's internet blackout is now the longest nation-scale internet shutdown on record in any country, exceeding all other comparable incidents in severity having entered its 37th consecutive day after 864 hours," it said.

The blackout, which began on February 28, has effectively isolated the general public from the global internet while authorities experiment with selective access through a tiered whitelisting system.

NetBlocks highlighted that while other countries have faced intermittent or region-specific shutdowns -- such as Myanmar, Sudan, Kashmir, and Tigray -- none has experienced a full national disconnect for this length of time after previously having standard internet access.

By contrast, countries like North Korea, which have never been connected to the global internet, remain internationally isolated but were never online to begin with.

The blackout coincides with continuous missile and drone strikes by the US and Israel on Iranian targets.

In response, Tehran has launched retaliatory attacks on US and Israeli facilities in neighboring Gulf countries.

Amid the conflict, Iranian authorities have also restricted alternative access methods, including satellite connections and VPNs, leaving citizens with limited or no reliable ways to communicate.

NetBlocks stressed the human cost of the shutdown, noting that families are unable to contact loved ones at a critical time.

Despite these challenges, there are no signs of de-escalation, and the Iranian government has not indicated when full internet access will be restored.
Dhaka/Colombo, April 5 : Last year, the then interim government of Bangladesh, under the leadership of Muhammad Yunus, had banned all activities of the Bangladesh Awami League and its related outfits, through the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance 2025. Now, the new government, led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has reportedly proposed to make the ban permanent.

This reflects an alarming objective, including the effective criminalisation and possible political extinction of the Bangladesh Awami League, which is also the country's founding political party, Anwar A. Khan, a political analyst based in Dhaka, wrote in Sri Lanka Guardian.

For him, this appears to be a constitutional crisis, more than a political rivalry.

The Constitution of Bangladesh was created in the aftermath of the 1971 Liberation war.

Khan, in his opinion piece for the Sri Lanka Guardian, says that the Bangladesh Constitution declares a democratic order grounded in pluralism, participation, and the rule of law.

He mentions that Article 37 of the Constitution guarantees the fundamental right to assemble peacefully and Article 38 secures the right to form associations or unions, which, according to him, has long been interpreted to include the formation and functioning of political parties.

According to Khan, to make a major political party accountable by rendering its activities as punishable with four to 14 years of imprisonment is not regulation -- "it's repression, a direct affront to the spirit and letter of these constitutional guarantees".

Moreover, Article 11 of the country's Constitution guarantees fundamental human rights and freedoms and refers to the Bangladesh Republic as a "democracy".

Khan, in Sri Lanka Guardian, wonders whether a democracy can remain worthy of its name if one of its principal political actors is legally suffocated?

"Can the will of the people truly manifest if their choices are pre-emptively curtailed by law?" he asked.

He affirms that the answer is self-evident and that its clarity cannot be denied.

Anwar A. Khan said that the proposal of the BNP-led Bangladesh government to legally transform the anti-terror ordinance into a permanent legal instrument, with draconian punitive provisions, "signals a dangerous departure from democratic norms".

"It moves beyond temporary administrative restraint into the realm of institutionalised exclusion," he says.

Expressing his dissapointment, Khan remarked, "This is not governance -- it is the codification of political vengeance."

The political analyst reminds that leaders of the BNP had, during electoral discourse, publicly affirmed their opposition to banning political parties. They had reportedly insisted that such decisions belong to the people of the sovereign nation. He calls it "the collective will of the citizenry".

Yet, Khan feels that upon BNP's victory, this principled stance of the party may have dissolved into convenient authoritarianism.

He says that such double standards leads to losing of the citizen's trust and wears down the very foundation of democratic politics.

Khan also cautions that democracies do not collapse overnight.

He mentions that they are slowly hollowed out -- first by crushing dissent, then by criminalising the Opposition, and eventually by normalising exclusion.

The political analyst, in Sri Lanka Guardian, notes that an attempt has been made to marginalise the Bangladesh Awami League "under the guise of deception or a hidden motive-legal reform-risks accelerating this perilous trajectory".

As a result, Khan warns of profound implications, which include deepening of political polarisation and restricting of democratic space.

He fears that the streets of Bangladesh may once again become grounds of confrontation rather than arenas of peaceful expression.

"A culture of suppression, once entrenched, seldom remains confined to a single target. Today, one party may be outlawed; tomorrow, the precedent may ensnare others. Such is the inexorable logic of repressive governance," he writes in Sri Lanka Guardian.

Having said that, Khan is also optimistic. He believes that history also teaches resilience.

He emphasises that since the formation of the nation, the Bangladesh Awami League has stood against storms far greater than legislative hostility.

"Its roots are entwined with the very birth of the nation, its identity inseparable from the ideals of liberation, sovereignty, and popular mandate. Time and again, it has returned -- not by decree, but by indomitable strength; an unyielding force of the people's will," Anwar A. Khan writes in Sri Lanka Guardian.

He makes it clear that if democracy is to continue in Bangladesh, it must be defended not by suppressing opponents, but by engaging public opinion.

He emphasises that participation and contestation are the destined paths forward, not prohibition or coercion.

Khan underlines the sovereignty of a Republic resides in the people, who are the ultimate custodians of a nation's destiny.

Reaffirming that the citizens of the sovereign Republic has the right to decide the fate of political parties, Khan says to forget this virtue is "a constitutional betrayal" and not merely a "political error".
Washington, April 5 : The White House has pushed back against widespread online speculation that President Donald Trump was hospitalised, calling the claims false after rumours spread rapidly across social media following a routine press "lid".

Washington, April 5 (IANS) The White House has pushed back against widespread online speculation that President Donald Trump was hospitalised, calling the claims false after rumours spread rapidly across social media following a routine press "lid".

The speculation began after the White House announced a travel and photo "lid" at 11 a.m. ET Saturday, signalling no further public appearances for the day. Posts on X suggested Trump had been taken to Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre, amplified by a widely shared motorcade video.

However, fact-checks and subsequent reporting indicated the footage was from 2024, when Trump was released from a hospital in Butler, Pennsylvania, after being shot.

The White House communications director, Steven Cheung, dismissed the claims and sought to project normalcy around the President's schedule.

"There has never been a President who has worked harder for the American people than President Trump. On this Easter weekend, he has been working nonstop in the White House and Oval Office. God Bless him," Cheung wrote on X.

A freelance journalist reporting from Walter Reed said there was no Marine One, no motorcade, and roads remained open, contradicting claims of heightened security linked to a Presidential visit.

Visual cues from the White House also reinforced that Trump remained inside the West Wing. CBS News journalist Emma Nicholson posted: "A Marine sentry is standing at the door of the West Wing as of 1:50 p.m., indicating the President is working inside."

A Marine posted outside the West Wing entrance typically signals the President is present and working in the building.

In recent years, misinformation linked to Presidential movements has spread quickly across digital platforms, often requiring rapid official clarification to counter false narratives.
Washington, April 5 : U.S. Secret Service officers responded to reports of gunfire near Lafayette Park early on Sunday, triggering a security response near the White House. No injuries were reported, and no suspect was immediately found.

The United States Secret Service said officers were dispatched shortly after midnight following reports of shots fired in the vicinity of Lafayette Park, located just north of the White House.

"A thorough search of the park and the surrounding area was conducted, and no suspect was located. No injuries have been reported," the agency said in a statement.

Anthony Guglielmi, Chief of Communications for the Secret Service, said: "We are investigating overnight gunfire in the area of Lafayette Park in conjunction with the DC Police Department and the U.S. Park Police. Anyone with information is urged to contact DC Police."

Officials said the Secret Service Uniformed Division, working with the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Park Police, is actively seeking "a possible vehicle and a person of interest". The investigation remains ongoing.

Initial reports indicated the incident occurred around 1 a.m., prompting multiple law enforcement agencies to move into the area and secure streets north of the White House. Local media reports said authorities are searching for a person of interest after reports of gunfire near the White House overnight.

Despite the proximity to the presidential residence, officials said there was no disruption to White House operations. "While operations at the White House remain normal, a heightened security posture is in place," the Secret Service said.

Several roads in the surrounding area were closed as a precaution, including sections of H Street NW, I Street NW, and 16th Street NW, as officers maintained a security perimeter around Lafayette Park.

Journalists and witnesses reported a heavy police presence in the area, with flashing lights and officers canvassing the scene. Authorities have urged anyone with information, including video footage, to come forward.
Kolkata, April 5 : The Election Commission has suspended the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kasba police station over the omission of Sona Pappu alias Biswajit Poddar's name from the list of active criminals, a Commission insider said on Sunday.

Kolkata, April 5 (IANS) The Election Commission has suspended the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kasba police station over the omission of Sona Pappu alias Biswajit Poddaras name from the list of active criminals, a Commission insider said on Sunday.

Ahead of the Assembly polls, the Commission had directed the state and Kolkata Police to prepare a list of absconding and declared criminals. It had also assigned specific responsibilities to the OCs of all police stations in this regard. In this instance, the Commission decided to suspend the OC of Kasba police station for not complying with the directive.

It may be noted that Sona Pappuas name has been linked to the recent clash in the Rabindra Sarovar area in south Kolkata. He has not been arrested yet in connection with the incident. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) searched his residence last Wednesday and recovered about Rs 2 crore. In addition, an expensive car and several property documents were seized from his house.

According to ED sources, several FIRs have been registered against Sona Pappu. There are multiple allegations against him, including extortion and criminal intimidation. ED sources also claimed that he controls several syndicates in different areas of Kasba and Ballygunge in south Kolkata.

It is worth mentioning that the Commission had directed that Sub-Divisional Police Officers (SDPOs) should ensure that all non-bailable warrants are executed. They were also instructed to immediately prepare a list of absconding criminals. A list of declared criminals was to be compiled and special drives launched to arrest them. The Commission further said that, if necessary, the police should issue lookout circulars.

The SDPOs were asked to hold regular meetings with the police administration of adjoining subdivisions and districts, and to share important information.

The Commission further stated that trouble-prone areas in all Assembly constituencies should be identified through the OCs or Station House Officers (SHOs) of the police stations. Those involved in crimes during previous elections should be identified. These instructions are to be strictly followed.

The Election Commission had issued 16 directives to police stations in this regard. Investigations into all crimes committed during previous elections should be completed expeditiously. All non-bailable warrants should be executed promptly and not kept pending for more than 10 days. A list of absconding accused should be prepared and action initiated against them. Advance measures should be taken to maintain peace during the elections.
Puducherry, April 5 : Thol Thirumavalavan, president of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), on Sunday announced that the party will contest only the Uzhavarkarai Assembly constituency in Puducherry, following seat-sharing discussions with alliance partners.

He said the decision was finalised after talks held in Puducherry with senior leaders of the Indian National Congress, including Mukul Wasnik, as part of efforts to streamline the allianceas electoral strategy.

As per the agreement, alliance partners such as the Congress and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) will work collectively to ensure the victory of the VCK candidate in Uzhavarkarai through coordinated campaign activities and voter mobilisation.

Addressing reporters, Thirumavalavan clarified that although nominations had been filed by party members in constituencies such as Oussudu, Nettapakkam and Yanam, the VCK would not actively campaign in those seats. Instead, party workers would extend full support to Congress candidates contesting there, in line with the alliance understanding.

He added that a similar reciprocal arrangement would be followed in constituencies allotted to the DMK, where Congress candidates who had filed nominations would back DMK nominees to consolidate votes and avoid division within the alliance.

Thirumavalavan said he has already launched campaign activities in Uzhavarkarai in support of VCK candidate Selva Pushpalatha, State secretary of the partyas youth wing. His campaign will be covering key constituencies in both Puducherry and Tamil Nadu, where alliance candidates are in the fray.

As part of his schedule, Thirumavalavan will campaign in Tindivanam and later visit Kattumannarkoil and Kurinjipadi to take part in nomination events of alliance candidates, including Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam and Jothimani Ilayaperumal.

Expressing confidence, the VCK chief said the secular alliance is poised for a decisive victory and will form the government in Puducherry. He added that coordinated efforts among alliance partners and welfare-oriented governance remain key factors driving public support.
Guwahati, April 5 : Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Sunday hit back at Congress leader Pawan Khera over his allegations, accusing him of circulating "poorly fabricated" documents and warning of legal action.

Guwahati, April 5 (IANS) Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, wife of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Sunday hit back at Congress leader Pawan Khera over his allegations, accusing him of circulating "poorly fabricated" documents and warning of legal action.

In a post on X, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma said there were glaring flaws not only in the claims made but also in the alleged documents being shared.

"Aapki sirf tapasya mein hi nahi, AI generation aur photoshopping mein bhi kami reh gayi, (You fell short not only in your penance, but also in AI generation and Photoshopping)," she wrote, taking a swipe at Khera. She further said that as a spokesperson of a national party, Khera was expected to exercise basic due diligence instead of spreading what she termed as "imaginary passports and documents."

"I expected a spokesperson of a national party to exercise basic due diligence, rather than circulate poorly fabricated images of imaginary passports and documents," she said in the post.

Riniki Bhuyan Sarma asserted that the matter would now be dealt with legally. "I will now be letting the law take over. Criminal charges are being initiated. We can continue this in court," she added, tagging Khera and the Congress party.

Her response comes amid a political row triggered by Khera's allegations involving the Assam Chief Minister's family, which have been strongly denied by both Himanta Biswa Sarma and his wife.

The Chief Minister also refuted allegations made by Congress leader Pawan Khera, terming the documents circulated against his family as "fabricated" and part of a "malicious propaganda campaign." In a post on X, CM Sarma claimed that the documents being shared publicly contain "glaring inconsistencies" that point towards "crude and poorly executed digital manipulation."

Highlighting the discrepancies, the Chief Minister said the surname in the documents was incorrectly written as "Sarma" instead of the official "Sharma," raising questions about their authenticity.

He further noted that the photograph used appeared to be a publicly available image rather than a standard biometric capture. CM Sarma also flagged anomalies in the alleged UAE identity details, including inconsistencies in the ID sequence that do not align with the expected year-of-birth pattern.

Additionally, he pointed out a mismatch in nationality, where the document reportedly lists Egypt while the machine-readable zone (MRZ) reflects a different country code.

Referring to an alleged Antigua and Barbuda passport, CM Sarma said there was a discrepancy between the expiry date mentioned in the printed field and the MRZ. Similarly, in the case of an Egyptian passport, he cited inconsistencies between the printed section and the MRZ, including spelling errors such as "Egyptiann" and incorrect Arabic references.

The Chief Minister also questioned the validity of a title deed being circulated, stating that its QR code does not resolve to any authentic record.

"These inconsistencies strongly indicate possible fabrication or digital manipulation," Chief Minister Sarma said, asserting that "truth will prevail" and warning that those spreading misinformation would be held accountable.

Earlier, addressing a press conference in Delhi, Khera had alleged that Sarma's wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, holds passports of three countries, the UAE, Antigua, and Egypt and claimed that certain overseas assets, including properties in Dubai, were not disclosed in official filings.

He also alleged that a company registered in Wyoming in the United States is linked to Sarma and claimed that it involves financial dealings worth thousands of crores of dollars.

The Congress leader termed the matter a case of alleged concealment of assets and sought a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe by the Union Home Ministry.
Two Black Hawk helicopters and one C-130 military transport aircraft have been shot down over Irans Isfahan province during an operation to rescue the pilot of a U.S. F-15 fighter jet, according to Iranian sources, AzerNEWS reports.

Irans Armed Forces Headquarters Khatam al-Anbiya released a statement confirming the incident.

According to the statement, Iran launched a coordinated response to ongoing U.S. military operations. The operation reportedly involved multiple branches, including air force units, ground troops, volunteer forces, the Basij militia, and police personnel.

It should be noted that on February 28, the United States and Israel initiated military operations against Iran. Strikes were carried out on major cities, including Tehran. The White House justified the attacks by citing missile and nuclear threats originating from the Islamic Republic.

Iranian authorities claim that the strikes resulted in the deaths of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several other senior figures. In response, Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced a large-scale retaliatory operation against Israel.

Iran has also reportedly targeted U.S. positions across the region, including in Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Syria, using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The conflict has placed regional energy infrastructure and maritime transport under severe risk. Security tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have triggered a sharp increase in global oil prices. Iran is said to have tightened control over the strategic waterway, allowing only selected vessels to pass.
Guwahati, April 5 : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday mounted a scathing attack on Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing him of corruption and divisive politics, while asserting that the people of the state would hold him accountable.

Addressing a public rally in Assam's Biswanath district, Rahul Gandhi alleged: "Himanta Biswa Sarma is the most corrupt and the most communal Chief Minister in the country. He has betrayed and misled the people of Assam -- the evidence is before the public."

He further claimed that the people of Assam would not forgive what he described as corruption under the present regime, adding: "The people of Assam will never forgive his corruption -- punishment is certain."

In his address, the Congress leader also invoked the legacy of noted Assamese musician and icon Zubeen Garg, drawing a parallel between the artiste's life and the ideological position of the Congress party.

Rahul Gandhi said Garg had devoted his life to uniting people across communities and regions, and never engaged in divisive behaviour.

"Zubeen Garg worked his entire life to unite people of Assam. He never misbehaved with anyone. The Congress philosophy is also like that -- to spread love against hatred," Rahul Gandhi said, presenting his party's vision as one rooted in harmony and inclusiveness.

He accused the BJP-led government in Assam of fostering divisions among communities for political gains, arguing that such an approach runs contrary to the cultural ethos of the state. According to Gandhi, Assam's identity has historically been shaped by coexistence and mutual respect, values he said are being undermined.

Stepping up his attack, Rahul Gandhi warned of legal consequences for the Chief Minister if the Congress comes to power in the state. "Let him speak for some more days. After that, the Congress will form a government in Assam and legal action will follow even if he asks for forgiveness," he said.

The remarks come as campaigning intensifies ahead of the Assam Assembly elections, with polling scheduled for April 9. The electoral contest has seen sharp exchanges between the BJP and the Congress, with both sides trading allegations over governance, corruption and political intent.

The counting of votes will take place on May 4, setting the stage for a high-stakes political battle in the state.
New Delhi, April 5 : Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh on Sunday launched the first dedicated programme on "Administrative Capacity Building for Scientists and Academicians", aiming to equip scientific and academic leaders with governance and decision-making skills under the Mission Karmayogi framework.

New Delhi, April 5 (IANS) Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh on Sunday launched the first dedicated programme on "Administrative Capacity Building for Scientists and Academicians", aiming to equip scientific and academic leaders with governance and decision-making skills under the Mission Karmayogi framework.

The initiative was announced during a special session of "SADHANA Saptah", where the minister highlighted a long-standing gap in administrative training for scientists and academicians.

He said many professionals from these backgrounds often take up leadership roles without formal exposure to governance processes, making structured training essential.

"The new programme is designed to address this issue in a systematic way, reducing dependence on informal or self-learning methods that can be uneven and time-consuming," he stated.

He added that the training modules will evolve over time to keep pace with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, while ensuring a balance between technology and human judgement.

The minister also outlined new priorities for the Capacity Building Commission, including the creation of specialised modules for specific administrative tasks.

He suggested introducing a focused course on handling Parliamentary Questions to improve procedural understanding among officials.

In addition, short orientation programmes may be developed for early-career civil servants and Assistant Secretaries to help them better understand governance systems.

Emphasising a shift in approach, Singh said capacity building should move beyond rule-based systems to a more flexible, role-based model.

He noted that integrating private sector practices into governance has become necessary, as traditional silos are no longer effective in today's fast-changing environment.

Echoing similar views, Capacity Building Commission Chairperson S. Radha Chauhan said the next phase of Mission Karmayogi will focus on making public institutions more adaptive and humane.

Chauhan stressed that while artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly important, governance must remain citizen-centric.

At the event, Dr. Singh also launched the upgraded UNNATI portal and unveiled a roadmap for the nationwide rollout of the Karmayogi Kartavya Karyakram.

He also oversaw the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Capacity Building Commission and the Research and Information System for Developing Countries to promote global knowledge partnerships in capacity building.
Mumbai, April 5 : Senior Advocate and former Rajya Sabha member Majeed Memon said on Sunday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continues to face significant political challenges in states like Kerala and West Bengal, asserting that the party's prospects in these regions remain limited despite its efforts.

Speaking to IANS, Memon claimed that the BJP has struggled to gain widespread acceptance among voters in both states, alleging that even aggressive campaigning strategies may not yield the desired results.

"Kerala and West Bengal are two states where the Bharatiya Janata Party faces significant challenges. The people there will not easily fall under their influence, even if they use intimidation, spend money, deploy agencies, or coordinate with the Election Commission," he said.

Referring specifically to West Bengal, Memon asserted that the people continue to support Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

"Despite all this, the people of West Bengal remain fully aligned with Mamata Banerjee and the TMC. The West Bengal government has rejected the Bharatiya Janata Party," he added.

Drawing a comparison with Kerala, Memon said the BJP's limited ground presence in the southern state.

"A similar situation exists in Kerala. There, where they have only one MLA, they are dreaming of forming the government. This is almost out of the question," he added.

Commenting on recent remarks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the Opposition's stance on films, Memon said that while blanket bans are not appropriate, raising objections to certain content remains within the democratic rights of political parties.

"Targeting the Opposition, he said that they have always advocated banning films, which is not appropriate. However, when it comes to opposing certain films, it is in the interest of the people of India that wherever the Censor Board fails -- allowing objectionable content or glorifying a particular community -- the Opposition has the right to raise its voice," the former Rajya Sabha member added.

He also emphasised that electoral success for the BJP in West Bengal would remain difficult regardless of candidate selection.

"This is a very difficult situation for the BJP. No matter which candidate they field for any Assembly seat, whether they bring someone from Delhi or give a ticket to a celebrity, winning elections is not easy for them. The results will show that the people of West Bengal will not accept the BJP," he said.

Reacting to remarks by Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Memon criticised the rhetoric and called for restraint in bilateral relations.

"Whether it is Pakistan's Defence Minister or any other leader, making statements like 'we will attack India if this happens' is not appropriate. Pakistan should stay within its limits and maintain good relations with India wherever possible, promoting positive engagement rather than issuing threats," he said.
Kolkata, April 5 : Union Minister of State Sukanta Majumdar on Sunday criticised the Trinamool Congress government, accusing party supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of making the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, "an election agenda". He remarked that "Bengal is going back to the situation in 1946 or even before that".

During an interaction with IANS, Majumdar emphasised that all the states where SIR is being conducted are not Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled states.

Given the example of Kerala and Tamil where SIR has been conducted, the BJP leader said, "There nothing went wrong anywhere."

Referring to West Bengal, he said, "Problem is taking place in only one state. So, naturally, the question arises, is there problem with SIR or is it taking place in the state?"

Blaming Chief Minister Banerjee, Majumdar alleged, "Mamata Banerjee made SIR an election agenda in Bengal. She wants to divert people's attention from corruption, unemployment and atrocities against women."

The Trinamool Congress has often accused the Election Commission of being partial. Reacting on the issue, the Union Minister Majumdar said, "The Election Commission conducts elections independently. The Trinamool Congress is not used to independent administration. During Trinamool's rule, it (administration) becomes Trinamool's servant."

"If Trinamool had any concrete evidence or information against the Election Commission, then the court would have given a verdict in their favour. The Supreme Court said to our state government representative, Kishore Babu, that your state is the most polarised state," he asserted.

He also spoke about the Malda incident where judicial officers were allegedly held hostage.

Mazumdar said, "The power of the Constitution of India has to be shown to the Trinamool Congress goons of Bengal."

"I feel that Bengal is going back to 1946 or the situation before that. New Jinnahs are coming. After 1946, Partition of Bengal had happened, I don't know what will happen now," he added.

Moreover, the BJP leader also flagged the issue of illegal infiltration due to Bengal sharing a porous border with Bangladesh.

Mazumdar said, "Since (West Bengal's) medical facilities are better than in Bangladesh, a lot of pregnant women used to come here and their children were born in a hospital in India. They would gain citizenship here because the birth certificate would be issued."

"This has been going on for years because the border was porous. There was no fencing in the border. And there was no such restrictions before," he added.

Giving the example of the Muslim-majority Murshidabad, the BJP leader also claimed that Hindus have migrated from the border villages.

The Union Minister exhibited confidence that the BJP will emerge victorious in the upcoming state polls.

"I think that with two-thirds majority, the government of BJP will be formed. The people of Bengal have decided that in this election, Narendra Modi's government, that is, a double-engine government will be established in Bengal," Mazumdar said.
Bhubaneswar, April 5 : The Leader of Opposition, Naveen Patnaik, on Sunday participated in the self-enumeration process of the Digital Census commenced in Odisha on April 1.

He also urged the citizens to cooperate in the campaign of Census 2027 to ensure a bright future for the state.

"Today, I participated in the 'Digital Census' programme that has begun in the country and completed my self-registration. Accurate information alone will be helpful in preparing welfare schemes for the coming days. Let's cooperate in this campaign and become partners in building a bright future for the state," wrote Panaik on his X handle.

Earlier, Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, among several other senior dignitaries and leaders, also shared their details on the self-enumeration portal of Census 2027 prior to the door-to-door survey.

It is worth noting that the Census programme in the state has been launched in coordination with the Directorate of Census Operations, Odisha, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, and the Revenue and Disaster Management Department of the Government of Odisha. The first phase of the Census -- House Listing and Housing Census -- is scheduled to begin on April 16.

Under this programme, trained enumerators and supervisors will visit households and collect data from April 16 to May 15.

Prior to this, the self-enumeration programme is being conducted from April 1 to midnight of April 15.

Under this programme, citizens are providing their information on their own through the self-enumeration portal (https://se.census.gov.in).

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has also urged citizens to extend cooperation for the successful conduct of Census 2027 by sharing their details on the self-enumeration portal ahead of the door-to-door survey.

"I request all of you that if you have not yet submitted your information, please do so through this portal and cooperate in the Census. I have also completed my self-enumeration. You should do the same," Majhi said.

"From April 16, trained enumerators will visit households to collect information. This data is extremely important for planning and implementation of development programmes for our state as well as the country. Therefore, I urge all of you to extend your cooperation and make this programme a success," he added.
New Delhi, April 5 : On the occasion of 119th Birth Anniversary of Babu Jagjivan Ram, former President Ram Nath Kovind and former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar led the former Deputy Prime Minister's followers in paying floral tributes to him on Sunday, said an official.

The two took part in a function organised at Babuji's memorial, Samta Sthal at Delhi Gate here, by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, an official said.

The Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry in association with the Babu Jagjivan Ram National Foundation also organised Sarva Dharam prayer at 6, Krishna Menon Marg, which houses the Babu Jagjivan Ram National Foundation and a memorial dedicated to Babuji.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah also paid rich tributes to the former minister credited with the 'Green Revolution' as the Agriculture Minister and the 1971 war victory as Defence Minister.

In a post on X, HM Shah said, "Humble tributes to the pioneer of social justice, Babu Jagjivan Ram, on his birth anniversary. He dedicated his entire life to the service of the nation and social justice. He made an unparalleled contribution to the freedom struggle and firmly opposed divisive forces while standing against conversions. His struggle for the rights of the weaker and underprivileged sections of society will continue to inspire us."

Babu Jagjivan Ram was a freedom fighter and national leader who fought tirelessly for the upliftment of the downtrodden. He was a Cabinet Minister for 35 years- the longest serving minister handling several key portfolios.

Babuji brought about path-breaking reforms. As Food and Agriculture Minister, he is credited with the 'Green Revolution' and as Defence Minister he led India to the historic 1971 war, which saw the birth of Bangladesh.

Among those who paid tributes to Babuji at the two events organised by the Ministry included his daughter Meira Kumar, Minister of State of Social Justice and Empowerment B. L. Verma, MP Lok Sabha Manoj Kumar and Secretary, MSJ&E, Sudhansh Pant.

Others who paid tributes included Executive Vice President, Babu Jagjivan Ram National Foundation, Swati Kumar; Member Secretary, Babu Jagjivan Ram National Foundation, Shailendra Kumar, and Director, Babu Jagjivan Ram National Foundation, Narendra Vashista.
Hyderabad, April 5 : The government of Telangana has urged the Centre to pass a Bill in the Parliament to restore five villages that were merged with Andhra Pradesh in 2014.

Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao has written a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging him to table a bill during the current session of the Parliament to re-merge five villages with Telangana.

The state minister, who comes from Khammam district, demanded that the five villages near Bhadrachalam be restored to Telangana for administrative convenience. He also highlighted the problems faced by tribals due to these five villages being under the control of Andhra Pradesh.

The demand for passing a bill to restore five villages comes close on the heels of Parliament passing a Bill to accord statutory status to Amaravati as the only and permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh.

During the debate on the bill in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the MPs from Telangana had raised the issue of Telangana villages merged with Andhra Pradesh.

Nageswara Rao had met Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu in February and requested that five villages be restored to Telangana.

The minister had said after meeting the Chief Minister that Parliament has to pass legislation to return five villages to Telangana.

He recalled that in 2014, the Centre had merged seven mandals from Telangana's Khammam district with Andhra Pradesh to facilitate the construction of the Polavaram project across the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh.

Nageswara Rao said one has to cross these five villages in Andhra Pradesh to enter Telangana from Bhadrachalam town.

The minister said that the Assemblies of both states must pass resolutions urging the Centre to transfer the five villages to Telangana.

Rao had claimed that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu responded positively to the request.

The Telangana minister had also written letters to Amit Shah and Chief Minister Naidu in November last year.

He had urged the Centre and the Andhra Pradesh government to restore five villages adjoining the temple town of Bhadrachalam back to Telangana in view of their "deep historical, religious, tribal welfare and administrative significance."

"These habitations are geographically positioned like an enclave between Telangana lands on two sides, with the Godavari river and reserve forest areas on the other, creating an administrative island and posing various challenges to both states," he said.
Amaravati, April 5 : Tension gripped Akividu town in Andhra Pradesh's West Godavari district on Sunday as police took leaders of some organisations into custody while they were heading to the town to demand construction of a temple at a structure that houses a local deity.

Amaravati, April 5 (IANS) Tension gripped Akividu town in Andhra Pradeshas West Godavari district on Sunday as police took leaders of some organisations into custody while they were heading to the town to demand construction of a temple at a structure that houses a local deity.

Police stopped leaders and workers of Hindu groups marching towards the town from various places and took them into custody.

Additional forces have been deployed in the town in view of the call given by Hindu organisations for a rally amid the dispute between sections of Hindus, and Dalits.

Prohibitory orders have been imposed in the town to prevent any gathering. Police made it clear that there is no permission for any rally or public meeting.

Police officers warned that strict action would be taken against anyone violating the prohibitory orders.

Police set up a checkpost near the town to check every vehicle entering the area. Buses of the Road Transport Corporation (RTC) were also being checked to ensure that outsiders do not enter the town to create disturbances.

Actress Karate Kalyani was stopped and detained by police at Kaikalur in Eluru district as she was heading to Akividu in support of the demand for construction of a Ram temple.

Kalyani was placed under preventive detention to stop her from reaching Akividu. She condemned the police action.

In a video message to her supporters, she appealed to them not to lose hope and said she would visit Akividu one day.

Last week, the convoy of Deputy Speaker K. Raghu Rama Krishna Raju came under attack from a group of people after he garlanded an idol of Lord Ram at a temple in the Pedapeta area of Akividu on the occasion of Sri Ram Navami.

Local Dalits had urged the Deputy Speaker not to garland the idol. However, after he did so and got into his car, some people raising aJai Bhima slogans attacked the convoy with stones and sticks, injuring three persons.

A dispute has been continuing at the structure for the past one month. The temple is believed to have been constructed in 1932.

People in the area say that the presiding deity of the structure is actually Goddess Gonthenamma, regarded as their caste deity.

According to a recent fact-finding report by the Human Rights Forum (HRF), the structure housing the Gonthenamma idol is not a temple in the conventional sense. Instead, it is a choultry (inn) where the idol was placed. A few decades ago, idols of Ram and Sita were also installed in the structure with the assent of the Gonthenamma temple caretaker.

The organisation alleged that attempts were made to convert the Gonthenamma shrine into a Ram temple. It further claimed that Raghu Rama Krishna Raju, a TDP MLA, along with some Hindu organisations, is behind these attempts.
New Delhi, April 5 : A day after Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warning of a retaliatory strike on Kolkata in the event of any "future misadventure" by India has triggered strong reactions across India's political spectrum, with leaders condemning the remarks and urging restraint.

Asif, while speaking to reporters in Sialkot, said on Saturday that if India attempts another "false-flag operation", Islamabad would respond by "taking it to Kolkata", escalating tensions through his remarks.

Reacting sharply to Pakistan Minister's remarks, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Jagdambika Pal criticised Pakistan's internal economic situation and governance, suggesting that such statements were an attempt to divert attention.

Speaking to IANS, Pal said that people in Pakistan are facing severe economic hardships, with fuel prices reportedly soaring and the government struggling to manage debt obligations.

"People are out on the streets in Pakistan, petrol and diesel prices have gone extremely high, and even friendly nations are demanding loan repayments. Pakistan does not even have sufficient funds to service its debt. In such a situation, making provocative statements is an attempt to distract from domestic failures," the BJP MP added.

Echoing similar sentiments, senior BJP leader T.R. Sriniwas strongly criticised Asif's remarks and issued a stern warning against terror activities emanating from across the border.

He cautioned that India could respond decisively if provoked, referring to the possibility of a strong countermeasure, 'Operation SINDOOR-2' against terror activities.

Meanwhile, senior advocate and former MP Majeed Memon, emphasising the need for diplomatic restraint.

"Whether it is Pakistan's Defence Minister or any other leader, making statements like 'we will attack India' is not appropriate. Pakistan should remain within its limits and work towards maintaining peaceful and constructive relations with India," Memon said.

Congress leader Nana Patole questioned the timing and context of Pakistan Defence Minister's statement, linking it to ongoing political developments.

He alleged that such remarks were being amplified deliberately during the election period, particularly in West Bengal.

"The election process is currently underway, including in Kolkata. Such statements are being spread at this time deliberately. Why is this being said in Kolkata and not elsewhere? Why wasn't it said in Delhi? Because there are no elections there," Patole said.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 5 : Congress MP Kumari Selja on Sunday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for attempting to "communalise" people. She called the BJP-led Central government as the "government of slogans". The Congress leader also highlighted the issues of fishermen in Kerala and the issue of human-animal conflict.

Selja was in Kochi to campaign for the April 9 Assembly polls in Kerala.

Accusing the BJP, she told IANS, "The BJP always tries to communalise. That is their hallmark. If they were so good at development, why can't they talk about that? What have they got to show for it?

She alleged that the BJP comes up with a new slogan and forgets the old one. "It is only a government of slogans and these kinds of speeches. There is nothing beyond that," she said.

Moreover, Selja also accused the BJP of giving money to voters. She said, "Come to the North (of India), you will know the truth, how they communalise, how they get votes, how they give money before elections."

The Congress MP said that Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi "is talking about real development."

She said that LoP Gandhi has great love for Kerala since the state has sent him and party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to the Parliament.

Kumari Selja, during the interaction with IANS, flagged human-animal conflict and problems faced by fishermen as issues that, according to her, will be vital for the upcoming elections.

She said, "There are natural issues, natural disasters, and climate change. When we talk about animal-human conflict, there are elephants, snake bites, and people are losing their lives. Villagers on the fringes of forests often get overrun by elephants, leading to deaths. For example, near the border of Kochi, Indiramma died."

"These conflicts are ongoing, but how the government addresses them is crucial," she said.

She asserted that the governmentas role is to mitigate these problems for the common man.

"The Left Democratic Front (LDF) (in Kerala) has not been able to do it," Selja alleged.

While highlighting that fishermen depend on the sea for their livelihood and contribute billions to the exchequer from the seafood industry, Selja questioned what the Centre, as well as the state LDF government, have done to help the fishermen of Kerala.

"Government of India must take a hard look at that (fishermen)," she urged.

Moreover, Selja alleged that fishermen, Scheduled Class (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) are not prioritised.

Bringing to notice the living conditions of women in the seafood industry, she said that while roads are equally important in Kerala, one should also think about "these women".

The Congress leader emphasised that in the name of macro, one cannot forget the micro, which is the last human being. "Individual development must go hand in hand with infrastructural development," she underlined.

Selja seemed confident of the party's victory in Kerala while mentioning that Congress and UDF (United Democratic Front) have always believed in development with a human face.

"Today the human face has disappeared, whether it is the BJP government at the Centre or the LDF government in the state," she said.
New Delhi, April 5 : Delhi BJP Vice President Dinesh Pratap Singh and Purvanchal Morcha President Santosh Ojha, in a joint statement, on Sunday, condemned a misleading media statement made by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Sanjeev Jha over LPG supply in the city.

The BJP leaders dismissed Jha's claim that due to the LPG crisis, migrants from Purvanchal and other states living in Delhi are facing a livelihood crisis and may be forced to migrate out of Delhi, leading to loss of their voting rights.

Ojha and Singh accused the AAP leader of issuing imaginary and misleading statements with the ulterior motive of political gains.

They said due to the gas shortage, only a negligible number of migrants have migrated from Delhi.

The Delhi BJP said that Purvanchali and other migrant communities living in Delhi have not forgotten how, during the Covid lockdown, the then Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government forced migrants to return to their villages due to lack of arrangement for livelihood and food.

Dinesh Pratap Singh and Santosh Ojha said that along with the Central and Delhi governments, the BJP's Ujjwala Scheme department is actively working at the mandal level and is helping economically weaker sections obtain gas cylinders through bookings.

The BJP leaders also noted that migrants from Purvanchal and other states living in Delhi are part of the extended BJP family, and the party stands with every valid voter.

They added that while there is indeed a minor shortage of gas but there is no real crisis.

"Regular supply is available upon booking. Even commercial connection holders are now receiving about 75 per cent regular supply, and the Union government has temporarily allowed cooking on coal."

Dinesh Pratap Singh and Santosh Ojha also said that the limited gas shortage in Delhi is mainly affecting those without valid gas connections, who were already dependent on illegal open-market refilling of small cylinders.

The Ujjwala Scheme department of the BJP is actively working to ensure that all permanent residents of Delhi receive valid gas connections, a statement said.
Mumbai, April 5 : The police in Mumbai's Powai area have busted a major gas cylinder theft racket and arrested three accused. The main accused, Raj Chandrakant Kamble (45), along with two accomplices, have been taken into custody.

A total of 45 gas cylinders and three stolen motorcycles have been recovered from them, which were stolen from various areas of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Thane.

The Mumbai Police said, in recent days, due to the ongoing conflict in Gulf countries, there has been concern and uncertainty among citizens regarding the availability of gas cylinders.

At such a time, incidents of theft like these had further increased people's difficulties.

The case came to light when a complaint of a two-wheeler theft was registered in the jurisdiction of Powai Police Station.

During the investigation, it was found that the same stolen bike was used by the accused to carry out gas cylinder thefts.

Following this, police registered a formal case and began a detailed probe.

The police team carefully analysed local CCTV footage and based on technical investigation, identified the accused.

Subsequently, a raid was conducted in the Vartak Nagar area of Thane, where one accused was apprehended.

Based on the accused's leads, the other accused were also arrested.

During the investigation, police recovered three motorcycles and 45 gas cylinders from the possession of the accused, all of which had been stolen from different areas.

The police questioning revealed that the accused had been involved in such crimes for a long time.

According to police records, the main accused, Raj Chandrakant Kamble, has more than 10 criminal cases registered against him in Mumbai and other police stations.

Powai Police are currently probing the entire network and trying to identify other members involved in the gang.
Kabul, April 5 : More than 31,000 people were affected by flash floods in Afghanistan in 2025, according to the United Nations Human Settlements Programme as quoted by local media reports on Sunday.

In a statement, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme emphasised the need for disaster-resilient infrastructure.

The agency said it was making efforts in cooperation with the Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan to help people better deal with future shocks, Afghanistan's leading news agency Khaama Press reported.

The statement comes as 77 people have been killed and 137 others injured in floods that swept across several provinces of Afghanistan between March 26 and April 4.

Afghanistan's National Disaster Preparedness and Disaster Management Authority said that floods have caused widespread destruction, leaving hundreds of homes destroyed and damaging thousands of acres of agricultural land, Khaama Press reported.

According to authorities, four people remain missing and more than 3,400 houses were damaged in several parts of Afghanistan, demonstrating the scale of destruction caused by heavy rains.

Officials said roads were blocked and transport links were disrupted in several provinces of Afghanistan, which impacted rescue efforts and restricted access to affected people in remote regions.

Earlier, Taliban Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that more than 3,000 'jeribs' (a traditional unit of land measurement) of farmland were destroyed, and more than 1,000 livestock were killed due to the severe weather conditions.

The latest flooding in Afghanistan follows a similar pattern witnessed in the past several rainy seasons when heavy rainfall repeatedly caused devastation across the country. Hundreds of people were killed, and houses and farmlands were devastated in similar floods in 2024.

On January 22, a National Disaster Management Authority spokesperson said that at least 11 people have been killed and three others injured amid heavy snowfall and rains lashing multiple provinces.

According to the Taliban Spokesperson, initial reports from provincial authorities indicated that severe weather had affected residents in the provinces of eastern Parwan, Wardak, southern Kandahar, northern Jawzjan, Faryab, and central Bamiyan, Xinhua news agency reported.

The storms had partially destroyed nine homes and led to the loss of 530 livestock, severely affecting local livelihoods in these agrarian regions, the Spokesperson said, adding that the snow accumulation had blocked key roads, prompting urgent clearance operations by authorities to restore connectivity and facilitate aid delivery.
Cooch Behar : , April 5 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Manoj Tigga on Sunday emphasised that the party delivers whatever it promises. His reaction followed after Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated the BJP-led Central government's proposal for 33 per cent reservation for women leaders in Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

PM Modi, while addressing a public meeting here for the two-phased Assembly election, mentioned that efforts are being made so that women can benefit from this in, as early as, the 2029 Lok Sabha election.

Referring to the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple and abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, BJP MP Manoj Tigga told IANS, "Whatever the BJP promises, it fulfils."

"Similarly, since now we have promised 33 per cent reservation for women in Lok Sabha elections, we will fulfil that too. Parties before us did not fulfil their promises," he said.

Citing the Trinamool Congress and Congress party's accusations against the Election Commission (EC), Tigga alleged that the Opposition does not trust the EC. "When they win, the Election Commission is right and vice versa. For example, when AAP won in Delhi, they hailed the Election Commission but called it wrong when the BJP won there. These accusations keep coming, but we fully trust the Election Commission of India."

About the SIR and the subsequent election in the state, he asserted, "We believe that a clean voter list will be made and transparent elections will be conducted. Also, people will be able to cast their votes without being afraid."

Moreover, the BJP MP alleged that not all, but a section of police in West Bengal are taking advantage of the party in power, which is the Trinamool Congress. "They work as the state government's team and have even been awarded," he said.

Meanwhile, women who attended the gathering of PM Modi hoped for a free and fair election in West Bengal and also seemed confident of the BJP's victory.

Reena Sarkar said she was certain of a free and fair election in the state this time. She told IANS, "Change will take place this time."

Another woman who attended the rally said, "We don't want schemes like Lakshmir Bhandar (of the incumbent Trinamool government)."

Urging for employment opportunities, she said, "We could not find work despite having BA and MA degrees, but we want our children to get a proper education."

Another woman added, "We definitely want the 33 per cent reservation announced by PM Modi. We, women, want to be powerful enough."

Moreover, she said, "We have been witnesses to the Congress, CPI-M and Trinamool (in power in Bengal), now we want to have a BJP government."

An elderly woman added, "Whatever PM Modi said he will do, that will be for the welfare of the people. I am sure of the BJP's victory."
New Delhi, April 5 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and several other accused in the alleged Delhi excise policy case has moved a recusal application before the Delhi High Court, seeking that the matter be heard by a Bench other than that of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma.

Sources indicated that former Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal is likely to appear in person before the Delhi High Court on Monday to advance arguments in support of the plea seeking recusal.

The development comes amid ongoing proceedings in the Delhi High Court on a criminal revision petition filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which has challenged a trial court order discharging all 23 accused, including Kejriwal and former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, in the corruption case linked to the now-scrapped excise policy.

Earlier, a single-judge Bench of Justice Sharma had issued notice to the accused on the CBI's plea assailing the discharge order passed by the Rouse Avenue Court. Justice Sharma had also stayed the trial court's direction ordering departmental action against a CBI officer involved in the investigation, along with adverse remarks made against the probe agency.

The recusal application has been moved even as the Delhi High Court is seized of connected pleas, including a petition filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seeking expunction of adverse observations made against it by the trial court while passing the discharge order.

The ED has contended that the remarks were extraneous to the subject matter and were recorded without affording the federal anti-money laundering agency an opportunity of hearing, despite it not being a party before the trial court at the time.

The trial court, in its detailed judgment delivered on February 27, had discharged all accused persons, holding that the material on record did not establish an overarching conspiracy in the formulation of the Delhi Excise Policy 202122 and that the policy appeared to be the result of a consultative and deliberative process.

However, the CBI has contended before the Delhi High Court that the discharge order was "perverse" and tantamount to an acquittal without trial, alleging that the policy was manipulated to benefit certain private liquor entities in exchange for alleged bribes.

Separately, Kejriwal has already approached the Supreme Court challenging the decision of the Delhi High Court Chief Justice to reject his request for transfer of the CBI's plea from the Bench of Justice Sharma.

In his writ petition before the apex court, Kejriwal assailed the communication issued by the Registrar General of the Delhi High Court conveying that Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya -- the master of the roster -- had declined to reassign the matter on the ground that it had been allocated as per the roster.

The petition contended that the refusal to transfer the case gives rise to a "grave, bona fide and reasonable apprehension" regarding the fairness and impartiality of the proceedings.

Kejriwal has also referred to earlier instances where bail was denied to certain accused by the same Bench but later granted by the Supreme Court. He has additionally filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) challenging certain observations made by the Delhi High Court while hearing the CBI's revision plea.

--IANS

pds/pgh
New Delhi, April 5 : In a bid to make the LPG distribution system more transparent and efficient, the Delhi government has imposed a complete ban on the sale of cylinders directly from godowns, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Sunday.

She said the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have issued clear instructions to all distributors, stating that any such sale is illegal and will attract strict action.

At the same time, the government has significantly expanded the availability of 5-kg LPG cylinders across the city to improve consumer access.

These smaller cylinders can now be purchased easily from gas agencies by showing a valid ID, with no requirement for address verification.

To further assist migrant workers, 11 dedicated help desks have been set up at select HPCL outlets, where people can get information about nearby LPG distributors.

Chief Minister Gupta said the supply is being closely monitored to ensure there are no disruptions and that all regulations are strictly followed.

Residents have been advised to avoid visiting gas agencies or storage points or gathering in crowds, as all booked cylinders are being delivered directly to homes within the stipulated time.

According to data from April 4, a total of 114,679 LPG bookings were recorded in Delhi, while 131,335 cylinders were delivered by OMCs.

The fact that deliveries have exceeded bookings indicates that pending demand is being cleared at a steady pace and the system is functioning effectively. At present, the average delivery time for domestic LPG cylinders stands at 4.24 days, ensuring timely and reliable service for consumers.

The Chief Minister also said the government has operationalised a dedicated control room (helpline: 011-23379836 / 8383824659) to curb illegal activities such as hoarding and black marketing.

Stepping up enforcement, Delhi Police recently conducted raids at 17 locations, while officials from the Food and Supplies Department inspected 76 gas agencies and storage sites.

Reassuring residents, the Chief Minister said LPG supply in Delhi remains fully stable and under control.

She urged citizens to stay calm, avoid rumours, and cooperate with the administration while relying on the established delivery system.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Kolkata, April 5 : Artists and technicians in Bengali film and television industry have decided to stop shooting of all serials and films for an indefinite period from April 7, protesting the death of actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee and demanding security for the actors.

This was announced after a meeting of the West Bengal Artist's Forum at Technicians Studio on Sunday.

The actors in Tollywood film industry took to the streets on Saturday afternoon, to condemn the tragic death of Rahul Arunoday Banerjee on March 29 while shooting a Bengali serial in Talsari beach in Odisha.

On Saturday, an FIR was filed at the Regent Park police station in Kolkata by the West Bengal Artist Forum against the production company, which was responsible for the shooting.

On the same day, Rahul's wife and actress Priyanka Sarkar, went to the Talsari police station from Kolkata at midnight and filed an FIR.

On Sunday evening, the artists once again came together to express solidarity with Rahul Arunoday Banerjee's family.

Actors Prosenjit Chatterjee, Rituparna Sengupta, Shantilal Mukherjee, Anjana Basu, Jishu Sengupta, Rupanjana Mitra, Bidipta Chakraborty and many others were also present at the meeting on Sunday.

On behalf of the Artist's Forum, Shantilal Mukherjee said on Sunday afternoon that the shooting is being stopped for an indefinite period.

He added, "Yesterday, we filed an FIR at the Regent Park police station on behalf of the Artist's Forum. We were, are and will be with Rahul Arunoday Banerjee's family."

He said the decision to stop shooting was taken by the 4,000 members of the forum, 7,000 technician members of the federation and all the crew.

Shantilal Mukherjee said, "This fight has started for safety and to save the lives of all of us. We are insecure. We are going out for shooting. But I don't know if I will be able to return or not. Rahul Arunoday Banerjee has taught us. So we will observe a strike from Tuesday morning."

On behalf of the federation, Swarup Biswas said, "We didn't want it. But no one is coming forward to take responsibility. For the purpose of shooting, the artists and crew have to do a lot. Sometimes they have to go to the river, sometimes the sea, sometimes the mountains. No one has ever backed down. Everyone risks their lives and moves forward. Everyone tries to do their best. We all want to save this industry. Lakhs of people work in this industry."

Bengali superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee also said in the same tone on Sunday.

"Artists, crew and everyone need protection during their work. Security should be mandatory for everyone. Because everyone is very scared about this incident," he added.

From now onwards, there is a demand that an ambulance should be kept at every shoot.

Taking lessons from Rahul Arunoday Banerjee's incident, the actors and crew have made such demands. Therefore, in addition to demanding justice for the late actor's death, they have also demanded their own safety.

Actress Rituparna Sengupta said, "Rahul Arunoday Banerjee left us. We will fight till the end. The way he left is not desirable. He left us all together. His death raised the question, 'Are we safe at all?' The entire industry has come together and decided to go on a strike."

Members of the Artist's Forum and Federation will be present at the Technicians Studio at 10 a.m. on Tuesday to observe the strike.

Director Kaushik Gangopadhyay said, "I will ask all the producers, directors, artists and crew to come this morning. Accidents happen suddenly. They cannot be predicted in advance. However, there should be some rules so that the dignity of the artist and his family remain intact."

It is to be noted that all movie and tv serial shootings will be stopped from Tuesday.

On March 29, the 42-year-old actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee was shooting for the television series 'Bhole Baba Paar Karega'.

The late actor entered the water at Talsari, just as the tide came in he was swept away. However, technicians subsequently pulled him out of the water.

Preliminary reports indicate that Rahul Arunoday Banerjee's death was caused by drowning following which a case of unnatural death has been registered at the Digha Police Station.

The tragic incident has brought the entire Bengali film and television industry to a standstill.

Fellow actors, directors and technicians have expressed shock at the tragic death of the actor. The late actor is survived by his mother, his wife and actor Priyanka Sarkar, and 13-year-old son.

A section of actors in Bengali film and television industry demanded a comprehensive and impartial investigation into his death.

Rahul Arunoday Banerjee, known in the Bengali television industry for his character roles, had been active in television serials for several years.

He shot to fame with his role in the blockbuster 'Chirodini tumi je amar' in 2008, followed by hits such as 'Tumi asbe bole' (2014), 'Zulfiqar' (2016), 'Byomkesh Gotro' (2018), 'Biday Byomkesh' (2018), 'The Academy of Fine Arts' (2025), among others. He had acted in TV serials such as 'Hargouri Pice Hotel' and 'Mohonna'.
Washington, April 5 : Political and religious leaders in the United States on Sunday raised concerns over the conflict with Iran, questioning its justification, strategy and economic impact as tensions intensify.

Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who oversees Catholic chaplains serving U.S. forces, said the conflict does not meet the threshold of a "just war", warning that it appears to be addressing a threat "before the threat is actually realised".

Speaking on CBS' Face the Nation, Broglio aligned himself with calls for diplomacy, noting that "lives are being lost, both there and also among our troops". He added that for service members caught in moral dilemmas, "my counsel would be to do as little harm as you can, and to try and preserve innocent lives".

The archbishop also cautioned against framing the conflict in religious terms, saying it is "a little bit problematic" to portray the war as divinely justified, adding that it is "hard to cast this war as something that would be sponsored by the Lord".

He pointed to growing concern over "moral injury" among troops, noting that even lawful combat "is going to leave some traces in your heart or on your soul", prompting efforts within the military chaplaincy to help personnel cope with the psychological burden of war.

Parallel concerns emerged from the political sphere, with Maryland Governor Wes Moore linking the conflict to rising economic strain at home. He said energy costs have surged, noting that "gas prices have gone up by over $1 because we decided to enter into another war of choice".

Moore warned that the United States is "very dangerously lurching again into another forever war", drawing comparisons with Afghanistan, where "the United States was there for 20 years and 20 years later the Taliban" remained in power. He argued that the administration has "yet to articulate what exactly it is that we are doing".

With reports of a U.S. fighter jet being shot down and search-and-rescue operations underway inside Iranian territory, Moore said the situation "is deeply concerning", adding that families fear "to pick up the phone because they are afraid to hear what is on the other end".

He stressed that "no one understands what exactly it is that we are doing, or what success looks like", calling for clarity from the White House on both objectives and endgame.

On foreign policy, Moore said the Iran conflict reflects deeper strategic gaps, arguing that the U.S. has entered the conflict without meeting key criteria: "War should always be the last resort, you are clear about your mission, and you have built an international coalition. We haven't done any of those things."

Developments on the ground have further complicated the situation. According to CNN, U.S. forces carried out a high-risk operation to rescue a downed airman inside Iranian territory, involving "dozens of aircraft" and "hundreds of U.S. military and intelligence personnel".

The pilot, who had been shot down, survived by hiding in mountainous terrain before being extracted, underscoring both the intensity of the conflict and the capabilities of U.S. special operations forces.
Kolkata, April 5 : Ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, Kolkata Police and Static Surveillance Team (SST) on Sunday seized a huge amount of unaccounted cash during a naka checking operation under the Netaji Nagar Police Station area.

According to the police, the seizure was made at Plywood More on NSC Bose Road in the Tollygunge Assembly constituency in south Kolkata. A vehicle coming from the Alipore side was intercepted on suspicion. After searching the car, police officials recovered Rs 37,97,000 in cash.

The police said that one person, identified as Ashutosh Agarwal (36), was detained. He is being questioned. However, he reportedly failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the source of the cash or the purpose of carrying such a large amount of money, especially ahead of elections.

Police suspect the cash was being transported illegally. There is a probability that it would have been used for election-related purposes. The police, however, are trying to ascertain the exact destination and intent of using such a large amount of money. The matter is still under investigation.

Following due legal procedure, the seized cash was handed over to the Income Tax Department.

According to the police, the owner of the money will be summoned and asked to furnish valid and supporting documents. If proper proof is provided, the amount may be returned; otherwise, it will be deposited with the government.

It may be noted that the Election Commission, along with West Bengal Police have set up naka checking points across the state to seize unaccounted cash which could be used for the purpose of elections.

Polling will be held in 294 Assembly constituencies of West Bengal in two phases on April 23 and 29. The result will be announced on May 4.

The Election Commission has taken up several measures to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections in this state. A certain number of observers have been appointed in all Assembly constituencies.
Silchar : , April 5 (IANS) Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Sunday asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has played a crucial role in safeguarding the state's boundaries and interests.

Addressing an election rally at Rongpur in support of BJP candidate Rajdeep Goala for the Assam Assembly polls, Singh also lauded Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for recognising the Manipuri language as an associate official language of Assam. He urged the Manipuri community in the state to place their trust in the BJP-led government under Sarma.

Rajdeep Goala is contesting from the Udharbond constituency in southern Assam's Barak Valley, located in Cachar district.

Praising the Manipuri community in Cachar, Singh said they have made significant contributions to preserving the culture and traditions of Manipur. "People of Cachar have always shown deep affection for Manipur. Many Manipuri kings visited Cachar to deliberate on important issues, as the Manipuri community here has long been a reservoir of knowledge," he said.

He further noted that the people of Cachar have consistently supported Manipur on key issues, including the Inner Line Permit (ILP) and the inclusion of the Manipuri language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

Criticising the Congress, Singh alleged that the Northeast was neglected during its long tenure, leading to unrest in the region. He claimed that while Congress treated the Northeast with indifference, the BJP has consistently worked for its welfare and development.

Highlighting past initiatives, Singh said that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had established the Department for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), marking a turning point in the region's development.

Recalling his personal connection with Assam, Singh shared that he founded the All Assam Taekwondo Association in 1982 and travelled extensively across the state to promote the martial art. "I visited Nalbari, Dibrugarh, and Cachar to teach Taekwondo. Whenever I hear the name Assam, it touches my heart," he added.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by seven BJP MLAs and Manipur BJP President A. Sharda Devi. Both Sharda Devi and Rajdeep Goala also addressed the gathering.

Later, Singh campaigned for BJP candidates at Laishram Khun in Jaribon under the Hailakandi constituency.

During the campaign, he emphasised that India's development is incomplete without the Northeast and highlighted the progress made in cities like Guwahati under the BJP governance. He urged the Manipuri community in Jaribon to support the party. The Chief Minister also endorsed BJP candidate Dr Milon Das, describing him as a suitable choice with a strong background in social service.

Manipur BJP President Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi remarked that Singh's visit to Jaribam as Chief Minister comes after a long gap, following earlier visits by late leaders M. Koireng and Rishang Keishing.

Dr Milon Das, a 30-year-old research scholar from Assam University and the youngest candidate contesting from the Hailakandi constituency, assured voters that he would work towards fulfilling the demand for a Manipuri Autonomous Council in Assam.

During his visit, Singh also paid homage at the burial ground of late Naoria Phullo, a noted Manipuri social reformer, in Jaribam and interacted with his family members.

A significant population of Manipuris resides in southern Assam, comprising three districts of Cachar, Sribhumi (formerly Karimganj), and Hailakandi.

Polling for the 126-member Assam Assembly is scheduled for April 9, with results to be declared on May 4.
Lucknow, April 5 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken cognisance of the fire incident in Sitapur district that claimed three lives and directed officials to expedite relief, rescue and rehabilitation measures.

The incident occurred on April 4 in Saraiyan Chalakapur village in the Mahmudabad tehsil, where a major fire broke out, leading to the death of three persons. The tragedy prompted an immediate response from the state government.

According to an official statement, the Chief Minister, soon after being informed about the incident, directed the concerned officials to ensure that relief and rescue operations are carried out without delay. He also asked the administration to extend all necessary assistance to the affected families.

Acting on these directions, the district administration moved swiftly and provided financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the deceased. The amount has been transferred directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries in accordance with government norms, ensuring that the affected families receive immediate support.

Officials said that following the Chief Minister's instructions, the administration has remained fully engaged on the ground, coordinating relief efforts and monitoring the situation closely.

The focus has been on providing timely assistance and ensuring that no procedural delays hinder the support being extended to the victims' families.

In addition to the financial relief, steps have also been initiated for the rehabilitation of the affected families. The process of providing houses under the Chief Ministeras Housing Scheme has begun.

Departments concerned have been directed to complete all necessary formalities at the earliest so that eligible beneficiaries can be provided housing support without delay.

Officials added that the administration has been put on alert in view of the incident and continues to remain present at the site. Relief work is ongoing, and efforts are being made to ensure that all those affected receive the required assistance.

Meanwhile, the cause of the fire is under investigation. Authorities said that appropriate steps will be taken based on the findings to prevent recurrence of such incidents in the future.

It has also been learned that the administration is extending all possible support to the affected families while overseeing relief and follow-up measures.
Veteran industrialist Venu Srinivasan's resignation from a Tata charitable institution highlights internal disputes and questions surrounding trustee eligibility within the prominent Tata Trusts.

IMAGE: Venu Srinivasan. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Venu Srinivasan, a trustee on Tata Trusts, has resigned from the Bai Hirabai Jamsetji Tata Navsari Charitable Institution.

The resignation follows a challenge from former trustee Mehli Mistry regarding Srinivasan's eligibility based on the trust deed's criteria.

Mistry questioned whether Srinivasan met the requirements of practicing the Parsi Zoroastrian faith and residency in Mumbai.

Infighting among Tata Trusts trustees previously reached the government, prompting intervention to resolve the disputes amicably.

The government urged the Tata Trusts to resolve their differences privately due to the Tata Group's significant impact on India's economy.

Veteran industrialist Venu Srinivasan, a trustee on Tata Trusts, has resigned from the Bai Hirabai Jamsetji Tata Navsari Charitable Institution, according to sources.

Although he cited other business commitments for his resignation from one of the smaller trusts in the Tata Trusts, the development followed a challenge from Mehli Mistry, a former trustee of the Tata Trusts.

Comments from Srinivasan and Tata Trusts could not be obtained immediately.

Challenge to Appointment

Mistry had challenged the appointments of Venu Srinivasan and Vijay Singh to the board of Bai Hirabai Jamsetji Tata Navsari Charitable Institution in a complaint to the Maharashtra Charity Commissioner.

He claimed that Srinivasan and Singh do not satisfy the criteria laid out in the trust deed.

Among Mistry's main contention was the specific conditions mandated in the deed that includes practice of the Parsi Zoroastrian faith and residency requirements in Mumbai.

Government Intervention

Last year, Tata Trusts was rocked by infighting among trustees. The matter reached the government, with the top brass of the Tata group, including Noel Tata and Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran, meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Subsequently, the government told the trusts to resolve the issue amicably and not let their differences spill into the public, considering the significance of the Tata Group on India's economy.
This article was first published 5 years ago

For audiences craving something new, Axone leaves a good impression, notes Joginder Tuteja.

'Yaar, mujhe bhi North East ki ek girlfriend dilwa de. Mere dost to naa ek dum se jal jaayenge.'

If you studied at Delhi University in the 1990s, the chances are either you or a male friend made such a statement.

A north easterner is unfortunately looked upon as an outsider, a foreigner, in many parts of India.

That's the world Director Nicholas Kharkongor, who directed Mantra, explores in Axone (pronounced 'Akhuni') on Netflix.

A delightful film assembled by the Shillong-based film-maker who brings all his understanding of the North East into play in Axone, this is a slice-of-life film which cooks up a dish in the course of 12 hours as the story unfolds.

Axone is set in in a Punjabi neighbourhood in Delhi where a bunch of friends from the North East stay.

A young woman from Nagaland (Asenla Jamir), who is getting ready to appear for the civil services exams, oscillates between a sudden interview and a virtual marriage -- her friend (Lin Laishram) wants to make this wedding a dream no less.

She is supported by a young woman from Nepal (Sayani Gupta) who prefers to be identified as a north easterner, a guy who has just turned 30 (Tenzing Dalha) and who operates a grocery store specialising in North East food products and a musician (Lanuakum Ao) who is depressed after being a victim of racism.

With a set up like this, Axone could well have turned out to be an offbeat affair, but this is where Nicholas gives it a nice touch by means of stage and setting.

The stage is to find a way to cook Axone, come what way, despite all the adversities involved since they live in a Punjabi neighbourhood.

The landlady (Dolly Ahluwalia) continuously bickers with her 'jobless jamaai' (Vinay Pathak) and a hilarious grandson (Rohan Joshi, who is ''jaan'.

This is what ensures that Axone is never dull.

You are left guessing why the characters are doing what they are in the initial scenes. Then you get so engaged in how Axone will be cooked, if the friends can make it happen, if their emotional highs and lows will come in the way, if there will be a change in the way the North East versus Rest of India divide is perceived.

The moment Rohan's character appears comes on the scene, Axone goes on a high.

The same holds for the scenes involving Sayani. She looks far younger than she is and brings in a rather cute North East tonality to her dialogue delivery.

Lin is ultra confident and quite the find. She needs to be seen more often in our films.

Tenzing is charming and stands tall in the frame.

Asenla, who makes a late appearance, is gorgeous and so natural.

The only actor who disappoints is Lanuakum. Perhaps it is his dull characterisation, but he is depressing in every scene, taking away the vivacity of the story.

The best part of Axone is its story.

For audiences craving something new, Axone leaves a good impression and makes quite a statement on racism without beating around the bush or shouting from the rooftops.

Recommended.

Rediff Rating:
The Great Shamsuddin Family is a seemingly light chamber piece that hides its claws of social commentary under the chirpy banter of an apartment full of women, observes Deepa Gahlot.

It would rate quite high on the list of nightmares -- the random arrival of a succession of relatives and friends at the door, when a potentially life-changing project has a deadline coming up in a few hours.

Anusha Rizvi's film The Great Shamsuddin Family comes too long after her first, Peepli [Live] (2010), and is a seemingly light chamber piece that hides its claws of social commentary under the chirpy banter of an apartment full of women, who were not meant to be there.

The well-appointed Delhi apartment belongs to writer Bani Ahmed (Kritika Kamra), who has to submit a piece to an American employer, if only the doorbell would stop ringing!

She has put off a visit by her mother, who wants to pick up a passport because she and her sisters suddenly decided to go on Umrah -- because why not? -- when Bani's sister, Iram (Shreya Dhanwanthary) lands up, with a large amount of cash that she needs to deposit, and the bank is shut.

This excuse for imminent mayhem is not quite plausible, but the point was to get the third, older sister, Humaira (Juhi Babbar Soni) into the house to help manage the mess the dim-witted Iram has got herself into.

A friend, Professor Amitav (Purab Kohli) drops in with his latest girlfriend (Joyeeta Dutta) because they can't find a drink in the city.

Bani's mother Asiya (Dolly Ahluwalia) pops in with her older sister, Akko (Farida Jalal), and as the lies the younger women invent to explain their presence start to fray, the third sister, Safiya (Sheeba Chaddha), lands up too.

Then, Nabeela (Natasha Rastogi), the wife of their brother arrives, puzzled at the impromptu family gathering.

There is constant bickering and taunting -- Bani's lifestyle, her inability to make proper tea, old family resentments, the mystery of the bag of money and so on.

'Why are you dressed like a Pakistani?' Akko asks Safiya, who is in hijaab.

Already dealing with a broken relationship and a career upheaval, Bani is pushed to the point of aggravation.

A headline on a web site about the arrest of a writer, a possible flare up on the outskirts, Bani's mention of 'hum log' that annoys Humaira hints at the fears even upper class Muslims have to cope with, but the real emergency that tests family bonds and threatens to escalate their fragile security is yet to come.

The apartment that was looking large and lavish starts to seem claustrophobic.

Still, the rules of civility are such that nobody asks why the nosy, pedantic professor and his smug girlfriend are still around, when they are not exactly welcome.

Rizvi keeps the focus on the women and how they come together as one, when a united front is called for.

But it also quietly adds the issues that the Shamsuddin family has to solve when the conditions outside the safety of the flat threaten to turn hostile.

The bitter pill is coated with humour, and it is Farida Jalal who leads the fine ensemble of actors. She has the ability to simply rule any space she walks into.

She also gets the best line in the film -- 'At least corruption should be secular.'

The Great Shamsuddin Family streams on JioHotstar.

The Great Shamsuddin Family Review Rediff Rating:
An outbreak of suspected food poisoning at an Ahmedabad hostel has led to the hospitalisation of dozens of girls, prompting an investigation into the cause and raising concerns about food safety.

Key Points At least 57 girls from a hostel in Ahmedabad were hospitalised with suspected food poisoning symptoms.

The girls experienced abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and vomiting after consuming food both inside and outside the hostel.

Health officials are investigating the incident and have collected food samples to determine the source of the contamination.

While most girls are under observation, 18 remain admitted to Sterling Hospital in stable condition.

Approximately 900 girls reside at the Saurashtra Patel girls hostel in the Memnagar area of Ahmedabad.

At least 57 girls from a hostel in Ahmedabad were taken to the hospital due to suspected food poisoning, a civic official said on Sunday.

Currently, 18 of them are admitted, and all are in stable condition, he said.

Dr Bhavin Solanki, medical officer of health at Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), said 57 girls from Saurashtra Patel girls hostel in the Memnagar area experienced abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting in the afternoon.

They were taken to Sterling Hospital. He said that 18 of them have been admitted, while others are under medical observation.

A total of 900 girls are currently staying in the hostel, the official said.

Investigation into the Food Poisoning Incident

Citing initial reports, he said that a few girls had consumed fast food from outside, while some of them had also eaten meals at the hostel.

"A team of AMC officials has collected food samples, and we will get a clear picture after the investigation," said Solanki.
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While Trump described the operation as the 'most daring' search and rescue mission in US military history, Iran termed it a victory, claiming it shot down a C-130-class aircraft involved in the operation.

IMAGE: An E-2D Hawkeye surveillance aircraft launches from the flight deck of the US Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln during the Operation Epic Fury attack on Iran on March 31, 2026. Photograph: US Navy/Handout via Reuters

Key Points Iran claims the US suffered a 'bitter defeat' during the rescue operation in Isfahan.

Tehran says it shot down a C-130-class US aircraft involved in the mission.

US President Donald Trump hails the operation as a major success.

The rescued F-15 crew member was injured but is now safe.

Iranian groups reportedly fired at US helicopters during search efforts.

Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, on Sunday claimed that the United States suffered a 'bitter defeat' in southern Isfahan after President Donald Trump announced the rescue of the second F-15 crew member.

The crew member had gone missing after Iran downed the jet.

Competing claims over rescue mission

While Trump described the operation as the 'most daring' search and rescue mission in US military history, Iran termed it a victory, claiming it shot down a C-130-class aircraft involved in the operation.

According to Press TV, Zolfaghari said the actions of Iranian forces exposed 'the hollow nature of the American military' and described the US effort as a 'humiliating failure'.

He added that Trump was attempting to justify the defeat by 'creating confusion for public opinion'.

Iran asserts 'decisive victory'

Zolfaghari said Iranian forces had earlier warned that they would 'cut down any invader' and 'crush the aggressors'.

He described the developments in southern Isfahan as a 'decisive victory' and an example of the armed forces' resolve.

Trump hails 'most daring' rescue

The remarks come after Trump praised the rescue mission in a social media post, calling it a major success.

He confirmed that the rescued crew member sustained injuries but is now safe.

Trump said the US military deployed dozens of aircraft equipped with the 'most lethal weapons', especially after local Iranian groups targeted two Black Hawk helicopters.

He added that the mission followed the successful rescue of another pilot a day earlier, which had not been disclosed to avoid compromising the second operation.

Claims of air dominance and zero casualties

Trump asserted that both rescue missions were completed without any American casualties, claiming this demonstrated US air superiority over Iranian skies.

He described the operations as unprecedented, stating that two US pilots were rescued separately from deep within enemy territory for the first time in military memory.

Fire reported during search operations

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also claimed it had shot down a US aircraft involved in the rescue operation.

According to Al Jazeera, Iran's Fars News Agency shared a photograph showing smoke rising from a field.

Both the US and Iran were conducting search operations for the missing crew member, during which Iranian tribesmen reportedly opened fire on American helicopters, according to CNN.
Punjab Police have made further arrests in the Chandigarh BJP office blast case, revealing an ISI-backed module operating from Germany and Portugal, raising concerns about potential terror threats.

Photograph: ANI Video Grab

Key Points Punjab Police arrest two more suspects in connection with the Chandigarh BJP office blast, bringing the total arrests to seven.

The accused are allegedly part of an ISI-backed module receiving instructions from handlers in Germany and Portugal.

The suspects were promised a monetary reward of Rs 2 lakh for carrying out the attack on the BJP office.

The investigation reveals a multi-layered chain of operatives involved in delivering the arms consignment used in the blast.

Police suspect the ISI is operating the module to spread unrest in Punjab.

Punjab Police has arrested two alleged perpetrators of a recent blast outside the BJP headquarters in Chandigarh, taking the total number of arrests in the case to seven, a senior police officer said on Sunday.

The accused were allegedly part of a module backed by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and were taking directions from their handlers in Germany and Portugal, police said.

The latest arrests were made in Haryana's Rewari on Saturday night in a joint operation with Haryana Police's Special Task Force (STF), Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said.

"The duo has been identified as Gurtej Singh and Amanpreet Singh, both residents of Ratangarh village in Punjab's Rupnagar district. They were working as bike operators for ride-hailing service provider Rapido," the police chief said at a press conference.

ISI-backed handlers, Baljot Singh alias Jot in Portugal and Harjeet Singh Laadi in Germany, motivated the accused to carry out the attack in exchange for a monetary reward of Rs 2 lakh, the DGP said.

On April 1, a blast occurred outside the Punjab BJP headquarters in Chandigarh's Sector 37 around 5 pm, shattering the windowpanes of a few cars and damaging a scooter. There were no casualties.

Police initially suspected it to be a crude bomb attack, which later turned out to be a hand grenade explosion.

"Amanpreet was previously involved in a theft case in Mohali. He was also booked for snatching in Himachal's Bilaspur," the DGP said at the presser.

According to police, Gurtej came in contact with Portugal-based Baljot Singh, the main handler of the module, six months ago through social media.

"On March 28, Gurtej was tasked with collecting a consignment of grenades and other weapons from Balachaur in Punjab's Nawanshahr," the DGP said.

The consignment was collected by Gurtej, Mandeep and Rubal Chauhan from Jasvir Singh alias Jassi. It contained two grenades, one pistol and 10 cartridges, the officer said.

Mandeep, Rubal and Jasvir were among the five people arrested in the case earlier.

"Baltoj tasked Gurtej with target identification and conducting a recce. Amanpreet was roped in by Gurtej," Yadav said.

It was Amanpreet who lobbed the grenade outside the BJP office, while Gurtej filmed the act, he said.

"Their foreign handlers shared videos with them on how to hurl a grenade. Directions were also given over the cellphone," Yadav said.

Gurtej and Amanpreet were promised Rs 2 lakh for carrying out the blast, he said.

On Saturday, the DGP had said that the counter-intelligence wing of Punjab Police had cracked the case in a joint operation with Chandigarh Police.

The five men arrested earlier were identified as Balwinder Lal alias Shami, Jasvir Singh alias Jassi, Charanjit Singh alias Channi, and Mandeep alias Abhijot Sharma, all from Punjab, and Rubal Chauhan from Himachal Pradesh.

The consignment was delivered through a multi-layered chain of operatives, the DGP said.

On March 16, Balwinder, who was an acquaintance of Portugal-based Baljot, collected the arms consignment, which was later received by Charanjit, who worked for Germany-based Harjot Singh.

Charanjit gave the consignment to Jasvir, who received Rs 20,000 for keeping it safe, the DGP said.

On March 28, Jasvir handed the consignment to Gurtej, Mandeep and Rubal, he said.

ISI Involvement and Investigation

Replying to a question, the DGP said Pakistan's ISI operated the module to spread disturbance in Punjab.

Asked if the attackers wanted to target Punjab BJP leader Ashwani Sharma, Yadav refused to comment, saying the probe was still at a preliminary stage.

Yadav also thanked the Chandigarh Police and Haryana Police for their key role in unravelling the conspiracy and arresting the accused.

Senior officers of Punjab Police accompanied the DGP at the presser.
Punjab Police have apprehended two more individuals connected to the Chandigarh BJP office blast, uncovering an ISI-backed module operating from Germany and Portugal.

Photograph: ANI Video Grab

Key Points Punjab Police arrest two more suspects linked to the Chandigarh BJP office blast, bringing the total arrests to seven.

The suspects are allegedly part of an ISI-backed module receiving instructions from handlers in Germany and Portugal.

The blast, which involved a hand grenade, caused damage to vehicles but no injuries.

Police recovered a hand grenade and a pistol from the suspects, revealing a network involving multiple individuals and locations.

The investigation is ongoing to trace the source of the weapons and the full extent of the ISI's involvement in the attack.

Punjab Police has arrested two alleged perpetrators of a recent blast outside the BJP headquarters in Chandigarh, taking the total number of arrests in the case to seven, a senior police officer said on Sunday.

The arrested are allegedly part of an ISI-backed module, and they were taking directions from their handlers based in Germany and Portugal, police said.

The police arrested Gurtej Singh and Amanpreet Singh, from Haryana's Rewari, on the night of April 4 in a joint operation with Haryana Police, Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said.

Both of them are residents of the Morinda area in Punjab's Rupnagar and were working as bike operators at Rapido, Yadav said.

In this case, the police earlier arrested five accused, Mandeep, Rubal Chauhan, Charanjit Singh, Jasvir Singh and Balwinder.

On April 1, around 5 pm, a blast occurred outside the BJP's state headquarters in Chandigarh's Sector 37. The explosion dealt damage to nearby parked vehicles. No injuries were reported in the incident.

The police earlier surmised it to be a crude bomb, which later emerged to be a hand grenade, he said.

Investigation Details and Suspect Backgrounds

Revealing Amanpreet's criminal record, the DGP said, "He was involved in a theft for which an FIR was registered in Mohali, and another FIR was registered against him for snatching in Himachal's Bilaspur."

According to the police, Gurtej Singh came in contact with Portugal-based Baljot Singh, alias Jot, six months ago through social media, who is the prime handler of this module.

"On March 28, Gurtej was tasked to collect a consignment of grenades and other weapons from the Balachaur area in Punjab's Nawanshahr," the DGP said.

The consignment containing two grenades, a pistol and 10 cartridges was collected by Gurtej, Mandeep and Rubal Chauhan from Jasvir Singh alias Jassi, he said.

Jot had given direction to Gurtej for target identification and conducting recce, the DGP said, adding that Gurtej roped in Amanpreet, and both were bike operators working at Rapido and were promised Rs 2 lakh each for the task.

Amanpreet lobbed the grenade, while Gurtej made a video of it, the DGP said, adding that their foreign handlers shared online training videos on how to hurl a grenade and also gave directions on mobile.

How this consignment came, we are tracing the backward linkage of it, said Yadav.

Earlier, five individuals, part of a module allegedly backed by Pakistan's ISI, were arrested in the same matter.

On Saturday, the DGP said the Counter-Intelligence wing of Punjab Police, in a joint operation with Chandigarh Police, had solved the Chandigarh grenade attack case.

The police recovered one hand grenade and one .30 bore Zigana pistol along with ammunition from their possession.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the module was backed by the Pakistani spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence and operated by foreign-based handlers located in Portugal and Germany.

On Saturday, Assistant Inspector General, State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), SAS Nagar, Deepak Pareek, said a consignment of hand grenades, arms and live cartridges changed hands several times before being handed over to the final perpetrators.

The police have booked the accused under sections of the Arms Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the SSOC SAS Nagar Police Station.

Within hours of the blast, a 10-second video surfaced on the internet showing a man pulling the pin from a grenade and throwing it, with another one recording the act.

The video did not reveal their faces. They fled the scene moments before the blast. The CCTV camera also recorded the incident.

Sukhjinder Singh Babbar of the banned Babbar Khalsa International, in a social media post the same day, claimed responsibility for the explosion.
The masterminds behind the Punjab BJP headquarters blast have been arrested in Haryana, revealing links to a Pakistan ISI-backed module and escalating concerns about cross-border terrorism.

Photograph: PTI Photo

Key Points Two key suspects, Gurtej Singh and Amanpreet Singh, have been arrested in connection with the blast outside the Punjab BJP headquarters.

The suspects were apprehended in Rewari, Haryana, and are residents of Rupar, Punjab.

The investigation revealed a Pakistan ISI-backed module was involved, with handlers based in Portugal and Germany.

A hand grenade and a .30 bore Zigana pistol were recovered from the suspects.

Seven people have been arrested in connection with the blast, highlighting the ongoing investigation and security concerns.

Two men, allegedly the main perpetrators of the blast outside Punjab BJP headquarters here, have been arrested, Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said on Sunday.

They were arrested in Haryana's Rewari on Saturday night, he said.

"They are Gurtej Singh and Amanpreet Singh. Both are residents of village Ratangarh under Morinda Police Station in Punjab's Rupar," the police chief said at a press conference here.

On April 1, around 5 pm, a blast occurred outside the BJP's state headquarters in Chandigarh's Sector 37. The explosion shattered the windowpanes of cars and dealt damage to a scooter parked. There were no casualties.

The police earlier surmised it to be a crude bomb, which later emerged to be a hand grenade.

Suspects' Background and Investigation Details

At Sunday's press conference, the DGP revealed Amanpreet has a criminal record.

"He was involved in a theft for which an FIR was registered in Mohali, and another FIR was registered against him for snatching in Himachal's Bilaspur," he said.

According to the police, Gurtej Singh had come in contact with Portugal-based Baljot Singh, alias Jot, six months ago through social media.

On March 28, Gurtej was told to collect a consignment of grenades and other weapons from the Balachaur area in Punjab, he said.

With the two latest arrests, seven people have so far been nabbed in connection with the April 1 blast.

Earlier, five individuals, part of a module allegedly backed by Pakistan's ISI, were arrested in the same matter.

On Saturday, the DGP said the Counter-Intelligence wing of Punjab Police, in a joint operation with Chandigarh Police, had solved the Chandigarh grenade attack case.

The police recovered one hand grenade and one .30 bore Zigana pistol along with ammunition from their possession.

The five arrested earlier were identified as Balwinder Lal, alias Shami, of village Majari in SBS Nagar, Jasvir Singh, alias Jassi, of village Bharapur in SBS Nagar, Charanjit Singh, alias Channi, of village Sujawalpur in SBS Nagar, Rubal Chauhan of village Thana in Shimla, and Mandeep, alias Abhijot Sharma, of Dhuri in Sangrur.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the module was backed by the Pakistani spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence and operated by foreign-based handlers located in Portugal and Germany.

On Saturday, Assistant Inspector General, State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), SAS Nagar, Deepak Pareek, said a consignment of hand grenades, arms and live cartridges changed hands several times before being handed over to the final perpetrators.

The accused have been booked under sections of the Arms Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the SSOC SAS Nagar Police Station.

Evidence and Social Media Activity

On April 1, within hours of the blast, a video emerged on social media showing a man pulling the pin from a blue-coloured grenade and throwing it, while another person recorded the act. The duo fled moments before the blast.

The 10-second video did not show the faces of the two men. CCTV camera recordings also captured suspects running across the road after hurling the object.

Sukhjinder Singh Babbar of the banned Babbar Khalsa International, in a social media post the same day, claimed responsibility for the explosion.
Under pressure from the BJP, the Himachal Pradesh government has reopened the investigation into the Chester Hills project amid allegations of land irregularities and corruption.

Key Points Himachal Pradesh government orders a fresh probe into the Chester Hills project after facing pressure from the BJP.

The probe concerns alleged irregularities, including a 'benami' land deal and violations of Section 118 of the HP Land Reforms and Tenancy Act.

BJP MLA Randhir Sharma claims the government initially attempted to suppress the investigation into the Chester Hills project.

The state government withdrew a previous order that had dismissed the initial inquiry as violating settled law.

The BJP is demanding a probe into the Chester Hills 'scam' by a sitting high court judge.

Himachal Pradesh BJP MLA Randhir Sharma claimed that public outrage and mounting pressure by the saffron party prompted the state government to order a fresh probe into the alleged irregularities in the Chester Hills project, a high-end housing scheme in Solan.

Under attack from the opposition, the Congress government in Himachal on Saturday ordered a fresh inquiry into the allegations of a 'benami' land deal and violation of Section 118 of the HP Land Reforms and Tenancy Act in the Chester Hills project.

Section 118 restricts the purchase of land by non-Himachalis without prior permission.

The state government also withdrew an order dated December 6, 2025, in which the chief secretary (revenue) had dubbed the inquiry conducted by the subdivisional officer (civil), Solan, as prima facie violative of settled law.

The inquiry by the subdivisional officer had revealed several irregularities during land acquisition and benami land transactions in the Chester Hills project.

BJP's Reaction and Demands

Claiming the fresh inquiry a result of the BJP's sustained pressure, Naina Devi MLA Randhir Sharma also reiterated his demand for a probe into the Chester Hills 'scam' by a sitting high court judge.

"The state government ordered the fresh inquiry after public outrage and sustained pressure by the BJP. We repeatedly raised the issue to corner the government, exposed corruption with facts, and forced the Congress to order a fresh probe," Sharma said in a statement.

"It is now evident that attempts were made to suppress the case, delay the probe, and ignore serious irregularities by state officials. However, due to the BJP's efforts and public pressure, the government has been compelled to act," he added.

Sharma also alleged that the Congress government's approach has been questionable from the beginning, and the move to order a fresh probe appears to be an attempt at "damage control".

"We will continue to closely monitor the issue until those responsible are punished," Sharma said.

Background and Allegations

On March 31, Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta held a presser to dismiss the allegations against the Chester Hills housing project as baseless, and said that the truth will prevail once the investigation is complete.

"When officers themselves come forward to justify allegations, and the government remains silent, it indicates that not just something, but everything is wrong.

"There is an impression that the government is not just shielding the corrupt officers, but also rewarding them by offering them extensions and plum postings," Sharma had said then.

He had also alleged that the chief minister's office (CMO) was functioning more as a centre of "commission culture" rather than a decision-making body, claiming its prestige was at stake.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini launched 253 crore worth of development projects in Jind, focusing on irrigation, infrastructure, and water supply, aiming to transform the district into a hub of growth and prosperity.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth 253 crore in Jind district, focusing on key infrastructure improvements.

The development package includes upgrades to irrigation systems, road infrastructure, health services, and water supply, aiming to improve the quality of life for residents in Jind.

One of the ten new Industrial Model Townships (IMTs) planned in Haryana will be established in Jind, potentially boosting economic growth and employment opportunities in the region.

Chief Minister Saini highlighted the BJP government's commitment to fulfilling promises made during the 2024 Assembly polls, with a significant number of pledges already addressed.

The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of Prime Minister Modi's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, calling for citizen participation in the national mission for development.

Describing Jind as Haryana's 'heartbeat', Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday unveiled development projects worth Rs 253 crore for the district, significantly enhancing irrigation, road infrastructure, health services, and water supply in the region.

Saini laid foundation stones for 12 projects worth over Rs 140 crore and inaugurated three projects with a combined cost of over Rs 112 crore, an official statement said.

Among the key inaugurations are the reconstruction of Jind Distributary No 4, completed by the Irrigation and Water Resources Department for Rs 16.28 crore. Additional projects inaugurated included modern micro-irrigation systems at the village level, solar-powered irrigation facilities, and a balancing reservoir for water storage in Intal Khurd village, constructed for Rs 56.36 crore.

Saini, who addressed a public rally in Jind, announced that one of the 10 new Industrial Model Townships (IMTs) planned in Haryana will be established in the district.

Chief Minister's Address and Development Vision

Addressing the gathering, the chief minister described Jind as the heartbeat of Haryana and said the region reflects the hard work of farmers whose efforts fill the nation's food granaries.

He accused the opposition of taking votes and exploiting people when they were in power. He alleged they neglected Jind when they were in power.

Saini alleged that previous governments remained entrenched in 'dynasty-driven politics' and failed to prioritise the aspirations of the common man. "They secured the future of their own families, but ignored yours. We have worked to return what rightfully belongs to this region, with interest," he said.

Highlighting the BJP's third consecutive term as a significant responsibility, he stated that the mandate reflects the people's expectations for effective governance. Saini noted that out of 217 promises made by the BJP during the 2024 Assembly polls, 60 have already been fulfilled within one and a half years, while work on 157 others is underway.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, the chief minister said this is not merely a slogan but a national mission that requires participation from every citizen. He added that the government's "nation first" approach has been evident in times of crisis, from the COVID pandemic to global economic challenges.

Despite rising international oil prices, Saini mentioned that the Centre reduced excise duty to provide relief, while the Haryana government ensured the availability of fuel and LPG and took strict action against black marketing.

Highlighting development achievements, Saini informed that Rs 2,217 crore has been spent on development works in Jind over the past 11 and a half years during the BJP rule, compared to Rs 380 crore during the previous Congress government's tenure.

Furthering the infrastructure initiative, the chief minister laid the foundation stone for projects covering agriculture marketing, housing, roads, health, drainage, and water supply.

The chief minister also laid the foundation for Public Health Engineering Department projects worth over Rs 35 crore. These include three canal-based water supply schemes in Jalalpura Kalan, Intal Kalan and Intal Khurd villages, along with the expansion of two existing schemes.

Statements from Other Officials

Speaking at the rally, Development and Panchayats Minister Krishan Lal Panwar said that coordinated efforts of the Centre and the state have accelerated development, ensuring faster completion of projects.

Social Justice, Empowerment, SCs and BCs Welfare and Antyodaya Minister, Krishan Kumar Bedi, noted that the government has delivered tangible results across various sectors, such as roads, irrigation, education, and healthcare. He urged the public to support the ongoing momentum of development.

BJP state president Mohan Lal Badoli highlighted that the government has prioritised employment generation, welfare schemes for women and farmers, and grassroots development.

Earlier, addressing the rally, Deputy Speaker of Haryana Vidhan Sabha and rally convenor, Krishan Lal Middha, praised the state government's transformative work in the constituency.

Middha said Nayab Singh Saini is delivering development with every community in mind, and his work has positively impacted all sections of society.

Middha noted that Jind, once considered one of Haryana's underdeveloped districts, is now experiencing rapid growth. He remarked that the region previously faced broken roads and lacked civic amenities, but the current government's tenure has drastically changed Jind's landscape and future.
A life-term convict in Thane, India, faces new charges after allegedly assaulting a jail constable for preventing an unauthorised meeting with his brother, highlighting tensions within the prison system.

Key Points A life-term convict in Thane Central Jail allegedly assaulted a jail constable.

The assault occurred after the convict was denied an unauthorised meeting with his brother at court.

The convict, Avinash Jadhav, is charged under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The constable had earlier prevented the convict's brother from handing over an item during a court appearance, triggering the incident.

A case has been registered against Avinash Jadhav, who is serving time at the Thane central jail, under sections 132 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty) and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in connection with the incident that occurred on April 2, an official said.

He said the victim, a 42-year-old jail constable, was supervising a group of undertrials and convicts returning to the facility from court when Jadhav assaulted and threatened him at the prison entrance.

Jadhav was reportedly livid over an encounter earlier that day at the sessions court in Mumbai, he said.

Details of the Incident

"According to the complaint, Jadhav had been angry as the constable had prevented his brother from approaching him to hand over an item and instructed him to stay away," the official said.

He said that the accused created a ruckus, yelling at the jail staff and intimidating the on-duty personnel.
In a shocking incident in Uttar Pradesh, an 18-year-old Dalit girl was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend following a dispute, raising concerns about honour killings and caste-based violence.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points An 18-year-old Dalit girl was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend and an accomplice in Uttar Pradesh after a dispute.

The victim, Anjali, was attacked while on her way to repair a mobile phone with her siblings.

Police have registered a case against Aditya Singh and Rakesh Kumar Gond under murder charges and the SC/ST Act.

Preliminary investigations suggest the victim and the main accused were in a four-year relationship.

Authorities are actively searching for the accused and have detained suspects for questioning in connection with the Dalit girl murder case.

An 18-year-old Dalit girl was allegedly killed by her boyfriend and his associate in the Rampur Karkhana police station area following an altercation linked to their relationship, officials said.

The incident occurred on Saturday night when the accused allegedly slit the victim's throat.

According to the police, the victim, identified as Anjali, a resident of Nautan Hathiyagarh village, was on her way to a nearby market with her elder sister and younger brother to get a mobile phone repaired when two bike-borne youths intercepted them.

The assailants allegedly assaulted the trio before one of them pulled out a knife, prompting them to flee, police said, adding that the girl was chased into a wheat field, where she was caught and attacked with the weapon.

While her siblings ran home to inform family members, the accused allegedly returned to the scene and slit her throat, killing her on the spot before fleeing, they added.

Investigation and Legal Action

A case has been registered against the main accused, identified as Aditya Singh alias Shivam Singh, and his associate Rakesh Kumar Gond under charges of murder and relevant provisions of the SC/ST Act.

Circle Officer Sanjay Kumar Reddy and Station House Officer Ashwani Pradhan reached the scene soon after receiving information.

The body has been sent for post-mortem examination.

Preliminary investigation suggests that the girl and Singh were in a relationship for the past four years, police said, adding that some suspects have been detained for questioning.

"We have registered a case based on the complaint of the victim's family. Efforts are on to arrest the other accused at the earliest," SHO Pradhan said.
A Danish national was detained near the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan after allegedly entering a restricted area without permission, prompting an investigation into his motives and visa status.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A Danish national was detained near the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan for allegedly entering a restricted area without permission.

The man, identified as Rene, is being questioned at the Joint Interrogation Centre in Bikaner.

He was found in suspicious circumstances in Khajuwala, a sensitive border area where foreign nationals require prior permission.

Authorities are verifying his passport details and contacting the Danish embassy.

Initial assessment suggests the man may have entered the area due to a lack of awareness about the restrictions.

A 40-year-old Danish national was detained near the India-Pakistan international border in Rajasthan's Bikaner district for allegedly entering a restricted area without permission, police said on Sunday.

The man, identified as Rene, has been sent to the Joint Interrogation Centre in Bikaner for detailed questioning, and his passport details were being verified, they said.

He was found in suspicious circumstances on Hospital Road in Khajuwala area, close to the international border. Locals alerted the police as foreign nationals are rarely seen in the area, officials said.

A police team led by ASI Kishan Singh reached the spot and, considering the sensitivity of the area, informed the Border Security Force (BSF) and other security agencies. The agencies jointly questioned the man. No suspicious items were recovered from his possession, the police said.

During preliminary questioning, the man identified himself as a resident of Denmark and said he had arrived in India around seven months ago on a one-year tourist visa.

Officials said he initially responded in English but later stopped answering questions and reportedly broke down at the police station.

Investigation and Further Steps

Superintendent of Police Mridul Kachawa said the foreign national was detained near the international border as he did not have the required permit to visit the restricted area.

"He has been sent to the Joint Interrogation Centre in Bikaner for detailed questioning. His passport details are being verified and efforts are being made to contact the embassy concerned. Further facts will emerge after interrogation," the officer said.

The police said Khajuwala is a sensitive border area where prior permission is mandatory for foreign nationals. Initial assessment suggests the man may have entered the area due to lack of awareness about restrictions, though all angles are being probed.

Further investigation is underway, the officials added.
Delhi Police have apprehended two members of the notorious 'Doodh Chor' gang, known for stealing milk and dairy products, after a viral video exposed their criminal activities in the Uttam Nagar area.

IMAGE: Photograph: Samrang Pring/Reuters

Key Points Delhi Police arrested two members of the 'Doodh Chor' gang after a video of them stealing dairy products went viral.

The gang members stole milk crates and dairy products from unattended delivery vehicles in the Uttam Nagar area.

Police recovered stolen vehicles and empty milk crates, linking the accused to multiple theft cases.

One of the accused, Mohit alias Patha, has a history of 38 prior offences, including theft and vehicle theft.

The 'Doodh Chor' gang sold the stolen dairy products in the Dabri and Bindapur areas of Delhi.

Two members of a so-called 'Doodh Chor' gang were arrested after a purported video showing theft of dairy products in southwest Delhi's Uttam Nagar area surfaced online, police said on Sunday.

The accused would trail milk supply vehicles and steal crates left unattended during deliveries, transporting the stolen goods using stolen vehicles, they said.

A team analysed over 300 CCTV clips and developed leads with the help of local intelligence, eventually identifying two suspects -- Mohit alias Patha (27) and Ayush Maan Pandey alias Pandit (19), both residents of Ranhola, Deputy Commissioner of Police (outer) Vikram Singh said.

"The video, dated March 26, had been widely circulating on social media, prompting the launch of a targeted operation to track down those involved in the thefts of milk crates and dairy products," he said.

On April 3, police received specific information that the duo would be arriving near a church in Vikas Nagar. "A trap was laid, and the two were apprehended while travelling in a three-wheeler," he added.

During checking, 14 empty milk crates were recovered from the vehicle, which was later found to be stolen from the Prem Nagar area in Rohini. The accused failed to produce ownership documents, and verification through ZIPNET (Zonal Integrated Police Network) confirmed its stolen status. Subsequent interrogation revealed their involvement in recent milk and curd thefts reported in Uttam Nagar, the DCP said.

Police said the duo had stolen dairy products from outside delivery points and sold them in Dabri and Bindapur areas. A video of the accused stealing dairy products also surfaced on social media.

Recovered Stolen Goods and Vehicles

"Further recoveries at their instance led to the seizure of a stolen scooter and a motorcycle, linked to theft cases registered in Tilak Nagar and Ranhola," the officer said.

Accused's Criminal History

Police said Mohit, a habitual offender, has been previously involved in 38 cases of theft, snatching and motor vehicle theft. He had recently been released from jail in February and soon resumed criminal activities along with his associate.

"In total, five cases -- including vehicle thefts and dairy product thefts -- have been worked out with their arrest. Further investigation is underway," the officer said.
Delhi Police have dismantled a large interstate operation manufacturing and distributing fake life-saving drugs, seizing counterfeit medications and exposing a complex network of fraudulent GST firms used to launder the illicit proceeds.

Photograph: Yves Herman/Reuters

Key Points Delhi Police busted an interstate racket manufacturing and supplying spurious life-saving medicines, arresting six people.

Counterfeit drugs worth approximately Rs 2 crore were seized, including fake versions of medicines for diabetes, hypertension, and liver disorders.

The racket used fake GST firms to generate bogus invoices and launder proceeds, with estimated fake billing reaching nearly Rs 50 crore.

An illegal pharmaceutical manufacturing unit was discovered in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, with raw materials and machinery seized.

The investigation revealed a multi-layered supply chain involving illegal manufacturers, distributors, and GST operators across multiple states.

The Delhi Police has busted an organised interstate racket involved in manufacturing and supplying spurious life-saving medicines, arresting six persons and seizing counterfeit drugs worth around Rs 2 crore, an official said on Sunday.

During the operation, the police also exposed a network of fake GST firms used to generate bogus invoices and launder proceeds of the illegal trade, with investigators estimating the fake billing to the tune of nearly Rs 50 crore.

According to the police, the racket was engaged in large-scale manufacturing, storage and distribution of counterfeit Schedule-H drugs, which are commonly prescribed for ailments such as diabetes, hypertension, and liver disorders, posing a serious risk to public health.

The accused have been identified as Nikhil Arora alias Sunny, a wholesale medicine dealer based in Shahdara, Shivam Tyagi and Mayank Aggarwal, both suppliers from Uttar Pradesh, Mohit Kumar Sharma, a key supplier from Uttarakhand, and Shahrukh and Rahul, who allegedly operated fake GST firms to facilitate the illegal trade.

"The case came to light following specific inputs, after which a raid was conducted on March 11 in Bihari Colony in Shahdara. During the operation, Arora, who ran a wholesale medical shop in Bhagirathi Palace, was apprehended," a senior police officer said.

He said that over 1.2 lakh counterfeit tablets and capsules were recovered during the raid, including fake versions of widely used medicines such as Rabemac-DSR, Telma-AM, Sporolac-DS, Signoflam, Chymoral Forte, Ursocol-300, Gluconorm, Jalra-50 and several others.

These medicines are frequently prescribed and consumed by patients suffering from chronic illnesses, the officer said.

"The circulation of counterfeit drugs of this nature can have severe and potentially fatal consequences," he added.

Modus Operandi and Financial Trail

Further investigation revealed that the accused had developed a modus operandi to evade detection. The counterfeit medicines were supplied using fake invoices generated through fictitious GST firms that existed only on paper. All these shell entities were created to conceal the actual nature of business operations, evade tax scrutiny and lend a semblance of legitimacy to illegal transactions, the officer said.

"The financial trail was deliberately routed through these fake firms to mask both the origin and destination of the spurious medicines," the officer said.

Shahrukh and Rahul were found to be key players in this aspect of the operation. They allegedly operated the fake GST network using encrypted communication platforms, supplying ready-made firms and bogus billing services to clients across multiple states.

Analysis of their mobile phones revealed details of numerous shell companies and fake invoices amounting to approximately Rs 50 crore, along with links to several beneficiaries.

Discovery of Illegal Manufacturing Unit

During the entire investigation, a team traced the supply chain to an illegal pharmaceutical manufacturing unit in Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh. The unit, spread across nearly 1,000 square yards, was allegedly being operated by one Mohammad Aqdas Siddiqui, who is currently absconding. A raid conducted at the facility led to the recovery of around 2,000 kg of raw materials used in drug manufacturing, including Metformin HCL, calcium carbonate, lactose, starch and magnesium stearate.

Police also seized advanced machinery such as tablet compression machines, coating units, capsule filling machines, blister packaging systems and even testing equipment, indicating the scale and sophistication of the operation.

"Additionally, 10,000 empty bottles falsely labelled as products of reputed pharmaceutical companies, along with packaging material and printing sets of branded medicines, were recovered from the site," the officer said.

The premises involved in the storage and sale of these drugs had no valid licence, and the medicines were not sourced from legitimate distributors. During interrogation, the accused disclosed a multi-layered supply chain involving illegal manufacturers, distributors and GST operators working in tandem across different states.

"Police records show that one of the accused, Mayank Aggarwal, has prior involvement in cases registered by the Narcotics Control Bureau as well as a recent FIR in Uttar Pradesh under provisions related to drugs and cosmetics violations," the officer said, adding that further investigation into the matter is underway.
A Delhi neighbourhood dispute turned fatal when a 50-year-old shopkeeper was killed and two others injured after a violent clash with neighbours in Shakurpur.

Key Points A 50-year-old grocery shop owner was killed in a violent clash with neighbours in Delhi's Shakurpur area.

The incident occurred after a quarrel escalated, with the accused using lathis, iron rods, and knives.

Police have registered a case at Subhash Place police station and detained one of the accused.

Two other individuals sustained injuries during the altercation and are currently receiving medical treatment.

A 50-year-old grocery shop owner was killed, while two others were injured after neighbours clashed in northwest Delhi's Shakurpur area, police said on Sunday.

The police have registered a case at Subhash Place police station, detaining one of the accused and identifying others, they said.

The incident took place at Sanjay Park on the night of April 4, following a quarrel between the shopkeeper, Rajkumar, and his neighbours, an officer said.

"During the altercation, the accused attacked the victims using lathis, iron rods and knives," leaving him with multiple stab injuries, she said.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead, while the two injured are undergoing treatment, the officer added.
In a daring rescue mission, US Special Operations forces successfully extracted a US Air Force officer from deep within Iran after his jet was shot down.

IMAGE: A US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft takes off for a mission supporting Operation Epic Fury during the Iran war at an undisclosed location, March 9, 2026. Photograph: US Air Force/Handout via Reuters

Key Points A US Air Force officer was rescued by US Special Operations forces after his jet was shot down in Iran.

The airman evaded Iranian forces for over 24 hours, hiding in a mountain crevice and hiking to 7,000 feet.

US forces launched a risky mission to rescue the officer, facing a race against Iranian forces.

The rescue operation involved hundreds of special operations troops and other military personnel.

President Trump praised the 'amazing show of bravery and talent' during the rescue operation.

A United States Air Force officer whose jet was shot down in Iran hid in a mountain crevice and hiked up to 7,000 feet to evade the enemy before he was rescued by the American forces after a two-day 'life-or-death' mission, the New York Times said.

On Sunday, US President Donald Trump called an 'amazing show of bravery and talent' by all the rescue operation for the pilot for whom the Iranian regime had offered a reward.

'We have rescued the seriously wounded, and really brave, F-15 Crew Member/Officer, from deep inside the mountains of Iran. The Iranian Military was looking hard, in big numbers, and getting close,' Trump said in a post on Truth Social calling the rescued crew as 'a highly respected Colonel'.

'This type of raid is seldom attempted because of the danger to 'man and equipment.' It just doesn't happen! The second raid came after the first one, where we rescued the pilot in broad daylight, also unusual, spending seven hours over Iran. An AMAZING show of bravery and talent by all!' he added.

The White House also declared on its social media handles: 'We will never leave an American warfighter behind.'

Details of the Rescue Operation

Detailing the rescue operation, a report in the New York Times said the Air Force officer was rescued by the US Special Operations forces in a 'risky mission' Saturday night.

"The rescue followed a life-or-death race between US and Iranian forces to reach the airman, a weapons system officer, that stretched over two days," the report quoted officials as saying.

The US fighter jet, an F-15E Strike Eagle, had been shot down by Iran over the southwestern part of the country on Friday.

Two crew members on the plane were able to eject from it and while the pilot was rescued soon afterward, an urgent search was launched for the other airman.

"After ejecting from the F-15E, the officer hid in a mountain crevice. He evaded Iranian forces for more than 24 hours, at one point hiking up a 7,000-foot ridgeline His location was initially unknown to the United States but the C.I.A. found his hiding place," the report said, quoting information shared by senior administration officials.

American aircraft dropped bombs and opened fire on Iranian convoys to keep them away from where the airman was hiding, the report said.

"US commandos also fired their weapons to keep Iranian forces away from the rescue site as they converged on the airman but did not engage in a firefight with the Iranians," a US military official said.

The NYT report said Navy SEAL Team 6 commandos rescued the weapons systems officer in an operation that 'involved hundreds of special operations troops and other military personnel working deep in enemy territory'.

Soon after he was rescued, Trump announced on Truth Social late on Saturday night that the United States Military had 'pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now SAFE and SOUND!

'This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour,' he said.

The rescued officer 'sustained injuries, but he will be just fine', Trump said, adding that there were no American casualties as the US forces pulled off this rescue mission as well as another one involving another pilot.

Iran's regime had offered a reward for the capture of 'enemy's pilot or pilots', who it said should be turned over alive to security forces, according to a local affiliate of Iran's state broadcaster, the NYT reported.

Other Incidents

In a separate incident, a lone pilot was rescued when another Air Force combat plane, an A-10 Warthog, had crashed in the Persian Gulf region on Friday.

The A-10 Warthog crashed Friday near the Strait of Hormuz, the critical oil chokepoint that Iran has blocked during the ongoing war.

The US and Israel jointly attacked Iran on February 28, killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several top commanders.

The retaliation by the Islamic Republic extended the war to the entire Gulf region.

The conflict has taken a major toll on energy supply chains, especially across the Strait of Hormuz.
Three individuals have been arrested after a drone was spotted flying dangerously close to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's helicopter during an election rally, raising serious security concerns.

Photograph: ANI on X

Key Points Three individuals were arrested after a drone was spotted near West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's helicopter in Malda.

The drone was allegedly being used to film Banerjee's election rally as she prepared to board her helicopter.

Authorities are investigating whether proper permissions were obtained to fly the drone in the restricted area.

One of the arrested individuals claimed the drone was used to capture footage for the TMC's social media page.

The incident is being treated with utmost seriousness due to potential security implications.

Three persons have been arrested after a drone was spotted flying near the helicopter of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Malda district, an official said on Sunday.

The three were allegedly operating the drone to capture visuals of the election rally of the CM on Saturday, as Banerjee was about to board the chopper for her next stop, Gazole, the official said.

"Three persons were arrested in connection with a drone coming near the helicopter of the CM during take off on Saturday and they are being questioned. The matter is being treated seriously, given the security implications, and further investigation is underway," the official added.

The police are probing whether the necessary permissions were obtained for flying the drone in the highly restricted area.

Some local TMC leaders said the arrested individuals were part of the team of the party candidate.

One of the arrested, Noor Akhtar, said: "The drone was flown to take shots for uploading on the TMC social media page."
Supreme Court Justice B V Nagarathna warns that the neutrality of elections is at risk if the Election Commission lacks structural independence, highlighting the need for impartial oversight to safeguard Indian democracy.

IMAGE: Supreme Court Judge Justice B V Nagarathna. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo

Key Points Justice Nagarathna stresses that the neutrality of elections is compromised if those conducting them are dependent on the contestants.

The Supreme Court recognises the Election Commission as a vital constitutional authority responsible for ensuring the integrity of elections.

Elections are a mechanism for constituting political authority, and control over this process equates to control over political competition.

Constitutional collapse occurs when institutions fail to check each other, leading to unrestrained power despite the appearance of functioning systems.

Justice Nagarathna urges the Centre to treat states as coordinates, not subordinates, emphasising the separation of powers as a constitutional arrangement of equals.

Neutrality of elections cannot be assured if those who conduct polls are dependent on the contestants, Justice B V Nagarathna of the Supreme Court has said, in a veiled admonishment of the Election Commission.

The apex court judge raised a critical concern regarding the structural independence of those tasked with overseeing the ballot while delivering the Rajendra Prasad Memorial Lecture at the Chanakya Law University in Patna on Saturday.

Citing a 1995 verdict where the Supreme Court recognised the Election Commission as a constitutional authority of high significance, entrusted with ensuring the integrity of elections, she said, "The concern, once again, was structural: if those who conduct elections are dependent on those who contest them, the neutrality of the process cannot be assured."

Justice Nagarathna said elections are not merely periodic events but a mechanism through which political authority is constituted.

"Our constitutional democracy has amply demonstrated smooth changes in government due to elections being held on a timely basis. Control over that process is, in effect, control over the conditions of political competition itself," she said.

The Supreme Court judge said that power is not exercised only through formal institutions but also through the processes that sustain them, including elections, public finance and regulation.

"A constitutional structure that seeks to restrain power must therefore go beyond its classical forms and address these fourth-branch institutions.

"A set of institutions, while not always fitting within the classical tripartite scheme, is nonetheless central to the maintenance of constitutional order," she said.

The Risk of Constitutional Collapse

Justice Nagarathna said the unmistakable lesson of history is that constitutional collapse occurs through the disabling of its structure, and the violation of rights merely follows.

"The dismantling of structure, in turn, occurs when institutions stop checking each other. At that moment, elections may continue, courts may function, laws may be enacted by Parliament, and yet, power is effectively not restrained because the structural discipline no longer exists," she said.

Centre-State Relations

The apex court judge also urged the Centre to view states as 'coordinates and not subordinates' and asserted that the separation of powers was a 'constitutional arrangement of co-equals'.

Justice Nagarathna also called for keeping aside 'inter-party differences' in the matter of 'Centre-state relations', underscoring that governance must not depend on 'which party may be ruling the Centre and which other party may be ruling at the state level'.
Delhi Police have arrested Rakesh Banjara, a suspected member of the Surender Fauji gang, seizing an illegal firearm and highlighting the ongoing issues of gang violence in the Gurugram region.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Rakesh Banjara, allegedly associated with the Surender Fauji gang, was arrested by Delhi Police.

Banjara, a resident of Gurugram, has over 25 criminal cases against him, including murder and robbery.

Police recovered a pistol and three bullets from Banjara's possession during the arrest.

Banjara admitted to being a gangster involved in criminal activities in Gurugram and surrounding areas.

The illegal firearm was reportedly acquired three years ago due to ongoing gang rivalry and personal enmity.

Delhi Police has arrested a man allegedly associated with the Surender Fauji gang and recovered a pistol along with three bullets from his possession, an officer said on Sunday.

Rakesh Banjara, a resident of Gurugram, is a habitual offender with over 25 criminal cases against him, including murder, attempt to murder and robbery.

Police said information was received on April 3 that Banjara would visit Haiderpur village to meet his relatives and would be carrying an illegal firearm. Acting on the tip-off, a team laid a trap near a hotel.

"At around 3.15 pm, a car approaching the spot was intercepted and the accused, who was inside the vehicle, was arrested," the officer said.

Investigation and Confession

During interrogation, Banjara reportedly disclosed that he is a gangster operating in Gurugram and adjoining regions and has long been involved in criminal activities.

He told police that he had procured the weapon illegally about three years ago from a man in Uttar Pradesh and had been carrying it due to ongoing gang rivalry and personal enmity.

"Verification revealed that his in-laws reside in Haiderpur village and he had come there for a visit," the officer said.
Delhi Police dismantle a major medicine racket, arresting five individuals and seizing Rs 70 lakh worth of government-supplied drugs illegally diverted from hospitals for sale on the open market.

Photograph: Yves Herman/Reuters

Key Points Delhi Police busted a racket involved in the illegal diversion and sale of government-supplied medicines.

Drugs worth Rs 70 lakh were seized during the operation.

Five individuals, including a pharmacist and a hospital helper, have been arrested.

The racket had been operating for over a year, siphoning medicines from hospital stocks.

The medicines were being sold in the open market through a network of brokers.

Delhi Police has unearthed a racket involved in illegal diversion and sale of government-supplied medicines meant for free distribution in hospitals and seized drugs worth Rs 70 lakh, an official said on Sunday.

Five persons, including a pharmacist and a contractual helper posted at the Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Hospital, have been arrested in connection with the case, police said in a statement.

The accused were identified as Neerej Kumar, Sushil Kumar, Laxman Mukhia, Binesh Kumar and Prakash Mehto.

"Medicines worth around Rs 70 lakh, along with a tempo and a car used for transportation, were recovered from their possession," the officer said.

According to the police, the accused were apprehended in Tis Hazari area while transporting consignments marked "Govt supply, not for sale".

Investigation Reveals Modus Operandi

During interrogation, it was found that the racket had been operational for over a year, with medicines being siphoned off from hospital stocks and sold in the open market through a network of brokers across multiple cities.

Police said Neeraj Kumar, a pharmacist, manipulated stock records, while the helper facilitated extraction and delivery of medicines.

A case has been registered and further investigation is underway to identify other members of the network and trace financial transactions, the officer said.
The Bombay High Court has cleared the path for an investigation into a former Pune official's alleged 2,000 crore in disproportionate assets, underscoring the judiciary's commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring accountability among public servants.

Key Points Bombay High Court sets aside orders blocking inquiry into ex-Pune official Prashant Waghmare's alleged 2,000 crore disproportionate assets.

The court criticised the former Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Commissioner for overstepping authority by blocking the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) inquiry.

The High Court emphasised that prior approval for inquiries should not be used to shield potentially corrupt public servants.

The court highlighted the severe impact of corruption on the national economy and the importance of investigating public servants.

The ruling allows the ACB to proceed with an open inquiry into the allegations against the former city engineer.

The Bombay High Court has set aside orders by the then Pune municipal commissioner refusing sanction for an open inquiry against a former civic official, clearing the way for a probe into alleged disproportionate assets worth around Rs 2,000 crore.

A division bench of Justices A S Gadkari and Ranjitsinha Raja Bhonsale on Thursday quashed the April 16 and April 25, 2019, orders issued by then Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Commissioner Saurabh Rao.

As PMC chief, Rao had denied prior approval to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to initiate an open inquiry against former city engineer Prashant Waghmare, who retired earlier this year after serving as the chief city engineer for more than 22 years.

The court held that the competent authority had exceeded its jurisdiction by effectively conducting a parallel assessment of the allegations and arriving at a conclusion that no case was made out, instead of limiting itself to examining whether a prima facie case existed for granting approval.

The bench noted that the complaint, filed in 2016, alleged that Waghmare amassed assets worth nearly Rs 2,000 crore, disproportionate to his known sources of income, when he was with the PMC. The complaint also alleged that the assets were routed through family members and multiple companies linked to them.

The ACB had initially conducted a discreet inquiry, during which the officer concerned recorded that Waghmare did not fully cooperate and failed to provide crucial details relating to his assets, investments, foreign travel, the education expenses of his son, and financial transactions. In view of the nature and scale of allegations and lack of cooperation, the ACB officer had recommended initiation of an open inquiry.

However, the then Municipal Commissioner declined to grant sanction, relying on explanations and documents submitted by Waghmare, and concluded that no case of disproportionate assets was made out. This led to the closure of the confidential enquiry by the ACB.

High Court's Observations and Rationale

Setting aside the civic chief's orders, the HC observed that such an approach was legally untenable. It said that while considering approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, the competent authority is not expected to conduct a detailed inquiry or adjudicate on the merits of the allegations.

The section mandates prior approval from the competent authority before conducting any inquiry or investigation into offences allegedly committed by public servants in the discharge of official duties.

"A public servant's integrity must be beyond suspicion. Where the authorised enquiry officer has material casting doubt on such integrity, an enquiry must follow in the interest of the individual, the institution and society," the judges said.

The competent authority (then PMC commissioner) cannot block this process by exceeding its limited powers under Section 17(A) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, as doing so would amount to a "misuse of power and abuse of the legal process", the order said.

The court further noted that cases involving disproportionate assets do not fall within the protective ambit of prior approval under Section 17A, as they are not related to decisions taken in discharge of official duties.

Relying on judicial precedents, the bench emphasised that the role of the competent authority is limited to assessing whether the material placed by the investigating agency justifies further probe, and not to determine the guilt or innocence of the public servant at a preliminary stage.

It also added, "It appears that the then municipal commissioner, in an overzealous attempt to protect its officer, has taken upon himself the role of the enquiry officer."

Corruption as a Threat to National Interest

The court also said that corruption is an enemy of the nation and tracking down a corrupt public servant, however high he may be, and punishing such a person is a necessary mandate under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Corruption by public servants not only corrodes the moral fabric of society but is also harmful to the national economy and national interest, it said.

The HC said that persons occupying high posts in the government, when they misuse their power due to corruption, can cause considerable damage to the national economy, national interest, and the country's image.

By quashing the then PMC chief's decision, the court has effectively paved the way for the ACB to proceed with an open inquiry into the allegations against Waghmare.

The petition challenging the civic commissioner's decision was filed by a Pune-based activist, Tanaji Gambhire, seeking a fair investigation into the alleged disproportionate assets case.
In Hyderabad, a drug bust at a Taramati Baradari resort led to the arrest of six individuals, including a model-actor and a DJ, for alleged drug consumption, prompting investigations and de-addiction efforts.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Telangana's EAGLE Force arrested six individuals, including a model-actor and a DJ, for alleged drug consumption at a party in Hyderabad.

The arrests followed a raid at Taramati Baradari resort based on intelligence about drug use at the venue.

Urine tests confirmed that five individuals tested positive for ganja, and one tested positive for amphetamines.

Authorities are gathering information about the individuals' networks and will encourage de-addiction programmes.

A case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

Telangana's anti-narcotics unit EAGLE Force has apprehended six persons-among them a model-actor and a DJ-for alleged drug consumption following a search at Taramati Baradari resort in Golconda, officials said on Sunday.

Acting on specific inputs that the venue was hosting a special party, the Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement Force, along with the Hyderabad Narcotics Enforcement Wing (HNEW) and personnel from the Golconda Police Station, formed five teams and conducted a search during the intervening night of April 4 and 5.

According to a press release, prior intelligence gathering led to the identification of 35 individuals suspected of drug consumption.

Details of the Drug Raid and Arrests

During the operation, urine drug test kits were used, and five individuals tested positive for ganja.

Further testing revealed one more individual positive for amphetamines (AMP). In total, six persons-including a model-actor, a DJ, and two businessmen-were confirmed to have consumed drugs. The individuals reportedly admitted to drug use voluntarily.

Authorities collected information regarding their networks, and their parents or guardians will be contacted to ensure they undergo de-addiction programmes to prevent severe dependency, officials said.

A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and further investigation is underway.
An Indian-origin couple in the UK faces sentencing for defying a company director ban imposed after a tax fraud scandal, highlighting the serious consequences of breaching disqualification orders.

Key Points Bharat Jogia received a suspended sentence and further disqualification for breaching a 13-year ban on being a company director after a tax fraud case involving Jogia Jewellers (UK) Limited.

Louise Jogia, Bharat's wife, also received a suspended sentence and a 10-year ban for aiding and abetting her husband in breaching his disqualification by acting as the director of BHJ Consulting.

The Insolvency Service investigation revealed that Bharat Jogia continued to control Diamond Pharma Limited and BHJ Consulting Ltd despite his ban, leading to significant tax debts for Diamond Pharma Limited.

The couple used BHJ Consulting Ltd's bank account to pay personal bills, prompting the Insolvency Service to seek confiscation of funds under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

The case highlights the UK's commitment to enforcing director disqualifications to protect the public and maintain confidence in UK businesses by preventing unfit individuals from managing companies.

An Indian-origin couple has been sentenced for breaching a disqualification order to operate companies in the UK for over five years despite a ban following tax fraud claims.

Bharat Jogia, 71, from Englad's West Midlands region was disqualified as a company director for 13 years in 2014 after not disputing that he caused Jogia Jewellers (UK) Limited to wrongfully claim more than 2 million pounds from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

The UK's Insolvency Service discovered that he ignored that ban to continue to control pharmaceutical companies Diamond Pharma Limited and BHJ Consulting Ltd.

His wife, 57-year-old Louise Jogia, was found to have "aided and abetted" him in breaching the disqualification and acted as the official director of BHJ Consulting.

"Bharat Jogia showed complete contempt for the law by breaching his director disqualification ban for more than five years," said Mark Stephens, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service.

"Louise Jogia acted as a front to shield her husband, providing signed documentation and support where needed.

"Ignoring a disqualification is a serious criminal offence that undermines the entire system designed to keep rogue directors out of positions where they can cause further harm to creditors, employees and the wider economy," he said.

Stephens explained that director disqualifications exist to protect the public and maintain confidence in UK businesses.

"When someone is banned from running companies, it is because they have proven themselves unfit to do so," he added.

Jogia's disqualification order ought to have prevented him from running, managing or promoting any company until 2027. His breach of the ban resulted in a sentence of nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months, when he appeared at Birmingham Crown Court last week.

He was also ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid community work and disqualified as a company director for another 10 years.

His wife was sentenced to seven months in prison, also suspended for 18 months, at the same hearing and disqualified as a company director for 10 years.

The suspended sentence means the couple has avoided immediate custodial terms, provided they commit no further offences and comply with court-imposed community requirements.

Jogia, based in Streetly near Birmingham, signed a disqualification undertaking  or an agreement where company directors suspected of misconduct voluntarily disqualify themselves instead of taking the case to court  in June 2014.

In the signed document, Jogia did not dispute that he caused Jogia Jewellers (UK) Limited to participate in transactions which formed part of a scheme to defraud HMRC.

The undertaking meant that Jogia could not be a director of any UK-registered company or be involved in forming, marketing or running a company.

However, he continued to run Diamond Pharma Limited and BHJ Consulting Ltd in all but name from the day of his disqualification up until August and July 2019 respectively, just before liquidators were appointed to both companies.

Insolvency Service Investigation

Investigations by the Insolvency Service revealed that Jogia instructed lawyers on conveyancing matters, approved company accounts, authorised agreements with customers and suppliers, managed staff and received more than 80,000 pounds in consultancy services  all for Diamond Pharma Limited.

"Under Jogia's management, Diamond Pharma Limited also racked up more than 445,000 pounds in tax debts, leading to HMRC applying to have the company wound-up," stated the Insolvency Service.

"For BHJ Consulting Ltd, Louise Jogia provided the trading history to the liquidator by email, noting that she and her husband set up the company 'as a consultation service to the pharmaceutical industry'. However, matters which as a director Louise Jogia would be expected to deal with such as instructions to lawyers on conveyancing matters, the company's IT decisions and payment to creditors, were all dealt with by her husband," it noted.

Their analysis of BHJ Consulting Ltd's bank account showed it was used to pay personal bills for Bharat and Louise Jogia. The Insolvency Service said it is now seeking confiscation of funds against the Jogias under the UK's Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
A terror module with suspected ISIS links, accused of radicalising Indian youth through online propaganda and extremist ideologies, has been dismantled by Indian authorities.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Indian police have unearthed a terror module with suspected links to ISIS and other foreign extremist organisations.

The module is accused of radicalising youth in India through online jihadi propaganda and extremist content.

Investigators found the group was sharing extremist content, maintaining links with foreign handlers in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria and Bangladesh.

The accused allegedly circulated videos of Osama Bin Laden and other extremist figures to influence Muslim youth towards jihad.

The group is suspected of planning to establish an Islamic State in India and was actively recruiting and training individuals for jihadi activities.

A terror module with suspected links to foreign handlers and extremist organisations, including ISIS, allegedly involved in radicalising youth in India has been unearthed, an intelligence department source said.

Earlier, the Andhra Pradesh police deployed teams across Bihar, Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Telangana and Rajasthan to arrest a dozen suspects including three from the southern state linked to the network.

According to police, prime accused Rahamathullah Sharif and his associates were in contact with operatives engaged in spreading jihadi propaganda and motivating youth through online videos.

Investigators suspect that women were encouraged to join a separate 'Khawateen' wing as part of the group's expansion strategy.

"A jihadi module with links to foreign handlers and extremist organisations like Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) has been unearthed, which was engaged in radicalising youth in India," an intelligence department official said.

The group was actively sharing extremist content and maintaining links with foreign handlers.

Extremist Propaganda and Recruitment

The accused allegedly circulated videos of Osama Bin Laden, Israr Ahmed Shaik, Zakir Naik and Anwar al-Awlaki to influence Muslim youth towards jihad and extremist ideologies.

Police found that the group had established contact with handlers based in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria and Bangladesh through over 40 social media accounts, with intentions to facilitate 'Hijrat' and establish an Islamic State (Khilafat) in India.

Handlers identified as Al-Hakeem Shukoor, Mohammed Huzaifa, Ninja, Hemroxy, Abu Muharib and Abu Balushi, allegedly guided the group on militant training, use of weapons including sniper rifles, and assured supply of arms, said the official.

Some radicalised individuals were already undergoing jihadi training in madrasas (religious Islamic school) abroad, while efforts are underway to recruit more into the network.

One of the accused, Sayeeda Begum, was in contact with operatives in Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir and was allegedly planning to coordinate jihadi activities.

Cyber Terror and Violent Ideologies

The group allegedly shared content promoting cyber terror activities, including plans to hack official websites, while agencies are probing suspected foreign funding routes, he said.

Members allegedly posted photographs wearing masks, displaying ISIS flags and raising slogans such as "One Ummah" to signify their commitment to establishing an Islamic State in India.

Investigators also claimed that the accused circulated provocative videos, sang the Indian National Anthem in a derogatory manner using abusive language, and shared content showing the desecration and burning of the national flag.

The group also allegedly shared content advocating violence against non-believers (kafirs) and calling for the establishment of an Islamic State in India, police said.

They (accused) also uploaded material related to the preparation of black powder and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), while claiming that firearms would be procured from Pakistan and Afghanistan.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is calling on voters to use their ballots to protest the deletion of names from electoral rolls, accusing the BJP of orchestrating the changes ahead of state assembly elections.

Photograph: @AITCofficial/X

Key Points Mamata Banerjee urges voters to 'take revenge' for the deletion of names from electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

Banerjee accuses Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the BJP of being behind the deletion of voters' names in West Bengal.

The TMC chief raises concerns about potential EVM tampering and instructs party workers to demand replacements instead of repairs.

Banerjee claims the BJP is spreading misinformation against her regarding her actions on behalf of Muslims and the Waqf (Amendment) Act.

She alleges that migrant workers from Bengal are being deported from other states after being labelled as Bangladeshis.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday urged people to cast their votes to "take revenge" for the deletion of people's names from the electoral rolls.

The Trinamool Congress chief urged people whose names have been deleted from the voter list during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to move appeals before the tribunal.

Addressing an election rally at Samserganj, which was the epicentre of violence during the protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Muslim-majority Murshidabad district in April 2025, she said, "Cast your votes to take revenge for deletion of people's names, and against the SIR so that the results reflect that."

Banerjee asked the TMC workers to remain vigilant till the counting date on May 4. Assembly polls in West Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 and 29.

In an apparent reference to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Banerjee alleged that he was behind the deletion of voters' names in West Bengal during the SIR exercise.

"If you have the guts, fight directly," she said.

Asking all TMC workers to be on guard during the poll period, Banerjee said, "I hope none of our booth agents will sell themselves off to the BJP, in the interest of West Bengal."

Claiming that EVM machines will be made to malfunction at some places, the TMC chief instructed party workers not to allow EC officials to repair the machines and instead demand replacements.

Speaking at the rally in support of Mohammed Nur Alam in Samserganj and Mohammed Amirul Islam in Farakka, Banerjee accused the BJP of spreading canards against her that she did not do much for the interest of the Muslims, maintaining that she has fought hard against the implementation of the Waqf (Amendment) Act.

Murshidabad witnessed violence during the implementation of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, leading to the death of some persons including a father-son duo who were hacked to death by a mob, with the BJP accusing the TMC of engineering violent agitations in various parts of the district.

Claiming that development work has stalled owing to the assembly polls, she said, "They (EC) have transferred nearly 500 officers, but this is only for a month; work will begin again after that."

The chief minister accused the EC of "deleting names of some, while intimidating some others", in the name of SIR of electoral rolls.

Banerjee asked why the assembly polls could not be conducted with the same electoral rolls used in the 2024 general elections.

"If the voter list contained names of infiltrators, the Prime Minister and the Home Minister also won with their votes earlier, so they should have resigned first," she said.

Claiming that she and her party will never allow the establishment of detention camps in the name of NRC, Banerjee said, "That is why you are being vengeful against me."

She sought to remind that the Election Commission's authority over the state's administration is till completion of the election process.

Banerjee Addresses Concerns in Other Constituencies

Addressing another public meeting in Murshidabad district's Jiaganj, Banerjee said that in her own constituency Bhabanipur in Kolkata, 40,000 names have been deleted from the electoral rolls.

"All those who get to vote will cast their vote in favour of the TMC," she asserted, maintaining that even the BJP's supporters will not vote for the saffron brigade, and instead support the ruling party in Bengal.

Claiming that names of Hindus were also deleted in the SIR exercise, Banerjee said, "I am from a Hindu family, names of my family members have also been deleted."

She also alleged that the BJP was "spreading venom" in the name of religion, which stands for humanity.

The TMC chief asserted that migrant workers from Bengal staying in other states were being deported after being branded as Bangladeshis.

"I believe the ills perpetrated by the BJP will cause their downfall in 2026 itself," she said.

Pointing to the EC's action over clashes during a rally for BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's nomination from Bhabanipur, Banerjee claimed that it was not a political matter and that locals protested when saffron party supporters were "making derogatory gestures".

"But at the behest of the BJP, four police officers including a deputy commissioner, have been suspended," she alleged.

Asserting that she has fought all her life, Banerjee said, "I will not let go an inch of land without a fight."

The CM said the fight is between her and the BJP in all 294 constituencies in the state.

Banerjee also wondered why several senior officers of her government, who were earlier replaced from their positions by the EC, were being sent to poll-bound Tamil Nadu.

She alleged that officers who are relatives of BJP leaders have been deputed in West Bengal.

Party Discipline and Candidate Selection

Seeking to quell disquiet among some party leaders over denial of election ticket, Banerjee said at Samserganj that those who work for the people will be nominated.

Stating that she has learnt that TMC MLA Manirul Islam from Farakka filed nomination for the polls even after another leader Amirul Islam was given the ticket, Banerjee said, "I urge him to withdraw, but if he does not, I will ask district chairman Khalilur Rahman to suspend him from the party."

"Those who disrespect the party's decision will not be spared," she said.

The TMC has changed candidates in 74 seats out of 294 constituencies for the assembly polls, causing displeasure among some sitting MLAs who were denied tickets.

The CM also said the BJP brought in the AIMIM in collusion with "some traitors" in Bengal to divide Muslim votes.
Following a bomb blast near the teachers' quarters, Manipur University students are protesting to demand educational freedom and condemn the campus violence.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Manipur University students protested a bomb blast that occurred near the teachers' quarters on campus.

The students are demanding educational freedom and condemning the violence with placards and demonstrations.

The bomb blast occurred at the gate of the teachers' quarter in the Canchipur area, but no injuries were reported.

The protest highlights concerns about safety and security within the Manipur University campus.

Students of the Manipur University held a demonstration on Sunday, protesting the bomb blast on the campus.

The blast happened at the gate of the teachers' quarter on the campus in the Canchipur area around 7.30 pm on Saturday, police said.

Five teachers live in the quarter, they said, adding that no one was injured in the explosion.

The students demonstrated with placards that read, "Give us educational freedom, uphold the law, we condemn the blast."
The targeted assault also left two others wounded. In a statement provided to the Tasnim news agency, the official warned that the 'casualty toll could rise' as emergency teams continue to assess the impact of the strike.

IMAGE: People inspect the damage at the research building of the Shahid Beheshti University, which was damaged by a strike, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, April 4, 2026. Photograph: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters

An air strike conducted by US and Israeli forces on the Black Mountain has resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals, Al Jazeera reported, citing Iranian state media.

Key Points According to the governor of Kohgiluyeh, the targeted assault also left two others wounded.

While the full extent of the damage remains unclear, the governor emphasised that the situation remains critical following the 'US-Israeli attack on the Black Mountain'.

The incident occurred in the isolated highlands of the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad provinces, as well as the Bakhtiari region.

According to the governor of Kohgiluyeh, the targeted assault also left two others wounded. In a statement provided to the Tasnim news agency, the official warned that the "casualty toll could rise" as emergency teams continue to assess the impact of the strike.

While the full extent of the damage remains unclear, the governor emphasised that the situation remains critical following the "US-Israeli attack on the Black Mountain".

This escalation adds a significant layer of volatility to the ongoing regional conflict, with local authorities still working to identify the victims.

In a related development, Iranian tribesmen reportedly opened fire on American helicopters during a search operation for a missing crew member following the downing of a fighter jet over Iran, according to CNN.

The incident occurred in the isolated highlands of the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad provinces, as well as the Bakhtiari region. In these areas, local groups targeted two Black Hawk helicopters on Saturday, as detailed by Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency.

Following the confrontation, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) praised the tribal groups, describing them as "courageous, valiant and victorious guardians of the borders," as per reports cited by CNN.

This commendation follows the release of footage on Friday allegedly depicting nomadic Bakhtiari tribesmen armed with rifles patrolling the mountainous terrain of Iran's Khuzestan province in search of the American personnel. In the video, one of the individuals is heard saying, "God willing, he will be found."

To further incentivise the search, Iranian authorities have reportedly announced substantial financial bounties for the successful capture of the missing individual.

Amid these efforts, CNN noted that the IRGC has been promoting a recently developed aerial defence system, which they claim was instrumental in downing the jet on Friday and targeting the Black Hawks.

Reinforcing this stance, a spokesperson for the Central Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters appeared in a video shared by the IRGC-linked Tasnim News Agency to issue a warning regarding the capabilities of this new hardware.

As highlighted by CNN, the official asserted, "We will certainly achieve full control over the skies of our country and will prove the enemy's humiliation to the world more than ever before."

While these claims continue to circulate via Iranian state media, CNN indicated that further verification regarding the reports of US aircraft coming under fire is being sought.

These developments take place as the broader West Asia crisis, which began on 28 February with US-Israel strikes on Iran and subsequent Iranian retaliation, continues to engulf the region and affect airspace in the Gulf.
Both the US and Iran were conducting search operations for the missing crew member. During the search operations, Iranian tribesmen reportedly opened fire on American helicopters.

IMAGE: An F-15E Strike Eagle takes off for a combat flight in support of Operation Epic Fury during the Iran war at an undisclosed location, March 16, 2026. Photograph: US Air Force/Handout via Reuters

The United States Special Forces have rescued the second F-15 crew member alive, who went missing after Iran downed the jet amid the West Asia conflict, President Donald Trump has confirmed.

Key Points Trump revealed the rescue of the crew member in a post on his social media platform Truth Social.

The US military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US history, he said.

Citing a US government official, Al Jazeera reported that the rescue operation is still in progress as the F-15 crew member is "not safe" yet. US Special Forces aim to successfully exfiltrate from Iran and get back to safety.

Trump revealed the rescue of the crew member in a post on his social media platform Truth Social.

"WE GOT HIM! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now SAFE and SOUND! This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, but was never truly alone because his Commander in Chief, Secretary of War, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and fellow Warfighters were monitoring his location 24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue," Trump said in the social media post.

He further said, "At my direction, the U.S. Military sent dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him. He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine. This miraculous Search and Rescue Operation comes in addition to a successful rescue of another brave Pilot, yesterday, which we did not confirm, because we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation. This is the first time in military memory that two U.S. Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory. WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND! The fact that we were able to pull off both of these operations, without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded, just proves once again, that we have achieved overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies. This is a moment that ALL Americans, Republican, Democrat, and everyone else, should be proud of and united around. We truly have the best, most professional, and lethal Military in the History of the World. GOD BLESS AMERICA, GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS, AND HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!," he said.

According to the report, three US government officials told Axios about the successful rescue mission.

Citing a US government official, Al Jazeera reported that the rescue operation is still in progress as the F-15 crew member is "not safe" yet. US Special Forces aim to successfully exfiltrate from Iran and get back to safety.

Both the US and Iran were conducting search operations for the missing crew member. During the search operations, Iranian tribesmen reportedly opened fire on American helicopters, according to CNN.

The incident occurred in the isolated highlands of the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad provinces, as well as the Bakhtiari region, where local groups targeted two Black Hawk helicopters on Saturday, as detailed by Iran's Fars News Agency.

Following the confrontation, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) praised the tribal groups, describing them as "courageous, valiant and victorious guardians of the borders," as per reports cited by CNN.

This followed the release of footage on Friday allegedly depicting nomadic Bakhtiari tribesmen armed with rifles patrolling the mountainous terrain of Iran's Khuzestan province in search of the American personnel. In the video, one of the individuals is heard saying, "God willing, he will be found."

To further incentivise the search, Iranian authorities had reportedly announced substantial financial bounties for the successful capture of the missing individual.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump withheld details regarding the potential US response should a missing crew member, forced to eject over Iran, be harmed or captured, The Independent reported.

The President declined to specify a course of action during a brief telephone interview on Friday. When questioned by The Independent about the measures he might take if the airman is mistreated by Iranian forces, Trump stated, "Well, I can't comment on it because we hope that's not going to happen."

In latest development in the situation in West Asia, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have destroyed the MQ-9 Reaper drone in the central city of Isfahan, according to the Fars news agency.
Police in Ranchi are investigating the alleged murder and secret cremation of a 13-year-old girl who had been missing for weeks, with several suspects now in custody.

Key Points A 13-year-old girl, missing since March 13, was allegedly murdered in Ranchi district.

Police are investigating the secret cremation of the victim's body.

Several individuals, including a close relative, have been detained for questioning in connection with the murder.

A forensic science team has been dispatched to the crime scene to gather evidence.

A girl who was reportedly missing since March 13 was allegedly murdered and her body was secretly cremated in Jharkhand's Ranchi district, police said on Sunday.

The incident occurred within the Ratu police station limits. Police have detained some people, including a close relative of the 13-year-old girl, in this connection, they said.

"We have detained some accused, including a close relative of the victim in this case. Police are interrogating them...," Ranchi Rural SP Praveen Pushkar told PTI.

More details on this case will be provided once the investigation is completed, he said.

An FSL team was also sent to the crime scene to collect evidence, and further investigation is underway, police said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a scathing attack on West Bengal's TMC government, accusing them of 'maha jungleraj' and promising to restore law and order while addressing corruption and demographic changes in the upcoming elections.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Prime Minister Modi accuses the TMC government of 'maha jungleraj' in West Bengal, citing the Malda incident involving judicial officers.

Modi frames the West Bengal elections as a contest between the TMC's 'fear' and the BJP's 'trust', promising to address corruption and promote development.

Modi criticises the TMC for opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and allegedly protecting infiltrators, impacting the demography of Bengal's border areas.

Modi vows accountability for alleged corruption and violence under the TMC government, promising investigations and justice after the election results.

Modi highlights Bengal's economic decline under successive governments, contrasting it with the BJP's vision for development and job creation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday turned the Malda gherao of judicial officers into the fulcrum of the BJP's campaign on lawlessness in West Bengal, calling it a sign of TMC's "maha jungleraj" and pitching the assembly polls as a contest between the "bhay" spread by the ruling party and the BJP's "bharosa".

Addressing his first election rally in Bengal in Cooch Behar after the poll schedule was announced, Modi used the Malda incident to sharpen the BJP's twin campaign planks of deteriorating law and order and alleged demographic change, while also invoking Sandeshkhali, infiltration from Bangladesh, corruption and unemployment to mount a broadside against the Mamata Banerjee government.

Modi framed the coming electoral contest as a decisive battle for the state's future, warning that "chun chun ke hisab hoga" (everything will be accounted for) for the alleged atrocities committed by TMC goons once the rule of law prevails after May 4.

"This cruel government is staining democracy with blood every day on the sacred soil of Bengal. This government does not care for any constitutional institution," Modi said.

"Two or three days ago, the whole country saw how judicial officers were held hostage in Malda. What kind of government is this? What kind of system is this where even judges and the constitutional process are not safe? How can such people ensure the safety of Bengal's common people?" he said.

The Prime Minister was referring to Wednesday night's incident at Malda's Kaliachak-II block office, where seven judicial officers, including three women, were gheraoed for hours by a mob during hearings on names marked "under adjudication" in the draft electoral rolls prepared during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

Accusations of 'Maha Jungleraj' and Eroding Institutions

"What happened in Malda was not merely the arrogance of the TMC. It was the sponsored 'maha jungleraj' of this cruel TMC government. Whenever the noose of justice tightens around the TMC, it tries to strangle constitutional institutions," Modi alleged.

He claimed that the situation had become so grave that even the Supreme Court had to intervene and accused the ruling party of being "bent on carrying out the funeral procession of law and order" in Bengal.

Modi also sought to frame the contest in binary terms.

On one side, there is the 'bhay' (fear) of the TMC, and on the other side, you have the BJP's 'bharosa' (trust). On one side is the fear of TMC's cut money and corruption, and on the other side is the BJP which accelerates development," he said.

The PM also contrasted the fear of infiltration and settling foreigners in Bengal with the BJP's confidence in stopping infiltration and driving infiltrators out.

"On one side is the fear of losing freedom on one's own land because of changing demography. On the other side is BJP's confidence of living with pride on one's own soil, and head held high," he said.

CAA, Infiltration, and Demographic Changes

Seeking to consolidate Hindu refugee and Matua votes in the border districts, Modi accused the TMC of opposing the SIR and the Citizenship Amendment Act to protect infiltrators.

"The TMC is opposing SIR and CAA to protect infiltrators. It does not want Hindu refugees to get citizenship and that is why it is opposing CAA. During 15 years of TMC rule, there has been a dangerous change in demography in Bengal's border areas. These infiltrators get direct protection from the TMC syndicate. In this politics of appeasement, Bengal's identity is being changed," Modi alleged.

He said those trying to alter Bengal's identity would be ousted and accused the TMC of even trying to change the state's cultural vocabulary.

"You must have seen that the TMC recently released its manifesto. They did not even give it a Bengali name. Instead, they are calling it an 'Ishtihar'. Think how they are trying to change Bengal's identity," he said.

Modi also referred to the "Lal Ishtihar" issued before the 1905 communal riots in undivided Bengal and alleged that the ruling party was playing a "dangerous game of appeasement".

Promises of Accountability and Economic Development

Modi promised that after May 4, when the results will be declared, every alleged act of corruption and violence under the TMC would be investigated.

"After May 4, the law will take its course. Every one of their sins will be accounted for. Chun chun ke hisab hoga. No matter how powerful the criminal may be, justice will be done this time," he said.

Turning to the economy, Modi said Bengal, once among India's most developed states, had steadily declined under successive Congress, Left and TMC governments.

"First came the eclipse of the Congress, then of the Left, and now the eclipse of the TMC. Bengal's development kept fading," he said.

"Earlier, people in Bengal earned more than the national average. Today their income is below the national average. Other states are moving ahead, but the TMC has pushed Bengal backwards. Factories are leaving Bengal. Earlier, people came here for jobs. This government has turned Bengal into a centre of migration," Modi alleged.

He also attacked the ruling party over the SSC recruitment scam and said in the open game of cut money and corruption, the future of Bengal's youth has been ruined as government jobs are under the control of the TMC syndicate.

"No matter how much TMC goons try to terrorise you on polling day, you must trust the law. I have full faith in the Election Commission. There will be elections that are free, fair and without fear," he said.
Six individuals have been apprehended by Nanded police following a brutal triple murder resulting from a violent clash between rival gangs, highlighting escalating gang warfare in the region.

Key Points Six individuals have been arrested in Nanded, Maharashtra, following a triple murder linked to a violent gang conflict.

The triple murder in Nanded resulted from a clash between the Sada gang and the Sai Lala gang, involving daggers and sharp weapons.

Two gang members died at the scene, while a third victim was killed at a government hospital.

Police have filed cross FIRs and are investigating the long-standing dispute between the rival gangs in Nanded.

The arrested individuals have been remanded to police custody until April 8 for further investigation into the Nanded triple murder case.

Police have arrested six individuals in connection with a sensational triple murder case in Nanded city of Maharashtra, which was a fallout of a rivalry between two gangs, an official said on Sunday.

The accused were produced before a local court of the Judicial Magistrate (first class), which remanded them to police custody until April 8, police inspector Santosh Tambe told PTI.

Three people were killed after members of two rival gangs clashed with each other in the wee hours of Saturday, police said.

Details of the Gang Clash

According to police, members of the Sada gang and Sai Lala gang attacked each other with daggers and sharp weapons, killing two members of the gangs on the spot.

The third victim, who was rushed to a government hospital with grievous injuries, was allegedly attacked again inside the facility and killed.

The deceased have been identified as Arjit Singh, Sayyed Avez and Mohammad Arbaz.

According to the police, the rival gangs had a long-standing dispute.

On Friday night, Singh and his friends were returning after watching a movie when members of a rival gang, who were allegedly tracking their movements, intercepted them.

Singh and Arbaz were killed on the spot, police said, adding that the third victim, Avez, was allegedly fatally stabbed by Singh's brother in the casualty ward of the hospital.

Police have registered two cross FIRs and arrested Sonu Raut, Shakir Khan, Sambhaji Patil, Nagesh Ladde, Gajanan Chavan, and Pradeep Chavan.
A clash over a prayer meeting in an Odisha village led to property damage and police intervention, highlighting underlying tensions between local groups.

Photograph: Indian Super League

Key Points A clash occurred in a tribal village in Odisha's Malkangiri district due to a dispute over a prayer meeting location.

The conflict escalated when a majority group allegedly damaged the roofs of houses belonging to the other group.

Police intervened, deploying two platoons to restore normalcy and arresting five individuals involved in the violence.

A peace committee meeting was held, resulting in an agreement between the groups to maintain peace and harmony.

Authorities are investigating the incident and searching for other individuals involved in the clash.

A clash broke out between two groups in Odisha's Malkangiri district, a senior police officer said on Sunday.

The incident took place at a tribal-populated Palkonda village on Saturday evening over the holding of prayer by a particular group of people in the village, the police officer said.

"The disturbance erupted between the two groups as one majority group asked the other to conduct the prayer in another place on the outskirts of the village, as they had to conduct some puja inside the village. However, the other group objected to it, which led to a heated argument between them," Raj Kishhore Dash, additional superintendent of police (ASP), Malkangiri, told PTI over the phone.

In anger, some people of the majority group removed the asbestos from the roofs of three houses of the other group, he said, adding, "the roofs are being restored by the district administration."

Police Intervention and Investigation

Getting information, a police force, along with senior officers of the district, rushed to the village and restored normalcy in the village, Dash said.

Two platoons of police force (60 personnel) have been deployed in the village, he said.

"We have registered a case against 25 people, including 10 identified individuals, for their alleged involvement in the violence. So far, five of them were arrested while a search is on to nab others," the ASP said.

Peace Efforts

He said that a meeting of the peace committee was held in the village on Sunday in the presence of the representatives of the groups and officers from the district administration.

In the meeting, both groups have agreed to live in peace and harmony with mutual understanding, he stated.
Police in Odisha have launched an investigation into the tragic death of actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee, who drowned during the filming of a Bengali TV serial at Talsari beach, prompting scrutiny of safety protocols and potential negligence.

Photograph: Molly Darlington/Reuters

Key Points Odisha police are investigating the death of actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee, who drowned during a TV serial shoot at Talsari beach.

An FIR has been filed following a complaint from the actor's wife, prompting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

The West Bengal Motion Picture Artists' Forum has accused the serial's producers of negligence, alleging the shoot endangered human lives.

Police will investigate all angles, including potential criminal conspiracy, to determine the cause of the actor's tragic drowning.

The Odisha police have registered an FIR over the death of actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee, who allegedly drowned during a shoot of a Bengali television serial at Talsari beach in Balasore district, officials said on Sunday.

Banerjee, 43, drowned during a TV serial shooting at Talsari beach in Odisha on March 29 by accidentally slipping into seawater. He was declared dead by a doctor at a Digha hospital, where he was taken by his associates, the police said.

An FIR was registered at Talasari Marine police station on Saturday night after receiving a complaint from the actor's wife, a police officer said on Sunday.

The police officer said they will investigate from all angles, including if any criminal conspiracy to the incident and evidence will be collected before coming to a definite conclusion.

Actor's Career and Industry Response

Banerjee rose to fame with the 2008 Bengali film 'Chirodini Tumi Je Amar', directed by Raj Chakraborty, which starred him opposite Priyanka Sarkar and became a major hit.

Banerjee, who had started his career in early 2000, acted in several critically acclaimed Bengali films and TV soaps after the blockbuster success of Chirodini in 2008 and also started hosting a podcast which gained popularity.

The West Bengal Motion Picture Artists' Forum on Saturday had lodged a complaint at the Regent Park police station in Kolkata against the producers in connection with the incident.

Kolkata Police said the complaint was treated as a 'Zero FIR' against the serial's producers, accusing them of conducting the shoot in a "negligent manner" that endangered human lives.
Pakistan asserts significant casualties inflicted upon the Afghan Taliban during Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, highlighting ongoing tensions and diplomatic efforts to address cross-border conflict and terrorism concerns.

IMAGE: People carry the coffin of a victim, who died in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike on a drug rehabilitation centre, during a mass burial, in Kabul, Afghanistan, on March 18, 2026. Photograph: Stringer/Reuters

Key Points Pakistan claims nearly 800 Afghan Taliban fighters killed in Operation Ghazab lil-Haq.

The operation was launched following alleged 'unprovoked firing' by the Afghan Taliban across the border.

Pakistan reports destruction of Taliban posts, vehicles, and equipment in the operation.

Talks are reportedly underway between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban government in Urumqi, China, to resolve the conflict.

Pakistan demands 'visible and verifiable actions' from the Taliban against terrorists operating from Afghan soil.

Pakistan on Sunday said nearly 800 Afghan Taliban terrorists have been killed in the ongoing operation launched by the security forces in Afghanistan.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar shared the latest update on operation Ghazab lil-Haq , giving a summary of the losses suffered by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also called Fitna Al Khawarij (FAK) and Afghan Taliban.

Tarar said that at least 796 Fitna Al Khawarij and the Afghan Taliban personnel have been killed and more than 1,043 injured since the launch of the operation.

He added that 286 Afghan Taliban posts were destroyed and another 44 posts were captured while their 249 tanks, armoured vehicles, artillery guns and drones were destroyed.

Operation Details and Pakistani Response

Operation Ghazab lil-Haq was launched on the night of February 26, following what Pakistan called "unprovoked firing" by the Afghan Taliban from across the border.

The army also effectively targeted 81 terrorists and terrorist support infrastructure locations across Afghanistan by air, Tarar said.

He also said on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, an attempt to attack a border post in Ghulam Khan Sector by Afghan Taliban was comprehensively foiled. Tarar said 37 terrorists were killed and more than 80 injured in the operation.

Diplomatic Efforts and Demands

Pakistan on Thursday said it was holding talks with Afghanistan's Taliban government to end the ongoing conflict while demanding that Kabul must 'demonstrate visible and verifiable actions' against terrorists.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said that talks were being held in the Chinese city of Urumqi between senior officials of the two countries.
The Gujarat ATS has detained a suspect, Bikramjit Singh, allegedly involved in grenade smuggling and linked to a Pakistani gangster working for the ISI, raising concerns about cross-border terrorism.

Photograph: ANI Video Grab

Key Points Bikramjit Singh, linked to a grenade smuggling case and suspected of ISI ties, was detained in Gujarat.

Singh allegedly conspired to attack police stations and security units under the direction of handlers.

The suspect is allegedly connected to Pakistani gangster Shehzad Bhatti and his associate Abid Jutt, involved in supplying grenades.

Singh recruited youths from Punjab into the organised crime network for Bhatti and Jutt.

Bhatti, a Pakistani gangster working for ISI, is orchestrating grenade attacks on security units in Punjab.

The Gujarat ATS and police have detained Bikramjit Singh alias Vicky, an accused linked to a grenade smuggling case in Punjab and suspected to be associated with a Pakistani gangster working for ISI, in Deesa town of the state, officials said on Sunday.

Singh allegedly played a key role in hatching conspiracies to attack police stations and other security units as per his handlers' instructions, the Anti-Terrorist Squad stated.

Based on specific input shared by the Punjab Police, a team of ATS and Banaskantha Police nabbed Singh from Deesa town, where he was working as a labourer at a roadside restaurant, concealing his real identity, according to a release issued by the ATS.

Singh was detained on Saturday and brought to Ahmedabad for further interrogation.

Investigation Uncovers ISI Links

The accused has disclosed his alleged involvement with a network linked to Pakistani gangster Shehzad Bhatti and his associate Abid Jutt during preliminary questioning, officials said.

The interrogation showed Singh, Bhatti, and Jutt were allegedly involved in supplying grenades and executing attacks targeting security agencies.

According to the ATS, Singh, while staying outside Punjab, recruited youths from his home state in the organised crime network for Bhatti and Jutt. He played a key role in hatching conspiracies to attack police stations and other security units as per his handlers' instructions, the ATS stated.

Bhatti is a Pakistani gangster working for Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI. He has carried out terrorist activities for ISI in the Punjab state of India. He is currently orchestrating grenade attacks on security units, police stations and prominent persons in Punjab, the ATS stated.

"In this regard, State Special Operational Cell (SSOC) Amritsar recently registered an offence against him and others under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, and the Arms Act, 1959," said the release.

Officials added that following his detention, Singh alias Vicky, a resident of Amritsar, was handed over to the SSOC Amritsar for further legal action.
Punjab Police successfully dismantled a cross-border drug smuggling module, arresting two individuals and seizing a significant quantity of heroin, disrupting drug trafficking networks.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Punjab Police arrested two individuals involved in cross-border drug smuggling.

Authorities seized 4.13 kg of heroin during the operation.

The arrested individuals had prior criminal records under the NDPS Act and Arms Act.

Investigations revealed direct links to Europe-based handlers and jailed operatives.

Further arrests and recoveries are expected as the investigation continues.

The Punjab Police has busted a cross-border drug smuggling module, arresting two people and recovering 4.13 kg of heroin, a top officer said on Sunday.

Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said both have prior criminal involvement under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Arms Act.

Those arrested have been identified as Atish Suman, 22, a resident of Palahi Gate in Phagwara, Kapurthala, and Sawinder Singh, alias Sundri, 28, a resident of village Boparai Kalan in Amritsar.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused were in direct contact with Europe-based handlers and jailed operatives, facilitating cross-border drug smuggling and distributing consignments across Majha and Doaba regions, he said.

Details of the Arrests and Seizures

Amritsar Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said Atish Suman was arrested with 220 grams of heroin on him.

Further interrogation led to the recovery of an additional 670 grams of heroin, he said.

The commissioner said at Suman's instance, police also arrested his associate, Sawinder Singh, from whom a major recovery of 3.24 kg was made.

The investigation is on, and more arrests and recoveries are likely in the coming days, he added.

A case has been registered under relevant sections of the NDPS Act at Sultanwind Police Station in Amritsar.
Punjab Police successfully dismantled a cross-border drug smuggling operation, arresting two individuals and seizing a significant quantity of heroin, disrupting the flow of narcotics in the region.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Punjab Police dismantled a cross-border drug smuggling module, arresting two individuals.

Authorities seized 4.13 kg of heroin during the operation.

The accused were in contact with Europe-based handlers and jailed operatives.

The drug smuggling network distributed consignments across Majha and Doaba regions.

An investigation is underway to uncover the entire drug network.

Punjab Police has busted a cross-border drug smuggling module, arresting two persons and recovering 4.13 kg of heroin, a senior official said on Sunday.

Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said both the accused have prior criminal involvement under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Arms Act.

Investigation Details

Investigation revealed that they were in direct contact with Europe-based handlers and jailed operatives, facilitating cross-border drug smuggling and distributing consignments across Majha and Doaba regions, Yadav wrote in a post on X.

An FIR has been registered at Amritsar's Sultanwind police station and an investigation is underway to uncover the entire network, he said.
In Rajasthan, a major drug smuggling operation using drones across the Indo-Pak border was foiled, resulting in the seizure of 12 kg of heroin and the detention of four individuals.

Photograph: ANI

Key Points Rajasthan police seize 12 kg of heroin, valued at approximately Rs 60 crore, suspected to be smuggled via drones from across the Indo-Pak border.

Four individuals have been detained in connection with the heroin smuggling operation in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar district.

A joint operation by CID, local police, and the Border Security Force (BSF) led to the detection of drone activity and the recovery of heroin packets.

Preliminary investigations suggest Pakistani smugglers sent the heroin consignment, intended for distribution in Punjab.

Authorities are strengthening anti-drone systems in border areas to combat increasing drone-related smuggling activities.

Security agencies have detained four people and seized around 12 kg of heroin, suspected to have been smuggled from across the Indo-Pak border using drones in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar district, officials said on Sunday.

Superintendent of Police Harishankar said that officials recovered around 12 kg of heroin valued at around Rs 60 crore that has been sent from "cross-border through drones."

The police are interrogating the four detained individuals, he said.

Joint Operation and Drug Seizure

Following specific inputs, CID, local police and the Border Security Force (BSF) launched a joint operation and set up blockades in the border area, they said.

During the operation, they detected drone movement at night and witnessed packets being dropped in Indian territory, they said.

Upon searching the area, personnel recovered around 12 kg of heroin packed in small packets. Two men were initially apprehended at the spot when they arrived to collect the consignment, police said.

Investigation and Anti-Drone Measures

Preliminary investigation suggests the consignment was sent by Pakistani smugglers and was meant to be supplied in Punjab, officials added.

The seizure has prevented a major drug network from spreading, authorities said, adding that anti-drone systems are being strengthened in border areas in view of increasing drone activities.
A security operation is underway in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district as security forces search for suspicious individuals reported by local residents, raising concerns about potential militant activity.

Key Points Security forces initiated a search operation in Samba district, Jammu and Kashmir, after reports of suspicious individuals.

A local resident reported seeing three unidentified persons, one carrying a heavy backpack, near Bedh Khad in the Darui area.

The Special Operations Group, assisted by the Army and paramilitary forces, is conducting the search.

The search operation is ongoing in the village and surrounding areas, with no contact made with the suspects so far.

Security forces on Sunday launched a search operation at a village in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir following reports of movement of three suspicious individuals, officials said.

A resident of Bedh Khad in the Darui area reported spotting three unidentified persons with one carrying a heavy backpack, moving along a dried-up stream under the cover of darkness.

Suspecting them to be terrorists, though no weapons were visible, the Special Operations Group of the local police, assisted by the Army and paramilitary forces, launched a search operation to trace the suspects.

Ongoing Search Efforts

Officials said the search operation was ongoing in the village and adjoining areas, but there had been no contact with the suspected persons so far.
Amidst rising political tensions in West Bengal, the TMC accuses the BJP of orchestrating unrest in Malda and spreading falsehoods about women's safety, while the BJP denies the allegations and promises justice after the upcoming elections.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points TMC accuses BJP of involvement in Malda unrest and violence.

TMC refutes PM Modi's claims about women's safety in West Bengal.

BJP denies TMC's allegations, promising action against wrongdoers after the election.

PM Modi uses Malda incident to highlight alleged lawlessness and demographic change in West Bengal.

Political tensions escalate in West Bengal ahead of elections, with accusations flying between TMC and BJP.

The TMC on Sunday accused the BJP of being involved in the unrest in West Bengal's Malda district, where several judicial officers engaged in scrutiny of under-adjudication voters were gheraoed recently, and charged Prime Minister Narendra Modi with peddling falsehood on women's safety issues.

The ruling party's comments came after the PM made the Malda gherao of judicial officers the centrepiece of the BJP's campaign on alleged lawlessness in the state, claiming that it reflected the TMC's "maha jungle raj".

He framed the assembly polls as a battle between the "bhay" (fear) allegedly spread by the ruling TMC and the BJP's "bharosa" (trust).

TMC MP Kirti Azad, in a statement on X, said, "Modi ji should stop lying we exposed how your B and C teams were involved in Malda violence. From police observer to AIMIM leader - you deployed your entire machinery to create unrest here, and today you are lecturing."

About Modi's allegations regarding the safety of women in the state, TMC's Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghosh said, "We don't need a lecture from a party that is famous for shielding and garlanding rapists."

Senior TMC leader and state education minister Bratya Basu accused the PM of spreading hatred towards the Bengali language.

BJP's Response to Allegations

Rejecting the TMC's allegations, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar said the PM had sent out a clear message that after the election results on May 4, all wrongdoers would face action.

"There will be no politics of intimidation, no more anarchy or lawlessness. This time, West Bengal will see justice, rule of law and a secure future," said Majumdar, also the former state BJP president.

Modi's Campaign in Cooch Behar

Addressing his first election rally in Bengal's Cooch Behar after the poll schedule was announced, Modi used the Malda incident to sharpen the BJP's twin campaign planks of deteriorating law and order and alleged demographic change.

He also invoked the Sandeshkhali incident, infiltration from Bangladesh, corruption and unemployment to mount a broadside against the Mamata Banerjee government.
Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee accuses the central government of deliberately blocking funds to West Bengal in an attempt to punish voters for repeatedly electing the TMC, sparking a political row.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Abhishek Banerjee alleges the central government has blocked over 1 lakh crore in dues to West Bengal to punish voters for supporting the TMC.

Banerjee highlights West Bengal government initiatives like 'Karmashree

Banglar Bari', and 'Lakshmir Bhandar' as alternatives to central schemes.

Banerjee criticises the central government's handling of LPG prices, claiming they have escalated significantly under the current administration.

Banerjee challenges the BJP to a public debate and accuses them of failing to support the export of 'Gobindo Bhog' rice from Purba Bardhaman.

The TMC leader promises to establish cold storage facilities for potatoes and other agricultural products if re-elected.

Senior Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday accused the Narendra Modi government of blocking the state's dues for the past five years to make the poor people of West Bengal starve for voting the TMC to power in successive assembly polls.

Addressing an election rally at Raina in Purba Bardhaman district in support of the party's candidate Mandira Dolui, the TMC national general secretary said that if he is not speaking the truth, let the BJP counter him with proof and send him to jail.

"The Centre has not released more than Rs 1 lakh crore dues for the state's projects. It has done this to make the poor people of West Bengal starve, as they had voted the TMC to power in successive assembly polls," Banerjee said.

However, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee faced the challenge head-on and ran schemes like 'Karmashree' for rural jobs, 'Banglar Bari' for housing and drinking water supply projects with the state's own resources, said the Diamond Harbour MP, the de facto number two in the TMC, which seeks to come to power for the fourth straight term.

"The TMC wants a smile on your face, while Modi wants to see tears in your eyes as you had rejected the BJP in successive polls. Give the anti-Bengal party a befitting reply to such a conspiracy to make you starve," he said.

West Bengal Government Initiatives

Listing the pro-people initiatives by the Mamata Banerjee government, Abhishek Banerjee said 2.4 crore women of Bengal are getting money every month under the 'Lakshmir Bhandar' scheme, and the project will continue.

"In two years, 32 lakh people have been given houses under the Banglar Bari scheme following the blocking of funds under the Centre's PM Awas Yojana to our state. In the next 5 years, our government will ensure all underprivileged persons in the state have a roof over their head," he said.

Banerjee said, "I challenge the BJP to put me in jail if I lie. The BJP is not ready to come for a public debate face-to-face at any place of their choice. I have been repeatedly saying this, but they are scared to face the truth," he said.

Criticism of Central Government Policies

Banerjee accused the BJP of not doing enough to facilitate the export of 'Gobindo Bhog', a unique type of rice grown in Purba Bardhaman district, though the grain has demand outside.

On the LPG crisis, he charged the Centre with aggravating the situation, forcing the common man to shell out Rs 2500-3000 to buy one cylinder -- already priced at Rs 1,000 -- and "making tall claims about mitigating the situation".

"From Rs 400 in 2014, their policy led to the escalation of the LPG price to Rs 1,000. But Modi-ji has no concern. The petrol price has soared from Rs 50 a litre to Rs 100 and will skyrocket after the assembly polls. Mark my words," he said.

The TMC leader assured the people that after coming to power for the fourth time, the government will set up cold storages to preserve potatoes and other agri-products in the agrarian belt.
A truck driver suffered serious injuries after being allegedly assaulted at a hotel in Palghar, Maharashtra, following a dispute over a misplaced truck key, prompting a police investigation and the detention of two hotel managers.

Key Points A truck driver was seriously injured after an alleged assault at a hotel in Palghar following a dispute over a truck key.

The incident occurred at Jai Ambe Hotel on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway, leading to a police investigation.

The truck driver, Danish Khan, sustained serious injuries and is receiving treatment at a private hospital.

Two hotel managers, Manoj Singh and Dinesh Singh, have been detained in connection with the assault.

A 30-year-old truck driver was seriously injured after being allegedly assaulted following a dispute at a hotel along the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway in Maharashtra's Palghar district, a police official said on Sunday.

The incident took place on Saturday evening at Jai Ambe Hotel in the Wada Khadkona area, within the jurisdiction of Manor police station, he said.

Truck driver Danish Khan had stopped at the hotel for lunch. After leaving the premises, he realised that he had forgotten his truck key inside and returned to retrieve it, the official said.

Details of the Assault

"A minor dispute over the key escalated into a physical altercation. The driver was allegedly assaulted by some persons present at the hotel. There are also allegations that petrol was poured on him during the attack," the official said.

Khan sustained serious injuries and was rushed to a private hospital in Manor, where he is currently undergoing treatment, police said.

Police Investigation Underway

Two hotel managers, identified as Manoj Singh and Dinesh Singh, have been detained, the official said, adding that a probe is underway.
A truck driver in Bengaluru allegedly died by suicide after testing positive for drunk driving, prompting a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.

Key Points A truck driver in Bengaluru allegedly committed suicide after testing positive for drunk driving during a police inspection.

The driver's truck was impounded, and he was issued a notice before the alleged suicide.

Police are conducting a detailed investigation into all possible angles surrounding the driver's death.

CCTV and body-worn camera footage reportedly show the driver was in good condition after receiving the notice.

A truck driver allegedly died by suicide after testing positive for drunk driving during a routine police inspection, police said on Sunday.

On Saturday around 11 pm, the traffic police intercepted a Tamil Nadu-registered truck near the Outer Ring Road (ORR) under J P Nagar police station limits for checking.

The driver tested positive for drunk driving, following which the vehicle was impounded, and a notice was issued to him, officials said.

On Sunday morning, police received information that the driver of the same truck had hung himself.

A detailed investigation will look into all angles, police said adding that the deceased person's family has been informed.

"They said CCTV and body-worn camera footage show the driver was in good condition while leaving after receiving the notice," he added.
A youth from Uttar Pradesh has been detained by Delhi Police's Special Cell over suspected terror links and a past connection to a terror-related case in Mumbai, raising concerns about potential ISIS involvement.

Key Points A youth from Kushinagar, UP, has been detained by Delhi Police on suspicion of terror involvement.

Rizwan Ahmad was taken into custody after being flagged in a Special Cell investigation.

Electronic devices belonging to Ahmad have been seized for examination.

Ahmad was previously jailed in Mumbai in connection with another terror-related case.

Authorities are investigating Ahmad's family, contacts, and potential ISIS links.

The Delhi Police's Special Cell has detained a youth from Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar district on suspicion of involvement in terrorist activities and taken him to the national capital, officials said on Sunday.

According to Uttar Pradesh police, the youth, Rizwan Ahmad, of Chhawani area of Padrauna town, came under the scanner during the investigation of a case registered by the Special Cell.

A 10-member team led by Inspector Nishant Dahiya reached Padrauna late Saturday evening and, with assistance from local police, took Ahmad into custody, a senior UP Police officer said.

The Special Cell also seized his mobile phone, laptop and other electronic devices for examination.

No case is registered against him at the local level, Superintendent of Police Keshav Kumar said, adding that information is being gathered about his family members and contacts, while heightened vigilance has been ordered across the district.

Past Terror-Related Charges

According to the UP Police, Ahmad had gone to Mumbai around a decade ago in search of employment; however, he was jailed in Mumbai from 2017 to 2023 after his name cropped up in another terror-related case. Reportedly, explosives were also recovered from his room at that time, in addition to phone records indicating international calls and links with ISIS.
Iran's claim comes after United States President Donald Trump confirmed that the military rescued the second F-15 crew member, who had gone missing after Iran downed the jet amid the West Asia conflict.

IMAGE: A US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft prepares to refuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft during the Operation Epic Fury attack on Iran, over an undisclosed location on April 2, 2026. Photograph: US Air Force/Handout via Reuters

Key Points Iran claims it shot down a US aircraft involved in rescuing a missing F-15 crew member.

The US confirms the second crew member has been rescued, albeit injured.

President Donald Trump calls the mission one of the 'most daring' in US history.

The rescue reportedly involved dozens of heavily armed US aircraft.

Iranian tribesmen allegedly fired at US helicopters during the operation.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Sunday claimed that it had shot down a United States aircraft involved in the rescue operation for a missing F-15 crew member.

According to Al Jazeera, Iran's Fars News Agency shared a photograph showing smoke rising from a field.

US confirms rescue of second crew member

Iran's claim comes after United States President Donald Trump confirmed that the military rescued the second F-15 crew member, who had gone missing after Iran downed the jet amid the West Asia conflict.

In a post on social media platform Truth Social, Trump described it as the 'most daring' search and rescue operation in US military history, stating that the government will 'not leave a warfighter behind'.

He also confirmed that the crew member sustained injuries.

Trump details high-risk rescue operation

Trump said, 'We got him! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring search and rescue operations in US history... This brave warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran... but was never truly alone.'

He added that the US military deployed dozens of aircraft equipped with the 'most lethal weapons' for the mission, especially after local Iranian groups targeted two Black Hawk helicopters.

Trump further noted that this operation followed the successful rescue of another pilot a day earlier, which had not been disclosed earlier to avoid jeopardising the second mission.

Claims of air superiority and zero casualties

Trump asserted that both rescue operations were carried out without any American casualties.

He said this demonstrated 'overwhelming air dominance and superiority' over Iranian skies.

He added that the missions marked the first time in military memory that two US pilots had been rescued separately from deep within enemy territory.

Fire from Iranian groups during search

Both the US and Iran were conducting search operations for the missing crew member.

During these operations, Iranian tribesmen reportedly opened fire on American helicopters, according to CNN.
Congress leader K C Venugopal has initiated a defamation case against a Haryana resident, alleging politically driven accusations designed to undermine his reputation and influence the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections.

Key Points Congress leader K C Venugopal files defamation complaint against Gaurav Kumar for alleged baseless accusations before Kerala Assembly elections.

Venugopal claims the accusations are politically motivated and intended to tarnish his reputation and influence the upcoming elections.

The complaint alleges a 'well-planned conspiracy' to prevent the UDF from winning the April 9 Assembly polls.

The defamation case is filed under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita after the accused failed to respond to a legal notice.

The case follows a separate 'ticket-for-money' FIR involving individuals connected to the Congress party.

Congress leader K C Venugopal has filed a defamation complaint against a Haryana-based man before a court here alleging that baseless and politically motivated accusations were made against him ahead of the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections.

The case was filed against Gaurav Kumar, before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Alappuzha, according to a party statement issued on Sunday.

In his complaint, Venugopal, also the Alappuzha MP, stated that the allegations were raised with clear electoral motives and aimed at tarnishing his reputation and public image.

The AICC general secretary pointed out that the claims pertain to the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections but surfaced only in 2026, raising doubts over their intent and timing, as per the party statement.

The Congress leader further alleged that the accused had publicised the claims through press conferences and disseminated them widely via media outlets and social media platforms.

He also noted that a complaint had already been submitted to the state police chief on February 23, 2026, regarding the matter.

Venugopal claimed that the allegations were part of a "well-planned conspiracy" aimed at influencing the April 9 Assembly polls in the state and preventing the UDF from coming to power.

In the complaint, the senior leader added that the accusations were intended to damage the credibility he had built over years of public service.

The complaint has been filed under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita after the accused failed to respond to a legal notice or withdraw the allegations, it said.

Background: Allegations of "Ticket-for-Money"

The development comes after the Delhi police recently registered an FIR in connection with an alleged "ticket-for-money" case involving persons linked to the Congress.

According to Delhi police, the case stems from a complaint by a Haryana-based man who alleged that he was asked to pay large sums of money to secure an election ticket for his wife.

The complainant claimed that payments were made through multiple bank accounts as well as in cash over a period of time.

Police had said an investigation is underway to verify the claims and examine the financial trail, including bank transactions and cash exchanges.
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US President Donald Trump repeated his threat to strike Iranian infrastructure hard if Tehran does not open the Strait of Hormuz by the evening of April 7, using explosive language hours after announcing that US forces rescued the missing crew member from a downed F-15 fighter jet.

"Tuesday [April 7] will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F****** Strait, you crazy bastards, or youll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP," he wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform.

Trump's timeframe for his latest ultimatum has occasionally shifted during his social media posts and media interviews.

In an interview on April 5 with The Wall Street Journal, Trump said Iran must reopen the strait by the evening of April 7 or "theyre going to lose every power plant and every other plant they have in the whole country.

Later, he posted a cryptic message: "Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time!" without elaboration. The time in Iran would be 3:30 a.m. on April 8. He earlier indicated the deadline was April 6.

However, despite the threats, Trump also said in a Fox News interview that Tehran "is negotiating now" and that he believes there's a "good chance" of reaching a deal by April 6.

Trump said he would hold a news conference on April 6 at 1 p.m.

"I think there is a good chance tomorrow [April 6]. They are negotiating now," Trump said.

"If they don't make a deal and fast, I'm considering blowing everything up and taking over the oil," he added.

Trump also said that the United States had provided weapons to Iranian protesters "through the Kurds. And I think the Kurds kept them. Thousands of Iranians were killed or arrested during mass street demonstrations against the government earlier this year.

A 'Miraculous' Rescue

Earlier in the day, Trump said the F-15E crew member who had been the subject of a frantic search since the jet was downed on April 3 had been safely rescued in what he called a "miraculous" operation.

"We got him," Trump posted on his Truth Social shortly after word of the rescue was made public, saying that the crew member had "sustained injuries, but he will be just fine." Several media outlets reported that the soldier was taken to a hospital in Kuwait.

In a subsequent post, Trump wrote that the crew member had been "seriously wounded," identified him as a colonel, and said he had been rescued "from deep inside the mountains of Iran.

"The Iranian Military was looking hard, in big numbers, and getting close," he added.

The elaborate nighttime operation came one day ahead of a deadline Trump has set for Tehran to make a deal with Washington or open the crucial Strait of Hormuz to shipping.

In his post, Trump said no Americans were killed or wounded during the operations.

"Mission accomplished, a US official told RFE/RL following the April 5 rescue.

Media reports cited unnamed US and regional officials as saying two transport planes that were supposed to be part of the mission failed to leave a remote base in Iran. US officials said the aircraft were destroyed to keep Iran's military from obtaining them.

US Special Operations Forces

The second crew member -- identified as the weapons systems officer (WSO) -- was recovered early on April 5 local time in a complex, multilayered rescue effort involving US Special Operations forces and other military units.

Both crew members ejected when their aircraft was struck during a nighttime mission over southwestern Iran. According to Axios and Fox News, they quickly established contact with US forces using emergency communications equipment.

The WSO reportedly moved away from the wreckage and took cover on elevated terrain, where an emergency beacon was activated to guide rescuers.

US officials said Iranian forces, including members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and affiliated Basij militia units, were actively searching for the downed airman. American rescue teams faced attempts to intercept the operation, and US forces engaged to keep Iranian units at bay.

Ground Fighting

Fox News, citing sources briefed on the mission, reported that fighting occurred on the ground during the rescue, though no US personnel were killed. Videos circulating from local witnesses allegedly show casualties among Iranian forces involved in the search effort.

The operation included elite rescue personnel such as US Air Force Pararescuemen, supported by air and ground assets. Two rescue helicopters were reportedly hit by enemy fire during the mission, with crew members wounded but able to withdraw safely from Iranian territory.

Iranian authorities had also been searching for the crew members and had reportedly offered rewards to civilians who could capture and hand them over.

US officials had warned that the capture of an American crew member by Iranian forces could have sharply escalated tensions and complicated Washingtons broader military objectives in the conflict.

The downed F-15E was described as largely destroyed on impact.

In a related incident, Fox News confirmed that an A-10 Warthog providing cover for the rescue effort crashed on April 3 in Kuwait. The pilot ejected safely and was recovered.

Iranian Military's Account

Iran's military issued a contradictory account and asserted that the US operation was "completely foiled," but it did not provide evidence beyond images it said showed parts of destroyed US aircraft and did not claim that Iran had captured the crew member or directly deny he had been extracted.

In a statement shown in state television, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesman for the Iranian military's central command, said that "two C-130 military transport planes and two Black Hawk helicopters were destroyed" during the course of the US operation.

US officials said two American transport craft were unable to leave a site inside Iran and were destroyed by the US military to prevent them from getting into Iranian hands. The crews were recovered safely, officials said.

Deadline Looms

The second F-15E crew member's rescue came as the deadline set by Trump, who has warned that the US will carry out extensive attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure if it is not met, drew closer.

Iran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 percent of global oil and natural gas supplies normally pass, leading to a worldwide energy crisis and driving up prices.

Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out -- 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them. Glory be to GOD! he wrote on his Truth Social platform on April 4.

Iran has launched missile and drone attacks against Israel and Persian Gulf nations, in some cases targeting US forces or assets, since the war begin with US and Israeli air strikes on Iran on February 28. Numerous attacks have targeted energy infrastructure in Gulf nations.

Among the latest attacks, Kuwaiti state media on April 5 said an Iranian drone hit an office complex for government ministries, causing significant damage but no casualties. Also, Kuwait's electricity and water ministry said two power generation units were shut off after Iranian drones targeted two power and desalination plants, causing substantial damage.

With reporting by Alex Raufoglu, RFE/RL's Radio Farda, Reuters, and AFP
I still remember the first time I saw what bullying in medicine could do to a physician in training. It was not loud at first. It was not always obvious. It came wrapped in authority, tone, pressure, and the quiet threat that a career could be damaged by people in power. A resident nearing her final year of dermatology training was being bullied by program leadership and others in the residency. She was being cornered, undermined, and made to feel small. The message was clear. Stay quiet. Accept it. Do not fight back. I was serving as a psychiatrist for a physician health program at the time. I supported her. I advised her to go above the people who were targeting her and contact the chief executive officer (CEO) of the hospital system, who was himself a dermatologist. He did something rare. He acted. He stood up for her. She completed her residency uneventfully. Today she is a successful dermatologist in the community. I still tell her how proud I am of the courage she showed.

The reality and definition of bullying in medicine

That experience stayed with me because it exposed a truth many physicians know but too few say out loud. Bullying in medicine is real. It is common. It is corrosive. And it survives because too many institutions still protect hierarchy more fiercely than they protect people. I have been practicing for 25 years. I have seen bullying happen to residents, nurses, attending physicians, and medical staff. I have intervened when I could. I have also been bullied myself. In 2013, I was bullied by a hospital CEO who was asking me to provide care and narcotic prescriptions to family members and girlfriends. I refused. I was then fired from my position as department chair. I sued the hospital and received a substantial financial settlement. That experience removed any lingering doubt. Bullying in medicine is not always yelling, insults, or public humiliation. Sometimes it is coercion by a person with power who expects you to violate your ethics and punishes you when you do not.

This is why the profession needs to stop using weak language for strong abuse. Bullying is not a misunderstanding. It is not a personality conflict. It is not leadership. It is not a rite of passage. The American Medical Association (AMA) defines workplace bullying as repeated abusive conduct that is intimidating, humiliating, or threatening, often tied to a real or perceived power imbalance. That definition matters because medicine has a long history of excusing conduct that should have been condemned. The damage reaches far beyond the target. A bullied resident is less likely to ask for help. A bullied physician is less likely to challenge a bad decision. A bullied team becomes a silent team. Silence in medicine is dangerous. When fear enters the room, patient care suffers. The AMA and related literature have made clear that bullying contributes to burnout, depression, anxiety, turnover, and moral injury. It also undermines safety, professionalism, and trust.

Hypocrisy, culture, and the traits of a bully

Medicine loves to talk about wellness. It holds conferences on resilience. It tells physicians to seek support. Yet many organizations still tolerate leaders who intimidate, retaliate, and demean. That is hypocrisy. You do not get to promote wellness while protecting bullies. You do not get to preach professionalism while rewarding abusive behavior from high producers, powerful chairs, or protected executives. The bully also has a recognizable pattern. I am not assigning diagnoses from a distance. I am describing traits physicians see every day. Some bullies show the cold entitlement, manipulation, lack of remorse, and exploitation often associated with antisocial traits. Others split people into allies and enemies, create chaos, react with rage to perceived slights, and resemble patterns seen in borderline pathology. Others are driven by impulse, poor judgment, cravings, and disinhibition that echo addiction. Different styles, same playbook. Control others. Evade accountability. Punish resistance.

Actionable steps to combat bullying in medicine

So, what should physicians do when bullying happens?

First, call it what it is. Bullies thrive when institutions use soft words. If the behavior is repeated, demeaning, threatening, or coercive, name it clearly.

Second, document everything. Dates. Times. Emails. Texts. Witnesses. Exact language. Specific demands. Specific consequences. Memory fades. Documentation does not.

Third, do not stay isolated. Bullying works by making the target feel alone and ashamed. Find people with credibility and courage: a mentor, a department ally, a compliance officer, a board member, an attorney, or a trusted colleague. The resident I supported did not succeed because the bully changed. She succeeded because the truth reached someone willing to act.

Fourth, escalate when necessary. If your immediate supervisor is the problem, go higher. If internal channels are compromised, use external ones. Physicians need to stop assuming the chain of command is sacred when the chain itself is abusive.

Fifth, refuse unethical demands. This is where many physicians freeze because they know the consequences can be severe. Jobs can be lost. Contracts can be threatened. Reputations can be attacked. But our profession is built on duty, not obedience. When someone in power asks you to cross an ethical line, your answer must be no.

The AMA has taken an important stand in recognizing bullying as a systemic issue in medicine and calling for stronger prevention, mitigation, reporting, and accountability. That matters. Policy matters. Language matters. Culture matters. But none of that matters enough if physicians still whisper about bullying in private and stay silent in public. I am now speaking at a conference about bullying because this issue demands more than another committee statement. It demands action. It demands leaders who stop protecting the wrong people. It demands residency programs that stop confusing cruelty with rigor. It demands hospitals that stop treating physician intimidation as a human resources nuisance instead of a moral failure.

If you are being bullied, hear me clearly. Protect your license. Protect your name. Protect your conscience. Write it down. Tell the truth. Escalate it. Get help. Stand your ground. If you are a witness, intervene. Silence is collaboration. If you are a leader, stop asking for anonymous surveys and start building real accountability. Medicine does not need more polished slogans about culture. It needs courage. It needs physicians willing to stand up, speak plainly, and refuse to bow to intimidation. Bullying survives when good people decide the cost of resistance is too high. That is exactly why resistance matters.

Muhamad Aly Rifai is a nationally recognized psychiatrist, internist, and addiction medicine specialist based in the Greater Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. He is the founder, CEO, and chief medical officer of Blue Mountain Psychiatry, a leading multidisciplinary practice known for innovative approaches to mental health, addiction treatment, and integrated care. Dr. Rifai currently holds the prestigious Lehigh Valley Endowed Chair of Addiction Medicine, reflecting his leadership in advancing evidence-based treatments for substance use disorders.

Board-certified in psychiatry, internal medicine, addiction medicine, and consultation-liaison (psychosomatic) psychiatry, Dr. Rifai is a fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP), the American Psychiatric Association (FAPA), and the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (FACLP). He is also a former president of the Lehigh Valley Psychiatric Society, where he championed access to community-based psychiatric care and physician advocacy.

A thought leader in telepsychiatry, ketamine treatment, and the intersection of medicine and mental health, Dr. Rifai frequently writes and speaks on physician justice, federal health care policy, and the ethical use of digital psychiatry.

You can learn more about Dr. Rifai through his Wikipedia page, connect with him on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, or subscribe to his YouTube channel. His podcast, The Virtual Psychiatrist, offers deeper insights into topics at the intersection of mental health and medicine. Explore all of Dr. Rifais platforms and resources via his Linktree.
Serbian military and police officers have found a cache of highly powerful explosives not far from a pipeline that carries Russian natural gas from Turkey to Hungary, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on April 5.

Vucic said that "two large packages of explosives with detonators" were found inside backpacks "a few hundred meters" from the Balkan Stream pipeline in Kanjiza, near the Hungarian border in northern Serbia.

"We have clues.... I just finished talking to [Hungarian Prime Minister] Viktor Orban. It's obvious that geopolitical games will not leave us alone," Vucic said without elaborating. Orban said he had called a unscheduled meeting of the country's defense council.

The incident occurred a week before Hungary's potentially pivotal April 12 parliamentary elections, in which Orban is seeking to extend his 16-year rule and opinion polls showing his party trailing the opposition Tisza party.

It also comes amid tension between Hungary and Ukraine over a separate route for Russian energy supplies, the Soviet-built Druzhba pipeline, which carries Russian oil across Ukraine and into landlocked Hungary and Slovakia.

The pipeline has been idle since it was damaged by a Russian missile in late January, with Budapest and Bratislava accusing Kyiv of delaying repairs for political reasons -- an allegation Ukraine denies.

Orban, whose sympathy for Russia puts him at odds with most of the rest of the EU over Moscow's war against Ukraine, raised the security level around Hungary's energy infrastructure in February. His government has claimed Ukraine is trying to trigger an energy crisis ahead of the elections.

Vucic praised Serbia's intelligence agencies and said: "We think we know which group the individuals who were supposed to take that final step in activating the explosives belong to. The intention was to send a political message. We will severely punish anyone we catch." He did not name or allude to any specific group.

Balkan Stream is an extension of the Turkstream pipeline. On March 19, the Serbian Army heightened security at the compressor station on the pipeline in Zabari, in eastern Serbia, after Vucic announced that the facility would be guarded by the military for security reasons due to the situation in the Middle East.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP
Ukraine has kept up its attacks on Russian oil export and production infrastructure, hitting facilities in two regions, while widespread Russian drone attacks on Ukraine killed at least one civilian overnight and fighting persisted at the front, officials said.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Syria on April 5 for talks with his Syrian counterpart, Ahmed al-Sharaa, as Kyiv looks to highlight the military expertise it has gained after more than four years of war.

The August 5 attacks came at a time when US-led negotiations to end Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which has now passed the 1,500-day mark, have been stalled amid the US-Israeli war with Iran.

Ukrainian drones struck Primorsk, a key Russian oil export hub on the Baltic Sea, and the NORSI oil refinery in the Nizhny Novgorod region, near the Volga River east of Moscow, Ukrainian drone forces commander Robert Brovdi said.

Leningrad region Governor Aleksandr Drozdenko initially said a pipeline at Primorsk was damaged but retracted that in a subsequent Telegram post and said a fuel reservoir in the port area was damaged by shrapnel.

A fire broke out at NORSI, Russia's fourth-largest oil refinery, after two facilities there were hit during a drone attack, the Nizhny Novgorod region's governor, Gleg Nikitin, said on Telegram.

Ukraine has stepped up drone attacks on Russian oil facilities in recent weeks, curtailing exports and hampering Moscow's capacity to take advantage of a spike in global energy prices prompted by the Iran war and Tehran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Primorsk was also hit on March 23.

The Russian Defense Ministry said on April 5 that air defense systems had downed five guided bombs and 293 Ukrainian drones in the previous 24 hours.

The Ukrainian Air Force said Ukrainian defenses had neutralized 76 Russian attack drones fired since the previous evening, and that 17 others had hit at 10 different locations, while fragments of downed drones struck three locations.

One person was killed and a 60-year-old woman was badly wounded in a drone attack in Nikopol, a city in the Dnipropetrovsk region, regional head Oleksandr Hanzha said on Telegram. Authorities said five people were killed in a drone strike on a market in Nikopol on April 4.

An apartment building and other civilian infrastructure was damaged in the southern Odesa region, a frequent target of Russian attacks, and the Poltava region was also among those hit.

Fighting continued on several sections of the front in eastern and southern Ukraine, with Russian forces mounting dozens of attacks, the Ukrainian military said.

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, eight years after seizing control of the Crimean Peninsula and fomenting war in the Donbas, which comprises the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine.

Russia now occupies about 20 percent of Ukraine's territory and is demanding Kyiv cede the portion of the Donetsk region that Moscow's forces have failed to capture in years of heavy fighting.

Control over the Donbas is one of the main sticking points in US-brokered efforts to end the war.

Several rounds of US-Ukraine-Russia talks have taken place over the last several months, but no trilateral or bilateral Ukraine-Russia meetings have been held since before the Iran war began on February 28.

Zelenskyy has visited several countries in the Middle East that are dealing with incoming drones and missiles fired by Iran in retaliation for US-Israeli air strikes in the war.

"Today in Damascus. We continue our active Ukrainian diplomacy aimed at real security and economic cooperation," Zelenskyy said on Telegram.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP
Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB) hosted its annual celebration of the arts at Galway Community College, bringing together students, staff and guests to celebrate creativity across the region.

Now in its third year, the event continues to grow, with over 700 student entries received in 2026 and over 75 awards presented on the day.

Attendees were treated to a vibrant programme of performances from talented students across GRETB Community National Schools and post primary schools throughout Galway and Roscommon, including Sean Nos dancing, piano and drum solos, traditional and contemporary music, ceili performances and group bands.

The event was guided by MCs and arts committee members Emma Ryan (Colaiste an Eachreidh) and John Cleary (Merlin College), ensuring a warm and engaging celebration throughout the morning. A personalised video message from Minister Naughton, Department of Education and Youth, officially opened the event, congratulating all students and schools on their creativity and commitment to the arts.

Isaac Fernandes de Pina from Roscommon Community College performing at the ceremony.

GRETB Chief Executive David Leahy closed the awards ceremony with an uplifting address, acknowledging the outstanding talent of the students and the dedication of staff who nurture and support artistic expression across GRETB schools.

Special thanks were also extended to the students of Galway Community College, who ensured the event ran smoothly, and to Music Generation Galway City for their continued support.

The celebration of the arts highlights the central role creativity plays in education and showcases the richness and diversity of talent across the GRETB school community.
The Micia Roman fort

The Micia Roman fort is located in Hunedoara County (west) on the left bank of Mures River, just a stone's throw away from the modern road and rail corridor linking Deva to Arad.

Sergiu Celibidache (1912-1996)

Ion Puican, 05.04.2026, 14:00

Established in the 2nd century AD within the Roman province of Dacia, the fort served a vital strategic node: it controlled the road connecting central Transylvania to the west of the province and monitored traffic along Mures Valley, a key area for the defense and administration of the Roman frontiers. An active civilian settlement grew around the military fortification, featuring organized streets, thermal baths, workshops, temples and a small amphitheater used for military drills, spectacles and public gatherings.

Dr. Mihaela Simion, an archaeologist and the acting deputy director of the National Museum of Romanian History (MNIR), explains the significance of this fort within the defense system of Roman Dacia:

The fort was very important. First and foremost, Micia was the key to defending the western frontier of the Roman province of Dacia. It is an absolutely unique site for several reasons. First  its extraordinary position, here in the Mures Valley, right where the entrance to the province is narrowed by the so-called Branisca Gorge, which provided the Romans with an incredible strategic advantage. To this day, we follow the same ancient communication corridors that have been active since prehistory  its where we build our roads. This is exactly the case with Micia. It sits on one of the great European arteries that connects regions. In fact, both the railway built by the Austrians and the modern European highway effectively cut the site in two, passing right through its center. Naturally, the Romans settled there in the Mures Valley for strategic reasons. Due to its position at the edge of the Empire, the Romans brought in a formidable military force early on. We know from stamped bricks discovered over the years that several Roman military units were stationed at Micia, some arriving as early as Trajans Dacian Wars. However, very early on, Micia became home to a famous and decorated military unit: a group of Syrian archers. It became the base for the celebrated Cohors II Flavia Commagenorum. Over the years, given its strategic importance, two more units were brought in: a cavalry unit and, later, what you might call the special forces of the Roman Empire, a unit of Moors. There was an extraordinary military density at Micia. But beyond its military role, people often wonder why Micia looks like a citya Roman city in every sense of the word. What else made Micia important? It was a vital customs point for entering the Empire. It was the gateway to luxury, if you will. It was the zone through which goods flowed, coming in from the West and heading toward the East. It was a major taxation point. Consequently, alongside the military barracks, there were the soldiers families and a whole host of service providers who came to support the troops. This led to the development of a market town that would eventually gain the legal status of a Pagus. Micia is one of the few pagi attested in the epigraphic record.

Daily life at Micia meant the coexistence of soldiers, merchants, craftsmen and their families, in a space where goods, ideas and influences from many corners of the Roman Empire circulated. The numerous inscriptions discovered here speak of a community intensely connected to the Roman world. Archaeological research has brought to light an extremely rich inventory: Latin inscriptions, votive altars, ceramic fragments, coins, weapons, military accessories and jewelry. Pieces related to religious life are special: reliefs dedicated to the god Mithras, statues and altars that show that Roman military traditions and spiritual practices brought by soldiers from various provinces of the empire coexisted here. Mihaela Simion tells us about the Micia archaeological site of today, coordinated by the MNIR:

For me personally, Micia was a great challenge. It still is. As I tried, like any archaeologist, not to understand the objects as much as the hand that created them. Because, essentially, thats what were looking for through archaeology. Of course, the objects are welcome to be admired, but the role of archaeology is to understand the humanity behind them, the Phenomena. Thats what were looking for. I say that at this moment, Micia, with all the troubles that this site has gone through, apart from the fact that its an archeological site of the National Museum of History of Romania, we tried to make it an archeological training site. A monument, if its not valued by a community, if the community doesnt assume it and if its not part, if you like, of the identity of that community, becomes a simple selfish act of fundamental research and thats it. Those who love the history of the Roman Empire find in Micia a fragment of provincial life, maybe not the splendor of the central areas, but we are here, on the edge of the empire and we have signs, faces, and love stories from here, from the edge of the empire.

Today, Micia remains one of the sites where stone preserves the memory of a vanished world: a place where military discipline, civil life, trade and the rhythm of the Roman Empire built a community. Its ruins tell not only the story of a fortification, but also of a frontier transformed into a space of culture, exchange and historical continuity. (VP & MS)
April 5, 2026

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsflash

Newsroom, 05.04.2026, 14:00

PALM SUNDAY  Orthodox Christians, as well as Greek Catholics, including those in Romania, a predominantly Orthodox country, celebrate Palm Sunday today. On Palm Sunday, people go to church to bless willow branches that they place at windows, doors or gates. The willow branches are reminiscent of the date and olive branches with which Jesus Christ was welcomed in Jerusalem. For Orthodox Christians, Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the last week of Lent. During Passion Week, Christians prepare to celebrate the Resurrection of the Savior, which will take place on April 12. Nearly 1.8 million Romanians celebrate their name day today. Also today, Roman Catholic and Protestant Christians celebrate Easter. At the Vatican, in the presence of over 10,000 believers, Pope Leo XIV celebrated, for the first time in his pontificate, the Easter Vigil on Easter Sunday in St. Peters Basilica at the Vatican, an occasion on which he once again talked about peace.  Even today there are tombs to be opened, and often the stones sealing them are so heavy and so closely guarded that they seem to be immovable. Some weigh heavily on the human heart, such as mistrust, fear, selfishness and resentment; others, stemming from these inner struggles, sever the bonds between us through war, injustice and the isolation of peoples and nations. Let us not allow ourselves to be paralyzed by them! said the Pontiff.

MESSAGE  Romanian President Nicusor Dan has conveyed messages to Roman Catholic Christians celebrating Easter and Orthodox Christians celebrating Palm Sunday. The Resurrection reconnects us to the deep values of humanity  compassion, responsibility for our fellow human beings and solidarity. These are the values on which we want to continue building a free society, in which we all live together in peace, said Nicusor Dan. He emphasized that, for those celebrating Palm Sunday, the Lords entry into Jerusalem heralds Easter and symbolically reminds us of the importance of forgiveness and balance, of sacrifice and devotion to others.

SECURITY  As many as 24,000 employees of the Ministry of Interior  police officers, gendarmes, fire-fighters and border police in Romania are making sure that celebrations occasioned by Palm Sunday and Catholic Easter unfold smoothly. They will prevent incidents and efficiently manage operational situations, especially in crowded areas. Special attention is paid to places of worship and religious events, as specified by the Ministry of Interior.

NATO  Romanias NATO membership remains the foundation of national security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes in a message on the occasion of the 77th anniversary of the signing of the Washington Treaty, the founding act of the Alliance. According to a press release, the Ministry marks, on Sunday, the North Atlantic Alliance Day in Romania and specifies that the country remains a firm supporter of the transatlantic relationship, an essential pillar of Euro-Atlantic security. Bucharest promotes a stronger Europe in NATO, capable of truly contributing to the collective defense and resilience of the Euro-Atlantic area, the press release says. For Romania, being part of an Alliance based on guarantees of collective defense, allied solidarity and military interoperability is the strongest strategic anchor, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says. NATO Day is marked in Romania on the first Sunday of April.

GENDARMES  Romanian Gendarmerie Day is marked today in the Carol I Park in Bucharest, through a series of events dedicated to the general public. These include demonstration exercises, exhibitions and artistic events, according to the Gendarmerie. The program includes a cross-country race dedicated to the Gendarmerie, as well as spectacular demonstrations with horses and service dogs. Equipment used in special interventions, including those of divers and paratroopers, is also presented. An exhibition of period military uniforms, as well as a promenade music concert will also take place. The events mark 176 years since the founding of the Romanian Gendarmerie.

WAR  White House leader Donald Trump has warned Iran that the deadline he gave it to reopen the Strait of Hormuz expires on Monday. The US president has previously threatened to bomb Iranian power plants and infrastructure if Tehran does not reopen the strait. Sources quoted by Reuters say that Israel is ready to bomb Irans energy infrastructure, but is waiting for the green light from the Americans. The right-wing Israeli publication Israel Hayom even writes that there is a plan to bomb various sectors of the oil industry, as well as road and transport infrastructure, in order to cut off the Revolutionary Guards sources of funding and to strangle Iran economically, which it hopes will increase economic pressure on the regime. Iran responded to Donald Trumps threats by broadcasting that the entire region will become a living hell for Americans and Israelis. Tehran has previously threatened to strike targets related to energy infrastructure, as well as data centers and desalination plants. Some such targets have been bombed, targeting energy and desalination facilities in Kuwait. Israel has also been the target of Iranian attacks. (EE)
April 5, 2026 UPDATE

A roundup of local and international news.

Newsflash

Newsroom, 05.04.2026, 20:00

PALM SUNDAY  Orthodox Christians and Greek Catholics, including those in Romania, a predominantly Orthodox country, celebrated Palm Sunday. People went to church to bless willow branches, reminiscent of the date and olive branches with which Jesus Christ was welcomed in Jerusalem. For Orthodox Christians, Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the last week of Lent. During Passion Week, Christians prepare to celebrate the Resurrection of the Savior, which will take place on April 12. Almost 1.8 million Romanians celebrated their name day on Sunday. Also on Sunday, Roman Catholic and Protestant Christians celebrated Easter. At the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV called on those who have the power to start wars, to choose peace. It was the Popes first Easter message  the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing  on the occasion of the most important holiday in the Catholic calendar, overshadowed this year by the conflict in the Middle East, press agencies reported. The Pontiff denounced the indifference in the face of war and its consequences. We are growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it, and becoming indifferent. Indifferent to the deaths of thousands of people, Pope Leo told a crowd of faithful in St Peters Square.

MESSAGE  Romanian President Nicusor Dan conveyed messages to Roman Catholic Christians celebrating Easter and Orthodox Christians celebrating Palm Sunday. The Resurrection reconnects us to the deep values of humanity  compassion, responsibility for our fellow human beings and solidarity. These are the values on which we want to continue building a free society, in which we all live together in peace, said Nicusor Dan. He emphasized that, for those celebrating Palm Sunday, the Lords entry into Jerusalem heralds Easter and symbolically reminds us of the importance of forgiveness and balance, of sacrifice and devotion to others.

NATO  Romanias NATO membership remains the foundation of national security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) said in a message occasioned by the 77th anniversary of the signing of the Washington Treaty, the founding document of the Alliance. Bucharest promotes a stronger Europe in NATO, capable of truly contributing to the collective defense and resilience of the Euro-Atlantic area, MAE said in a press release. In a message on the same occasion, President Nicusor Dan stated that Romanias path to NATO was built on the deep desire to be part of an area of democracy, freedom and the rule of law. In turn, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said that, for Romania, NATO means, today, security, stability and trust. He added that Romania will continue to invest in defense, modernize its army and consolidate its role as a trusted partner on the Eastern Flank, actively contributing to Euro-Atlantic security. NATO Day is celebrated in Romania on the first Sunday of April.

GENDARMES  Romanian Gendarmerie Day was marked on Sunday in the Carol I Park in Bucharest, through a series of events dedicated to the general public. These included demonstration exercises, exhibitions and artistic events, according to the Gendarmerie. The program included a cross-country race dedicated to the Gendarmerie, as well as spectacular demonstrations with horses and service dogs. Equipment used in special interventions, including those of divers and paratroopers, was also presented. An exhibition of period military uniforms, as well as a promenade music concert also took place. The events marked 176 years since the founding of the Romanian Gendarmerie.

WAR  US President Donald Trump threatened Iran on Sunday to hit its power plants and bridges on Tuesday if it does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz, France Presse reports. He had previously given Iran several ultimatums, which he then postponed, saying he did so to allow negotiations that he claimed were underway, with his latest ultimatum expiring on April 6. Iran, however, denied any negotiations with Washington, saying that what the US presents as negotiations are merely exchanges of messages through intermediaries such as Pakistan. After one of Trumps ultimatums, Iran responded that the Strait of Hormuz was open to all ships, except those with ties to Irans enemies. According to Tehran, if the US president carries out his threat, this strait will be completely closed and Iran will strike regional energy installations, American economic interests in the region and vital infrastructure, the latter being a reference to seawater desalination plants. (EE)
Singapore will on Monday release February figures for retail sales. Highlighting a very light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. In January, sales were up 6.1 percent on month and down 0.4 percent on year.

Finally, the in Taiwan, China and Hong Kong are closed on Monday for Tomb-Sweeping Day; Thailand for Chakri Day; and Australia and New Zealand for Easter Monday.

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Factors like upcoming stricter CAFE 3 norms and the need to improve production efficiency could have influenced Innova Crystas future prospects

Since its launch in 2016, the Toyota Innova Crysta has been a popular choice. In several months, it even emerged as Toyotas top-selling car in India. However, with the upcoming CAFE 3 norms, it will become challenging to sustain diesel, ladder-frame vehicles. Toyota will discontinue the Innova Crysta in early 2027, reveals a new report. To fill the demand of Crysta, Toyota will launch a more affordable, stripped-down version of the Innova Hycross Hybrid. This will be especially beneficial for fleet operators.

Hycross Hybrid to replace Crysta

A significant percentage of Toyota Innova Crysta sales come from fleet operators. The MPV is preferred for its hassle-free operations, durability and relatively low maintenance and running costs. Other factors include spacious interiors, rugged build for Indian conditions and high resale value. Toyota Innova Crysta is currently available at a starting price of Rs 18.85 lakh.

In comparison, the Innova Hycross petrol base variant is priced at Rs 18.33 lakh. In terms of pricing, the base variant of Innova Hycross petrol seems like a good replacement for the Crysta. However, the Toyota Innova Hycross petrol may not appeal to fleet operators due to higher running costs. In real-world conditions, the Hycross petrol has a mileage of around 10 km/l.

Crysta is preferred since it has relatively higher mileage. This is of critical importance to fleet operators. Diesel also works out cheaper, which can boost savings for fleet operators with high daily usage and regular long-distance tours. Innova Hycross Hybrid can be a better choice for fleet operators, as it has real-world mileage of around 14-15 km/l. It can serve as a replacement for the Crysta.

However, Hycross Hybrid has a much higher starting price of Rs 26.30 lakh. Thats a difference of close to Rs 7.50 lakh, as compared to the base variant of Crysta diesel. To fix this gap, Toyota could be working on an affordable version of the Hycross Hybrid. The new base variant of Hycross Hybrid could focus on essential features, while dropping premium options.

Economies of scale, potential GST cut

By replacing the ladder-frame Crysta with the monocoque Hycross Hybrid, Toyota will no longer have to maintain two different chassis lines. This will help improve production efficiency and overall business operations. Achieving compliance with upcoming stricter emission norms will also become easier with a petrol hybrid powertrain. The per-unit cost of battery and motor used in hybrid variants could also be reduced, as Crystas sales volumes shift entirely to the Hycross Hybrid.

While there is no clear indication, hybrid cars could be taxed at a lower GST rate in the future. If that happens, switching to the Innova Hycross Hybrid will become even more affordable for fleet operators. Hycross is currently the second bestselling Toyota car in India, contributing close to 20% to the brands monthly sales.

Source
Crystal Harris and James Ward have tied the knot.

Hugh Hefner's wife Crystal Harris weds again

The former Playboy model - who was previously married to Playboy founder Hugh Hefner from 2012 until his death in 2017  eloped with Ward to Aitutaki, one of the Cook Islands, where they wed on Thursday (02.04.26).

Crystal, 39, told PEOPLE: We chose the Cook Islands because of how remote it is. There are no big chain hotels, which makes it feel incredibly peaceful and authentic. Its also home to one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world. Since James and I both love the ocean and nature it felt like the perfect place for us to start this chapter of our lives."

Crystal and James decided on a simple wedding with no guests.

She explained: "Because the wedding is small, it allowed us to focus on the meaningful details rather than managing a large event. We didnt want a huge production. We wanted something quiet and personal where we could really be present with each other and the moment.

Marriage means choosing each other every day and building a life based on trust, support, and partnership.

And James, 42, said he feels like the luckiest guy alive after tying the knot with Crystal.

He said: Crystals heart, specifically for me and all non-human living things, is a thing to behold. All creatures, great and small are bestowed a generosity and kindness, the likes of which Ive never seen. Shes the classiest, brainiest, most adventure-seeking partner I could have ever hoped to find. My life is now better in every way, and I feel like the luckiest guy alive that I get to spend my life with her."

The couple  who met through mutual friends in Hawaii in 2024 - shared their first dance to Safe With Me by Ike Dweck.

Crystal said: That song perfectly represents us. Its the first time in my life Ive truly felt safe and protected in a relationship. He is incredibly supportive and grounding [and makes me feel] "safe, encouraged, and free to be completely [myself]."

Meanwhile, Crystal previously claimed she only loved her first husband Hugh Hefner - who died in 2017 aged 91 - like an elderly relative.

She wrote in her memoir Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself: Life in the (Playboy) mansion wasnt the fairy tale I had once hoped it would be.

From the outside, sure, it had all the trappings of a fairy tale. But it wasnt, and everyone who lived there knew it.

I was never in love with Hef, but I loved this old man in the ways you are supposed to love your elders.

In the ways you are supposed to love someone who is nearing the end of a long and complicated life.

She said she was so worried about keeping him happy she lost all sense of self and became whatever he wanted.

After a series of surgeries, Crystal announced in 2022 she had everything fake removed from her body.

She also reflected on the "really big power imbalance" of her marriage.

She told PEOPLE magazine: "I was dealing with a really big power imbalance. It seemed like a world of success and fantasy, but everyones having to sleep with an 80 year old. Theres a price. Everything has a price.
22:19 Delhi bans sale of LPG directly from godowns The Delhi government on Sunday announced a strict ban on the sale of LPG cylinders directly from godowns and warned of tough action against violations.In an official statement, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said LPG supply is being closely monitored to prevent a crunch and ensure compliance with... Read more >

21:23 Trump to address press on Monday after rescue of downed F-15 pilot United States President Donald Trump on Sunday announced that he will address the press on Monday at 1 pm from the Oval Office, alongside military officials, following what he described as a high-risk and extraordinary rescue operation deep inside Iran to retrieve a US service member who was part... Read more >

21:06 Illiterate people in Gujarat...: Kharge sparks row Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday made an apparent controversial statement, during his assembly poll campaign speech in Idukki, calling the people of Gujarat as 'illiterate' who, according to him were being 'fooled' by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.At the same time, Kharge said... Read more >

21:04 Modi makes 33 pc quota pitch to Bengal's women voters Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies would start benefiting them from the 2029 parliamentary polls, as he sought to weaken West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's strongest electoral... Read more >

20:50 Nepal announces two-day weekly holiday amid fuel crunch Nepal on Sunday announced two days of weekly holidays for government offices and academic institutions in the wake of fuel supply crunch caused by the conflict in West Asia.The Council of Ministers decided to provide Saturday and Sunday as weekly holidays, in a meeting held on Sunday at... Read more >

20:00 Hormuz passage closed to our enemies only: Iran Stating that the source of the global energy disruption is Israel-US war against Iran, Dr Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, representative of Iran's Supreme Leader in India, said on Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz is closed for Tehran's enemies and other countries are 'free to pass' through it.In an... Read more >

19:51 Shah reaches out to Kerala Christian community on Easter Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday reached out to the Christian community on the occasion of Easter, requesting them to stand with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance and help it form a government in Kerala where assembly elections will be held on April 9. Shah,... Read more >

19:29 RS polls cross-voting: Haryana Cong disciplinary panel recommends suspension of 5 MLAs Haryana Congress' Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC) recommended suspension of the five party MLAs who allegedly cross-voted during last month's Rajya Sabha elections.After the committee met here on Friday evening, its chairman, Dharampal Malik, had told mediapersons that the panel would prepare... Read more >

18:51 Govt steps up LPG supply, urges calm amid Hormuz concerns Sale of small 5-kg LPG cylinders -- available across-the-counter at LPG distributorships on showing valid ID proofs -- has been stepped up, with about 6.6 lakh bottles sold since March 23 as the government ramps up supplies to meet demand.Unlike the subsidised domestic 14.2-kg cylinders, the 5 kg... Read more >

18:45 Open the fu*** Strait, you crazy b**ds: Trump to Iran United States President Donald Trump has renewed his threat to strike key infrastructure in Iran, including power plants and bridges, if the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz is not reopened to global shipping.In a strongly worded social media post on Sunday, Trump warned that Iran would face... Read more >

18:33 Air India suspends flights to Israel till May 31 Amid the ongoing war in West Asia, Air India has suspended its flights to Israel till May 31.An Air India executive confirmed to PTI that the airline has suspended flights on the New Delhi-Tel Aviv route till May 31.Most of the leading airlines have suspended their operations on the Tel Aviv... Read more >

18:26 Baramati bypoll: Sunetra Pawar seeks Cong support Maharashtra Deputy CM and Nationalist Congress Party president Sunetra Pawar on Sunday dialled state Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal and urged him to ensure an unopposed bypoll to the Baramati assembly segment, which she is contesting.However, sources in the Congress indicated that the party... Read more >

17:07 Oman, Iran start talks on opening Strait of Hormuz The foreign ministry of Oman on Sunday stated that the Sultanate and the Islamic Republic of Iran have initiated discussions on ensuring the smooth flow of maritime transit through the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz amid prevailing regional conflict, which is currently in its second... Read more >

17:05 Iran Speaker shares pic of downed jet Photo: @mb_ghalibaf/X Iran's Parliament Speaker M B Ghalibaf on Sunday shared images of destroyed aircraft and said that the US would be ruined if it were victorious in this manner.'If the United States gets three more victories like this, it will be utterly ruined,' he said in a post on X.Iran's Military on Sunday... Read more >

15:58 Sarma vows action against AJP nominee for eating beef Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said he will take action against the parents of Assam Jatiya Parishad candidate Kunki Chowdhury for allegedly consuming beef and uploading a picture of it on social media. Chowdhury (27), who is making her electoral debut from the Guwahati Central... Read more >

15:25 Strikes on Iran may cause nuclear mishap: WHO chief Director-General of the World Health Organisation Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Sunday raised alarm over the safety of nuclear facilities in Iran.Ghebreyesus said that a strike could trigger a nuclear accident, with health impacts that would devastate generations.In a post on X, he said, 'I join... Read more >

15:09 Marooned crew in Persian Gulf plea for aid There are roughly 2,000 ships stuck in the Persian Gulf with more than 20,000 seafarers on them, according to the International Maritime Organisation, as quoted by the Wall Street Journal.Most ships remain stuck on board for over a month, because fewer than 200 ships have managed to skim through... Read more >

15:00 Iranian drones strike Bahrain's petrochemical firm Iranian drones struck the Bahraini Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company on Sunday, leading to fire in several operational units, Al Jazeera reported.Al Jazeera, citing Bahrain News Agency, reported the fire was later brought under control, and no casualties were reported in the incident.Damage... Read more >

13:45 Mpox outbreak in Pakistan: 4 infected infants dead Seven infants, four of whom tested positive for mpox, have died in southeastern Pakistan, in what health officials described on Sunday as the country's first local outbreak of the infectious viral disease.The mpox cases were reported in Sindh province's Khairpur town.A spokesperson for the health... Read more >

13:29 Nitish Kumar to take oath as Rajya Sabha MP on April 10 Incumbent Chief Minister and Janata Dal-United chief Nitish Kumar is set to formally take the oath as a Rajya Sabha MP on April 10, confirmed Bihar Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sanjay Saraogi on Sunday.Following the oath-taking ceremony, Saraogi outlined the roadmap for the new cabinet... Read more >

13:12 Like Zubeen Garg, Cong works to unite people: Rahul Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said the philosophy of his party is that of the celebrated musician Zubeen Garg, who worked his entire life to unite Assam.Addressing an election rally in Assam's Biswanath district, he alleged that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is the 'most corrupt CM'... Read more >

11:24 DMK MP Raja issues legal notice to YouTube channel over audio clip Senior Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader A Raja has issued a legal notice to a YouTube channel over a controversial audio clip attributed to him, claiming the recording is a fraudulent creation involving artificial intelligence and selective editing. He also criticised AIADMK general... Read more >

11:22 Kerala polls: Illegal kit distribution in Thrissur; police register, start probe File image The police have registered a case and launched an investigation in connection with illegal distribution of household kits in parts of Thrissur city on April 4, the Election Commission said on Sunday.The case was registered after an Election Flying Squad intercepted the unauthorised distribution... Read more >

11:14 Fire guts dozen houses in UP's Sitapur, two women killed Two women were killed while a seven-year-old girl sustained burn injuries after a fire broke out in a house and spread to nearly a dozen adjoining dwellings amid strong winds in Uttar Pradesh's Sitapur district, officials said on Sunday.District magistrate Rajaganapathi R said the incident... Read more >

11:09 Three militants arrested in Manipur Three militants have been arrested in Imphal East and West districts of Manipur, while 16 IEDs have been seized in a separate operation near the India-Myanmar border, a police statement said on Sunday.Three cadres of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (PWG) outfit have been apprehended from... Read more >

10:38 Iran war pinching US; gas prices, transport costs surge File image The war against Iran has started to impact Americans, with Amazon announcing a fuel surcharge for its e-commerce deliveries and some airlines hiking fees for checked-in baggage to offset higher fuel costs. The average price of petrol in the US has increased to $4.09 a gallon on Friday, up... Read more >

10:32 Modi greets people on Easter Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday greeted people on Easter, wishing that the teachings of Jesus Christ inspire all to be kind and strengthen the spirit of togetherness in society. Greetings on Easter. This sacred day celebrates hope and renewal. May it bring peace, joy and brightness to... Read more >

10:29 Bengal polls: Ex-BJP state chief Dilip Ghosh declares assets worth Rs 2 cr Senior West Bengal BJP leader and the party's candidate from Kharagpur Sadar constituency, Dilip Ghosh, has declared total assets of around Rs 2 crore, up from his net worth of Rs 1.82 crore divulged during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, which he had unsuccessfully contested from the... Read more >

10:13 Cong files defamation case against Haryana man over 'false allegations' Congress leader KC Venugopal has filed a defamation complaint against a Haryana-based man before a court in Alappuzha alleging that baseless and politically motivated accusations were made against him ahead of the upcoming Kerala assembly elections. The case was filed against Gaurav Kumar,... Read more >

09:56 Trump confims rescue of missing F-15 crew member An F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet./US Air Force/Handout via Reuters US President Donald Trump has confirmed the safe rescue of the missing F-15 crew member, who went missing after Iran downed the jet amid the West Asia conflict.Trump revealed about the rescue of the crue member in a post on his social media platform Truth Social.WE GOT HIM! My fellow Americans,... Read more >

09:11 'Massive strike' in Iran 'terminated' military leaders: Trump File image US President Donald Trump has claimed that a significant number of Iranian military officials were killed during a massive strike conducted in Tehran.The President made the assertion via his latest post on Truth Social on Saturday (US local time), where he also shared a video purportedly showing... Read more >

09:02 Tamil Nadu: Rs 11 lakh cash seized from DMK functionary's house File image Nearly Rs 11 lakh in cash was seized from the residence of a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) functionary in Tiruchirappalli, following information that the money was allegedly meant for distribution to voters in the Srirangam Assembly Constituency ahead of the upcoming elections.Tamil Nadu is set... Read more >

08:57 Raghav Chadha deleted X posts critical of Modi, BJP: AAP leader Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj on Saturday claimed that party MP Raghav Chadha has deleted his earlier posts on X that were critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. He also claimed that the Rajya Sabha MP's posts shared by AAP leaders had also disappeared from his... Read more >

08:32 UP: Four held in Bahraich for printing fake currency The police arrested four members of a gang involved in printing counterfeit currency here, an official said on Saturday. Superintendent of police Vishwajeet Srivastava said the accused were nabbed from the Khairighat area during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday following a... Read more >

08:23 Families of AI171 crash victims seek release of black box data, write to PM Ten months after the tragic Air India plane crash that killed 260 persons, bereaved families of the victims have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the release of the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and black box data. Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 aircraft en route to... Read more >

08:18 Drone attack triggers fire at Kuwait's oil sector complex; no injuries A drone attack has triggered a fire at the Shuwaikh Oil Sector Complex, Al Jazeera reported on Sunday, citing Kuwaiti state media. Emergency services were immediately deployed to the site following the strike. According to the state news agency KUNA, there were no injuries reported as a... Read more >
U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday stepped up his threat to hit Irans critical infrastructure hard if the countrys government doesnt reopen the Strait of Hormuz by his Monday deadline.

Trump punctuated his threat with profanity in a social media post Sunday, saying that Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran.

He also offered details of the rescue of a seriously wounded and really brave U.S. service member he identified as a respected colonel who was missing since Iran shot down a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle on Friday.

The U.S. president said the rescue was a rarely attempted type of operation because of the potential dangers. A second crew member was rescued earlier in broad daylight after seven hours over Iran.

The war began with joint U.S.-Israel strikes on Feb. 28 and has killed thousands, shaken global markets, cut off key shipping routes and spiked fuel prices. Both sides have threatened and hit civilian targets, bringing warnings of possible war crimes.

Here is the latest:

Strikes in Iran kill at least 9 people

From Sunday into Monday across Iran, local media and activists reported strikes on Ahvaz, Bandar Lengeh, Karaj and Shiraz.

The strikes in Bandar Lengeh and Kong killed at least six people and wounded 17 others, the state-run IRAN newspaper said.

Another airstrike in southeastern Tehran hit a home, killing at least three people, Iranian state TV reported.

Iranian strikes hit Haifa

Israels Magen David Adom and Fire and Rescue services said early Monday that there are two reported sites of Iranian missile hits in the northern city of Haifa.

Video footage provided by Magen David Adom of the affected sites show active fire and bombed cars in what appears to be a residential area.

It is still unclear whether those were direct hits or damage from falling shrapnel from interceptions.

The missile strikes comes a day after another attack from Iran also hit a Haifa residential area, killing two people and injuring others.

Two people were still trapped in the rubble caused by the Sunday attack and their fate is unknown.

Meanwhile, Israels military warned the public Monday morning of another missile barrage coming from Iran, the third-such alert of the day.

Airstrike on Iranian city of Eslamshar kills at least 13

An airstrike early Monday struck a residential building in a city southwest of Irans capital, Tehran, killing at least 13 people, Iranian media reported.

The semiofficial Fars news agency and Nour News reported the strike near Eslamshar.

It wasnt clear why the building had been struck.

Neither Israel nor the United States claimed the strikes early Monday, but they came after Trump issued a profanity-laced threat to Iran that it must reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Airstrikes hit Tehran university linked to weapons work

Airstrikes early Monday morning on Irans capital targeted the Sharif University of Technology.

Iranian media reported the strikes and damage to buildings there, as well as a natural gas distribution site next to the campus.

It wasnt immediately clear what had been targeted on the grounds of the university, which is empty of students as the war has forced all schools in the country into online classes.

However, multiple countries over the years have sanctioned the university for its work with the military, particularly on Irans ballistic missile program, which is controlled by the countrys paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.

Meanwhile, the Guard and other security forces have been using secondary sites as rally points as their bases have come under repeated attack during the war.

Airstrike in the Irani city of Qom kills at least 5

The state-run IRAN daily newspaper said in an online message that an airstrike in a residential area of Qom killed at least five people. Qom is a holy Shiite seminary city just south of Tehran.

It wasnt unclear what the target of the strike was.

Iran has not provided overall casualty figures from the war in days. It also hasnt discussed its materiel losses.

Airstrikes hit Irans capital

Before dawn Monday, a series of airstrikes hit Irans capital, Tehran. Explosions rang out into the night, though it wasnt immediately clear what had been struck. The sound of low-flying fighter jets could be heard off and on for hours.

In Israel, authorities sounded one missile alert. In Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, two such alerts went off with air defenses firing, but it wasnt immediately clear what had been targeted by Iran. Kuwait also said its air defenses worked multiple times overnight to intercept incoming.

Crude oil prices jump in early trading after Trump threats

Crude oil prices jumped sharply in early trading Sunday after U.S. President Donald Trump issued fresh, heightened threats against Iran and its infrastructure.

The price of Brent crude, the international standard, rose more than 2% to $111.25. U.S. crude oil prices were up nearly 3% to $114.54 a barrel.

The last time front-month prices for U.S. crude oil prices were above $115 a barrel was the summer of 2022, in the aftermath of Russias invasion of Ukraine and during a period of high inflation across the globe.

Trump on social media vowed to hit Irans power plants and bridges and said the country would be living in Hell if the Strait of Hormuz, crucial for global trade, isnt opened by Tuesday.

Official with Lebanese Christian party killed in Israeli strike

Pierre Mouawad, an official with the Lebanese Forces party, was killed along with his wife in an Israeli strike Sunday on an apartment building in the village of Ain Saadeh in the mountains east of Beirut, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Another woman was killed and three women were wounded, Lebanons health ministry said.

The Israeli military has made no statement about the strike, and its intended target remains unclear.

The Lebanese Forces party is opposed to Hezbollah and has blamed the Shiite militant group for dragging Lebanon into a new war with Israel.

Israeli strikes in Christian-majority areas have led to sectarian tensions, with local residents fearing that Hezbollah members may be hiding among displaced Shiite civilians taking refuge there.

Doctors Without Borders condemns Israeli strike in Beirut neighborhood

The international aid group, known by its French acronym MSF, said the strike in Beiruts Jnah neighborhood on Sunday hit a densely populated residential area  only meters from Rafik Hariri Public Hospital.

Lebanons Health Ministry said the strike, which came without a warning, killed four people and wounded 39.

We are seeing elderly people and adolescents arriving with critical injuries to the head, chest, and abdomen, including shrapnel wounds, Luna Hammad, MSF medical coordinator working in the hospital, said in a statement. When strikes hit crowded residential areas without warning, the consequences are severe, both in human casualties and in hospitals capacity to respond.

MSF said that strikes this close to a hospital spread fear and can stop people from seeking lifesaving care.

The Israeli military has not named the intended target of the strike, which comes five weeks into the renewed Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon.

Iran says US bombarded its own aircraft, personnel

Irans joint military command spokesperson said Sunday that the U.S. had to bombard its own military aircraft and personnel that were struck and downed by Iranian fighters to prevent embarrassment for President Trump and the hollow image of its military.

Ebrahim Zolfaghari added that several U.S. military aircraft entered Iranian airspace to carry out a rescue operation for the pilot of a downed U.S. fighter jet, but said Iranian fighters and air defense systems struck the aircraft and forced them to make an emergency landing in an area south of Isfahan.

A regional intelligence official, who was briefed on the covert mission and who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss it, said the U.S. military blew up two transport planes due to a technical malfunction that forced them to bring in additional aircraft to complete the rescue.

Over the weekend, the United States pulled off a daring rescue of two aviators whose fighter jet was shot down by Iran, plucking the pilot from behind enemy lines before setting off a complicated extraction of the second service member who hid deep in the mountains as Tehran called for Iranians to help capture him.

___

 Associated Press reporter Toqa Ezzidin contributed to this report.

Bahrains foreign minister urges action on Strait of Hormuz

Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani wrote in a statement Sunday that Irans weekslong chokehold on the critical waterway has created an escalating crisis that threatens global stability, food security, and the foundational principles of international law.

He urged action by the United Nations Security Council on a Bahrain draft proposal, which has faced crucial opposition from Russia, China and France over several issues, including language authorizing the use of force to open the strait. All three countries wield veto power over any resolution in the 15-member council.

The vote on the heavily revised and watered-down draft was scheduled to take place last week, but has been postponed due to lack of consensus.

Al-Zayani noted that the window of opportunity is narrowing day by day and failure by the international community to act sends a dangerous message that vital arteries of the global economy can be threatened without consequence.

Iranian negotiators have immunity from death, Trump says

The U.S. president made the comments during an off-camera interview with Fox News.

Weve given them immunity from death. And weve told the people that were dealing with, who are the top people, the president said.

Trump contended that the Iranians had already conceded on having a nuclear weapon.

Theyre not even negotiating that point, its so easy, Trump told Fox News. Thats already been conceded. Most of the points are conceded.

4 wounded in fire at UAEs Khor Fakkan port

The United Arab Emirates Sharjah government said that one Nepali and three Pakistani nationals were wounded Sunday in a fire caused by falling debris from an intercepted Iranian projectile at Khor Fakkan port, according to a statement posted on the social platform X.

One individual was severely wounded and had to be hospitalized, while the others suffered mild and moderate injuries, the statement said.

The statement did not specify whether the intercepted projectile was a missile or a drone.

3 missing in Haifa apartment building strike

Israels Fire and Rescue Authority said Sunday they were searching for three people in the northern Israeli city of Haifa after an Iranian missile strike.

Paramedics said they rushed to the scene and searched through the rubble to dig out the injured, finding an older man in serious condition. They added that three other people were mildly injured, including a baby.

Associated Press video filmed at the scene showed much of the multistory building reduced to rubble.

The rescuers described the damage as resulting from a direct hit, but it was not immediately clear if the building had been struck by a missile or shrapnel from an interception.

Israeli fire kills 1 Palestinian in Gaza City, health officials say

The strike on a group of people also wounded others, according to health officials at the Shifa hospital, where the casualties arrived.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Gaza Strip has seen near-daily Israeli fire and strikes since a fragile ceasefire was reached in October, and more than 700 Palestinians have been killed since then, according to figures from the Gaza Health Ministry.

The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-led government, maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts. But it does not give a breakdown of civilians and militants.

Since the Iran war began over a month ago, Gaza militants have sat out the conflict and havent claimed any attacks against Israel.

Irans head of parliament lashes back at Trump

In a social media post on Sunday, Irans parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf dismissed Trumps recent threats of targeting Irans infrastructure as reckless.

You wont gain anything through war crimes, Qalibaf wrote on X. The only real solution is respecting the rights of the Iranian people and ending this dangerous game.

Top Iranian official threatens closure of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait

A former foreign minister and adviser to the supreme leader warned Sunday that the resistance front could target the Bab el-Mandeb Strait off the Red Sea, through which about 12% of the worlds trade typically passes.

If the White House thinks of repeating its stupid mistakes, it will quickly realize that the flow of global energy and trade can be disrupted with a single signal, Ali Akbar Velayati said on social media, signaling possible closure of the vital waterway if the U.S. escalates attacks.

Iran leads the so-called Axis of Resistance, which includes armed groups in Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen, where Houthi rebels had in the past cut off transit through Bab el-Mandeb with attacks on vessels.

Iran has effectively stopped cargo traffic through the Strait of Hormuz during the conflict, leading to higher oil and gas prices globally.

Iran floats a new condition for Strait of Hormuz reopening

Seyyed Mohammad Mehdi Tabatabaei, a presidential spokesperson, wrote Sunday on the social platform X that the reopening of the vital waterway can only happen if transit revenues are partially earmarked to compensate Iran for war damages.

There has been growing alarm over Irans grip on the Strait of Hormuz, critical for shipments of oil and gas from the Persian Gulf to Europe and Asia. Trump has threatened to attack Irans infrastructure if it fails to reopen the strait by Monday.

Oil-producing countries decide on symbolic output increase

Eight countries from the OPEC+ oil cartel say they will increase production again in May to ensure stability on the oil market  a decision overshadowed by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz to tanker traffic due to the Iran war.

The countries said in a statement carried Sunday on the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries website that production would be increased by 206,000 barrels per day.

That, however, remains largely on paper due to the loss of an estimated 12 million barrels a day from Persian Gulf producers due to the Hormuz closure.

The countries  Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman  warned that damage from attacks on oil infrastructure will take a long time to repair and return supply to previous levels.

Such attacks, as well as disruption of navigation, undermine efforts to support stable prices for the benefit of producers, consumers and the global economy, they said.

Iranian government minister dismisses Trump threat in AP interview

Irans culture minister has dismissed President Donald Trumps latest threats, calling the U.S. leader an unstable, delusional figure.

Iranian society generally does not pay attention to his statements, as it believes he lacks personal, behavioral and verbal balance, and constantly shifts between contradictory positions, Sayed Reza Salihi-Amiri told The Associated Press in an interview Sunday.

Trump on Sunday said he would strike Irans power plants and bridges this Tuesday if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to marine traffic. In an expletive-laden post, Trump promised the Iranians would be living in Hell if the waterway isnt opened.

It seems Trump has become a phenomenon that neither Iranians nor Americans are able to fully analyze, said Salihi-Amiri.

He said the Strait of Hormuz is open to the world but closed to Irans enemies.

Latest attack from Iran hits Haifa apartment building, Israels rescue services say

Paramedics say they rushed to the scene and searched through the rubble to dig out the injured, finding an older man in serious condition. They say three other people were mildly injured, including a baby.

Photos and video showed much of the multistory building reduced to rubble.

The rescuers described the damage as resulting from a direct hit. It was not immediately clear if the building had been struck by an Iranian missile or shrapnel from a missile interception.

2 Black Hawk helicopters were hit during the rescue, but got to safety

The two helicopters were able to navigate to safe airspace, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive information.

It was not clear where the Black Hawks landed or if their crew members were injured.

Irans joint military command has claimed it struck two U.S. Black Hawk helicopters.

___

 Associated Press reporter Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.

Kuwait and Qatar report further aerial attacks

The Kuwaiti army said Sunday that Iran had fired a total of nine ballistic missiles, four cruise missiles and 31 drones at Kuwaiti territory over the past 24 hours.

That brings the total number of projectiles that have targeted Kuwait since the war erupted to 740 drones, 336 ballistic missiles and 13 cruise missiles, according to an official statement posted on the social platform X.

Also, the Qatari army reported that it had on Sunday intercepted several drones and two cruise missiles fired by Iran, according to another statement on X.

Muslim civil rights group accuses Trump of mocking Islam

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a nationwide advocacy group, assailed Trump for invoking Allah in his Truth Social post threatening Iran.

President Trumps deranged mocking of Islam and his threats to attack civilian infrastructure in Iran are reckless, dangerous, and indicative of a mindset that shows indifference to human life and contempt for religious beliefs, CAIR said in a statement.

Trump, in his post on Easter Sunday, demanded that Iran open the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday, or youll be living in Hell  JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.

The casual use of Praise be to Allah in the context of violent threats reflects a disturbing willingness to weaponize religious language while simultaneously denigrating Islam and its followers, CAIR said.

Iranians say Trumps threats to strike infrastructure is intent to commit war crime

Hours after Trumps expletive-laden post promising Iran will be living in Hell over the Strait of Hormuz closure, Tehrans mission to the U.N. called the open threats to target civilian infrastructure a direct and public incitement to terrorise civilians and clear evidence of intent to commit war crime.

The international community and all States have legal obligations to prevent such atrocious acts of war crimes, the mission said in a post on the social platform X. They must act now. Tomorrow is too late.

Iran says Ahvaz Shahid Soleimani airport hit

Iran state-run television IRIB quoted a security official as saying that so far, no casualties were reported in the aftermath of a US-Israeli strike on Sunday.

Also on Sunday, the United Arab Emirates Sharjah government said that Khor Fakkan port was targeted and that no casualties were reported so far, according to a post on the social platform X by the governments media office.

Earlier, UKMTO said that a captain had witnessed multiple splashes from unknown projectiles near his vessel while conducting loading operations at the same port.

Border crossing between Lebanon and Syria awaits threatened Israeli strikes

The main border crossing between Lebanon and Syria was closed Sunday after the Israeli military warned of plans to strike it the night before, alleging that Hezbollah was using it to smuggle military equipment.

Samir Abdelkhaleq from the Lebanese border town of Majdal Anjar said the closure is an economic blow to many.

These are real losses for people and for business owners, he said. Everyone is just waiting for the strike to be over.

Syrian authorities, who have a hostile relationship with Hezbollah, have denied that the crossing is being used for smuggling. In recent days, Syria announced the discovery and closure of several tunnels they said were being used by Hezbollah for smuggling.

More than 200,000 people have crossed from Lebanon into Syria in the five weeks since the outbreak of renewed war between Israel and Hezbollah.

US official says CIA launched deception campaign to find second crew member

Details about the rescue of a second U.S. crew member in Iran, who was a weapons systems officer, are trickling out hours after Trumps announcement.

A senior U.S. administration official said Sunday that before locating the crew member, the CIA spread word inside Iran that U.S. forces had already found him and were moving him on the ground for exfiltration.

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet made public, said the campaign managed to confuse Iranian officials while the agency conducted its search-and-rescue operations.

___

 Associated Press reporter Matthew Lee contributed to this report.

Over 1,400 people in Lebanon have been killed in war between Israel and Hezbollah militant group

Among the 1,461 killed are 97 women, 129 children, and 54 paramedics, according to Lebanons Health Ministry.

4,430 people have been wounded since the latest fighting began on March 2.

After Hezbollah fired rockets toward northern Israel, the Israeli military launched an intense military operation with daily strikes across the country and a ground invasion into southern Lebanon.

Top satellite imagery provider says US asked it to suspend access to Mideast imagery

The U.S. government has asked top providers of satellite imagery to stop publishing photos from parts of the Middle East because of the Iran war, says the company Planet Labs.

Planet Labs and companies like it provide near-daily imagery crucial to reporting on regions where on-the-ground access for journalists is impossible, limited or unsafe. That has made it an especially key tool for reporting on the Iran war, which has impacted nearly all Middle Eastern countries.

In a Saturday email to users, including the AP, Planet Labs said it was complying with the U.S. governments requests and would indefinitely delay publication of imagery taken after March 9, 2026. It said it would release new imagery on a case-by-case basis and for urgent, mission-critical requirements or in the public interest.

The company said the new measures would be in place until the end of the conflict.

By The Associated Press
Jung Yun's third novel, All the World Can Hold, is a distinctive 9/11 story. Set on a cruise departing Boston for Bermuda on September 16, 2001, it spotlights three characters who--like the country in the wake of terrorism--face a turning point. Choosing whether to be true to themselves requires reckoning with past traumas, including bereavement, alcoholism, and racist microaggressions.

Korean American lawyer Franny hasn't told anyone that she was caught up in 9/11, sheltering inside a bank and then wandering dust-choked streets. She insisted on going ahead with this family trip to mark her mother's 70th birthday (chilsun) and recent retirement. Sixty-two-year-old Doug played a bartender on a 1970s-'80s cult television classic set on the ship and is here for the Starlight Voyages reunion. He signed up to please his agent--and he needs the cash after years lost to alcoholism and mental illness. He pops Xanax to cope with fawning middle-aged fans, a grueling schedule of appearances, and the fact that his best friend from the cast, Peter, is dead. Lucy is getting her PhD in computer science, but her passion is art. For once there's time for her painting, but she can't ignore her parents' expectation that she secure a high-paying job soon. As the only Black woman in her department, she feels she must go above and beyond to prove herself.

Yun (Shelter; O Beautiful) orchestrates subtle connections between the protagonists here. In a time of national mourning, private sorrows still sting. Franny, Doug, and Lucy illuminate themes of survivor guilt, the price of belonging, and the hope for change in this quiet, character-driven story. --Rebecca Foster, freelance reviewer, proofreader, and blogger at Bookish Beck
ISTANBUL (AP)  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concern that a prolonged U.S.-Israeli war on Iran could further erode Americas support for Ukraine as Washingtons global priorities shift and Kyiv braces for reduced deliveries of critically needed Patriot air defense missiles.

Ukraine desperately needs more U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems to help it counter Russias daily barrages, Zelenskyy said, speaking to The Associated Press in an exclusive interview late Saturday in Istanbul.

Russias relentless pounding of urban areas behind the front line following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago has killed thousands of civilians. It has also targeted Ukraines energy supply to disrupt industrial production of Ukraines newly developed drones and missiles, while also denying civilians heat and running water in winter.

We have to recognize that we are not the priority for today, Zelenskyy said. Thats why I am afraid a long (Iran) war will give us less support.

A loss of focus on Ukraine

The latest U.S.-brokered talks between envoys from Moscow and Kyiv ended in February with no sign of a breakthrough. Zelenskyy, who has accused Russia of trying to drag out negotiations while it presses on with its invasion, said Ukraine remains in contact with U.S. negotiators about a potential deal to end the war and has continued to press for stronger security guarantees.

But, he said, even those discussions reflect a broader loss of focus from Ukraine.

His most immediate concern, Zelenskyy said, are the Patriots  essential for intercepting Russian ballistic missiles  as Ukraine still lacks an effective alternative.

These U.S. systems were never delivered in sufficient quantities to begin with, Zelenskyy said, and if the Iran war doesnt end soon, the package  which is not very big for us  I think will be smaller and smaller day by day.

Thats why, of course, we are afraid, he said.

Interlinked wars

Zelenskyy had been counting on European partners to help make the Patriot purchases despite tight supply and limited U.S. production capacity.

But the Iran war, now in its sixth week, has sent shock waves through the global economy and pulled in much of the wider Middle East region, further straining these already limited resources, diverting stockpiles and leaving Ukrainian cities more exposed to ballistic strikes.

For Kyiv, a key objective is to weaken Moscows economy and make the war prohibitively costly. Surging oil prices driven by Irans closure of the Strait of Hormuz are undermining that strategy by boosting the Kremlins oil revenues and strengthening Moscows capacity to sustain its war effort.

In his interview with the AP, Zelenskyy said Russia draws economic benefits from the Mideast war, citing the limited easing of American sanctions on Russian oil.

Russia gets additional money because of this, so yes, they have benefits, he said.

Russian officials said Sunday a fire broke out at a major oil refinery in the Nizhny Novgorod region after a drone attack, while another drone damaged a pipeline at the Russian Baltic Sea port of Primorsk, home to a major oil export terminal. No casualties were reported.

Russia could reap a windfall from a surge in oil prices and the U.S. temporary waiver on Russian oil sanctions designed to ease supply shortages as the Iran war continues. Russia is one of the worlds main oil exporters, and Asian nations are increasingly competing for Russian crude oil as an energy crisis mounts.

In response, Ukraine has intensified its long-range drone attacks on Russian oil facilities, which have rattled Moscow.

A renewed diplomatic push

To keep Ukraine on the international agenda, Zelenskyy has offered to share Ukraines hard-earned battlefield expertise with the United States and allies to develop effective countermeasures against Iranian attacks.

Ukraine has met Russias evolving use of Iranian-made Shahed drones with growing sophistication, technological ingenuity and low cost.

Moscow significantly modified the original Shahed-136, rebranded as the Geran-2, enhancing its ability to evade air defenses and be mass produced. Ukraine responded with quick innovation of its own, including low-cost interceptor drones designed to track and destroy incoming drones.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready to share with Gulf Arab countries targeted by Iran its experience and technology, including interceptor drones and sea drones, which Ukraine produces  more than are used up  with funding from Americans and its European partners.

In return, these countries could help Ukraine with anti-ballistic missiles, Zelenskyy said.

In late March, as the Iran war escalated, Zelenskyy visited Gulf Arab states to promote Ukraines singular experience in countering Iranian-made Shahed drones, leading to new defense cooperation agreements.

Zelenskyy has also positioned Ukraine as a potential partner in safeguarding global trade routes, offering assistance in reopening the Strait of Hormuz by sharing Ukraines experiences securing maritime corridors in the Black Sea.

Zelenskyy was in Istanbul for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a day after the Turkish leader spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelenskyy said they discussed peace talks and a possible meeting of leaders in Istanbul. He also said there could be new defense deals signed between the two countries soon.

Following the talks in Istanbul, Zelenskyy and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan arrived in Syria on an official visit Sunday, Syrian state news agency SANA reported.

Writing on X, Zelenskyy said he discussed the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and that there is strong interest in exchanging military and security experience between Ukraine and Syria.

Russia steps up its spring offensive

Each year as the weather improves, Russia moves its grinding war of attrition up a notch. However, it has been unable to capture Ukrainian cities and has made only incremental gains across rural areas. Russia occupies about 20% of Ukraine, including the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia seized in 2014.

On the roughly 1,250-kilometer (750-mile) front line stretching across eastern and southern parts of Ukraine, short-handed Ukrainian defenders are getting ready for a new offensive by Russias larger army.

The commander-in-chief of Ukraines armed forces, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, said Russian troops have in recent days made simultaneous attempts to break through defense lines in several strategic areas.

One thing Zelenskyy says he has insisted on and will continue to do so  a territorial compromise and giving up land will not be on Ukraines agenda.

In Ukraine, meanwhile, drone attacks overnight into Sunday killed at least one person and seriously wounded another in the city of Nikopol, authorities said. Three people were wounded in the Ukrainian port city of Odesa in a separate drone attack.

___

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

By SERRA YEDIKARDES and SAMYA KULLAB

Associated Press
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Key points THEATRE: The River is an intriguing production that keeps you guessing for much of its 80 mniutes

DANCE: The first-ever collaboration between Bangarra Dance Theatre and the Australian Ballet does not disappoint.

MUSIC: Even without their late frontman MacGowan, The Pogues deliver a night to remember.

THEATRE: Till The Stars Come Down hilariously interweaves the lives of ordinary people with class, family, politics, immigration and climate change.

MUSIC: Ensemble Apex gave a program of dedicated concentration, which made thoughtful connections across countries and generations.

THEATRE

The River

Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre, April 7

Until May 16

Reviewed by JOHN SHAND

 When I was about eight, I became lost in a forest, and found it the most exhilarating feeling Id known. I suspect British playwright Jez Butterworth sought to give his audiences a similar sense of disorientation with The River. Time bends, characters swap places, and were at least halfway through the plays 80 minutes before we start to twig to whats unfolding. Something fishy: The Other Woman (Andrea Demetriades) and The Man (Ewen Leslie). Daniel Boud It does contain moments of exhilaration as it repeatedly presents facets of life as heightened experiences, with the characters electrified by the wonder of what theyve seen, felt or remembered. This is communicated via a quirky mix of Beckettian concision and repetition, and an unforced poeticism, as when The Man (Ewen Leslie) describes a pool in the river as gin-clear, or when The Woman (Miranda Otto) recalls her father dying on the kitchen floor, his body flip-flopping. If that sounds fish-like, youd be right because binding The Man, The Woman and The Other Woman (Andrea Demetriades) is that they are in The Mans rudimentary cabin by a river to go fly-fishing for sea trout. In the course of the play, we learn much about the skill and excitement of fly-fishing, while also receiving a glittering discourse from The Man explaining the difference between brown trout and sea trout.

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The Man lures both women to his cabin on the promise of trout, but with a side order of sex, of course. The play, meanwhile, examines the proximity of death to life, questions the nature of reality and love, thrives on miscommunication and downright lies, and becomes spooky without being in the least bit Gothic. The Woman (Miranda Otto) falls for The Mans aquatic-themed charm. Daniel Boud Margaret Thanos production for Sydney Theatre Company is alive to the plays intellectual complexities, with Anna Tregloans non-literal set and Damien Coopers lighting evoking moving nighttime water. Sam Chengs music slithers in and out of focus. The three actors have a more challenging time, catching the fleeting glimpses of humour, warmth and truth that surface, then diving beneath the duplicity again. Once were accustomed to the game Butterworths playing, whats missing is a reason for us to care. The Man is as expert with his seduction lines as he is with his fishing lines, and the women seem eager to believe. While Leslie and Otto carve credible characters from what Butterworth gives them, Demetriades more fully draws us in, partly because of her characters greater playfulness, and partly due to the springy verbal and physical elasticity with which she releases it.

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Perhaps Butterworth wanted us to remain detached, hence the lack of character names, but if he could have grabbed our hearts as he does our minds, The River would be so much deeper. MUSIC

The Black Crowes

Enmore Theatre, April 8. Also April 9.

Reviewed by ROD YATES

 The best rocknroll is an exercise in perpetual motion. That feeling when a band locks into a groove, controlled yet barely hanging on, sweeping you up in a wall of sound so intoxicating your body cant help but move. The Black Crowes are masters of manipulating that unstoppable force.

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The Black Crowes in full flight at the Enmore. Jordan Newton In moments at Wednesdays show, such as a glorious Wiser Time, an epic Thorn in My Pride or the soulful cover of The Velvet Undergrounds Oh! Sweet Nuthin, they are transcendent. Guitarists Rich Robinson and Nico Bereciartua effortlessly trade licks, while the band operate with a telepathy that requires only a subtle nod from musical ringleader Robinson to bring each member back to earth and onto the same page. Lording above it all is his brother, singer Chris Robinson. Harnessing the peacocking posing of Mick Jagger and the swagger of Faces-era Rod Stewart, at 59 the singer still operates with the hip-shaking verve of the man we first met in the video clip for 1990 single Jealous Again. As they have for much of their career, The Black Crowes look and sound like a band from another era, one unencumbered by the conformist demands of the modern music industry. Its evident in this nights set list.

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The Black Crowes are above and beyond and have the stagecraft to show it. Jordan Newton There are the requisite hits in Hard to Handle, Jealous Again and Remedy, but elsewhere the show is a romp through the bands catalogue that favours deep cuts and surprises over a reliance on nostalgia. Rather than encore with a hit, they sign off with a cover of The Rolling Stones Silver Train. Instead of weighting the set list in favour of their two most popular albums, 1990s Shake Your Money Maker and 1992s The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, they instead air Ballad in Urgency from 1994s Amorica, Movin on Down the Line from 2008s Warpaint, and Do the Parasite! from this years A Pound of Feathers. Whether trading in volume (Bedside Manners, Stare It Cold) or acoustic Southern balladry (She Talks to Angels), the overriding feeling throughout is one of joy, of watching a band sculpted by experience and time, operating in a world of their own making. Its a world were lucky to visit.

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MUSIC

St John Passion, Sydney Philharmonias Symphony Chorus and VOX

Sydney Opera House, April 4

Reviewed by PETER McCALLUM

 Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and conductor Brett Weymark presented Bachs St John Passion in a manner that was dramatic but not operatic. This might have raised a smile of satisfaction from Bach himself, since his art inclined towards expressive symbolic narrative, but his employers sternly forbade opera. Credit for this deserves to be equally shared between Weymark, the choirs (the Symphony Chorus and members of the young-adult ensemble VOX) and the talents of the six soloists, each of whom created their own distinctive musical spells. Timothy Reynolds sang the speech-like recitatives of the evangelist role (notionally speaking as the voice of John as witness) with eloquent lightness of tone, piercingly sweet upper notes, and persuasive rhythmic flexibility, while baritone Christopher Richardson intoned the words of Jesus with judicious solemnity and depth.

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Brett Weymark presented Bachs St John Passion in a manner that was dramatic but not operatic. Flavio Brancaleone By contrast, soprano Penelope Mills lit up the texture with a bright, ringing sound of well-projected clarity. In the Part II aria, Es ist vollbracht, the emotional centre of the work, mezzo-soprano Ashlyn Tymms created a quietly portentous sound of velvety smoothness and glowing resonance. As Pilate, bass-baritone Andrew OConnor mixed rich, deep colour, like the purple of a patrician robe, with expressive human frailty. In the tenor arias, Michael Petruccelli combined robustly taut tone, polished surface and yearning nuance. The combined choirs sang (from memory) the initial cries of the magnificent opening chorus, Herr, unser Herrscher, with rewardingly open declamation, tapering the repetitions and articulating the figuration with clarity to create a sense of fateful inevitability. Bach gives the chorus both an active role, as the turba or clamorous crowd, and a reflective one in the chorales and the philharmonia chorus attacked the former with agility and dynamism. Although the balance in some earlier numbers tended to favour the upper voices, the sound in the closing chorus, Ruht wohl, had cohesive, sorrowful splendour.

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Regarding the chorales, rather than interrupting the continuity with periodic hymn breaks, Weymark wove them artfully into the narrative flow, sometimes picking up on the tempo, volume and mood of the preceding number to carry the drama forward. Led by Fiona Ziegler, the Sydney Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra established the mood at the start with a texture of grim, undulating turbulence. The arias were coloured by obbligatos on period instruments, while organist David Drury, cello/viola da gamba player Anthea Cottee and the other continuo players varied the accompanying colours from delicate fabric with lute (Stephen Lalor) to interjections of stormy stridency. DANCE

Flora

Sydney Opera House, April 7

Until April 18

Reviewed by CHANTAL NGUYEN

 Flora is a significant moment in Australian arts: the first full-length collaboration between Bangarra Dance Theatre and the Australian Ballet.

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Frontlining as choreographer is Bangarras artistic director and co-CEO Frances Rings, with a creative team that reads like a whos who of Australian artists. The outstanding, cinematic score is by William Barton, the yidaki (didgeridoo) virtuoso, who was last year immortalised in an Archibald-winning portrait. Grasses swirl on stage in one section. Sitthixay Ditthavong The dancers are dressed in expressive, luxe costumes by Grace Lillian Lee  the Indigenous designer of the year known for her Jean Paul Gaultier collaborations - with beloved Bangarra collaborator Jennifer Irwin. And the sets and lighting, evocative of vast Australian landscapes, are by rising stars Elizabeth Gadsby and Karen Norris.

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This collaborative vision, rooted in the countrys extraordinary natural environment, furthers a truly Australian artistic identity. And isnt that, after all, one of the driving purposes of a national arts scene? For this alone, Flora deserves applause. After interval, the emphasis shifts to colonisation and its effect on the flora of the continent. Kate Longley Flora explores Australian identity and history through 12 eye-catching vignettes of native plant-life. Its best moments are like visual poems, rich in Bangarras unique lyricism. In the opening scenes, a network of roots descends from above, the dancers suspended upside down to represent clumps of sleeping yams, limbs cracking open in a tangle of clay-encrusted hands and feet. Then grasses swirl on stage, with dancers as dusty yellow spinifex crying tch tch, haaaaah! Colonisation is explored through a distinctive portrayal of Sir Joseph Banks plant collection: the dancers stand trapped inside specimen bags, bright petals pressed against stark white netting and flickering fluorescents.

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The piece closes with an unusually meditative finale, featuring the female ensemble glowingly costumed against a black backdrop, their bright silhouettes capturing the eye-catching architecture of Australian flowers. The burning landscape is powerfully represented. Kate Longley As with most full-length works, Flora has weaknesses. The Act 1 treatment of colonisation is gauche, underestimating audiences and compromising its own message with a dancer in a too-obvious Union Jack-emblazoned red coat. Similarly, I preferred the depiction of hoofed animals in Bangarras 2018 Dark Emu. But on the whole, the dancing and choreography is striking, with the 35-strong ensemble clearly inspired by the cross-company collaboration. Keep an eye out for Jill Ogais grief-stricken solo as the golden wattle, and standout performances from Courtney Radford, Elijah Trevitt, Daniel Mateo, and Edan Porter. Principal artist Callum Linnanes searing intensity is  as always  a highpoint, with Flora one of the last chances to see him before he departs for Hamburg Ballet.

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MUSIC

THE POGUES

Sydney Opera House, April 5

Reviewed by KATE PRENDERGAST

 There are some bands you thank your godforsaken stars to experience live, and bejesus  even without their legendary frontman  The Pogues are one of them. The ashes of Shane MacGowan, that curse-rattled bard with the tombstone teeth, were scattered on the River Shannon three years gone, but his rapscallion, angry, weeping passed-out songs (to quote Tom Waits) and whiskey-soaked spirit howled like a banshee through the Concert Hall on Easter Sunday, turning its docile crowd by the end into a hot-blooded rabble. We were here to honour the late singer-songwriter, and 40 years of the Celtic punk-rockers break-out album, Rum Sodomy & the Lash.

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Founding members James Fearnley, Jem Finer and Spider Stacey led the charge, with more than a dozen instruments behind them. There was a brass section, a drum the size of a baby rhino pounded by the Bad Seeds drummer, Staceys tin whistle, Fearnleys gristle whistle, guitars, a harp, a banjo, a hurdy-gurdy and more, plus four guest vocalists. Such a carousing motley was created, it seemed a shame that more drinks werent being spilled, bodies lurching or heads knocked together (as per their heyday). That feral live atmosphere and multi-instrumental grind-up you just cant recreate on any recording, especially not a studio album  not even one as grand as Elvis Costellos production of Rum. Lisa ONeill and Iona Zajac  and Stacey of course  did a bang-on job filling their lungs with the songs MacGowan would have sung. ONeill, with an almost unearthly plangent voice, got the pride of Dirty Old Town (that popular Pogues cover of 1949 ode); Zajac could get the souls out of purgatory with her caterwaul as a wild cat of Kilkenny and her rendition of Poor Paddy. These fair lasses chased each other around the stage, with other hijinks thrown in as the band got ever more roguish and loose. The songs on Rum  five written by MacGowan, others traditional  are myth-makers to mighty degenerates, working class anthems, and ballads of lost causes and black-sooted realism. Many speak to disillusion and dissolution in the Irish emigrant experience. A London band they may be, but its thanks largely to The Pogues that Irish roots music made its way to modern ears, and to the Opera House.

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There was the cheap theatrics (Stacey gave a disgusted eye-roll) of the obligatory encore. Then there was a second, bona fide encore. The crowd hollered bloody murder for both. THEATRE

Till The Stars Come Down

KXT on Broadway, Ultimo

April 1, until April 11

Reviewed by JOYCE MORGAN

 Three sisters gather for the wedding of the youngest. Add a potty-mouth aunt, awkward speeches and a wardrobe malfunction, then marinate in vodka. The set-up feels familiar, but what takes it far beyond the predictable is how it hilariously  yet gently  interweaves the lives of ordinary people with the fault lines of class, family, politics, immigration and climate change. And all without a whiff of didacticism.

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This vivid production is filled with flesh-and-blood characters. Braiden Toko A drama centred around three sisters inevitably evokes Chekhovs Three Sisters. But this isnt a trio of sophisticated landed gentry living in languid, provincial isolation, but three passionate working-class white women living in a hollowed-out former mining town in Englands east Midlands. There, they laugh, dance, fight, get drunk, get horny, tear each other apart and dance some more. The title is from a line in W.H. Audens poem Deaths Echo. Its raucous, messy and brilliantly crafted by British playwright Beth Steel. Steel has drawn on the down-at-heel region where she grew up, the daughter of a miner. Her hometown was hit by pit closures in the mid-1980s and voted overwhelmingly for Brexit a decade ago.

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Yet all this bubbles in the background. As this 2024 play opens amid hair rollers, hairspray and mugs of tea, bride-to-be Sylvia (Imogen Sage) is being readied with help from siblings Hazel (Ainslie McGlynn) and Maggie (Jane Angharad). Sylvia is getting hitched to a once-penniless now successful Polish immigrant Marek (Zoran Jevtic). Hazel quips: Polish  thats not a language, thats a Wi-Fi password. Its just Zs and Ws. Her casual racism soon becomes more overt. The first act of this ensemble piece introduces the sisters and their fabulously salty Aunty Carol (Jo Briant). The men are a far cry from the self-made Marek. The sisters father Tony (Peter Eyers), his estranged brother Pete (Brendan Miles), and Hazels husband John (James Smithers) are all on the scrap heap.

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Some hold tenaciously to the past. Instead of a toast to the newlyweds, Pete recites the names of long-closed pits like an incantation of the dead. Hazels growing resentment is targeted at the immigrants she blames for taking jobs. While the plays setting is as specific as the accents (which were inclined to slip around), the problems besetting this family are not. A community where jobs have vanished and resentment of immigrants festers  we could be in Hanson-land. Sharply directed by Anthony Skuse, the production has strong performances from its central women. As bride Sylvia, Sage belatedly stands up to McGlynns bigoted, bitter Hazel. Angharad is outstanding as conflicted Maggie, the sister with four marriages behind her. With the lions share of one-liners, Briants Aunty Carol times astutely her blend of witty and shrewd observations.

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Jevtics Marek made the most of his underwritten role. Peter Eyers Tony displayed great tenderness in his affecting scene with his granddaughter. Part soap-opera, part tragedy, this vivid production is filled with flesh-and-blood characters comically, painfully struggling for a future in a rapidly changing world. MUSIC

Behind me is the dark

Ensemble Apex

ACO On The Pier, April 1

Reviewed by PETER McCALLUM

 Gyorgy Ligetis music became famous through the ethereal, weightless sections in the soundtrack of Stanley Kubricks film 2001: a Space Odyssey (1968). Listeners who had scratched their heads at atonal music without melody or toe-tappable rhythm when heard in the concert hall, now suddenly got it when experienced against the cold of interstellar space.

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That was two years before his Chamber Concerto (1970), which was the culmination of innovations he had developed during the 1960s after fleeing Hungary and encountering European modernism. As the final work in Ensemble Apexs concert of varied and intriguing sonoristic soundscapes under conductor Sam Weller, it was, in some respects, both culmination and progenitor. Dedication concentration: Ensemble Apex with conductor Sam Weller. Gabrielle Murray Shivers on Speed by German-Austrian composer Brigitta Muntendorf dealt with unpredictable fragmented impulses and quivering repetitions across an ensemble of six instruments, alternating between hesitant murmurs and splintering thuds that at times became frightening and frenetic. By contrast, Januaries, by Australian-born, UK-based Lisa Illean, explored sun-drenched sounds that were dry, intense and spare. Evoking memories of childhood summers in Queensland, it began with an undulating quiet wailing figure, and kept sentiment and sweetness at a distance to create a sense of presence enlivened by glistening moments. Hrim by Icelandic composer Anna Thorvaldsdottir struck a different tone, beginning with softly howling woodwind and misty stirring tremelos. Passages of sustained high and low notes produced a sense of depth and dark colour interrupted by sudden loud sounds and fading wispiness.

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Ligetis Chamber Concerto began with curdled textures on woodwind, quickly thickening to rustling sounds on strings. There is a brief outbreak of emphatic unison melody which vanishes as quickly as it emerged. The second movement dwelled on more sustained sounds, introducing warmth from the brass and chords with prominent octaves which evoked quiet stasis. The third movement, impressively controlled by Weller and the ensemble, explored Ligetis fascination with mechanical ticking textures (famously exploited in Poeme symphonique for 100 metronomes). In the last movement, some of Ligetis spirit and humour erupts briefly as members of the ensemble broke through with brief cadenzas, which darted exuberantly liked unleashed dogs. The movement ended with a wry sideways glance. It was a program of dedicated concentration from Ensemble Apex, which made thoughtful connections across countries and generations, as though the promises of the postwar avant garde were being finally redeemed by the promising composers of our own time.
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LifestyleFashionFashion accessories The latest luxury experience? Heading to the optometrist Damien Woolnough April 6, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Confronted by a blur of theatrical drapes in an acid shade of yellow that is so wrong it must be right, and metres of matching carpet, its easy to lose focus on your mission to have your eyes checked when walking into Melbournes latest retail destination. The confident offer of a beverage on arrival and lack of Snellen charts with shrinking letters adds to the confusion. Surely, there should be handbags, vertiginous high heels or piles of cashmere jumpers on the shelves, instead of sculptural eyewear lit like artworks on zigzagging shelves. Is it a luxury boutique or an optometrist? I dont love the word luxury, says Emma Buckley, co-founder of Six Six along with optometrist Dr Natalie Boffa. The word is a bit ugh. Emma Buckley and Dr Natalie Boffa at their luxe eyewear boutique Six Six in Melbourne. Simon Schluter We want everyone to be welcome, says Boffa. But the experience, I suppose, is luxurious.

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Buckley, who was working in eyewear distribution, and Boffa, who had been in clinical environments, had circled each other for years before opening their store in January. Related Article Opinion

Health No one wanted to date the kid with the thick glasses. I risked my vision to ditch them forever Peter Papathanasiou Writer I would go to eyewear fairs in Paris and Milan and visit beautiful stores, Buckley says. We dont have that in Australia. Here its boring or very clinical. That was the vision. I didnt want to do it alone. When I met Nat, we connected perfectly and it snowballed really hard. With the assistance of architects Kennedy Nolan they have created a sumptuous retail space complete with a lab behind dichroic glass and eye-testing rooms hidden near the curtain folds, ready to be raised for a growing market.

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The Business Insiders Eyewear Global Market Report valued market size for eyewear at $US173.89 billion ($251.75 billion) in 2025, with predictions to grow to $US291.65 billion ($422.25 billion) by 2030. This growth is driven by the health needs of ageing populations, as well as tech eyewear following Facebook parent Metas reported $US3.5 billion investment in eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica. While OPSM (owned by EssilorLuxottica) and Specsavers dominate the local industry, Six Six (the metric equivalent of 20/20 vision), along with other independent retailers, focuses on eyewear brands that sit above two-for-one ranges and away from mainstream luxury labels. Kristen Stewart at the Savannah Film Festival in October wearing Garrett Leight frames. Getty Images for SCAD Actor Theo James wearing Akoni frames in London at the premiere of Fuze. Frames are available from around $400, with the average customer spend closer to $900-$1000. Akonis 18-karat gold Eris frames sit above the $2000 threshold.

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Think of the stealth wealth LGR frames worn by Prince William or Kristen Stewarts collection of Garrett Leight glasses. Consumers have shifted, says Ben Walters, chief executive of Proper Goods eyewear distributors in Sydney. Theyre looking for something more design-led and current. Customers are thinking more like collectors  coming back for a second or third pair, often across different styles or brands. That discerning behaviour is whats driving the independent market forward. Three months in, Six Six is already seeing repeat customers, with long-term plans for more stores in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. We have an unusually high amount of architects coming in, says Boffa.

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The acid yellow curtains must be right. Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.
Like David Prest (C8), our friend Mike Fogarty of Weston (ACT) is well aware of the practice of stashing the bevvy at sea: HMAS Melbourne returned from the US after Halloween in 1967, ferrying A-4 Skyhawks and S-2E Trackers, as replacement aircraft for the RANs ageing Fleet Air Arm. At a function, the wine caterer found a cache of lost Chianti. It had been forgotten and hidden in a paint locker following a brief port visit to Naples in 1956. The execrable wine had not travelled well. It tasted like Fly-Tox, but was imbibed with the unflinching courage imbued in our proud flagship. The sick bay dispensed beau coup aspirin the next morning.

The barmans red or white? question to David Roses request for shiraz (C8) was not as stupid as it might have appeared, reckons Peter Lewis of Allambie. Kies Family Wines of the Barossa make a very nice, full-bodied, dry white shiraz.

Terry Cook of Ermington puts his extra rubber bands (C8) in a bottle, and when it is nearly full, I give them to a teacher who lives across the road. She says they are invaluable in the classroom.

The recent revisiting of the parfait glass discussion (C8), reminded Greg Mudie of Dungog of a family trip to Europe in 1978: In Venice, my parents purchased, what their six children unanimously agreed, was the most hideous decanter with a set of six goblets. It was further agreed that no child wished to be bequeathed said monstrosity in any future will. Fortunately, in the pursuing years, breakages diminished the set and on mums passing in 2016, only the tray remained.

Daniel Low of Pymble knows his station: Thanks Adela Parkes for the fond memory of 4th Year Geography with (Im all right) Jack Eyles introduction to the Stevenson screen (C8) in 1963.
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Updated NationalQueenslandEmergency services Mother of eight dies in head-on crash, toddler in critical condition Catherine Strohfeldt Updated April 6, 2026  10:25am ,first published April 5, 2026  10:32am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

A woman was killed and a toddler critically injured in a head-on collision with a ute that police believe was travelling at high speed on the wrong side of the road, without headlights on, possibly on the way to a hoon event. The 51-year-old woman, Roza Abebwa, on holiday from Victoria died at the scene of the crash on School Road in Logan Reserve, south of Brisbane, on Saturday night, while her daughter, and her niece who lived in Goodna, were taken to hospital. Loading Police said the family were travelling in a grey Ford Focus when they were hit by a Ford Falcon ute, driven by a teenage girl, about 9pm. They were investigating reports the ute had been travelling to an illegal large-scale hoon event. Acting Inspector Peter Venz passed on polices thoughts and prayers to Abebwas family.

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Abebwas daughter, a two-year-old girl, suffered significant head injuries and was flown to Queensland Childrens Hospital in a potentially life-threatening condition. Police said the toddler was still hospitalised, but in a stable condition, on Sunday morning. The 51-year-old woman who died at Logan Reserve on Saturday left behind eight children, police said. Nine The Focus was driven by a 28-year-old woman from Goodna who was Abebwas niece. She was taken to Logan hospital for injuries to her legs, hips, and back. Officers believed the 51-year-old had been visiting family for the Easter holiday period.

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Four teenagers were travelling in the ute, police said, including the driver, a 17-year-old Logan Reserve girl, who Venz said escaped physical injury. Editor's pick Road safety Teens are dying on e-bikes. This is how parents can try to keep them safe He said she was taken to Logan Hospital for blood tests after the crash. Some of the passengers in the Ford ute were ejected from the car and suffered injuries, but not life-threatening injuries, he added. Paramedics said one passenger, a girl in her teens who suffered significant leg injuries, was taken in a serious condition to Princess Alexandra Hospital.

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Another teenage girl suffering head injuries, and a teenage boy suffering head and chest injuries, were both taken to Logan Hospital in stable conditions. Venz would not comment on whether police had established a connection to the hooning event, but said police had a substantial amount of footage through CCTV and social media linked to the crash. Well be investigating whether speed, driver behaviour, and also vehicle compliance were an issue, Venz said. Later on Saturday night, a social media post said to be from the events organisers said it had been cancelled. Tonight is being called off, too red hot and too many incidents that cant be shared yet. Go home and be safe, the post read.

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A second post sent thoughts and prayers to the Victorian womans loved ones. Venz said police did not think the ute was stolen, but had received reports it had no number plates, was unregistered, and had its lights turned off in the lead-up to the crash. As of Sunday afternoon, no charges had been laid. The death at Logan Reserve was among several road fatalities recorded in Queensland on Easter Saturday. About 6.50pm, an 18-year-old Redland Bay man was killed when his black Honda motorbike struck a white Kia Cerato on Boundary Road, at Thornlands.

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The rider was taken by helicopter to Princess Alexandra Hospital, but died from his injuries shortly after arriving. The cars driver, a 24-year-old man from Acacia Ridge, was not injured. In the states far north, a 31-year-old man died after a quad bike rollover at Palmerston, a rural community about 110 kilometres south of Cairns. A fourth person died on Saturday night  an 83-year-old man from Wellington Point  as he succumbed to injuries from a single-vehicle crash in Wishart on Thursday morning. His passenger, an 86-year-old woman, remained in a critical condition in hospital. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.

CORRECTION An earlier version of this article identified the two-year-old girl as the 51-year-old womans grand-niece. The two-year-old is her youngest child.
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NationalHospitals Opinion Ross Gittins spent 44 days in ICU and almost died. This is his story Ross Gittins Economics Editor April 6, 2026  5:00am

April 6, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Dont worry, the doctors will make sure you dont die  even if they have to half kill you in the process. Sure, thats an exaggeration. Doctors dont set out to do you any harm, and theyre not oblivious to the unwanted side effects of their ministrations. My medical misadventures began in October, when we were on holiday in Europe and on a cruise up the Danube. When we reached Budapest, I got bouts of uncontrollable shaking. The doctor who came on board said it was bronchitis, but I kept deteriorating and by the time the cruise ended at Vienna I had to be taken to hospital. I have no recollection of this, but Im told I insisted we fly back to Oz the next day as planned. The hospital said we should stay, but we went. Back home, my wife asked a doctor relative if she should take me straight to hospital. No, he said, take him to your GP. Ross Gittins recovers after surgery  with the aid of a lot of dark chocolate. Paul Hoult Good point. As a member of the doctors union, he knew that, when you arrive in the emergency department with a chit from a doctor, you get dealt with immediately. When you arrive of your own volition, you join a long queue.

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I was taken to a major teaching hospital named after some long-forgotten royal whose only claim to fame was a failed assassination attempt on a visit to Australia. (At least I didnt run foul of the deadly fungal outbreak.) Turned out Id got an infection which, via my teeth, had spread to my heart, where it started wrecking the joint  literally. I now clean my teeth more diligently than ever before. Ross Gittins in hospital. Paul Hoult I was fortunate to get an illustrious surgeon from Germany who, with two others, worked for eight hours putting my heart back together in a tricky operation known as a commando procedure. The surgeons version of it he called an unidentified flying object. It required the use of an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machine, which acts as an artificial heart and lung, pumping blood outside the body while the surgeons get on with it. They installed a new plastic heart valve and painstakingly reconstructed two other valves. For several weeks, the ECMO was also used to keep me alive.

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The surgeon told me later the operation has a 30 per cent failure rate. So thats my near-death experience. Property of the health department ECMO machines cost up to $300,000 each. If you added up the cost of all the expensive machines, the high salaries paid to the doctors and the modest wages paid to the many nurses, then divided that by the number of people receiving such operations each year, you could say mine cost the taxpayer a massive sum. The hospital where Ross Gittins was operated on. Anna Kukera Thats true  though remember that, had they decided not to add me to the number of recipients, the saving to taxpayers would have been small. Once governments decide to provide such a service, most of the cost is fixed, not variable.

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When I woke up from sedation, I realised I was in hospital after an operation, but it had been successful. So, thanks for your help, Im off home to my own bed. No, I wasnt. I was no longer my own man. Related Article Publishing Herald titan nears return after months of medical calamity I was now the property of the health department, and a bunch of doctors would decide if and when I was allowed to go home which, I admit, was no bad thing. I was in no fit state to be deciding how much more hospital care I needed. What I didnt realise then was that I couldnt have gone home anyway because I couldnt walk. Id been lying in a hospital bed so long Id lost my balance  not to mention my sense of taste, skin tone, most of my muscle and 20 kilograms. Later I learnt Id acquired a new ailment: peripheral neuropathy, known as foot drop. Somewhere along the line, the blood stopped getting to my feet, damaging the nerves. My legs became numb and harder to control, making me more likely to fall over unless wearing special leg braces. When I tripped over at home and did so much damage I ended up back in hospital for two nights, I learnt my lesson: the awkward leg braces must be worn even around the house.

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In ICU for 44 days My hospital stay began in the intensive care unit. Most patients spend less than four days in ICU. But my heart stopped maybe five times after the operation so, by my reckoning, I was in there for 44 days. Its impossible to sleep in ICU. Everyones in together, and they leave the lights on all night, accompanied by a soundtrack of nurses talking to each other and machines making repeated urgent warning noises. I was sedated for the first few weeks, but once Id woken up I couldnt wait to get out of the place. Theres nothing to do but lie in bed, waiting for a doctor to come around or a nurse to check your vital signs yet again. You couldnt get out of bed to relieve yourself; they just whacked a pan under you. You didnt get out  or even sit up  for meals because you were fed gunk continuously through a tube. Meals break up a day; without them and with nothing to do, every day is an unending wasteland. The sleepless nights arent any better.

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And just to make sure you get the message, the railings around the bed can be lowered only by someone not in it. Part of my treatment involved a tracheostomy  cutting a hole in the neck and into the windpipe, then inserting a tube for another way of breathing. This removed my ability to speak. I thought it was a very convenient way to treat a consumer: no chance of complaints or being asked tricky questions. But journos are trained to be sceptical in all things. In fact, the nurses put much effort into understanding what I was trying to say. Inside the wards In ICU, I was desperate to become wardable and eventually, it happened. Once moved to an ordinary ward, however, there were further delays. But I had my own room (thanks to all the private insurance Ive shelled out for) and  you beaut  a TV set. I could kill time watching the ABC. Im usually too busy to watch much telly, but now I could veg out watching everything. Cant say I was impressed. A lot of the programs werent that wonderful, and I couldnt believe how often they were repeated. Sometimes I found myself watching shows for the third time.

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Ross Gittins with federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers in November 2024. Peter Rae In the run-up to Christmas, they had Nigellas Variety Concert from Westminster Cathedral on high rotation. It got so bad I occasionally strayed to SBS. My room also had a window. Just a pity the venetian blind was broken and you couldnt see out of it. Once, two maintenance men came and examined it thoroughly before leaving without a word and never coming back. With the odd exception, the nurses were terrific in making you comfortable and helping keep your spirits up. Early in my time in ICU, I was unconscious and there was no certainty Id make it. My wife and daughter spent many hours beside my bed. They speak highly of the consideration and understanding the nurses gave them, particularly a couple of male nurses.

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These days nurses have university degrees, but their desire to care for people lets the government underpay them. And where else do you find university graduates wiping bums? These days, a lot of nurses effort goes into measurement: endlessly repeated measurement of body temperature, heart rate, respiration rate and blood pressure, plus, in my case, repeated finger pricking to measure blood sugar  all using fancy machines. Nurses spend much time staring at screens, which have legs and wheels and go everywhere they go. Similarly, studying these measurements to draw conclusions about how I was faring occupied much of the doctors time. Nurses follow rules laid down by doctors. If my readings failed to fall within the specified range, there was much concern. My blood pressure has been on the low side for ages without causing a problem, but it worried successive nurses every day.

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I was struck by how polite it all was. No one walked through a doorway without knocking. No one spoke to you without introducing themselves. Everyone below the rank of professor went by their first name. My name is Algernon, and Im one of the doctors, they said, even though all of them were wearing their insignia  their badge of medical authority  a stethoscope round the neck. Nurses never did anything without asking for permission. Would you mind if I took your temperature? If you winced as you saw a needle approaching theyd say sorry, Ross. Being the weakling I am, I was always crying out and they were always saying sorry. They said it so often I thought it would make a good title for this tale of woe: Sorry, Ross. Speaking of tails, I was always being asked if I was in pain. I never felt any pain except a sore backside. Having been kept in bed for so long, I had a bedsore, these days known more euphemistically as a pressure sore. In the old days, hospitals went to much effort to sterilise their instruments to ensure one patients germs werent passed on to the next. These days they save time by making almost everything of plastic and disposing of it after one use: tweezers, syringes, covers, gloves, aprons and more. All that garbage shocked me a bit.

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Being diabetic, I was used to taking seven different pills a day. Now Im on about double that. Never thought Id be so old and infirm as to need a Webster-pak. This episode has taken me out of the ring for five months, but I feel like Ive aged much more than that. To make sure they gave the right pill to the right person, the nurses followed a rule of first asking for your full name and date of birth. Id recite it many times a day to a person whod heard it many times before. Early in my time in hospital, I vividly remembered watching three different documentaries about the hospital and its activities, with me in the starring role. Even so, they left me very frightened. Really? Since when had I been to the cinema to see one doco, let alone three? Took me some time to realise theyd been hallucinations. Specialist versus specialist Much of the rich worlds prosperity is owed to ever-greater specialisation  the division of labour as economists say. Nowhere is this truer than in medicine. But the division of my care between various specialists showed that specialisation also has a downside.

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Each one wanted to maximise my outcomes in their area, while ignoring the possibility this could conflict with some other specialists search for perfection in their area. No one was specialising in optimising the total package. Sometimes I could stay in hospital another day while two of my specialists argued the toss. The doctors were under pressure from the bean-counters to send patients home as soon as they reasonably could. But I suspect having everyone hanging round in their beds makes it too tempting to solve problems by giving it another day or two. It turned out I couldnt go home once the doctors had finished with me, but I had to go to rehabilitation at another institution. It took me three goes to make it. Twice I was sent back to hospital because of internal bleeding. So it took the hospital two goes, and two or three more weeks of me in hospital, to find the cause of the problem. Theyd been giving me two different blood thinners, which proved too much for my innards to withstand. On the road to recovery: Ross Gittins enjoying a trip to the cafe after being released from hospital. Claudia Sloan

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One was a pill Id been taking for years without mishap. The other was  would you believe  aspirin. When they removed the aspirin, the problem went away and my third attempt to rehabilitate proceeded without incident. All told, however, my three weeks in rehab took more than four weeks. When, after a few weeks back home, my fall took me back to hospital briefly, some anonymous doctor had put aspirin back on my list of pills. The nurse found it difficult to accept I shouldnt be taking the stuff. It said clearly on her instructions the doctor required it to be taken. But why, after all those months in hospital, did I need to spend a further three weeks  actually four  being rehabilitated? Because all those weeks lying in a bed had weakened my muscles and rendered me unable to do something Id done without bother for more than 70 years  walk. Dont get me wrong. Ill be forever grateful to the doctors at that hospital, who really did ensure my dire heart problem didnt cause me to die. But I also paid my own price: not just four weeks of my life relearning how to walk, but peripheral neuropathy that requires me to wear awkward leg braces when Im out of bed, and to walk with a walking frame for the foreseeable future, maybe for as long as I last. All told, however, my experience says we have a wonderful health system. Much of that is due to the commitment of our nurses and the skill of our doctors. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.
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NationalPorepunkah shooting We hope no one lied to us: Alpine towns fear Dezi Freeman accomplices are among them Jackson Graham April 5, 2026  6:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

A prominent Bright community figure close to Dezi Freemans wife says if police find someone in the town had helped Dezi Freeman evade capture, it will bring another level of trauma to those in the town. As holidaymakers swarm to the region for the Easter long weekend, those in the area are on edge after police released two people without charge on Saturday evening following arrests at separate properties in north-east Victoria. Leanne Boyd, a friend of Mali Freeman, says if people in Bright or Porepunkah are found to have helped Dezi Freeman, it will bring another level of trauma to the community. Ruby Alexander Police have not provided any further information on those arrested, and say their investigations are ongoing, leaving locals wondering who had been questioned and whether someone known to them had helped Freeman. If it turns out that there is somebody in Bright, what will happen is that will divide the town  it would be another level of trauma, said Leanne Boyd, a friend of Freemans wife, Mali Freeman.

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We hope its no one we know. Because thats more traumatic, it means someone lied to you. It emerged last Monday that Freeman had been hiding out in a shipping container on a remote bush property in Thologolong, near the border town of Walwa. After a three-hour stand-off, police shot dead the 56-year-old, having repeatedly called for him to surrender. Holidaymakers enjoying a warm Easter Sunday in Bright while locals are left with more questions than answers around Dezi Freeman. Eddie Jim Freeman had been on the run since August 26 last year, when he killed Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart, 34, at a Porepunkah property when they arrived as part of a group of 10 officers to carry out a search warrant in relation to child sexual abuse allegations against him. Neil Sutherland, whose brothers property was where police found Freeman, said the release of those arrested had not brought any closure after a whirlwind week of learning the fugitive had been hiding out in a converted shipping container a kilometre from his own property.

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Neil Sutherland lives next door to the property where Dezi Freeman was hiding. Justin McManus If someone is proven to have aided this bloke, Id take it as closure, he said. From last Monday, there has been just questions and no answers. He said his brother, who had been in Tasmania for months, had been unaware Freeman was on the land. Neil has tried to work out on a map what route Freeman could have taken  a trek that if taken through the bush would be up to 100 kilometres and possibly three to four days hiking. Related Article Updated

Porepunkah shooting Dezi Freeman associates arrested then released without charge I dont know whether hes stumbled on the place or whether people have told him, Sutherland said. I wouldnt rule out him walking here.

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Meanwhile, Leanne Boyd hopes one outcome of the events is mental health reform after it emerged Freemans closest family had convinced him to book a mental health appointment in the weeks before he murdered the two officers. I think, in all of it, as angry as he appeared at the police, he was also fearful of them, she said. I hope theres reform in dealing with people with mental health, so there are no more police deaths in this way, and you dont have the ensuring tragedies that occurred like they did [last Monday]. Father Tony Shallue at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church delivered an Easter service on Sunday that did not mention the case that has engulfed the region for the past seven months. Churchgoers leave the Easter service at Our Lady of Snows Catholic Church in Bright on Sunday. Eddie Jim

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He said Mali Freeman was a member of the church but had not attended since the two police officers were killed by Freeman last year. The effects had been felt widely, he said. Editor's pick Explainer

Healthcare A second chance: How do organ donations work? Theres no good in it. You start with the family, then those who knew him, then youve got the community, the businesses, and it went on for so long. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalGood Weekend Youre already doing it flawlessly: The Pitt star Shabana Azeez on her US accent hack Benjamin Law April 6, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

This story is part of the April 11 edition of Good Weekend. See all stories .

Each week, Benjamin Law asks public figures to discuss the subjects were told to keep private by getting them to roll a die. The numbers they land on are the topics theyre given. This week, he talks to Shabana Azeez. The 29-year-old Australian actor is best known for her role as medical student Victoria Javadi in the Golden Globe- and Emmy-award winning HBO TV series The Pitt. Shabana Azeez: acting requires some sort of EQ [emotional intelligence], some sort of ability to be vulnerable  and an almost compulsive need to embarrass yourself. Alamy Stock Photo SEX Were both migrant-background Australian kids. Were there certain attitudes and conversations  about sex and relationships  going on in your household that felt different to those taking place in other homes? Oh god, completely. My familys Muslim, but I went to a Catholic school. Some things were so different, but others were exactly the same. Oh, what did you notice? There was a lot of purity culture, shame and heteronormativity, and a lot of focus on marriage and procreation. They were like, We are not like those other people.

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Did you feel attractive growing up? Oh my god, no. I got bullied really badly for being ugly as a kid. There was a race-based element. People were like, Oh, I want to get tanned, but I dont want to be as dark as Shabana. Related Article Streaming Its an honour: Inside The Pitt with Australian actor Shabana Azeez Wait, is that really what they said? Thats a quote. And there was a fat-phobic element: when puberty hit, my body changed and the bullying changed. Suddenly, people were being nice to me. I remember internalising: Oh, so you people could have been nice to me the whole time  Now I desperately dont want to ever attach my sense of self-worth to how I look. How do you feel now? [Makes a funny face] I think Im rrrrrreal funny. Im grateful for that childhood. It made me funny! MONEY

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Would you say you grew up poor, working-class, middle-class or rich? Well, I went to a private school my whole life and lived in a beautiful home with a big family. We had a very comfortable life. Actually, I think its really important to talk about your privilege. Were comfortable talking about systems that oppress us because you want to change those systems. But I dont know that Id be here if I didnt grow up financially stable; it meant I was able to take risks as an actor. Related Article Good Weekend At school, Reko had some really awful experiences with art teachers. Now he drives a Porsche True or false? Your parents once said, Audition for drama school and, if you dont get in, never speak of it again? [Nods] And I did the worst audition ever for drama at Flinders [University] in Adelaide. I crashed my car on the way to the audition, too. [Azeez did a Bachelor of Arts and Media at the University of Adelaide.] But I dont think that being good at acting necessarily requires training. I think it requires some sort of EQ [emotional intelligence], some sort of ability to be vulnerable  and an almost compulsive need to embarrass yourself. What jobs are you saying yes and no to now, and how much is money a factor? Ive always worked below my pay grade which, as an actor, is $0. That has served me well. Im doing that less now, which Im very grateful for. But I really want the metrics that I use to judge a project to not be financial. I want to do a gig because the story or impact is amazing. Lesbian Space Princess was about queer joy. Birdeater was about coercive control. The Pitt is for healthcare workers. Ive been very lucky that its all very impact-driven. I want that to continue, but its also just luck that people see that in me. BODIES

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Your American accent in The Pitt is so flawless that many Australians initially didnt even know you were Australian. How did you acquire one so convincingly? I used the Paul Meier book, Accents & Dialects for Stage and Screen. If you get the e-book, its got each accent with audio clips. Also, probably everybody can do an American accent. If you sing any pop songs, youre already doing it flawlessly. Just sing it, then bring it down to talking. On The Pitt, you have medical supervision and undergo doctor boot camps to ensure accuracy. What have you learnt about the human body? That the human body is so complex. Suturing has been really fun for me, as well as seeing how intubating works. We learn how to massage the heart. We have these rigs where you feel the heart, and the doctors will be like, Yep, thats how it feels in real life. And youre like, Wow, this is what it feels like to hold a heart  Azeez, who stars as Dr Victoria Javadi on The Pitt, has a simple trick for nailing the American accent. Are you ever grossed out? Only with the lateral canthotomy, a procedure where you cut the eye open. With other procedures, when the bodys open, you dont really think, That could be my body. But looking at a guys face while its being cut open  thats confronting. Is it true that you were surprised at being cast on The Pitt considering your south Asian co-star Supriya Ganesh had already been cast? Did you assume the industry wouldnt put two brown girls in the same show? My character wasnt written as south Asian, hers was. Mine was originally Middle Eastern. I thought, Am I taking representation away from people?

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One of the leads in season two is Iranian, though. [Nods] And its really important for there to be two people of [the same] colour. Its the Brooklyn Nine-Nine way of doing things. If theres more than one, then none of it is tokenistic. For me and Supriya, it changed our experience. To be the only woman, the only person of colour  whatever it is  can be isolating. Its healing to have two of us. When does your body embarrass you? At dinner, you can lift up my plate and see exactly where it was because theres food all around it. Wow. Like a snow angel except, instead of snow, its filth. Mmm, food angel  Whats your superpower? Im very observant. I dont love to be looked at, but Im really good at paying attention. The Pitt is now airing on HBO Max.

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Some days we fly past a blur of steel, concrete and orange signage. From the windows, the ghostly station looks to be home to more train carriages than people. Some days the disembodied voice issues a flat warning. This train will stop at Macdonaldtown. The question that most often springs to mind is, why? This is Sydneys station without a suburb, population zero. Hardly anyone seems to get on or off when the train does bother to stop: those who do are typically Newtowners or Erskinevillagers who live close by, and Sydney Trains employees (the stabling yards dominate the vista to the south, graffiti-strewn concrete to the north). Until a recent Friday, I had never walked among the denizens of Macdonaldtown. After nine years in Sydney, always living in or near the inner west, Id visited every other station between Central and Strathfield. There was always a purpose to those visits; Macdonaldtown never seemed to have rhyme or reason. It seemed spooky. A lone passenger at Macdonaldtown station on a cloudy Friday. Sam Mooy To step off the T2 line and enter Macdonaldtown is to step into a quieter time. The single island platform is devoid of advertising and vending machines, as well as people.

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There are no frills, no lifts and there is limited access: just stairs and a tunnel, a pretty mural at the entrance disguising the fact there were once more platforms, and obligatory Opal paraphernalia. It is a hive of inactivity. Express services give it a miss, and more trains pass than stop. Opal data shows there were 314,251 taps for entry and 304,606 exit taps at the station last year, an average of 860 a day in and 835 a day out. The neighbouring stabling yards dominate the view to the south of Macdonaldtown station. Sam Mooy The waiting game: On a recent Friday afternoon, more trains passed the station than stopped for passengers. Sam Mooy Passengers were few and far betwen on the platform at Macdonaldtown station. Sam Mooy It would be unfair to compare Macdonaldtown to Redferns behemoth station a short walk away, where millions of taps are recorded each year and many more passengers switch lines. Newtown, the next stop west, also has many more services and attracts about 10 times the passengers. Fairer comparisons are Stanmore and, on a different line, Erskineville, which each have more than double the passengers.

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Macdonaldtown occupies a curious place in Sydney history. The urban legend has it that the name was wiped off the map after the 1892 discovery of dead babies in a Macdonaldtown property linked to murderers John and Sarah Makin, along with others at places the couple rented. The Makins were convicted in March 1893 and the suburb disappeared soon after. The reality appears more mundane: moves were afoot to absorb Macdonaldtown into Erskineville in April 1892 before the bodies were found. One reason given was that property values would rise about 5 per cent. Some things in Sydney are timeless. Exchange student Tommaso Bocchini is a fan of Macdonaldtown station, even though he had plenty of time to pose while waiting for a train to the city. Sam Mooy One of the stations greatest fans is Tommaso Bocchini, a 19-year-old exchange student from New York. As clouds hover, he sits on a bench with 13 minutes on the clock until the next train. From our apartment its a lot easier, he says, extolling the virtues of his walk past a cafe and how there is less foot traffic and fewer red lights than the annoying trek to Newtown station.

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Here its really nice, he says. I like coming here a lot better. Its a lot easier. The test on his patience is outweighed by the chance to absorb the peace and quiet, or digest the days lecture or tutorial. Bocchini says other students he lives with feel the same about their go-to station, and he is positive about Sydneys public transport system as he finds the trains and buses much cleaner and more reliable than what he gets at home. I see a lot of weird things on the New York subway. Its just so much better here than New York. Macdonaldtown station offended the artistic nature of John Baxter, who in 1986 painted the place pink. He called it a dull, grey scar on the landscape in the middle of and even larger scar ... an immense industrial wasteland. Herald archives Not everyone has held the station in such high regard. In July 1986, aspiring artist John Baxter thought the large grey scar on the Sydney landscape needed improvement. Along with his younger brother, the 18-year-old attempted to turn the station a bright pink. His brother was caught paintbrush in hand. Baxter appeared in court later in the year, but no conviction was recorded; the magistrate and commuters alike considered his handiwork an improvement. Baxter, remembered as audacious, fearless and clever in a tribute two years ago after his death in Edinburgh aged 56, had spent about $200 on the paint and chose the colour because it stood in direct contrast to grey.

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Exclusive PoliticsVictoriaVictoria bushfires Bushfire inquiry delay labelled a farce as Victoria heads for El Nino summer Chip Le Grand April 6, 2026  5:50am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

The lessons from last summers destructive bushfires will come too late to inform Victorias preparations for the next fire season after the states emergency management watchdog delayed her inquiry into the 2026 disaster. Inspector-General for Emergency Management Emily Phillips has confirmed that three months after fires killed one person, destroyed 300 homes and burnt 400,000 hectares across the state, she has not begun the review announced by Premier Jacinta Allan at the height of the crisis. Remnants of a home destroyed by the Longwood fire near the community of Yarck in January. Chris Hopkins Instead, she has shelved her work until after a separate, parliamentary inquiry into the fires delivers its report. Phillips anticipates her inquiry will not be up and running before mid-to-late this year as south-eastern Australia potentially heads into a hot and dry El Nino summer. The delayed timeline means that even if Phillips reports before the end of this year, her recommendations will be too late to inform any decisions about firefighting equipment, staffing or emergency response practices for next summer.

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The Victorian government confirmed it was aware of the timeframe. As the independent inspectorgeneral has said, staging the reviews allows her work to consider the parliamentary inquirys findings while also ensuring our emergency agencies arent stretched across multiple major reviews at once, a spokesperson said. Nationals MP Annabelle Cleeland, whose electorate of Euroa was engulfed by the deadly Longwood fire which ignited on the side of the Hume Highway and killed local cattle farmer Max Hobson, said the delay reeks of bureaucracy. Euroa MP Annabelle Cleeland, with sons Quinn, 5, and Arthur, 6, in late January in the aftermath of the Longwood fire. Chris Hopkins This was a tragedy, she said. Significant elements of this disaster could have been avoided and we need that feedback before we make the same mistakes next summer. Why did they want it pushed out for nearly 12 months, when you then cant make any recommended changes before the next summer? What is the premier hiding? Is she willing for the same mistakes to be made again?

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Country Fire Authority Volunteers Group president John Houston said there was no reason why the two inquiries could not run in parallel. Related Article Bushfires Allan facing bush revolt, One Nation challengers as farmers and fireys fume You may as well not have an inquiry if you are going to wait until next year, he said. By the sounds of it, she is waiting for everyone else to write the report, and she will just click and drag. Andrew Weidemann, a Wimmera grain farmer whose Across Victoria Alliance has become a lightning rod for regional resentment against the governments tax policies and what it claims is a poorly resourced CFA, said there was an urgent need to improve firefighting equipment and morale before the next bushfire season. The group, along with the opposition, the United Firefighters Union and the CFA Volunteers Group, backed the establishment of a parliamentary inquiry into the fires. This shows why we felt the inspector-general was a toothless tiger, Weidemann said. We are seeing another public farce.

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The premier announced the Inspector-General for Emergency Management inquiry into the fires on January 15, a week after the Longwood blaze was ignited by a passing trailer sending a spark into long grass next to the highway during a day of catastrophic fire conditions. At the time, Allan was frustrated by what she described as a misinformation campaign about CFA funding and problems with the agencys ageing truck fleet. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Jacinta Allan in the fire-ravaged town of Harcourt on January 11. David Crosling In a statement released to announce the inquiry, a government spokesperson emphasised the need for non-partisan review. Once the risk is reduced, we will request a formal review into this bushfire season led by the Inspector-General for Emergency Management, not politicians, they said. The Inspector-General for Emergency Management was established for exactly this purpose  to provide expert advice so we can continually improve our response.

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The opposition later secured the support of crossbench MPs to establish a separate, upper house inquiry, to be chaired by Labor MP Ryan Batchelor. It has invited submissions but is yet to schedule any public hearings, with its original reporting date pushed back two months to the end of July. That inquiry will look at issues including preparation and planning by government and emergency services agencies and funding for equipment and appliances to the CFA. Loading The Inspector-General for Emergency Management was established after the 2009 Black Saturday fires, the deadliest since records were kept, to bolster public accountability of the states response to bushfire and other emergency disasters. When the previous inspector-general, Tony Pearce, conducted an inquiry into the 2019-20 fires, he handed down his findings and 17 recommendations into the states fire preparedness and response on July 31, 2020. The second half of his inquiry, into the effectiveness of relief and recovery arrangements, was completed the following year.

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The delay in the 2026 inquiry was revealed after independent MP Will Fowles last month wrote to Phillips asking her about the timing and scope of her review. Fowles is the brother of winemaker Matt Fowles whose Avenel vineyards were destroyed by the Longwood fire. Phillips told Will Fowles that she wanted to consider the findings and recommendations of the parliamentary committees review before commencing her own inquiry. Following completion of the committees work in mid-to-late 2026, I intend to publish information on my review, including terms of reference and opportunities for public engagement, she wrote. This masthead gave Phillips a series of questions, including whether she could provide an assurance that her inquiry into last summers fires would be completed before the next fire season, but her spokesperson did not address the question. Before her appointment in 2024, Phillips worked for 10 years in senior public service positions in water, agriculture, telecommunications and regulatory services. A government spokesman said Victorias emergency services were conducting their own reviews into last summers fires, the findings of which would inform their preparations for the next fire season.

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Last summers fires were devastating  our focus is on learning from them and supporting the Victorian communities impacted, the spokesman said. The Bureau of Meteorologys most recent long-term forecast, published late last month, predicts warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures and a possible shift to El Nino by late winter. If this is confirmed, it will likely bring hotter and drier summer conditions to Victoria. Cleeland said the risk of delaying the Inspector-General for Emergency Management inquiry was that memories would fade and important issues left unaddressed. She said the response to the Longwood fire had been hampered by confusion over which radio channels to use and the suitability of trucks and other equipment available to firefighting crews. Editor's pick Magazine

Sunday Life The April 5 Edition April 5, 2026 There is a timeline of memory, she said. If you genuinely want to bring in change and protect communities from the same mistakes, the sooner the better.

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Last summers fire crisis was the first to which Victorian emergency services have responded since the CFA was shifted into the newly created Fire Services Victoria, a change resisted by some within the traditionally volunteer organisation. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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The well-heeled Mornington Peninsula is not the sort of place One Nation would have chosen to put its newfound popularity in Victoria to the test. But the sudden resignation of Liberal MP Sam Groth has left the state seat of Nepean  which covers coastal communities such as Portsea, Flinders and Rosebud  up for grabs in a byelection on May 2. Residents on the southern Mornington Peninsula will vote in a byelection on May 2. Joe Armao The electorate has long been considered a place of affluence, politically dominated by the Liberal Party except for Labors unexpected victory in 2018. But next month it will be the oppositions seat to lose, particularly because the state government has chosen not to run a candidate ahead of the state election in November. That decision has turned the byelection into an unpredictable three-way battle, featuring a Liberal who has only just joined the party, a popular independent and a One Nation candidate hoping to capitalise on the communitys frustration.

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And voters are frustrated: at Groths decision to force them to the polls twice in seven months, at the state of the ageing local hospital, at potholes and the cost of living. Phil Myers from Blairgowrie says that rising petrol prices are another concern in his neighbourhood. For a community so dependent on cars and tourism, the cost crunch caused by the war in the Middle East has had a major impact. Myers is also worried about rates of homelessness. As of last year, the Mornington Peninsula had the highest number of rough sleepers statewide. I do a lot of walking in parks in Tootgarook  and you see the rough camps. I dont think anyone in Australia should have to be like that, he says. Other locals are more preoccupied with the sudden exit of Groth, who had risen quickly after he was first elected in 2022 to become the partys deputy leader. His decision means the community has been stranded without a state MP and will soon have to cope with the possibility of a short-term representative.

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Maria McPherson from Rye isnt sentimental about his departure. Sam Groth really hasnt done much for us. We never saw him in the office down here. He was not approachable at all. So lets hope the new guy will do better, she says. Maria McPherson. Simon Schluter Pollster Kos Samaras, director of Redbridge Group and a former Victorian Labor Party official, says the byelection next month is likely to be complicated  with the Liberal primary vote in Victoria facing a significant collapse toward One Nation. Although the Mornington Peninsulas affluent, educated base typically dislikes One Nation, Samaras says Nepean also contains peri-urban, economically stressed pockets where working-class conservatives are increasingly likely to desert the Liberals. [Nepean] is still a seat on my list that shouldnt go to One Nation, so if One Nation has a good day there, thats extremely ominous [for major parties in the state election]. The Liberals are hanging their hopes on Anthony Marsh, a three-time Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor who was preselected by the party in February. His appointment has garnered public support from party members, such as local federal MP Zoe McKenzie and Mornington state MP Chris Crewther.

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But the decision has also caused controversy. Long-time local Liberals were overlooked in favour of Marsh in a process that involved a heavy hand from the partys state executive in Melbourne. He joined the party mere weeks before he was announced as the candidate, ignoring a usual rule that requires members to wait two years before running for election. More damning for his detractors is the fact the mayor, who campaigned as an independent during council elections, had promised not to leave and run for parliament. Liberal candidate Anthony Marsh says Nepeans roads are in urgent need of repair. Simon Schluter Sitting in a car in the small Western Port suburb of Shoreham, Marsh bats away any insinuation that he used his role as a councillor as a springboard to Spring Street. Rather, the unexpected news of a byelection forced him to consider how he could best serve his community. I didnt have state ambitions. And that [was] absolutely true at the time, Marsh says. Ive spent the last year and a half begging the state to pay attention to Nepean and the broader peninsula. So the easiest way to do that is to join a team to be part of that solution, rather than just talking from the sidelines.

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He is a vocal advocate for improving local roads, having appeared on social media filling in potholes with Opposition Leader Jess Wilson. In the rearview mirror of the car in Shoreham, he points out a large hole filled with rainwater. A few passing cars swerve to avoid it. People shouldnt require the candidates to get out and fill potholes  These roads are just generally unsafe, and thats not good enough, he says. Residents have long been fighting for upgrades to the electorates only hospital, in Rosebud. Peninsula Health Then theres the redevelopment of the 65-year-old Rosebud Hospital  which has become a touchstone issue of the byelection. Last year, the facility received $4 million for repairs and refurbishments from the state government. With its outdated emergency department and ageing facilities, Frankston is the next best public option and its 50-minute drive from some parts of the electorate. Tamara Barker, who grew up in Rosebud but now lives in Frankston, says that patients are constantly being diverted from her childhood hospital to the one she now lives near. Rosebud doesnt have the services. The hospital needs the services, she says.

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Independent candidate Tracee Hutchison says she understands the importance of the local hospital more than most: she was born in the now-closed maternity ward. We should be able to have a hospital that can do the most basic things, like day surgery  [and] not have to go to Frankston for everything. Frankston is too far. Related Article Victorian byelection The former triple j host targeting major-party discontent in state byelection Hutchison is pitching herself as a true community independent, having rejected an offer of money from Climate 200, the donation powerhouse behind teal candidates and MPs. A move into politics for the November state election was always on the cards, but plans were accelerated when Groth stepped away. People are very disillusioned with the Allan Labor government. Theyre very disillusioned with our representation here over a long period of time  [there is] sentiment in this community that that system isnt serving us, Hutchison says. Her other key issues are the state governments controversial approval of a major redevelopment at Arthurs Seat and a general lack of money for the electorate. Im as legitimate and authentic as you can get a community independent, she says. I need to be able to work with  whichever colour of government is elected.

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Another challenger for the seat comes in the form of One Nation. The partys trademark orange corflutes are already pinned to power poles outside McDonalds outlets and in the windows of a few cafes. One couple at the Rye supermarket dont have much to say about the byelection  except that theyll be voting for Pauline Hansons party. For candidate Darren Hercus, a self-described family man and small business owner, a pivot into politics was a platform to have his issues heard. His major focus is the impact that the cost of living crisis has had on small businesses  something hes dealt with personally. One Nation candidate Darren Hercus at his factory in Dromana. Simon Schluter Its becoming almost unviable to run a small business  Ive spoken to businesses all down Nepean, and a lot of them are saying the same thing, Hercus says. The other option is to run for parliament. I never planned to be a politician. Hercus flags housing, crime and Rosebud hospitals redevelopment as other key issues. But on his partys more contentious immigration policies, he stays relatively neutral. While Australia does need immigration, it must be better managed, he says.

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Joining One Nation was a way in which he could hold the government to account. He says he wants to stand as a real option for residents. Related Article Exclusive

Victorian election One Nations SA surge sends an early ripple through Victorian seats Ill be certainly making as much noise as I can for the people of Nepean  On top of that, Ive got to represent One Nation as well  to try and assist in winning more seats, he says. The Greens candidate is Sianan Healy, who works in womens health and holds a PhD in history. She says that she never planned to get into politics, but is excited to stand with a party she believes in. We made sure that there was somebody who people could vote for  who represented their values. Election analyst Ben Raue, who runs the Tally Room blog and podcast, says the Liberal Party will be squeezed on both sides of the political spectrum during this byelection. Progressive Labor voters will likely park their vote with independent Hutchison, and the small contingent of Greens votes will also feed back to Hutchison on preferences, he says.

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Then I wouldnt be surprised if you end up in a situation where [Hutchison] is the primary progressive, and youve got Liberal and One Nation competing on the other side, he says. This situation creates a volatile environment for Liberal candidate Marsh. Raue says it is not inconceivable that the Liberal primary vote could be eroded to the point where they are knocked into third place during the counting of preferences  leaving Hercus and Hutchison as the final two. But Raue is sceptical of One Nations appeal on the affluent peninsula, compared to the outer-northern suburbs of Adelaide and regional areas where they performed well in last months South Australian election. The demographics of Nepean tend to favour progressive teal style candidates over right-wing populism. In South Australia, One Nation issued open tickets  meaning they did not dictate to supporters how to order their preferences on the ballot. The South Australian Liberals however preferenced One Nation  a move Raue says would be suicidal for the party to continue in Nepean.

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On May 2, Marsh, Hercus and Healy all say that their preference will be decided by party management and are yet to be finalised. Hutchison says that she will run an open ticket. No matter the result of the byelection, which is expected to cost about $2 million to run, the voters of Nepean will have to do it all again in November. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP)  Aid groups are warning that the war in the Middle East has upended their ability to get food and medicine to millions of people around the world in need, and that the suffering will deepen if the violence continues.

Not only has the conflict cut off vital shipping routes, creating a global energy crisis, its also disrupting supply chains for aid groups, forcing them to use costlier, more time-consuming routes.

Key pathways such as the Strait of Hormuz have been effectively shuttered and routes from strategic hubs such as Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi have also been impacted. Transport costs have spiked with higher fuel and insurance rates, meaning less supplies can be delivered with the same amount of money.

The World Food Program says it has tens of thousands of metric tons of food heavily delayed in transit. The International Rescue Committee has $130,000 worth of pharmaceuticals intended for war-torn Sudan stranded in Dubai and nearly 670 boxes of therapeutic food meant for severely malnourished children in Somalia stuck in India. The U.N. Population Fund says its delayed sending equipment to 16 countries.

Steep U.S. cuts to foreign aid already had hobbled many aid groups, who say the war is exacerbating the problem.

The United Nations says this is the most significant supply chain disruption since COVID, with up to a 20% cost increase on shipments and delays as goods are rerouted. And the war is creating new emergencies, such as in Iran, and also in Lebanon where at least one million people have been displaced.

The war on Iran and disruption to the Strait of Hormuz risk pushing humanitarian operations beyond their limits, said Madiha Raza, associate director for public affairs and communications for Africa for the International Rescue Committee.

Even when the fighting stops, the shock to global supply chains could continue to delay lifesaving aid for months, she said.

Longer and more costly routes

The war has forced organizations to find new ways to transport goods, with some bypassing the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal and rerouting vessels around Africa, adding weeks to the delivery.

Others are using a hybrid of methods, including land, sea and air, increasing costs.

Jean-Cedric Meeus, chief of global transport and logistics for UNICEF, said his agency is using a mix of land and air routes to send vaccines to Nigeria and Iran in order to get them there in time for the vaccination campaigns, but the costs have soared.

Before the war, UNICEF sent vaccines to Iran by plane directly from vendors around the world. Now its flying the vaccines to Turkey and driving them into Iran, which has increased costs by 20% and has added 10 days to the delivery time, he said.

Save the Children International, which would normally send supplies by ocean freight from Dubai to Port Sudan, will now have to truck the goods from Dubai through Saudi Arabia and then by barge across the Red Sea, it said. The route adds 10 days and increases costs by about 25%, at a time when over 19 million Sudanese face acute food insecurity. The delay puts more than 90 primary health care facilities across Sudan at risk of running out of essential medicines, it said.

The spike in prices also means organizations have to choose what to prioritize.

In the end, you sacrifice either the number of children that you serve  or you sacrifice the number of items that you can afford to buy, said Janti Soeripto, president of Save the Children for the United States. The group said it has stockpiles in countries where it works but some of those could run out within weeks.

Rising costs are also impacting peoples ability to seek help within their countries.

Doctors Without Borders said rising fuel prices across Somalia  where some 6.5 million people are experiencing acute food insecurity  have driven up transport and food costs, making it harder for people to get care. In Nigeria, the IRC says fuel prices have surged by 50% and clinics are struggling to power equipment, such as generators and mobile health teams have scaled back operations.

Hunger crisis could deepen

One of the biggest concerns is the impact the war will have on global hunger.

WFP warns that if the conflict continues through June, 45 million more people will be acutely hungry, adding to nearly 320 million people facing hunger around the world.

Some 30% of the worlds fertilizer comes through the Strait of Hormuz and with planting season ahead in areas like East Africa and South Asia, small farmers in poor countries will be hard hit. Sudan imports more than half its fertilizer from the Gulf and Kenya approximately 40% from there, aid groups say.

The U.N. secretary-general has established a task force to facilitate fertilizer trade  modeled on the Black Sea Grain Initiative. But aid groups say that wont be enough. If theres no ceasefire, governments need to provide more funding for organizations to respond to the rising costs, they say.

Humanitarian experts say theres been a slower international response to fund aid during this war compared to previous conflicts like Ukraine, which could reflect growing pressure to invest in security over aid at a time when the world is in turmoil.

Theyre making hard choices between defense security and humanitarian aid, said Sam Vigersky, an international affairs fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations who has written about the wars impact on aid.

He said when the U.S. goes to war, it normally has provisions for aid, but hasnt been activating those provisions. Its not a capacity issue, its a policy decision, he said.

Tommy Pigott, principal deputy spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, said that the U.S. has been the most generous country in the world when it comes to humanitarian aid.

The department said its releasing an additional $50 million in emergency assistance to Lebanon, including to the World Food Program and working closely with the United Nations and others to address the humanitarian needs.



Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer contributed from the United Nations

By SAM MEDNICK and SAMY MAGDY

Associated Press
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InspirationFrance The wealthy, overlooked Paris neighbourhood thats surprisingly affordable Natasha Bazika April 6, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

This article is part of Travellers comprehensive Paris Destination Guide. See all stories .

Paris is the city of love, but its also the city of compromise. First-timers stretch their budgets to stay near the major sights, while repeat visitors skip a few landmarks to live the more local experience in neighbourhoods like Le Marais. For me, the challenge is finding an apartment large enough for five people, yet close enough to the sights to please a 10-year-old whose list includes the Eiffel Tower, climbing the Arc de Triomphe and many, many baguettes. So we compromise and land in a three-bedroom Airbnb in the 16th arrondissement, a wealthy, leafy part of Paris no one tells you about, which might explain why I feel like Ive accidentally gatecrashed a neighbourhood party I wasnt invited to. Passy has a village feel and yet it is in walking distance of the Eiffel Tower. Natasha Bazika On our first night, we stumble across Chez Emile, a neighbourhood bistro with a red awning, locals smoking at tiny tables, and the Eiffel Tower glinting in the background like its part of the decor. Strangely, it isnt busy, given the view and the time  9pm. A waiter flicks a fresh white cloth across three outdoor tables, and we order steak frites and duck confit, both 21 ($35), and both reasons to love the 16th. The arrondissement stretches from the Arc de Triomphe to the Jardins du Trocadero, hugging the River Seine and wrapping around Bois de Boulogne, a large park with lakes and trails. The neighbourhood, with fashion houses, grand Haussmann facades and wealthy residents, is known for its old money character. But beneath the polish of grand avenues and the Porsches lining the street, theres a down-to-earth village vibe.

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That feeling intensifies when walking around Passy on a Saturday morning. Its narrow, twisting streets feature covered markets and gourmet shops that display fruit and tinned fish like Hermes bags. One standout is La Grande Epicerie de Paris, a multi-level food hall where my godfather, an avid cook, acts like a kid in a candy store. He swoons over French mustards, gets lost in a room devoted to artisanal juices and syrups, and inspects tins in the foie gras section. Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now. On the cobblestone street of Rue de lAnnonciation, there is an open-air market with more reasonably priced produce, where locals stroll with netted bags full of baguettes, fresh fruit and vegetables. However, there are also upmarket specialty shops, like Caviar Latian, a deli selling caviar tins and blinis with caviar and a glass of vodka to enjoy on site and, in the surrounding streets, there are luxury watch shops, designer boutiques and perfumeries. It rarely makes it onto best of Paris lists, but Passy has a quiet, residential appeal. Alamy The 16th is sometimes dismissed as boring for tourists, which is probably why it rarely makes best neighbourhoods in Paris lists. But its a matter of compromise. Sure, its quieter and more residential, but its also home to museums and galleries. Theres the Musee Marmottan-Monet, a small museum that houses the worlds largest collection of Claude Monets paintings, donated by his son Michel, while the Palais de Tokyo and the Musee dArt Moderne de Paris sit side by side, offering a double hit of contemporary and modern art. A short walk from the Eiffel Tower is Le M. Musee du Vin, a wine museum inside former limestone quarries once used by 16th- and 17th-century friars from the Convent of Passy to store their barrels. You can book a tasting, stay for lunch, or sip a glass at the wine bar.

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Taking up much of the arrondissement is Bois de Boulogne, the so-called lungs of Paris, where youll find locals jogging, biking and picnicking. Twice the size of New Yorks Central Park, there are horse riding trails, ponds, waterfalls, hiking paths, rowboats for hire, Michelin restaurants (Le Pre Catelan and La Grande Cascade), and Roland-Garros, home of the French Open. Art lovers should visit the Frank Gehry-designed Fondation Louis Vuitton, the rooftop views from which are a highlight. The 16th arrondissement includes Bois de Boulogne, the lungs of Paris. The 16th reveals itself in layers. Grand avenues and Michelin-starred restaurants, yes, but also quiet streets, gourmet markets and parks. We stop at Belen, an Argentinian-French bakery, for morning coffee and pastries, grab our daily baguettes from Bechu, and imagine the well-off residents in the art nouveau apartments. By the time we leave, we are all in agreement: I think I could live here. THE DETAILS FLY

Qantas flies to Paris via Singapore. See qantas.com.au

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Paris Natasha Bazika , an Italy-based travel writer, isn't just about ticking destinations off a list. She's a storyteller who uses food and local encounters to bring the heart of a place to life.
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Travel newsCruises Feeling stressed? Take a silent trip through one of the worlds quietest places Brian Johnston April 6, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

How was 2025 for you? If you felt stressed out, youre not alone. And it isnt just family commitments, financial strains and the state of world politics that are getting to us. According to the World Health Organisation, noise pollution has become a major stressor. It seems that urban hubbub, traffic, background music and constant smartphone chatter are creating unacceptable levels of noise that are driving us all nuts. Into the peace and quiet of Norway with Havila Voyages. So whats the solution? Well, thats a complicated social issue far beyond the remit of this column, but Havila Voyages is proposing a temporary fix: a silent travel cruise in one of the worlds quietest places. Norway is tranquil. Havila has sound-measurement stations at various locations along the coast and on its website compares the results with those of international cities. Geiranger in Norway had 37 decibels of background noise on one recent day, New York 86.

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No Australian city is listed, but the Australian government recommends an average noise limit of 60 decibels a day. Sign up for the Traveller newsletter The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now. Havila claims that most Norwegian coastal noise comes from nature, with rustling leaves creating 20 decibels and light rain 40 decibels. When its ships are running on battery, they create 60 decibels of noise. It might sound like a marketing gimmick, but noise pollution does have a serious health impact. The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute in Sydney says the stress from traffic noise alone causes high blood pressure and an increased chance of a heart attack or stroke. Which brings me to expedition and luxury cruising, which on the whole provides relatively noise-free and relaxing environments, at least if you steer clear of amplified live music in lounges and the theatre. Yoga on the deck with Explora Journeys.

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You can boost your wellbeing even more on dedicated wellness cruises from Crystal Cruises, Seabourn and the like. All upmarket lines from Explora Journeys to Silversea have wellness centres and a range of onboard wellness activities such as yoga and meditation classes. Related Article Europe A 130-year-old, essential ferry route doubles as a spectacular cruise Ships apart, theres something soothing about the vast expanses of sea and sky that drift by as you slump on the deck in a semi-doze without having to think about much more than which restaurant youll dine in that evening. You could make a fair case for luxury cruising being the most stress-free holiday short of camping in a national park  although, when camping, youll have to deal with the indignities of rough living. It might be time to slot a rejuvenating cruise getaway into your schedule this year. Surely youve earned it. Heres to happy, calming cruising in 2026. And if you cant do that, then you might at least hunt down Havila Voyages Spotify playlist and tune into such soothing hits as Birds singing by the river in Oye, Rowing in calm water in Geiranger and Sheep grazing in Floro. Beats listening to traffic or the world news.

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Ocean cruises Brian Johnston seemed destined to become a travel writer: he is an Irishman born in Nigeria and raised in Switzerland, who has lived in Britain and China and now calls Australia home.
Vatican City: Pope Leo led the worlds Catholics into Easter at a Saturday night (Rome time) vigil Mass in St Peters Basilica, urging people not to feel numbed by the scope of the conflicts raging across the world, but to work for peace.

Leo, who has emerged as an outspoken critic of the Iran war, said mistrust and fear had been allowed to sever the bonds between us through war, injustice and the isolation of peoples and nations.

Pope Leo XIV waves after leading the Easter Vigil inside St Peters Basilica at The Vatican. AP

Let us not allow ourselves to be paralysed, the first US pope exhorted in a service for the holiest night in the Catholic calendar, when the Bible says Jesus rose from the dead.

Leo did not mention any specific conflicts during the service, at which he also baptised 10 adult converts to Catholicism.
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Analysis WorldEuropeWorld elections Hungarian voters face a big question. JD Vance thinks he has the answer David Crowe April 6, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

London: Racing to win a tight election, Viktor Orban needs all the help he can get in persuading Hungarian voters to keep him as their prime minister. JD Vance, the US vice president, seems happy to help. From left: US Vice President JD Vance, Viktor Orban, Hungarys prime minister, and US President Donald Trump during a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House last year. Bloomberg Orban, who has led Hungary for the past 16 years, is relying on his American friend to deliver a public show of support this week. Vance will oblige by arriving in Budapest on Tuesday for two days of events before voters cast their ballots on Sunday. But there are serious doubts about whether the American intervention will sway Hungarians when so many Europeans are hardening their objections to US President Donald Trump, not least because of his war with Iran.

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That makes this election not just a test of support for Europes most entrenched conservative leader  a man who wants to turn away migrants, stop aid to Ukraine and lift sanctions on Russia. It is also a test of whether Trump and Vance have enough influence to shape the outcome. Related Article Analysis

EU Trumps best friend in Europe counts on White House to stay in power Orban is campaigning hard on policies opposing immigration and asserting Hungarys rights as a sovereign nation within the European Union. Let us be proud that we are the only country in all of Europe that has said we will not allow others from Brussels to tell us who we must live with, he declared at a rally for his Fidesz party last week. But the war with Iran is complicating his campaign when energy prices are soaring and global growth is stalling  and his friends in Washington are part of the problem.

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Orban is warning voters of a severe energy crisis. At the same time, he is careful not to blame Trump for starting a war that has led to an oil shortage. Orban could certainly do without this problem when he is trailing his rival, Peter Magyar of the Tisza party, in the opinion polls. Magyar is within sight of becoming prime minister after a spectacular falling out with Orban in February 2024, when he revealed a corruption scandal, quit the ruling party and signed up with Tisza  a name that plays on the words for respect and freedom. Loading I think this really will be a referendum on our countrys place in the world, Magyar said in an interview with the Associated Press on Thursday. I think that Tisza will have an overwhelming electoral victory because even Fidesz voters do not want our country to be a Russian puppet state, a colony, an assembly plant, instead of belonging to Europe.

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So, will Vance make a difference by giving Orban a blessing from the MAGA movement? Probably not, says Zselyke Csaky, a senior research fellow at the Centre for European Reform. Trump has backed Orban several times already, of course. Its not the most important factor in the election campaign, Csaky tells this masthead. Donald Trump has backed Viktor Orban several times already. Bloomberg Just like in other countries, people primarily focus on domestic issues, and foreign policy is often a background noise. For Fidesz voters, Trumps support is further proof that Orban is a globally important player, but the endorsement is not something that will get Orban new voters or that will prove decisive on April 12.

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Csaky notes, however, that one foreign policy question could influence the campaign. A key member of the Orban government, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, is accused of disclosing confidential information to Moscow after his meetings with EU counterparts. Related Article Updated

US Votes 2024 Trump meets with Hungarys leader Viktor Orban at Mar-a-Lago The revelations by The Insider and other media outlets included leaked recordings in which Szijjarto told Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov he was trying to stop sanctions on Russians close to Putin. Szijjarto says the claims are fake news because his objections to the sanctions were public knowledge. Orban is a political survivor who may prevail against the odds. Once a member of the Young Communists, he entered politics when the Soviet Union imploded and climbed to power with a free-market agenda. Over time, however, he centralised power and made sure his cronies prospered. Democracy watchdog Freedom House marked him down for curbing civil liberties and the rule of law. While the polls suggest a change of government, the Hungarian voting system has favoured Orban in the past. In 2022, his party gained 53 per cent of the popular vote and 68 per cent of the seats.

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Csaky cites estimates that Magyar and his party would need to win the popular vote by more than 3 percentage points to gain a clear election victory. Orban has also used his time in power to reshape the media in his favour and install his allies in key institutions. When the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe monitored the 2022 election, it found it was marred by the absence of a level playing field because the system  including the media  leaned towards Orban. Trumps support is further proof that Orban is a globally important player, but the endorsement is not something that will get Orban new voters. Zselyke Csaky, a senior research fellow at the Centre for European Reform With so much at stake, the race to power in Budapest is one of the most important elections in Europe this year. The outcome will determine whether Hungary remains a friend of Moscow in both NATO and the EU  a key issue for Ukraine. It will also shape the way the EU works because so many decisions require a consensus or, sometimes, unanimity among states. Under Orban, Hungary has vetoed more EU decisions than any other member.

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Hungarians, however, strongly support the EU  and for good reason. Hungary is one of the biggest net beneficiaries of its spending, according to a tally by Statista. Germany and France pay most into the union, while Hungary, Greece and Poland get the most out. Orban gains a political dividend with his base because he makes a clear distinction between Brussels and the EU, Csaky says. He portrays himself as somebody that fights against the Brussels elite or bureaucracy, as a kind of freedom fighter who defends Hungarys interests. When it comes to the EU and the benefits that membership has provided, he is much less antagonistic. Vance adds another twist to this complicated race with his arrival on Tuesday and his plan for a major speech on the rich partnership between the United States and Hungary.

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In theory, this might help Orban claim a practical benefit for Hungarians  as he did last year when he said that Trump had offered a financial shield for Hungary if its financial system came under attack. There was no evidence of such an agreement. Related Article Russia-Ukraine war Vance stuns Europeans with lesson on whom to trust In practice, there was no gain in the polls for Orban after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited in February, which means voters might simply shrug their shoulders this week and conclude that Vance does not matter. Vance, however, clearly thinks he matters. He delivered a blistering speech about Europes failings in Munich early last year and said it was said its efforts to fight misinformation amounted to censorship. He accused the continent of losing its way on core values  and losing its relevance as an American partner. European leaders are still smarting over the critique. Vance seems to think he knows what is best for Europe. This Sunday, we will find out if Hungarians agree. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
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WorldMiddle EastMiddle East at war How a group of commandos pulled off risky night mission to extract US airman from deep inside Iran Eric Schmitt , Helene Cooper , Greg Jaffe and Julian E. Barnes Updated April 6, 2026  1:26am ,first published 2:21pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Washington: An air force officer whose fighter jet had been shot down in Iran was rescued by US Special Operations forces in a risky Saturday night (Tehran time) mission that took commandos deep into enemy territory, President Donald Trump said on social media on Sunday. The rescue followed a life-or-death race between US and Iranian forces that stretched over two days to reach the injured airman, who is a weapons system officer, current and former US officials said. An F-15E Strike Eagle like the one shot down in Iran. AP In the end, Navy SEAL Team 6 commandos extracted the officer in a massive operation that involved about 100 special operations troops and other military personnel. There had been no US casualties among the rescue team, Trump said. All the commandos and the weapons officer returned safely. Rescue planes flew the injured airman to Kuwait for medical treatment.

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WE GOT HIM! Trump exclaimed in the social media post. This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour. The two crew members of the F-15E Strike Eagle, the first lost to enemy fire in the month-long war, had both ejected from the cockpit on Friday after Irans military struck their plane. The jets pilot was quickly rescued, but the weapons systems officer could not be found, setting off an urgent search with major consequences for Trump and the war that the US and Israel launched on February 28. Finding the downed airman, who had been hiding with little more than a pistol as defence, had been the US militarys highest priority over the past 48 hours. After ejecting from the F-15E, the officer hid in a mountain crevice, his location initially unknown to either Americans trying to rescue him, or Iranians trying to capture him.

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The CIA initiated a deception campaign to try to confuse Iranian forces and convince them the airman had already been rescued and was moving out of the country in a ground convoy, a senior administration official said. The agency also ultimately found the airmans hiding place, passing the information onto the Pentagon, which mounted the rescue operation, the senior administration official said. The mission to save the crew member employed hundreds of special forces troops and other military personnel, dozens of US warplanes, helicopters and cyber, space and other intelligence capabilities. Loading The airman had evaded Iranian forces for more than 24 hours, at one point hiking up a 2100-metre ridgeline, a senior US military official said. US attack aircraft dropped bombs and opened fire on Iranian convoys to keep them away from the area where the airman was hiding. As US commandos converged on the downed airman, they fired their weapons to keep Iranian forces away from the rescue site, but did not engage in a firefight with the Iranians, a US military official said. The airman was equipped with a beacon and a secure communication device for co-ordinating with forces mounting the rescue. But the airman restricted the use of his beacon because Iranian forces could have detected its signal as well.

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A senior US military official described the mission to rescue the airman as one of the most challenging and complex in the history of US special operations, given the mountainous terrain, the airmans injuries and Iranian forces rushing to the location. Related Article Updated

Middle East at war Trump issues fiery new threat against Irans power plants after missing US airman rescued In a final twist, after the weapons officer was rescued, two transport planes that were to carry the commandos and the airman to safety got stuck at a remote base in Iran. Commanders decided to fly in three new planes to extract all the US military personnel and the airman, and they blew up the two disabled planes rather than have them fall into Iranian hands. The F-15E fighter jet was shot down in a region of Iran where there is significant opposition to the Iranian government. As a result, the airman may have been able to rely on locals for shelter and assistance. The crash drew the attention of Iranian military forces, who were reported to have been scouring the area. The Iranian government asked locals for help finding the downed airman and had offered a reward for his capture.

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The CIA often also plays a role in making contact with civilians willing to help vulnerable troops stay alive, a process known as unconventional assisted recovery. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
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WorldMiddle EastMiddle East at war Opinion Trump tried to cut the head off the Iran snake but it keeps biting him Rodger Shanahan Middle East and security analyst April 6, 2026  5:10am

April 6, 2026  5:10am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

A little over a month ago, US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed. He also added that many of the Iranian military and security forces did not want to fight and were looking for immunity. He also said that Hopefully, the [Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps] and Police will peacefully merge with the Iranian Patriots, and work together as a unit to bring back the Country to the Greatness it deserves. A little over a month later, there is no evidence that the Iranian military or security forces lack the will to fight, as evidenced by the weekend downing of two US aircraft and the wounding of members of the team initially sent in to rescue the downed aircrew. If any merging between patriotic Iranians and the Iranian military has occurred, it has happened to oppose the American and Israeli military campaign launched against Iran, not to support it. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Donald Trump. Marija Ercegovac Therein lies the problem with conducting leadership decapitation operations, or as politicians and commentators are wont to say cutting the head off the snake. Such terms are great for a soundbite and, when successfully conducted, they can provide an immediate and easily publicised outcome for those who launched them. But the idea that killing a nations, or even an organisations leadership leads to immediate defeat is simplistic at best, and dangerous at worst. In the case of the Trump administration, the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and the subsequent replacement by his pliable vice president Delcy Rodriguez may well have given Trump an unrealistic view as to how effective military power is, and how easy regime change could be. A weak military and a transactional political class is about as easy as it gets.

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But the Middle East is an entirely different operating environment to South America, and Iran is certainly not Venezuela, not least due to its far more capable and experienced military. The first, and arguably the only rule of leadership decapitation is that you need to understand the society or organisation whose leadership group you are going to kill. Otherwise, you have little understanding of, or control over what will follow. Related Article Opinion

Trump diplomacy Trump and Netanyahu have formed a convenient coalition. But clear divisions are emerging Rodger Shanahan Middle East and security analyst In 1992, the Israeli military targeted the then secretary-general of Hezbollah Abbas Musawi and killed him, his wife and son in a helicopter-delivered missile strike. The Lebanese civil war had just ended, and Hezbollah was strong, but still developing. Musawi was replaced by Hassan Nasrallah, who would lead the organisation for the next 32 years (until he too was killed in an Israeli strike) and oversee its development into a semi-state actor far more powerful than it was under Musawis leadership. Would they have become so effective under Musawi? Nobody will ever know for sure. What we do know though is that the death of Musawi did not solve the Hezbollah problem  indeed it may have made it worse. The same principle applies to the air attacks against Hezbollah in Beirut from late July until October 2024 that killed Hezbollahs chief of staff, operations chief and then the long-term secretary-general Nasrallah, and later his likely successor Hashim Safieddine. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a historic turning point while others claimed that it had set Hezbollah back by 20 years. Less than 18 months later, the Israeli military is back invading southern Lebanon, fighting against the same organisation and receiving incoming rocket and missile fire from the group whom it was believed had been set back by decades. The current conflict against Iran is the most recent, and perhaps the most egregious example of the belief that leadership decapitation is sufficient to change a nations behaviour. Intense intelligence collection efforts led to the killing of Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as well as a large swath of the regimes senior leaders. And yet the Islamic Republic neither collapsed in on itself and nor did the uprising called for by both Trump and Netanyahu materialise.

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More than a month later, rather than rejoicing in a clean and efficient mission to collapse a regime by taking out its leadership, Washington faces a dilemma. The United States and Israel have effectively destroyed Irans air force and navy, and severely degraded its air defence and military industrial capabilities. And yet Iran, which has deliberately invested in its aerospace forces due to their strategic reach and ability to impose economic costs, now effectively controls passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and it continues to launch missiles, rockets and drones against Israel and its Gulf neighbours. Related Article Opinion

Middle East at war The Trump administration is a kleptocracy. That alone offers hope for an end to the Iran war Clinton Fernandes Academic and former intelligence officer Both the United States and Israel misunderstood the nature of the regime and of Iranian society more broadly. For the Shiite theocratic regime, the death of its religio-political leader, just as was the case with Nasrallah in Lebanon, simply added to the Shiite narrative of sacrifice in the face of overwhelming odds. And the 12-day air war with Israel in June 2025 taught the Iranians the need for decentralised control of military assets and reinforced the need to identify capable and ideologically committed subordinates well in advance, to replace those leaders who would inevitably be targeted. As we have seen so many times in the recent past in the Middle East, you dont kill your way to victory. That holds true for individual fighters on the ground as much as it does to senior political and military figures. Leadership decapitation sounds good and holds out the promise of quick success. But measured in the longer term, it rarely provides good outcomes. In the case of Iran, what has transpired post-decapitation was readily foreseen by regional experts and many in the intelligence community. But Trump and Netanyahu both believe in their ability to bomb their way to victory, starting with their enemies leadership. Both history and the present show us how ill-founded that belief is.

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Dr Rodger Shanahan is a Middle East analyst. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter.
THE HAGUE:--- The Dutch economy is entering a period of heightened uncertainty, according to a recent warning from De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), which has declared a code orange alert. This signal reflects growing concerns about structural weaknesses, global instability, and rising pressure on households.

What Code Orange Means

The code orange designation is not a crisis yetbut it is a serious warning. It indicates that risks to economic stability are increasing and that immediate attention is needed to prevent further deterioration. The central bank is effectively cautioning policymakers, businesses, and citizens that the economy is becoming more vulnerable to shocks.

At the heart of this warning are global geopolitical tensions and trade disruptions. The Netherlands, as a highly open and trade-dependent economy, is particularly exposed to international developments. According to DNB, an escalation in global trade conflicts could slow Dutch economic growth dramatically, potentially bringing it close to a standstill.

Pressure on Households

One of the most pressing concerns is the financial strain on householdsespecially those with lower incomes. Energy costs remain a major burden, even though the situation has improved since the peak of the 2022 energy crisis. By 2026, about a quarter of low-income households are still expected to spend more than 10% of their disposable income on energy.

Housing affordability is another growing issue. House prices are projected to rise further in the coming years, making homeownership increasingly out of reach. By 2027, only one in three households is expected to afford an average home, a sharp decline from previous years.

Structural Weaknesses in the Economy

Beyond immediate pressures, the Dutch economy faces deeper structural challenges. These include:

An overloaded electricity grid, which is slowing down new housing and industrial projects

Environmental restrictions, such as nitrogen regulations, limiting development

Policy uncertainty discourages business investment

These bottlenecks are not short-term issuesthey point to systemic inefficiencies that could hinder long-term growth.

A Call for European Cooperation

DNB emphasizes that the Netherlands cannot navigate these challenges alone. As a relatively small economy, it depends heavily on international cooperationparticularly within the European Union.

The central bank recommends strengthening the European single market and maintaining a rules-based global trading system. This approach would reduce dependency on individual trading partners and improve resilience against global shocks.

Policy Recommendations

To stabilize and strengthen the economy, DNB outlines three key actions:

Deepen European economic cooperation Maintain strong fiscal buffers to absorb future crises Address structural bottlenecks that hinder investment and growth

These measures aim to build resilience rather than provide quick fixes.

Conclusion

The code orange warning from De Nederlandsche Bank is a clear signal that the Dutch economy is at a critical juncture. While not yet in crisis, mounting pressuresfrom global tensions to domestic structural issuesrequire urgent and coordinated action.

Whether the Netherlands can navigate this period successfully will depend on its ability to adapt, cooperate internationally, and tackle long-standing internal challenges.
Israel army urges evacuation near Syria-Lebanon crossing ahead of strikes



Jerusalem, April 4 (AFP) Apr 04, 2026



The Israeli military said on Saturday it would strike an area near the main crossing between Syria and Lebanon, urging residents to evacuate immediately.

Israel has carried out strikes across Lebanon and launched a ground invasion in the south since March 2, when the Iran-backed Hezbollah entered the war in the Middle East.

"Due to Hezbollah's use of the Masnaa Crossing for military purposes and smuggling of combat equipment, the IDF intends to carry out strikes on the crossing in the near future," said the military's Arabic-Language spokesman, Colonel Avichay Adraee.

"For your safety, we urge everyone near the crossing and anyone in the area marked in red on the map to evacuate immediately," he wrote on X, sharing the marked map.

A Lebanese security source at the Masnaa border crossing told AFP they were "currently evacuating the crossing following the Israeli threat".

In Syria, the General Authority for Borders and Customs' public relations director, Mazen Aloush, said the crossing, known as Jdeidet Yabous on the Syrian side, was "exclusively for civilian use and is not used for any military purposes".

Aloush added that "in light of the circulating warnings and out of concern for the safety of travellers, traffic through the crossing will be temporarily suspended until any potential risks subside".

The Masnaa crossing is the main crossing between Lebanon and Syria, making it a vital trade route for both countries and Lebanon's main land gateway to the rest of the region.

Israel previously struck the crossing in October 2024, during its previous war with Hezbollah.

The crossing remained closed until Lebanese and Syrian authorities began repair works after a ceasefire the following month.
Iran media says Soleimani family denies links to pair arrested in US



Tehran, April 4 (AFP) Apr 04, 2026



Iranian media on Saturday quoted two daughters of slain former Iranian covert operations chief Qassem Soleimani denying that two Iranian women arrested in the United States were their relatives.

Earlier, the US State Department had announced that a niece and a grand-niece of Soleimani had been arrested and stripped of their US residency. The statement identified the niece as Hamideh Soleimani Afshar. Her daughter was not named.

But, according to the Iranian news agency Fars, Soleimani's daughter Zeinab said: "The US State Department's claim is a lie: the people arrested in the United States have no connection to the family."

Iranian state TV cited another daughter, Narjes, a member of Tehran's Islamic City Council, as saying: "To this day, no member of the family nor any relative of Martyr Soleimani has resided in the United States."

Soleimani, an Iranian general who led the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' foreign operations arm, was killed in a US drone strike while he was in the Iraqi capital Baghdad in January 2020 -- the final year of President Donald Trump's first term in the White House.
US says it arrested relatives of slain Iran general Soleimani



Washington, United States, April 4 (AFP) Apr 04, 2026



Two family members of slain Iranian general Qassem Soleimani have been arrested in the United States after their residency permits were rescinded, the US State Department said Saturday.

"Last night, the niece and grand niece of deceased Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Major General Qassem Soleimani were arrested by federal agents following Secretary of State Marco Rubio's termination of their lawful permanent resident (LPR) status," a department statement said.

It identified the niece as Hamideh Soleimani Afshar. Her daughter was not named.

Both "are now in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)," the statement said, without specifying their whereabouts.

But Iranian media quoted two daughters of Soleimani as saying the pair are not relatives.

"The US State Department's claim is a lie: the people arrested in the United States have no connection to the family," Zeinab Soleimani told the Fars news agency.

Another daughter, Narjes Soleimani, who is a member of Tehran's Islamic City Council, told Iranian state TV: "To this day, no member of the family nor any relative of Martyr Soleimani has resided in the United States."

The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for clarification from AFP.

Qassem Soleimani, who led the IRGC's foreign operations arm, was killed in a US drone strike while he was in the Iraqi capital Baghdad in January 2020 -- the final year of President Donald Trump's first term in the White House.

"As identified by both press reporting and her own social media commentary, Soleimani Afshar is an outspoken supporter of the totalitarian, terrorist regime in Iran," the State Department said.

It also said she had "praised the new Iranian Supreme Leader" Ali Khamenei and "denounced America as the 'Great Satan.'"

Soleimani Afshar's husband has also been barred from entering the United States, the statement said.

The daughter and son-in-law of another slain Iranian official, security chief Ali Larijani, have also had their legal status terminated.

Both "are no longer in the United States and are barred from future entry," the statement said.

Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, was killed on March 17 in an Israeli strike.

"The Trump Administration will not allow our country to become a home for foreign nationals who support anti-American terrorist regimes," Rubio said in a post on X.
Trump says Iran military leaders killed in Tehran strike



Washington, United States, April 4 (AFP) Apr 04, 2026



US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that "many" of Iran's military leaders were killed in a huge strike on the Islamic republic's capital.

"Many of Iran's Military Leaders, who have led them poorly and unwisely, are terminated, along with much else, with this massive strike in Tehran!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

The post included a video showing explosions lighting up a city's skyline at night but did not specify when the military action took place.

The war erupted more than a month ago with US-Israeli strikes on Iran, triggering a retaliation that has spread the conflict throughout the Middle East and convulsed the global economy.
Israeli says will strike Lebanon-Syria border crossing



Beirut, Lebanon, April 4 (AFP) Apr 04, 2026



The Israeli military said on Saturday it would strike an area near the main crossing between Syria and Lebanon, urging residents to evacuate immediately as it continued its attacks across Lebanon.

Israel has carried out strikes across Lebanon and launched a ground invasion in the south since March 2, when Hezbollah entered the war in the Middle East on the side of its backer Iran.

"Due to Hezbollah's use of the Masnaa Crossing for military purposes and smuggling of combat equipment, the (Israeli army) intends to carry out strikes on the crossing in the near future," said the military's Arabic-Language spokesman, Avichay Adraee, urging people to leave the area.

A Lebanese security source at the Masnaa border crossing told AFP they were "currently evacuating the crossing following the Israeli threat".

In Syria, the General Authority for Borders and Customs public relations director, Mazen Aloush, said the crossing, known as Jdeidet Yabous on the Syrian side, was "exclusively for civilian use and is not used for any military purposes".

Aloush added that "in light of the circulating warnings and out of concern for the safety of travellers, traffic through the crossing will be temporarily suspended until any potential risks subside".

The Masnaa crossing is the main crossing between Lebanon and Syria, making it a vital trade route for both countries and Lebanon's main land gateway to the rest of the region.

Israel previously struck the crossing in October 2024, during its previous war with Hezbollah.

The crossing remained closed until Lebanese and Syrian authorities began repair works after a ceasefire the following month.



- Strikes on Tyre -



In a statement, Lebanon's health ministry said a strike on Maaraka, near Tyre, killed five people and wounded one.

In previous statements, the ministry reported that an Israeli strike on Habbush killed at least two girls and wounded 22 people, while a strike on al-Hawsh near the coastal city of Tyre wounded 18, including a child, three women and three paramedics.

The strike on al-Hawsh damaged a nearby major hospital, according to the ministry.

The director of the Lebanese Italian Hospital told the state-run National News Agency (NNA) that it would "remain open to provide the necessary medical care" despite the damage.

Tens of thousands of people have left Tyre, but around 20,000 remain, including 15,000 displaced from surrounding villages, despite Israeli evacuation warnings covering most of the city and a swathe of the south.

Hours after the attack, the Israeli army struck three buildings in and around Tyre it had warned people to evacuate, according to the NNA.

The NNA also reported strikes across across the country and local media reported that Israeli jets repeatedly broke the sound barrier over several parts of Lebanon, with AFP journalists hearing distant booms in Beirut.

An Israeli strike on a cafe near the Qaraoun lake, on the reaches of the West Bekaa portion of the Litani river, wounded several people according to the NNA.



- 'Unacceptable' attacks -



The Israeli army on Saturday told residents of Kfar Hatta in southern Lebanon to evacuate ahead of strikes on the town, causing heavy traffic as people escaped according to videos shared online.

The Israeli military earlier announced on Saturday the death of a soldier who "fell during combat in southern Lebanon", the 11th killed since the army began ground operations in the country.

It also said it struck "more than 140 Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure targets" over the previous two days.

After attacking a bridge in the West Bekaa region in eastern Lebanon on Friday "to prevent the transfer of reinforcements and military equipment", Israel hit it again on Saturday, destroying it completely, the NNA said.

West Bekaa is right above Lebanon's south, where Israeli troops have been advancing on the ground.

Hezbollah claimed responsibility Saturday for a series of attacks on northern Israeli towns and Israeli troops in southern Lebanese towns near the border, particularly Marun al-Ras, Hula, Ainata and Bayada.

The war has displaced upwards of a million people in Lebanon and killed more than 1,400 people in the country, including 54 medics and three Indonesian UN peacekeepers in the south.

On Saturday, a UN security official told AFP that Israeli forces destroyed 17 surveillance cameras linked to UNIFIL's main headquarters in Naqura.

The UN peacekeeping force has been caught in the crossfire in southern Lebanon since the start of the war, with Hezbollah launching attacks on Israel and its troops, and Israeli forces pushing into border towns.
Iranian missiles fired towards Israel: Israeli military



Jerusalem, April 4 (AFP) Apr 04, 2026



Israel was targeted by missiles launched from Iran on Sunday, the Israeli military said, in the latest salvo in the Middle East war.

"A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel," the military said on social media.
Israel says will strike Lebanon-Syria border crossing



Beirut, Lebanon, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



The Israeli military said on Saturday it would strike an area near the main crossing between Syria and Lebanon, urging residents to evacuate immediately as it continued its attacks across Lebanon.

Israel has carried out strikes across Lebanon and launched a ground invasion in the south since March 2, when Hezbollah entered the war in the Middle East on the side of its backer Iran.

"Due to Hezbollah's use of the Masnaa Crossing for military purposes and smuggling of combat equipment, the (Israeli army) intends to carry out strikes on the crossing in the near future," said the military's Arabic-language spokesman, Avichay Adraee, urging people to leave the area.

A Lebanese security source at the Masnaa border crossing told AFP they were "currently evacuating the crossing following the Israeli threat".

In Syria, the General Authority for Borders and Customs public relations director, Mazen Aloush, said the crossing, known as Jdeidet Yabous on the Syrian side, was "exclusively for civilian use and is not used for any military purposes".

Aloush added that "in light of the circulating warnings and out of concern for the safety of travellers, traffic through the crossing will be temporarily suspended until any potential risks subside".

An AFP journalist on the Syrian side of the crossing said early Sunday it was empty, with only a few guards remaining.

Masnaa is the main crossing between Lebanon and Syria, making it a vital trade route for both countries and a key land gateway for Lebanon to the rest of the region.

Israel struck the crossing in October 2024, during its previous war with Hezbollah.

The crossing remained closed until Lebanese and Syrian authorities began repair works after a ceasefire the following month.



- Strikes on Tyre -



In a statement, Lebanon's health ministry said a strike on Maaraka, near Tyre, killed five people and wounded one.

In previous statements, the ministry reported that an Israeli strike on Habbush killed at least two girls and wounded 22 people, while a strike on al-Hawsh near the coastal city of Tyre wounded 18, including a child, three women and three paramedics.

The strike on al-Hawsh also damaged a nearby major hospital, according to the ministry.

The director of the Lebanese Italian Hospital told the state-run National News Agency (NNA) that it would "remain open to provide the necessary medical care" despite the damage.

Tens of thousands of people have left Tyre, but around 20,000 remain, including 15,000 displaced from surrounding villages, despite Israeli evacuation warnings covering most of the city and a swathe of the south.

Hours after the attack, the Israeli military struck three buildings in and around Tyre it had warned people to evacuate, according to the NNA.

The NNA also reported strikes across across the country and local media reported that Israeli jets repeatedly broke the sound barrier over several parts of Lebanon, with AFP journalists hearing distant booms in Beirut.

An Israeli strike on a cafe near the Qaraoun lake, on the reaches of the West Bekaa portion of the Litani river, wounded several people according to the NNA.



- 'Unacceptable' attacks -



The Israeli army on Saturday told residents of Kfar Hatta in southern Lebanon to evacuate ahead of strikes on the town, causing heavy traffic as people escaped according to videos shared online.

The Israeli military earlier announced on Saturday the death of a soldier who "fell during combat in southern Lebanon", the 11th killed since the army began ground operations in the country.

It also said it struck "more than 140 Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure targets" over the previous two days.

After attacking a bridge in the West Bekaa region in eastern Lebanon on Friday "to prevent the transfer of reinforcements and military equipment", Israel hit it again on Saturday, destroying it completely, the NNA said.

West Bekaa is right above Lebanon's south, where Israeli ground troops have been advancing.

Hezbollah claimed responsibility Saturday for a series of attacks on northern Israeli towns and Israeli troops in southern Lebanese towns near the border, particularly Marun al-Ras, Hula, Ainata and Bayada.

The war has displaced upwards of a million people in Lebanon and killed more than 1,400 people in the country, including 54 medics and three Indonesian UN peacekeepers in the south.

On Saturday, a UN security official told AFP that Israeli forces destroyed 17 surveillance cameras linked to UNIFIL's main headquarters in Naqura.

The UN peacekeeping force has been caught in the crossfire in southern Lebanon since the start of the war, with Hezbollah launching attacks on Israel and its troops, and Israeli forces pushing into border towns.
Indonesia lays to rest peacekeepers killed in Lebanon



Bandung, Indonesia, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



Three Indonesian peacekeepers killed in two separate explosions in southern Lebanon last week were laid to rest in their hometowns on Sunday.

Peacekeeper Farizal Rhomadhon, 28, died when a projectile exploded on March 29 in southern Lebanon, where Israel and Hezbollah have been fighting since Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war.

Two other blue helmets, Zulmi Aditya Iskandar, 33, and Muhammad Nur Ichwan, 26, died a day later when an explosion struck a logistics convoy of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), also in southern Lebanon.

The deadly incidents sparked calls from Indonesian authorities for an investigation and security guarantees for peacekeeping forces.

The soldiers were buried on Sunday in coffins draped in the Indonesian flag during military funerals with gun salutes.

Weeping family members scattered flower petals on their graves.

Zulmi was buried in a military cemetery in his hometown in Bandung, West Java, while Ichwan and Farizal were laid to rest in their respective hometowns in Central Java and Yogyakarta.

"I'm letting him go proudly. I accept it sincerely, even though it is not what I had hoped as a parent," Zulmi's father Iskandarudin told reporters after the funeral.

"I am certain that he's waiting for me in heaven."

Agus Subiyanto, the commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, told reporters that every fallen soldier will receive compensation in recognition of their service.

"We have prepared all the rights and entitlements that must be given to the fallen soldiers. Among these is compensation from the United Nations," Agus said after attending Zulmi's funeral.

The bodies of the three peacekeepers arrived in Jakarta on Saturday, received with honours in a ceremony attended by President Prabowo Subianto.

Prabowo said on Instagram that Indonesians "strongly condemn every heinous act that undermines peace and causes the deaths of our nation's soldiers".

Less than a week after the explosions that killed the three peacekeepers, another blast took place at a UN facility near El Adeisse on Friday, injuring three more Indonesian blue helmets.

Indonesia's Foreign Ministry called the attacks "unacceptable" and urged the UN Security Council "to immediately convene a meeting of troop-contributing countries to UNIFIL to conduct a review and take measures to enhance the protection of personnel serving with UNIFIL".

Foreign Minister Sugiono, who like many Indonesians only has one name, told reporters on Saturday that Indonesia wanted a thorough UN investigation, and demanded better security guarantees for peacekeeping soldiers.
Trump says two US airman rescued in Iran after giving deadline for deal



Tehran, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



President Donald Trump said Sunday that US forces had safely recovered a second airman downed in Iran, calling it "one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History".

The announcement came as Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel and Kuwait early Sunday, and a day after Trump said the Islamic republic had 48 hours to cut a deal or face "all Hell".

"This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies," Trump said on Truth Social.

"He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine.

"This miraculous Search and Rescue Operation comes in addition to a successful rescue of another brave Pilot, yesterday, which we did not confirm, because we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation."

The war has spread conflict throughout the Middle East and convulsed the global economy. Iran's forces maintain a tight grip on the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane -- a vital conduit for oil and gas -- and strike economic targets in Gulf neighbours they see as linked to the US-Israeli war effort.

The economic strikes are also going the other way. An Israeli or US strike on a petrochemical hub in the southwest of Iran killed five people Saturday, according to the deputy governor of Khuzestan province.



- 'Time is running out' -



"Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT," Trump wrote Saturday on Truth Social, referring to an ultimatum issued on March 26.

"Time is running out -- 48 hours before all Hell will reign (sic) down on them."

Iran's central military command rejected the ultimatum, with General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi saying Trump's threat was a "helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action".

Echoing Trump's language, he warned that "the gates of hell will open for you".

Kuwait and Israel said their air defences were responding Sunday to the latest attacks from Iran, part of the war that erupted more than a month ago with US-Israeli strikes that triggered retaliation by Tehran.

The United Arab Emirates also said its air defences were responding to missile attacks Tehran said were targeting the country's aluminium industries, while Bahrain officials reported a fire at a refinery "as a result of Iranian aggression".



- Bushehr nuclear plant -



A strike near Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant on Saturday killed a guard and led Russia, which partly constructed the facility and helps operate it, to announce it was evacuating 198 workers and to condemn the strike as "an evil deed".

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that continued attacks on the plant on the southern coast could eventually lead to radioactive fallout that would "end life in GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) capitals, not Tehran".

Bushehr is considerably closer to Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar than it is to the Iranian capital.

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, (IAEA) wrote on X that no increase in radiation levels had been reported at the site, but nonetheless voiced "deep concern" at what he said was the fourth such strike in recent weeks.

The former director of the watchdog, meanwhile, urged Gulf nations to prevent Trump from turning the region into "a ball of fire" after the US president's latest threat to Tehran.

"To the Gulf governments: Please, once again, do everything in your power before this madman turns the region into a ball of fire," Mohamed El-Baradei, who led the IAEA from 1997 to 2009, wrote on X.



- Economic sites hit -



Strikes by all sides have increasingly targeted economic and industrial sites, raising fears of wider disruption to global energy supplies.

US-Israeli strikes on Saturday hit a petrochemicals hub, a cement plant and a trade terminal on the Iran-Iraq border, where one person was reported killed.

Iran has retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Israel and US allies in the Gulf.

Shrapnel from intercepted drones injured four people in Bahrain on Saturday, and two buildings in Dubai were hit by debris, including one housing the US cloud computing firm Oracle, authorities said.

On another front, the Israeli military said Friday it had struck more than 3,500 targets across Lebanon in the month since the latest round of fighting with Iran-backed Hezbollah began.

As night fell Saturday, Israel warned it would strike near a border crossing between Syria and Lebanon, ordering residents to evacuate.

In Tel Aviv, hundreds of Israelis marched to protest against the war and demand peace talks.

burs-wd/fox/mtp
Second US airman downed over Iran 'SAFE and SOUND': Trump



Washington, United States, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that a second airman downed inside Iran was "safe and sound" following a search and rescue operation.

"WE GOT HIM! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now SAFE and SOUND!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

The Republican president wrote that he directed the US military to send "dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve" the airman.

"He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine," Trump wrote.

US media reported Friday that American special forces had rescued one of two crew members of a downed F-15, the first US fighter jet to go down inside Iran since the start of the war.

Trump confirmed the "successful rescue of another brave Pilot, yesterday," adding it was not disclosed to avoid jeopardizing the second rescue mission.

"This is the first time in military memory that two U.S. Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory," he wrote, adding that both operations were concluded "without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded."
Trump says two US airmen rescued in Iran after giving deadline for deal



Tehran, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



President Donald Trump said Sunday that US forces had safely recovered a second airman downed in Iran, calling it "one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History".

The announcement came as Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel and Kuwait early Sunday, and a day after Trump said the Islamic republic had 48 hours to cut a deal or face "all Hell".

"This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies," Trump said on Truth Social.

"He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine.

"This miraculous Search and Rescue Operation comes in addition to a successful rescue of another brave Pilot, yesterday, which we did not confirm, because we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation."

The war has spread conflict throughout the Middle East and convulsed the global economy. Iran's forces maintain a tight grip on the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane -- a vital conduit for oil and gas -- and strike economic targets in Gulf neighbours they see as linked to the US-Israeli war effort.

The economic strikes are also going the other way. An Israeli or US strike on a petrochemical hub in the southwest of Iran killed five people Saturday, according to the deputy governor of Khuzestan province.



- 'Time is running out' -



"Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT," Trump wrote Saturday on Truth Social, referring to an ultimatum issued on March 26.

"Time is running out -- 48 hours before all Hell will reign (sic) down on them."

Iran's central military command rejected the ultimatum, with General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi saying Trump's threat was a "helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action".

Echoing Trump's language, he warned that "the gates of hell will open for you".

Kuwait and Israel said their air defences were responding Sunday to the latest attacks from Iran, part of the war that erupted more than a month ago with US-Israeli strikes that triggered retaliation by Tehran.

The United Arab Emirates also said its air defences were responding to missile attacks Tehran said were targeting the country's aluminium industries, while Bahrain officials reported a fire at a refinery "as a result of Iranian aggression".



- Bushehr nuclear plant -



A strike near Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant on Saturday killed a guard and led Russia, which partly constructed the facility and helps operate it, to announce it was evacuating 198 workers and to condemn the strike as "an evil deed".

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that continued attacks on the plant on the southern coast could eventually lead to radioactive fallout that would "end life in GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) capitals, not Tehran".

Bushehr is considerably closer to Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar than it is to the Iranian capital.

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, (IAEA) wrote on X that no increase in radiation levels had been reported at the site, but nonetheless voiced "deep concern" at what he said was the fourth such strike in recent weeks.

The former director of the watchdog, meanwhile, urged Gulf nations to prevent Trump from turning the region into "a ball of fire" after the US president's latest threat to Tehran.

"To the Gulf governments: Please, once again, do everything in your power before this madman turns the region into a ball of fire," Mohamed El-Baradei, who led the IAEA from 1997 to 2009, wrote on X.



- Economic sites hit -



Strikes by all sides have increasingly targeted economic and industrial sites, raising fears of wider disruption to global energy supplies.

US-Israeli strikes on Saturday hit a petrochemicals hub, a cement plant and a trade terminal on the Iran-Iraq border, where one person was reported killed.

Iran has retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Israel and US allies in the Gulf.

Shrapnel from intercepted drones injured four people in Bahrain on Saturday, and two buildings in Dubai were hit by debris, including one housing the US cloud computing firm Oracle, authorities said.

On another front, the Israeli military said Friday it had struck more than 3,500 targets across Lebanon in the month since the latest round of fighting with Iran-backed Hezbollah began.

As night fell Saturday, Israel warned it would strike near a border crossing between Syria and Lebanon, ordering residents to evacuate.

In Tel Aviv, hundreds of Israelis marched to protest against the war and demand peace talks.

burs-wd/fox/mtp
UAE says air defences responding to Iran missiles, drones



Dubai, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



Emirati air defences were responding to missile and drone attacks from Iran, the United Arab Emirates defence ministry said Sunday, as Tehran said it was targeting aluminium industries in the Gulf nation.

"UAE air defences... are actively engaging with missiles and UAV threats," the ministry posted on X in English, along with an Arabic statement that said the projectiles were coming from Iran.

"MOD (Ministry of Defence) asserts that the sounds heard across the country are the result of ongoing engaging operations of missiles and UAVs," it added.

Iran's army said it was targeting "aluminium industries" in the UAE and US military infrastructure in Kuwait, the official IRNA news agency reported on Saturday.

Iran accuses its Gulf neighbours of allowing US forces to carry out attacks from their territory, but Gulf states have repeatedly denied the accusations, saying even before the war that they would not allow their territory or airspace to be used to attack Iran.

Gulf nations have borne the brunt of Iran's retaliatory attacks since the US and Israel launched strikes in late February that ignited a regional war.

The UAE is a close ally of the United States and only one of two Gulf states to normalise relations with Israel in 2020, the other being Bahrain.

It has been the main target of missiles and drones fired across the Gulf since February 28.

bur-lga/axn/ser
Hezbollah says targeted Israeli warship with cruise missile



Beirut, Lebanon, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



Hezbollah on Sunday said it had targeted an Israeli warship with a cruise missile off the Lebanese coast, the first such claim by the group since the start of the Middle East war.

In a statement, the Iran-backed group said it targeted the vessel 68 nautical miles off the Lebanese coast, claiming the warship was "preparing to launch attacks on Lebanese territory".

The Israeli military told AFP when contacted: "We are not aware of it."

Israeli warships have been used on several recent occasions to launch strikes on Lebanon.
Iran military says destroyed US aircraft involved in search for airman



Tehran, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



Iran's military said on Sunday that it destroyed three US aircraft involved in a search operation for a crew member of a downed American fighter jet.

Iran and the United States had been racing since Friday to locate a second crew member of an F-15E before US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the officer had been recovered in a search and rescue operation.

"The enemy's intruding aircrafts in southern Isfahan -- including two Black Hawk helicopters and one C-130 military transport aircraft -- were struck and are now burning," the military's central command, Khatam Al-Anbiya, said.

It added that the rescue operation had "failed".

State media shared images of charred wreckage scattered across a desert area, with smoke still emanating from the site.

Iranian media reported that strikes during the rescue operation killed five people in southwestern Iran, though it was not immediately clear whether they were civilians or military personnel.

Since Friday, Iranian media have also shared footage showing local residents, some carrying flags and rifles, searching for the pilot after authorities announced bounties for information.

Early on Sunday, Trump said the second crew member was "SAFE and SOUND" following the operation.
Trump says US airman rescued in Iran in 'miraculous' operation



Tehran, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



President Donald Trump said Sunday that US forces had safely recovered a second airman downed in Iran, calling it "one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History".

The announcement came as Iran launched missiles and drones at Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi on Sunday, and a day after Trump said the Islamic republic had 48 hours to cut a deal or face "all Hell".

"This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies," Trump said on Truth Social.

"He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine.

"This miraculous Search and Rescue Operation comes in addition to a successful rescue of another brave Pilot, yesterday, which we did not confirm, because we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation."

Iranian media reported five people were killed in strikes during the US rescue operation.

Iran said its forces had downed the plane, while US media reported that the plane had been shot down.

The US administration has not said publicly if it was downed.

The war, which erupted on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes on Iran, has spread across the Middle East and convulsed the global economy.

Iran has virtually blocked the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane, a vital conduit for oil and gas, and kept up a campaign of strikes on Israel and its Gulf neighbours.

US-Israeli attacks in Iran have also hit targets that are key to the Islamic republic's economy, with a strike on a petrochemical hub in the southwest killing five people on Saturday, according to the deputy governor of Khuzestan province.



- 'Time is running out' -



"Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT," Trump wrote Saturday on Truth Social, referring to an ultimatum issued on March 26.

"Time is running out -- 48 hours before all Hell will reign (sic) down on them."

Iran's central military command rejected the ultimatum, with General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi saying Trump's threat was a "helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action".

Echoing Trump's language, he warned that "the gates of hell will open for you".

Pakistan has offered to mediate efforts to end the war, and according to Iranian media Pakistan's foreign minister and his Iranian counterpart spoke by phone on Saturday.

There was no sign, however, of a let up in the violence.

An Iranian drone sparked a fire in storage tank of Bahrain state energy firm Bapco Energies and a fire broke out at a petrochemical facility in Abu Dhabi because of falling debris.



- 'People are terrified' -



In Lebanon, the Iran-backed Hezbollah group said it had targeted an Israeli warship with a cruise missile off the Lebanese coast. There was no confirmation from Israel.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reiterated a call for negotiations with Israel, saying he wanted to spare his country's south from destruction on the scale seen in Gaza.

In the southern village of Debel, close to the Israeli border, inhabitants prepared to celebrate Easter Sunday despite the sound of bombardment around their village, now almost totally cut off from the world and dependent on aid deliveries.

"The situation is tragic," town notable Joseph Attieh told AFP by phone.

"People are terrified, and the sound of shelling and gunfire has not stopped for a moment since last night. We haven't been able to sleep.

"We are putting our trust in God," Attieh said, since "this is the only glimmer of hope we will not give up on".



- Bushehr nuclear plant -



In Iran, a strike near the Bushehr nuclear plant on Saturday killed a guard and led Russia, which partly constructed the facility and helps operate it, to announce it was evacuating 198 workers and to condemn the strike as "an evil deed".

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that continued attacks on the plant on the southern coast could eventually lead to radioactive fallout that would "end life in GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) capitals, not Tehran".

Bushehr is considerably closer to Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar than it is to the Iranian capital.

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, (IAEA) wrote on X that no increase in radiation levels had been reported at the site, but nonetheless voiced "deep concern" at what he said was the fourth such strike in recent weeks.

The former director of the watchdog, meanwhile, urged Gulf nations to prevent Trump from turning the region into "a ball of fire" after the US president's latest threat to Tehran.

"To the Gulf governments: Please, once again, do everything in your power before this madman turns the region into a ball of fire," Mohamed El-Baradei, who led the IAEA from 1997 to 2009, wrote on X.

Against the backdrop of war, Iran has kept up a crackdown weeks after it quelled a massive wave of anti-government protests, with the judiciary announcing the execution of two men convicted of acting on behalf of Israel and the United States.

On Sunday, communications monitor Netblocks said Iran's internet blackout was now the longest nationwide shutdown in history.

burs-dt/ser
Iran strikes hit energy infrastructure across Gulf states



Dubai, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



Critical infrastructure across the Gulf came under attack from Iran on Sunday with damage reported at civilian facilities in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait.

Gulf countries have faced repeated drone and missile salvos from Iran over past weeks in response to US and Israeli strikes that began at the end of February.

Iran has targeted energy and other industrial infrastructure in the oil-rich Gulf nations, accusing its neighbours of allowing US forces to carry out attacks from their territory.

The Gulf states have vehemently denied the accusations.

Authorities in Abu Dhabi said on Sunday they were battling fires at a petrochemical plant in Ruwais Industrial City on the UAE's northwest coast.

"Authorities are responding to multiple fires in Borouge petrochemicals plant, caused by falling debris following successful interceptions by air defence systems," the Gulf emirate's media office said.

"Operations at the facility have been immediately suspended while damage is assessed. No injuries have been reported," it added after the United Arab Emirates' defence ministry earlier said it was responding to missile and drone attacks.

Iran's army earlier said it was targeting "aluminium industries" in the UAE and US military infrastructure in Kuwait, the official IRNA news agency reported on Saturday.

The Islamic republic has repeatedly threatened civilian infrastructure in the Gulf countries as US-Israeli attacks in Iran have also hit targets that are key to the Islamic republic's economy.

On Saturday, a strike on a petrochemical hub in southwest Iran killed five people on Saturday, according to the deputy governor of Khuzestan province.

In Bahrain on Sunday, the kingdom's state energy company said an Iranian drone attack sparked a fire at a storage tank that was later extinguished.

"Bapco Energies confirms an incident occurred at one of its storage facilities earlier today resulting in a tank fire, as a result of a hostile Iranian drone attack," the company said, without specifying the location of the blaze.

"The fire has been fully extinguished, and the situation is under control. Damages are currently being assessed and evaluated. No injuries have been reported," it added.

Earlier, Kuwait's electricity and water ministry said two Kuwaiti power and water desalination plants were damaged by a drone attack from Iran causing "significant material damage and the shutdown of two electricity generating units".

Tehran's escalating threats have also extended to desalination plants on which the desert Gulf countries rely heavily for their water supply.

bur-csp/ser
Trump says US airman rescued in Iran in 'miraculous' operation



Washington, United States, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



President Donald Trump said Sunday that US forces had safely recovered a second airman downed in Iran, calling it "one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History".

Iran said it had "completely foiled" the rescue operation, without however saying it had captured the US serviceman or denying that US forces had extracted him.

The US announcement came as Trump warned the Islamic republic had until Monday to cut a deal or face "all Hell".

The war, which erupted on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes on Iran, has engulfed the Middle East and convulsed the global economy.

Trump said on Truth Social that the airman had been "behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies."

"He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine.

"This miraculous Search and Rescue Operation comes in addition to a successful rescue of another brave Pilot, yesterday, which we did not confirm, because we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation."



- Abandoned airport -



The airman, a weapon systems officer, was equipped with a pistol, a beacon and a secure communications device to coordinate with rescuers, the New York Times reported.

Two of the planes meant to transport him and his rescuers to safety were stuck in a remote base in Iran and had to be destroyed to prevent them from falling into Iranian hands, the New York Times and CBS reported.

US forces then used three other transport planes to carry the airman and his rescuers out of Iran, the reports said.

Iran's military said it had destroyed four US aircraft involved in the operation, which it said had made use of an abandoned airport in southern Isfahan province.

Iranian media reported five people were killed in strikes during the operation.

Footage released by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was presented as showing charred wreckage of an American aircraft scattered across a desert area, with smoke still rising.

Iran has said its forces downed the fighter jet from which the crew ejected, while US media reported only that the plane had been shot down.

The US administration has not said publicly if it was downed or not.



- Strikes on infrastructure -



Iran has virtually blocked the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane, a vital conduit for oil and gas, and kept up a campaign of strikes on Israel and its Gulf neighbours.

Oman's state news agency said the country, which shares control over the strait with Iran, was holding talks with the Islamic republic on easing passage.

"The experts from both sides put forward a number of visions and proposals regarding it," it said.

Critical infrastructure across the Gulf came under attack from Iran on Sunday with damage reported at civilian facilities in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait.

US-Israeli attacks in Iran have hit targets that are key to the Islamic republic's economy, with a strike on a petrochemical hub in the southwest killing five people on Saturday, according to the deputy governor of Khuzestan province.



- 'People are terrified' -



Lebanon has also been drawn into the conflict for weeks since the Iran-backed Hezbollah group began targeting Israel.

Israel has struck back and pushed its ground forces into southern Lebanon.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Sunday reiterated a call for negotiations with Israel, saying he wanted to spare the south from destruction on the scale seen in Gaza.

A source from the Lebanese civil defence told AFP that an Israeli strike on southern Lebanon's Kfar Hatta killed a family of six waiting to evacuate and a relative who had come to pick them up.

In the southern village of Debel, close to the Israeli border, inhabitants prepared to celebrate Easter Sunday despite the sound of bombardment around their village, now almost totally cut off from the world and dependent on aid deliveries.

"People are terrified," town notable Joseph Attieh told AFP by phone.

"We are putting our trust in God," Attieh said, since "this is the only glimmer of hope we will not give up on".

In the usually lively alleyways of Jerusalem's Old City, silence reigned on Easter Sunday, with the holiday overshadowed by war and restrictions on access to the Holy Sepulchre, where the faithful commemorate Christ's crucifixion and resurrection.

In his Easter blessing at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV urged "those who have the power to unleash wars" to "choose peace" instead and criticised global indifference to "the deaths of thousands of people".



- Bushehr nuclear plant -



In Iran, a strike near the Bushehr nuclear plant on Saturday killed a guard and led Russia, which partly constructed the facility and helps operate it, to announce it was evacuating 198 workers and to condemn the strike as "an evil deed".

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that continued attacks on the plant on the southern coast could eventually lead to radioactive fallout that would "end life in GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) capitals, not Tehran".

Bushehr is considerably closer to Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar than it is to the Iranian capital.

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, (IAEA) wrote on X that no increase in radiation levels had been reported at the site, but nonetheless voiced "deep concern" at what he said was the fourth such strike in recent weeks.

Against the backdrop of war, Iran has kept up a crackdown weeks after it quelled a massive wave of anti-government protests, with the judiciary announcing the execution of two men convicted of acting on behalf of Israel and the United States.

On Sunday, communications monitor Netblocks said Iran's internet blackout was now the longest nationwide shutdown in history.

burs-dt/ser
Israel's defence minister vows to kill Iran leaders



Jerusalem, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday that Israeli forces would pursue and kill Iran's leaders and target the Islamic Republic's strategic assets if missile attacks on Israel continued.

"As long as missile fire continues to target Israeli civilians, Iran will pay a heavy price that will degrade and ultimately cripple its national infrastructure and the operational capacity of the regime," Katz said in a video statement.

"At the same time, we will continue to pursue and neutralise the leadership of terror, and strike security targets and strategic assets throughout Iran."

In recent days, Israel, alongside the United States, has struck Iranian steel and petrochemical facilities, alleging that revenues from these sectors are used by the country's Revolutionary Guards to finance weapons production.
Oman, Iran hold talks on Strait of Hormuz: Omani state news agency



Muscat, Oman, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



Oman and Iran held talks on easing passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the Omani state news agency reported Sunday, with the key shipping chokepoint effectively closed due to war in the Middle East.

"Oman and the Islamic Republic of Iran held a meeting at the deputy ministers' level in the foreign ministries of the two countries, with the attendance of specialists from both sides, during which the possible options were discussed regarding ensuring the smooth passage through the Strait of Hormuz," the news agency posted on X.

"The experts from both sides put forward a number of visions and proposals regarding it," it added.

In response to US and Israeli strikes that began at the end of February, Iran has targeted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, effectively closing the strategic waterway through which one-fifth of global oil usually passes.

The war has engulfed the Middle East and paralysed shipping in the Gulf, in particular. Iran has also attacked neighbouring countries' energy infrastructure in a conflict that has convulsed the global economy.

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday Tehran had 48 hours left to cut a deal or face "all Hell", before Washington announced American forces had safely recovered a second airman downed in Iran.

On Thursday, Tehran said it was drafting a peacetime protocol that would supervise maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz with Oman, state media reported.

Deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi told Russia's Sputnik state media that the protocol would apply after the war with the United States and Israel ends, setting basic rules to manage ship movements, IRNA news agency said.

Last week an Iranian parliamentary committee voted to impose tolls on vessels in the strait and completely ban ships from the United States and Israel.
Iran attacks energy infrastructure across Gulf states



Dubai, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



Critical infrastructure across the Gulf came under attack from Iran on Sunday, with damage reported at civilian facilities in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait.

Gulf countries have faced repeated drone and missile salvos from Iran in response to US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic republic that began at the end of February.

Iran has targeted energy and other industrial infrastructure in the oil-rich Gulf nations, accusing its neighbours of allowing US forces to carry out attacks from their territory.

The Gulf states have vehemently denied the accusations.

Attacks by Iranian drones on Sunday resulted in "severe" damage to Kuwaiti oil and petrochemical facilities, the state petroleum company said.

The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said a number of facilities of its subsidiary Petrochemical Industries Company were targeted in the attack which "resulted in the outbreak of fires at several of these facilities and caused severe material damage".

Earlier, Kuwait's electricity and water ministry said two power and water desalination plants were damaged by a drone attack from Iran, causing "significant material damage and the shutdown of two electricity generating units".

In Kuwait City, the finance ministry said an Iranian drone attack caused "extensive" damage to a government building, but "no human casualties were recorded".

The war has spread across the Middle East, and Iran's attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure as well as its effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane, have convulsed the global economy.

Earlier, authorities in Abu Dhabi said they were battling fires at a petrochemical plant in Ruwais Industrial City on the UAE's northwest coast.

"Authorities are responding to multiple fires in Borouge petrochemicals plant, caused by falling debris following successful interceptions by air defence systems," the Gulf emirate's media office said.

"Operations at the facility have been immediately suspended while damage is assessed. No injuries have been reported," it added after the United Arab Emirates' defence ministry earlier said it was responding to missile and drone attacks.

Iran's military said it was targeting "aluminium industries" in the UAE and US military infrastructure in Kuwait, the official IRNA news agency reported on Saturday.

Iran has repeatedly threatened civilian infrastructure in the Gulf countries as US-Israeli attacks on Iran have also hit targets that are key to its economy.

On Saturday, a strike on a petrochemical hub in southwest Iran killed five people, the deputy governor of Khuzestan province said.

In Bahrain on Sunday, the state energy company said an Iranian drone attack sparked a fire at a storage tank that was later extinguished.

"Bapco Energies confirms an incident occurred at one of its storage facilities earlier today resulting in a tank fire, as a result of a hostile Iranian drone attack," the company said, without specifying the location of the blaze.

It added that the damage was being assessed and no injuries were reported.

Iran's escalating threats have also extended to desalination plants on which the desert Gulf states rely heavily for their water supplies.
Easter in Jerusalem disrupted by war and restrictions at Holy Sepulchre



Jerusalem, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



In the usually lively alleyways of Jerusalem's Old City, silence reigned on Easter Sunday, with the holiday overshadowed by war and restrictions on access to the Holy Sepulchre, where the faithful commemorate Christ's crucifixion and resurrection.

On routes approaching the church, where Christians believe Jesus Christ was crucified, buried and rose from the dead, police at checkpoints screened a small number of worshippers allowed near the site.

All shops in the area were closed, heightening the sense of emptiness.

"Happy Easter," said the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, shortly after dawn as he entered the church surrounded by a modest group of clergy, according to AFP journalists at the site.

Outside, a few Catholics and Orthodox Christians tried to reach the church but were kept at a distance by security forces.

"How can you tell me I cannot go to church, it is unacceptable," said one Catholic from Tel Aviv who had attended Easter worship at the site in previous years.

Security has been stepped up in the Old City, located in annexed east Jerusalem and home to sites sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims.

Israel has also imposed restrictions on large gatherings as a security precaution due to the constant threat of strikes during the ongoing Middle East war.

"Here, inside this Sepulchre, we are not facing a symbol: we are facing a real emptiness," Cardinal Pizzaballa said at the Easter mass in the church.

"We are standing in the place where the stone was rolled away, yet we know all too well that many stones remain sealed around us.

"Too many tombs have been dug again by hatred, violence, and retaliation," he said to a small group of clergy.

On Palm Sunday, Cardinal Pizzaballa was prevented by Israeli police from entering the Holy Sepulchre for mass, provoking outrage, before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered he be allowed in.

"In this land where the story began... we continue to steadfastly protect the freedom of worship for all faiths, especially at this sacred time," Netanyahu said in a message marking Easter.

Since the start of the war on February 28, debris from Iranian missiles or interceptors has fallen in the Old City, including near the Holy Sepulchre, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and in the Jewish Quarter.



- 'Hard for all of us' -



Most Palestinian Christians belong to the Orthodox faith, which celebrates Easter on April 12.

But for many other Christians, the curbs on worship have stripped Sunday's Easter celebrations of substance.

"It's very hard for all of us because it's our holiday... It's really hard to want to pray but to come here and find nothing. Everything is closed," said Christina Toderas, 44, from Romania.

Like many other worshippers, she had resigned herself to watching the mass at the Holy Sepulchre on television.

"Never in my lifetime did I imagine a day when we would be forbidden from taking those steps" to the church, said a Palestinian woman from Jerusalem, Huda al-Imam.

"To have the Holy Sepulchre closed is to have the heart of our cultural and spiritual life stopped. Easter is not an event we attend -- it is who we are," she said.

Otmar Wassermann had also attempted to enter the Holy Sepulchre but failed.

"I must say I was somewhat frustrated," he told AFP, recalling how the feast is generally celebrated every year.

"The atmosphere is incredible," Wassermann said, noting the music in particular. "People who go there, they have deep faith."

Despite his disappointment, the 65-year-old Catholic acknowledged that if the authorities said there was "danger, then there might be danger".

Father Bernard Poggi, who was preparing to attend mass in another church near the holy site, also said he understood the security measures but added that "it seems to be more and more that there's an unevenness in how the laws are put into practice".

Inside the Holy Sepulchre, the celebrations were being held behind closed doors in front of a very small congregation, a far cry from the crowds that usually gather.

Around the Old City, where hymns and processions usually dominate at Easter, only whispers could be heard among the faithful moving discreetly through its passages.

"It is really sad. I just hope the war stops," said Julio Makhalfeh, a 25-year-old restaurant manager.

"We had enough of all this. It is time to bring some normalcy back in our life."
Netanyahu hails 'incredible' rescue of US airman from Iran



Jerusalem, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated US leader Donald Trump Sunday on the operation to rescue an airman downed in Iran.

"Congratulations President Trump! All Israelis rejoice in the incredible rescue of a brave American pilot by America's dauntless warriors," Netanyahu said in a recorded speech.

"This rescue operation reinforces the sacred principle: no one is left behind," he said.

The latest US operation was to rescue an airman whose fighter jet crashed over Iran, while a previous one hours before had brought a pilot to safety.

The Israeli premier further drew parallels between the "daring rescue operations" conducted in the past by the Israeli military and the one carried out by the US inside Iran.
US commandos went deep into Iran to rescue downed airman: media



Washington, United States, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



American commandos deployed deep into Iranian territory to rescue a downed airman, US news outlets reported on Sunday, hours after President Donald Trump announced that the crew member had been recovered "safe and sound."

Tehran said this week it had shot down an F-15 warplane, the first US fighter jet to go down inside Iran since the start of the war. Washington has not confirmed the details of how the fighter went down.

Trump said early Sunday that the US military had "pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now SAFE and SOUND!"

In a subsequent post, Trump described the rescue mission -- as well as another operation to pick up the pilot -- as "an AMAZING show of bravery and talent by all!"

"I will be having a News Conference, with the Military, at the Oval Office, on Monday, at 1:00 P.M. (1700 GMT)," he added.

Navy SEAL Team 6 commandos were tasked with extracting the airman, while US attack aircraft dropped bombs and opened fire on Iranian convoys to keep them away, The New York Times reported, citing an unidentified official.

Though wounded, the airman, a weapon systems officer, could still walk, evading capture in the mountains for more than a day, according to news outlet Axios, which cited a US official.

The unidentified airman was equipped with a pistol, a beacon and a secure communications device to coordinate with rescuers, The New York Times reported.

American commandos converging on the officer fired their weapons to keep Iranian forces away from the rescue site, the Times said.

Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that he had directed the US military to send "dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve" him.

"He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine," Trump wrote.

His second post however said the airman had been "seriously wounded," without elaborating.



- Complex operation -



Two of the planes meant to transport the airman and his rescuers to safety were stuck in a remote base in Iran and had to be destroyed to prevent them from falling into Iranian hands, The New York Times and CBS reported.

US forces then used three other transport planes to carry the airman and his rescuers out of Iran.

The Iranian military said on Sunday the US operation to rescue the airman had used an abandoned airport in southern Isfahan province.

Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesman for the Iranian military's central command, also said two US "C-130 military transport planes and two Black Hawk helicopters were destroyed."

The CIA reportedly launched a deception campaign to spread word inside Iran that US forces were moving the airman out of the country on the ground.

In his initial post, Trump confirmed the "successful rescue of another brave Pilot, yesterday," adding it was not disclosed to avoid jeopardizing the second rescue mission.

"This is the first time in military memory that two U.S. Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory," he wrote, adding that both operations were concluded "without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded."

AFP has contacted the White House for further comment. The Pentagon directed AFP to Trump's social media post announcing the rescue.
What we know about the race to rescue downed US airman in Iran



Paris, France, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



US President Donald Trump announced the dramatic rescue Sunday of a downed airman whose fighter jet crashed over Iran last week, but Iran says the mission was "foiled".

The facts remain shrouded in the fog of war, while social media was immediately flooded with misleading or fake images.

Here is what we know based on public statements and media reports:



- Who is the airman ? -



Almost nothing is known about his identity, but he was named as a "crew member officer" by US President Donald Trump, meaning he was the weapons system operator aboard the advanced F-15E fighter jet which was shot down last Friday.

The pilot was said by Trump to have been rescued by special forces in daylight on Friday after the crash in the rugged Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province of southwest Iran.

US aviators undergo so-called SERE training in the event they have to eject over hostile territory -- Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape.

They wear a combat vest which contains a radio/GPS-coded beacon to transmit their position, while they also carry water, food, first-aid material and a pistol in order to survive.

The airman was wounded after his ejection but could still walk, according to news outlet Axios, which cited a US official.

Trump initially wrote on Sunday that he "will be fine" while later adding he was "seriously wounded."



- How did the rescue mission unfold? -



Iranian authorities had immediately urged local people and tribesmen to join security forces in searching for the airman last Friday, realising the potential political and military value of capturing him alive.

That had sparked a race over the weekend in mountainous terrain, with images posted on social media of US aircraft and helicopters flying low over Iran as part of search-and-rescue operations.

The airman managed to keep himself hidden and at one point hiked up a 2,100-metre (7,000-foot) ridgeline, according to The New York Times.

The US intelligence agency the CIA helping to locate him and launched a "deception campaign" aimed at convincing Iranian authorities that he had already been found, the newspaper added.

Axios cited an official who said the airman had been "inside a mountain crevice, invisible but for (the) CIA's capabilities."

The extraction operation launched Sunday involved "dozens of aircraft", according to Trump, and hundreds of special operations troops, including Navy SEAL Team 6 commandos, US media reports said.

The Navy commandos, best-known for taking part in the 2011 operation to kill Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, were tasked with extracting the airman, while US attack aircraft provided cover, the New York Times added, citing unnamed officials.

The airman was rescued as Iranian forces converged on the spot, with US forces firing their weapons to keep them at bay, reports say.

Trump claimed no American lives were lost.



- What does Iran say? -



Iran's military claims the US operation was "completely foiled", but has not given a full account of events.

Military spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari told state media that US forces had used an abandoned airport in southern Isfahan province, which lies to the northwest of the area where the airman ejected.

He said the aircraft had been taking part in "a deception and escape mission... under the pretext of recovering the pilot of a downed aircraft".

Iranian state media broadcast images of the charred wreckage of what appears to be a plane in a desert area, while officials claimed that two C-130 military transport planes and two Black Hawk helicopters had been destroyed.

In the footage, two charred propellers and engines can be clearly seen.

The Wall Street Journal and other US media, citing unnamed officials, reported that American forces had blown up two C-130s after they became stuck for unknown reasons.

The governor of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province told Mehr news agency that five people had been killed and seven wounded in the Kuh-e Siah area in an attack.

But the governor, Iraj Kazemijou, said reports that US forces had landed there were "completely false and have no validity".

Iranian media likened the rescue operation to the US military's disastrous Operation Eagle Claw in 1980, an attempt to rescue more than 50 Americans at the US embassy in Tehran.

A US A-10 ground attack aircraft was also reportedly downed on Friday, with US media saying the pilot managed to eject and was rescued in nearby Kuwait.

In his message on Sunday, Trump also referred to another operation inside Iran to rescue "another brave pilot ... which we did not confirm, because we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation."

burs-adp/ser
Israel renews Lebanon strikes, forces Syria border crossing closed



Beirut, Lebanon, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



Israeli strikes on south Beirut and its suburbs killed at least four people on Sunday, a day after Israel threatened to hit Lebanon's main border crossing with Syria, forcing it to close.

The Israeli military also carried out deadly attacks on Lebanon's south, one of which killed seven people including a family of six.

Israel has launched airstrikes across Lebanon as well as a ground invasion in the south since March 2, when armed group Hezbollah entered the war in the Middle East on the side of its backer Iran.

Hezbollah on Sunday claimed to have fired a cruise missile at an Israeli warship off the coast, but the Israeli military told AFP it was "not aware" of such an incident.

One of Israel's strikes in Beirut on Sunday killed at least four people and wounded 39 in the Jnah neighbourhood, the Lebanese health ministry said.

It landed about 100 metres away from the Rafik Hariri University Hospital, the largest public medical facility in Lebanon, a medical source told AFP.

Another attack struck a building elsewhere in the area that the Israeli military had warned it would target.

After the first attack, 53-year-old Jnah resident Nancy Hassan thought she was safe at home.

"Shortly after, the planes were flying overhead, and we heard a huge bang, then stones rained down on us," she told AFP.

Hassan lost her daughter in an Israeli strike on the same area during the 2024 war between Hezbollah and Israel.

"My daughter was killed, she was 23 years old. Today, her friends were killed. Every time, they bomb us in the neighbourhood without warning," she added.

Zakaria Tawbeh, deputy head of the Rafik Hariri hospital, said they received "four killed, three Sudanese and a 15-year old girl, and 31 wounded".

"Lots of glass was broken, and some of our patients had panic attacks."

Israel also launched several strikes on the nearby southern suburbs, an area now largely evacuated but where Hezbollah holds sway.

In a statement, the military warned it had "begun striking Hezbollah infrastructure sites".



- Vital crossing -



On Saturday, Israel had said it would target the Masnaa border crossing between Lebanon and Syria, the main gateway between the two countries.

"Due to Hezbollah's use of the Masnaa crossing for military purposes and smuggling of combat equipment, the (Israeli army) intends to carry out strikes on the crossing in the near future," said the military's Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee, urging people to leave the area.

The border post was quickly evacuated on the Lebanese side.

In Syria, borders and customs public relations director Mazen Aloush insisted the crossing was exclusively used by civilians, and said it would temporarily due to the threats.

Masnaa is a vital trade route for both countries and a key gateway to the rest of the region for Lebanese people.

Military expert Hassan Jouni told AFP that Israel's threat to strike the crossing "is not based on sound security considerations, but rather aims to pressure the Lebanese government... to disarm Hezbollah".

At another border crossing further north known as Qaa, an AFP correspondent on Sunday saw a long line of cars and vans waiting to enter Syria as people sought an alternative route.



- Family killed -



Israeli attacks on Lebanon since the start of the war have killed more than 1,400 people, including 126 children, and displaced over a million, according to Lebanese authorities.

In the southern Lebanese town of Kfar Hatta, far from the border with Israel, an Israeli strike killed seven people including a four-year-old girl, the health ministry said Sunday.

The Lebanese army mourned an off-duty soldier killed in the attack.

The Israeli army had issued an evacuation warning for the town on Saturday evening.

A source from Lebanon's civil defence told AFP that a family of six who had been displaced from a town further south were waiting for a relative to pick them up in a vehicle when they were killed. The relative also perished in the strike.

An AFP photographer saw at least eight homes destroyed by attacks in Kfar Hatta.

As Israeli troops push into border areas in southern Lebanon, destroying villages, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reiterated his call for talks with Israel, saying he wanted to spare his country's south from destruction on the scale seen in the Palestinian territory of Gaza.

"Why don't we negotiate... until we can at least save the homes that have not yet been destroyed?" he said in a televised address.
China FM tells Russia's Lavrov willing to work to 'de-escalate' Mideast war



Beijing, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



China's top diplomat told his Russian counterpart on Sunday that he is willing to work together to "de-escalate" the war in the Middle East, Beijing's state media reported.

Wang Yi told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in a phone call that "China and Russia should uphold fairness on major issues of principle", state news agency Xinhua said, noting that the call came at Lavrov's request.

Wang said that "the situation in the Middle East is still deteriorating and fighting is escalating", Xinhua reported.

He also reiterated China's call for an "immediate ceasefire" to the fighting triggered by US-Israeli strikes against Iran that began on February 28.

"China is willing to continue cooperating with Russia in the UN Security Council, communicating promptly on major issues and making efforts to de-escalate the situation and maintain regional peace and stability and global security," Xinhua quoted Wang as saying.

Beijing and Moscow are close economic and political partners, and the relationship has deepened further since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Trump draws criticism with fiery Easter message on Iran



Washington, United States, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



US President Donald Trump did not take a break from his polarizing rhetoric on Easter Sunday, delivering an expletive-laden attack on Iran that sparked criticism on Capitol Hill and beyond.

"Open the Fuckin' Strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH!" the president wrote just after 8:00 am, renewing his threat to unleash heavy bombing on Iranian power plants and bridges if Tehran refused to unblock the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

"Praise be to Allah," he added, apparently sardonically, after ending another threatening message a day earlier with "Glory be to GOD!"

While the Republican president is well known for his straight talk, the post on his Truth Social network raised eyebrows, especially on a Christian holiday.

"Happy Easter, America. As you head off to church and celebrate with friends and family, the President of the United States is ranting like an unhinged madman on social media," Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on X.

"He's threatening possible war crimes and alienating allies. This is who he is, but this is not who we are. Our country deserves so much better."

For Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut, who opposes the war in Iran, Trump's attitude was "completely, utterly unhinged."

Murphy added: "If I were in Trump's Cabinet, I would spend Easter calling constitutional lawyers about the 25th Amendment," referring to the clause that provides for a transfer of power if the president is unable to serve.

Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, also a Democrat, noted it was not the first time that the 79-year-old Trump had used stark language since the US and Israel launched their assault on the Islamic republic in late February.

"Bombing them back to the Stone Age, cursing them," Kaine said on NBC's "Meet the Press" news program.

"This is all embarrassing and juvenile, and it's people trying to act like they're puffed up and tough, when what we really see from the administration in this war is the absence of a plan, the absence of a clear rationale."



- 'Stop worshipping the president' -



Criticism was not limited to Trump's Democratic opponents.

Marjorie Taylor Greene, the former congresswoman who was once a staunch Trump backer but now a fervent critic, slammed his message, especially on Easter Sunday.

"Everyone in his administration that claims to be a Christian needs to fall on their knees and beg forgiveness from God and stop worshipping the President and intervene in Trump's madness," Greene said in a post on X.

"Our President is not a Christian and his words and actions should not be supported by Christians," said Greene, who opposes US military interventions abroad.

Some however praised Trump's fiery rhetoric.

Conservative firebrand commentator Laura Loomer, who speaks regularly with Trump and has described herself as an Islamophobe, had nothing but praise.

"This is what I voted for. Bomb jihadis back to the Stone Age where their mentality permanently lives," Loomer wrote on X.

"Trump said he's going to bomb their infrastructure in Iran, and then he said 'Praise be to Allah'. On Easter. Amazing. Just amazing."
Iran attacks civilian infrastructure across Gulf states



Dubai, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



Critical infrastructure across the Gulf came under attack from Iran on Sunday, with damage reported at civilian facilities in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait.

Gulf countries have faced repeated drone and missile salvos from Iran in response to US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic republic that began at the end of February.

Iran has targeted energy and other industrial infrastructure in the oil-rich Gulf nations, accusing its neighbours of allowing US forces to carry out attacks from their territory.

The Gulf states have vehemently denied the accusations.

Attacks by Iranian drones on Sunday resulted in "severe" damage to Kuwaiti oil and petrochemical facilities, the state petroleum company said.

The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said a number of facilities of its subsidiary Petrochemical Industries Company were targeted in the attack which "resulted in the outbreak of fires at several of these facilities and caused severe material damage".

Earlier, Kuwait's electricity and water ministry said two power and water desalination plants were damaged by a drone attack from Iran, causing "significant material damage and the shutdown of two electricity generating units".

In Kuwait City, the finance ministry said an Iranian drone attack caused "extensive" damage to a government building, but "no human casualties were recorded".

The war has spread across the Middle East, and Iran's attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure as well as its effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane, have convulsed the global economy.

The UAE's official news agency reported authorities were dealing with an incident after Khor Fakkan port in the Gulf of Oman was targeted.

- 'Secure navigation' -

British maritime security agency UKMTO said "splashes from unknown projectiles" had been reported close to one container ship while it was loading in the key port near the strait.

Earlier, authorities in Abu Dhabi said they were battling multiple fires at a petrochemical plant in Ruwais Industrial City on the UAE's northwest coast after debris fell there following interceptions.

Iran has repeatedly threatened civilian infrastructure in the Gulf countries as US-Israeli attacks on Iran have also hit targets that are key to its economy.

On Saturday, a strike on a petrochemical hub in southwest Iran killed five people, the deputy governor of Khuzestan province said.

In comments released to the media on Sunday, UAE presidential advisor Anwar Gargash said Abu Dhabi was ready to "join any American-led effort, international effort to secure navigation in the Strait of Hormuz".

Gaps have appeared between the Gulf states in their differing approaches to Iran since the war broke out, with the United Arab Emirates taking a more hawkish stance.

Gargash said the UAE, which with Bahrain normalised diplomatic relations with Israel in 2020, took the view that Iran's strategy in the region would "concretise the American role".

"We will also see Israeli influence become more prominent in the Gulf, not less," Gargash added.

In Bahrain on Sunday, the state energy company said an Iranian drone attack sparked a fire at a storage tank that was later extinguished.

"Bapco Energies confirms an incident occurred at one of its storage facilities earlier today resulting in a tank fire, as a result of a hostile Iranian drone attack," the company said, without specifying the location of the blaze.
Trump issues foul-mouthed threat to Iran after US airman rescued



Washington, United States, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



US President Donald Trump launched a foul-mouthed threat to destroy Iran's vital civilian infrastructure Sunday, demanding Tehran buckle to his demands for a deal to reopen the Gulf to shipping and end the Middle East war.

As Christians celebrated Easter, the US leader pivoted back to warnings of air strikes on Iranian power plants and bridges, after celebrating the rescue of a wounded airman whose F-15 jet was brought down inside Iran.

Iran distributed images showing the wreckage of several aircraft, but did not deny that US forces had rescued the officer who had taken cover in a mountainous area while American special forces and Iranian troops raced to find him.

The war, which erupted on February 28 with deadly US-Israeli strikes on Tehran, has engulfed the Middle East and convulsed the global economy.

Iranian missiles have hit Israeli cities and economic infrastructure in the Gulf, sending world energy prices soaring.

Iran has also effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane, a vital route for oil and gas, provoking Trump to demand Sunday in a post on his social media platform: "Open the Fuckin' Strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in Hell."

Later, the president appeared to set the deadline for Iran to comply to "Tuesday, 8:00 PM' -- midnight GMT -- in a laconic follow-up post.



- 'Dangerous game' -



"Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!" he declared, drawing criticism at home for his intemperate language and a rebuke from Tehran, which accused Trump of following orders from Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"Your reckless moves are dragging the United States into a living HELL for every single family, and our whole region is going to burn because you insist on following Netanyahu's commands," Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, posted on social media.

In an English language post, Ghalibaf added: "Make no mistake: You won't gain anything through war crimes. The only real solution is respecting the rights of the Iranian people and ending this dangerous game."

Iran's ally Russia also condemned Trump's threat. According to a Russian readout of Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's latest call with his Iranian counterpart, Moscow hopes that negotiations "would be facilitated by the United States abandoning the language of ultimatums".

Many residents of Tehran seemed indifferent to Trump's declarations.

In a large park in the west of the city on Sunday, young Iranians had a picnic. Nearby, two friends played with a frisbee as techno music blared from a portable speaker.

One man was making the most of a windy day by flying his kite in front of Tehran's iconic Milad Tower landmark.



- Abandoned airport -



US media reported on details of the rescue operation of the US airman, a weapons systems officer. The New York Times said he was equipped with a pistol, a beacon and a secure communications device to coordinate with rescuers.

Two of the aircraft meant to transport him and his rescuers to safety were stuck in a remote base in Iran and had to be destroyed to prevent them from falling into Iranian hands, the New York Times and CBS reported.

US forces then used three other transport planes to carry the airman and his rescuers out of Iran, the reports said.

Iran's military said it had destroyed four US aircraft involved in the operation, which it said had made use of an abandoned airport in southern Isfahan province.

Iranian media reported five people were killed in strikes during the operation.

Footage released by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was presented as showing charred wreckage of an American aircraft scattered across a desert area, with smoke still rising.

Iran has said its forces downed the fighter jet and the crew ejected, while US media reported only that the plane had been shot down. The US administration has not said publicly what caused the plane to come down.



- 'Choose peace' -



Critical infrastructure across the Gulf came under attack from Iran again on Sunday, with damage reported at civilian facilities in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait.

UAE authorities in Sharjah said they were dealing with an "incident" in the key port of Khor Fakkan following an Iranian strike.

UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash warned Iran that its strategy of targeting its Arab neighbours "will actually concretise the American role... It will not reduce it.

"We will also see Israeli influence become more prominent in the Gulf, not less," he added, confirming the UAE was ready to "join any American-led effort, international effort to secure navigation in the Strait of Hormuz".

On another front, Lebanon has increasingly been drawn into the conflict since the Iran-backed Hezbollah group began targeting Israel.

Israel has struck back and pushed its ground forces into southern Lebanon.

The war has cast a pall over Easter Sunday celebrations for Christian minorities in Lebanon and across the region.

In the usually lively alleyways of Jerusalem's Old City, silence reigned on Sunday.

As a security precaution, Israeli authorities restricted access to the Holy Sepulchre, where the faithful commemorate Christ's crucifixion and resurrection.

"It's very hard for all of us because it's our holiday... It's really hard to want to pray but to come here and find nothing. Everything is closed," said Christina Toderas, 44, from Romania.

In his Easter blessing at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV urged "those who have the power to unleash wars" to "choose peace" instead and criticised global indifference to "the deaths of thousands of people".

burs-dc/srm
What we know about the race to rescue downed US airman in Iran



Paris, France, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday the dramatic rescue of a downed airman whose fighter jet crashed over Iran, but Tehran claimed the mission was "foiled".

The facts remain shrouded in the fog of war, while social media was immediately flooded with misleading or fake images.

Here is what we know based on public statements and media reports:



- Who is the airman ? -



Little is known about his identity, but he was the weapons system operator sitting behind the pilot aboard the advanced F-15E fighter jet which was shot down last Friday.

The pilot was said by Trump to have been rescued by special forces in a daylight raid on Friday shortly after the crash in the rugged Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province of southwest Iran.

After ejecting, the missing weapons expert shouted "God is good" over the radio, apparently reflecting his firm religious beliefs, the Axios news site reported, citing Trump and US officials.

US aviators undergo so-called SERE training -- Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape -- in the event they have to land in hostile territory.

Their combat vests contain a radio/GPS-coded beacon to transmit their position, a communication device, as well as water, food, first-aid material and a pistol.

The airman was wounded after his ejection but could still walk, reportedly scaling a 2,100-metre (7,000-foot) ridgeline in the mountains before hiding in a crevice, according to The New York Times and Axios.

Trump wrote on Sunday that he had been "seriously wounded". CBS news said he had been transported to Kuwait.



- How did the rescue mission unfold? -



Iranian authorities had immediately urged local people and tribesmen to join security forces in searching for the airman last Friday, realising the potential political and military value of capturing him alive.

That sparked a race over the weekend, with images posted on social media of US aircraft and helicopters flying low over Iran.

The US intelligence agency the CIA played a key role in locating him and launched a "deception campaign" aimed at convincing Iranian authorities that he had already been discovered, The New York Times and The Financial Times reported.

The extraction operation launched overnight on Saturday-Sunday involved "dozens of aircraft", according to Trump, and hundreds of special operations troops, including Navy SEAL Team 6 commandos, US media reports said.

The Navy commandos, best-known for taking part in the 2011 operation to kill Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, were tasked with extracting the airman, while US attack aircraft provided cover, The New York Times added, citing unnamed officials.

The airman was rescued as Iranian forces converged on the spot, as US forces fired their weapons to keep them at bay, reports say.

Trump claimed no American lives were lost.



- What does Iran say? -



Although Iran's military claims the US operation was "completely foiled", it has not given a full account of events.

Military spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari told state media that US forces had used an abandoned airport in southern Isfahan province, which lies to the northwest of the area where the airman ejected.

He said the aircraft had been taking part in "a deception and escape mission... under the pretext of recovering the pilot of a downed aircraft".

Iranian state media broadcast images of the charred wreckage of what appears to be a plane in a desert area, while officials claimed that two C-130 military transport planes and two Black Hawk helicopters had been destroyed.

In the footage, two charred propellers and engines can be clearly seen, with specialised open-source geolocating experts claiming the images were taken about 50 kilometres south of the city of Isfahan.

The Wall Street Journal and other US media, citing unnamed officials, reported that American forces had blown up two C-130s after they became stuck, with other aircraft flown in to lift rescue teams to safety.

The governor of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province told Mehr news agency that five people had been killed and seven wounded in the Kuh-e Siah mountain area.

But the governor, Iraj Kazemijou, denied reports that US forces had landed there, saying they were "completely false and have no validity".

In his message on Sunday, Trump also referred to another operation inside Iran to rescue "another brave pilot ... which we did not confirm, because we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation."

burs-adp/jj
Nigeria army says killed 65 'bandits' in single operation



Kano, Nigeria, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



Nigeria's military has killed more than 60 members of criminal gangs known as bandits, blamed for most of the country's mass kidnappings, said a Sunday security report seen by AFP.

The offensive was carried out in the northwestern Zamfara state where police on Saturday confirmed a mass kidnapping carried out earlier in the week.

Police there confirmed there had been a "mass" abduction of villagers in raids by armed gangs on Thursday night, but gave no figures.

Residents estimate that seven people had been killed and 150 abducted when large numbers of heavily armed men invaded six villages Bukkuyum local government area.

Police said a hunt has been launched for the attackers.

Sunday's security report said at "least 65 bandits" had been killed, in what it called a "major breakthrough".

But the "massive seven-hour ground and air offensive" was in Tsafe, a district around 200 kilometres (125 miles) from where the recent kidnappings occurred.

Zamfara is one of several states in northwest and central Nigeria plagued by the criminal gangs. Known locally as bandits, they carry out deadly raids on communities, kidnap residents for ransom and burn homes after looting them.

Bandit violence started more than decade ago as clashes between herders and farmers in conflict over limited water and land resources impacted by climate change.

The internecine violence morphed into organised cattle rustling and kidnapping for ransom syndicates.

Bandits motivated by financial gains are increasingly collaborating with jihadists from the northeast who have waged a 17-year-old armed insurrection for a Caliphate.
War in the Middle East: latest developments



Paris, France, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



The latest developments in the Middle East war:



- Trump deadline -



US President Donald Trump appeared to extend by 24 hours his deadline for Iran to make a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face devastating infrastructure attacks.

"Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time!" he simply said on his Truth Social platform.



- UK protest arrests -



British police said they arrested seven people at a protest near an air base in eastern England used by US forces.

Activists had gathered to protest the alleged use of the Royal Air Force Lakenheath base as a departure point for US aircraft involved in the war in the Middle East.



- Israeli residential building hit -



The Israeli military and medics said a missile fired from Iran hit a residential building in the northern city of Haifa, injuring four people.

The building was hit by a "direct impact of a missile", the military told AFP.



- Trump threatens 'hell' -



Trump threatened "hell" if Iran did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz, vowing in an expletive-laden social media post to strike its bridges and power plants.

Iran's powerful parliament speaker warned Trump in response that his "reckless moves" would mean "our whole region is going to burn".



- US rescue mission -



Trump said a missing airman from a downed US F-15 fighter jet had been found in a "daring" and "miraculous" rescue, but Iran's military said the American operation had been "completely foiled".

Trump, in a social media post, said "dozens" of US aircraft took part in the rescue operation and that the crew member was "seriously wounded".



- 'Deep' op -



US news outlets reported that American commandos had deployed deep into Iranian territory to rescue the downed airman.

The Iranian military said the US operation had used an abandoned airport in southern Isfahan province.

Two planes meant to transport the airman and his rescuers to safety were stuck in Iran and had to be destroyed to prevent them from falling into Iranian hands, The New York Times and CBS reported.



- OPEC+ hikes quotas -



The OPEC+ oil cartel agreed to again increase oil production quotas, by 206,000 barrels per day from May.

It warned that repairing energy facilities damaged in recent attacks is costly and "takes a long time", potentially hitting global oil supplies well into the future.



- Iran airport hit -



A US-Israeli airstrike hit the Qasem Soleimani international airport in southwestern Iran, state media reported.



- Israel targets Beirut -



Israeli strikes on south Beirut and its suburbs killed at least four people and wounded 39, Lebanese officials said.

Earlier, Israel's military said it had begun striking the capital to take out "infrastructure sites" of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.



- Pope urges peace -



Pope Leo XIV urged "those who have the power to unleash wars" to "choose peace", in his first Easter blessing as pontiff.

"We are growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it, and becoming indifferent. Indifferent to the deaths of thousands of people," he told a crowd in St Peter's Square.



- Holy Sepulchre restrictions -



Israeli security forces imposed restrictions on access to the Holy Sepulchre in annexed east Jerusalem, where Christians believe Jesus Christ was crucified, buried and rose from the dead.

In the usually lively alleyways of Jerusalem's Old City, silence reigned on Easter Sunday, the holiday overshadowed by the war.



- Iran hits infrastructure -



Damage was reported at civilian facilities in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait, after Iran attacked critical energy and other infrastructure across the Gulf.

Iranian drones caused "severe" damage to Kuwaiti oil and petrochemical facilities, the state petroleum company said.

Officials in Abu Dhabi said they were battling fires caused by falling debris at a petrochemical facility.



- Iran, Oman talk Hormuz -



Oman and Iran held talks on easing passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the Omani state news agency reported.

"The experts from both sides put forward a number of visions and proposals regarding it," it said.

burs-pdw/jhb
What we know about the race to rescue downed US airman in Iran



Paris, France, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday the dramatic rescue of a downed airman whose fighter jet crashed over Iran, but Tehran claimed the mission was "foiled".

The facts remain shrouded in the fog of war, while social media was immediately flooded with misleading or fake images.

Here is what we know based on public statements and media reports:



- Who is the airman ? -



Little is known about his identity, but he was the weapons system operator sitting behind the pilot aboard the advanced F-15E fighter jet shot down last Friday.

The pilot was said by Trump to have been rescued by special forces in a daylight mission on Friday shortly after the crash in the rugged Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province of southwest Iran.

After ejecting, the missing weapons expert shouted "God is good" over the radio, apparently reflecting his firm religious beliefs, the Axios news site reported, citing Trump and US officials.

US aviators undergo so-called SERE training -- Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape -- in the event they have to land in hostile territory.

Their combat vests contain a radio/GPS-coded beacon to transmit their position, a communication device, as well as water, food, first-aid material and a pistol.

The airman was wounded after his ejection but could still walk, reportedly scaling a 2,100-metre (7,000-foot) ridgeline in the mountains before hiding in a crevice, according to The New York Times and Axios.

Trump wrote on Sunday that he had been "seriously wounded". CBS News said he had been transported to Kuwait.



- How did the rescue mission unfold? -



Iranian authorities had immediately urged local people and tribesmen to join security forces in searching for the airman, realising the potential political and military value of capturing him alive.

That sparked a race over the weekend, with images posted on social media of US aircraft and helicopters flying low over Iran.

US intelligence agency the CIA played a key role in locating him and launched a "deception campaign" aimed at convincing Iranian authorities that he had already been discovered, The New York Times and The Financial Times reported.

The extraction operation launched overnight on Saturday-Sunday involved "dozens of aircraft", according to Trump, and hundreds of special operations troops, including Navy SEAL Team 6 commandos, US media reports said.

The Navy commandos, best known for taking part in the 2011 operation to kill Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, were tasked with extracting the airman, while US attack aircraft provided cover, The New York Times added, citing unnamed officials.

The airman was rescued as Iranian forces converged on the spot, and US forces fired their weapons to keep them at bay, reports said.

Trump claimed no American lives were lost.



- What does Iran say? -



Although Iran's military claims the US operation was "completely foiled", it has not given a full account of events.

On Sunday evening, ISNA news agency carried a photo posted by the Revolutionary Guards purporting to show the "skull of an American soldier amid the debris of a destroyed airplane".

The Guards gave no further information except to add "more proof of the humiliating defeat of the liar Trump".

Iranian military spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari told state media US forces had used an abandoned airport in southern Isfahan province, which lies to the northwest of the area where the airman ejected.

He said the aircraft had been taking part in "a deception and escape mission... under the pretext of recovering the pilot of a downed aircraft".

Iranian state media broadcast images of the charred wreckage of what appears to be a plane in a desert area, while officials claimed that two C-130 military transport planes and two Black Hawk helicopters had been destroyed.

In the footage, two charred propellers and engines can be clearly seen, with specialised open-source geolocating experts claiming the images were taken about 50 kilometres (30 miles) south of the city of Isfahan.

The Wall Street Journal and other US media, citing unnamed officials, reported that American forces had blown up two C-130s after they became stuck, in order to prevent them from falling into Iranian hands, with other aircraft flown in to lift rescue teams to safety.

The governor of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province told Mehr news agency that five people had been killed and seven wounded in the Kuh-e Siah mountain area.

But the governor, Iraj Kazemijou, denied reports that US forces had landed there, saying they were "completely false and have no validity".

In his message on Sunday, Trump also referred to another operation inside Iran to rescue "another brave pilot... which we did not confirm, because we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation".

burs-adp/jj/jhb
Waitrose is like my family. My friends are there. I was there for 17 years, I must have been doing something right. Im not a bad or violent or aggressive person. I just got frustrated seeing this day in and day out and not seeing Waitrose do much about it.
Lets have a debate on the ideas for this country, lets have a debate on the future of our NHS in this country, the opportunities for our kids in this country, how we respect peoples money, how we transform our communities, and how we make sure this great country, Scotland, meets the needs and the aspirations of our amazing people.
We need this in our communities here in Yorkshire and across the north of England, where so many people feel left behind and where so many young people grow up with little hope of a better future, he will say.
An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew with Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak pose for a photo after a successful search and rescue mission that rescued five people near the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, April 2, 2026. (U.S. Coast Guard)



The U.S. Coast Guard on Thursday rescued five people in waters near Umnak Island, in the region of Alaskas remote Aleutian Islands, the service said in a news release.

Those who were rescued had called the Coast Guard Arctic District Command Center in Juneau when their fishing vessel began taking on water, the release said. An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew and HC-130 Hercules airplane crew were dispatched from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak in response. The Cutter Waesche was also diverted and an urgent broadcast was made to notify mariners in the area.

About 15 minutes after the call was made, a good Samaritan vessel, Seafreeze Alaska, arrived at the scene and helped relay communication between the fishing vessel and the command center, according to the release.

The cutter and Hercules plane arrived roughly three hours after the call was made, relieving the good Samaritan boat and fixing the issue on the fishing vessel. After another three hours, the Jayhawk crew arrived and airlifted all five people on the vessel, transporting them to receive medical care, the release said.

None of the five were injured.

This operation emphasizes the effectiveness of our coordinated search and rescue capabilities and our unwavering commitment to preserving life at sea, said Chief Petty Officer Alex Washington, a command duty officer at the Juneau command center, per the release.
The official seal of the U.S. Coast Guard. (U.S. Coast Guard/Facebook)



(Tribune News Service)  One person was killed, and three others were left struggling in the water after a fishing boat flipped in Ocracoke Inlet off North Carolina, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The incident happened around 10:45 a.m. Saturday, and a good Samaritan is credited with pulling the three survivors out of the inlet, the Coast Guard told The Charlotte Observer.

The identity of the angler who died had not been released.

Investigators say the four people were out fishing when the 25-foot center-console boat overturned, throwing them into the water. All four of the boaters involved are adults, officials said.

The boat has been recovered, and the U.S. Coast Guard is working to determine what caused it to flip, officials said.

The name of the boater who rescued the three people has not been released.

Ocracoke Inlet is a treacherous mile-wide gap in the Outer Banks that separates Cape Hatteras National Seashore from Cape Lookout National Seashore, according to Outerbanks.com.

The waters within the inlet are an ever-changing mixture of sandy shoals, deep channels and small, marshy islands or desolate sandbars that appear and reappear with every incoming tide, the news site says.

 2026 The Herald (Rock Hill, S.C.).

Visit www.heraldonline.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Taylor Schreiner was recently selected as the 2026 Military Child of the Year for the Space Force. (Operation Homefront via KOAA NEWS5 Southern Colorado)



(Tribune News Service)  Children of active-duty service members lead an existence that only other military kids can fully understand  lives uprooted, friends left behind, constantly starting over as the new kid at school, and missing a mother or father for birthdays, graduations, and other formative milestones.

Its a lifestyle that Taylor Schreiner knows all too well. She was recently selected as the 2026 Military Child of the Year for the Space Force.

My dad has been in the military my whole life, said Schreiner, whose father, Robert, is a brigadier general in the Space Force. So this has been my normal.

The honor was bestowed by the Colorado Springs-based nonprofit Operation Homefront, which recognizes seven young standouts each year, from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and National Guard.

Robert, who currently serves as Commander, U.S. Space Forces Northern, has made two deployments and 13 permanent change-of-station (PCS) moves during his 28-year career. Ten of those moves have come during Taylors lifetime.

Weve done Christmases and birthdays via FaceTime, said Taylor, a senior at Discovery Canyon High School. Its challenging, but my parents are so loving and supportive. We make it work.

Schreiner and the six other Military Child of the Year honorees were selected from a pool of more than 1,000 nominees who have demonstrated excellence in character, community service and leadership, according to a news release. They will be feted at a gala in Arlington, Va.

Each teen will receive a $10,000 grant, a laptop computer and other donated prizes, according to Operation Homefront officials. Additionally, 35 program finalists received a $1,000 cash award.

Im really looking forward to meeting the other military children, and sharing stories about our experiences and how weve grown from them, Schreiner said. Im beyond excited.

The middle of Robert and Nicole Schreiners three children, Taylor is the second MCOY honoree in the family; her sister, Hayley, was the Military Child of the Year for 2023.

Its a big honor for our family, Schreiner said.

A desire to help others, instilled by her parents, has guided Schreiner toward the healthcare profession, she said.

We were taught from an early age that you should help those in need, she said.

Schreiner has done volunteer work at Childrens Hospital Colorado, interned at an elder care facility, served as president of Health Occupations Students of America, and earned her Certified Nursing Assistant license at age 17.

I was able to watch staff members while they supported the patients and made them feel comfortable, said Schreiner, who hopes to become a pediatric oncologist. I realized that I wanted to be able to do that.

In the fall, Schreiner will attend the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

 2026 The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.).

Visit www.gazette.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Danny DeVito has been tipped to play Wario in an upcoming Super Mario movie.

Danny DeVito tipped to play Wario in upcoming Mario Bros movie

Charlie Day, who voices Luigi, has voiced his support for his Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia co-star to take on the role of Marios longtime rival in a future sequel.

Charlie told Polygon.com: I would choose my buddy Danny DeVito. He's perfect for it. He's just so funny."

Donald Glover, who voices Yoshi in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, agreed, saying: "Oh, that's a good choice! That's an excellent choice. Just tell him to call up [Illumination CEO] Chris [Meledandri]. It works!"

Benny Safdie, the voice of Bowser Jr., originally suggested "Chris Pratt, but with a mustache" for Wario, but revised his answer to vote for DeVito.

Jack Black, who voices Bowser, said: "Now you're speaking my language. I love Danny DeVito as Wario. He's a legend. No one knows that better than Charlie Day."

However, Keegan-Michael Key  the voice of Toad  had a very different suggestion.

He said: "I'm going to go with a real deep-cut, weird pick: Michael Shannon. Michael Shannon and I just did a film together where we both did voices in the film, and I was not aware of the fact that he can do no wrong. You gave Michael Shannon a crack at Wario? He would do something very interesting."

Meanwhile, Anya Taylor-Joy recently admitted that she vomited the first time she voiced Princess Peach.

Anya reprises her role as the iconic video game character in the upcoming The Super Mario Galaxy Movie but underestimated the exertion that went into lending her voice to an animated flick during her first recording for the original 2023 picture The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

Speaking on the chat show Late Night with Seth Meyers, Anya said: "It's super fun. But I will say the first time I ever did a session, I did not realise how taxing it would be because you're yelling continuously the whole time. I think the first time I ever did it, I threw up."

The Queen's Gambit star also discussed the process of doing "efforts", which are recorded at the end of a voicing session.

Taylor-Joy explained: "It's essentially like the action sequence, but you're doing it standing by yourself in a booth.

"And you're doing that for like half an hour, which makes you feel really cool."

She added: "I think you have to lightly dissociate. And then, you know, you kind of visit yourself back and you think, 'God, I hope no on ever sees this', because they do film them."

Chris Pratt also returns as the voice of Mario, along with new addition Brie Larson as the voice of Princess Rosalina.

Behind the scenes, returning directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic are at the helm of the project, with Matthew Fogel once again writing the screenplay and Brian Tyler composing the score.
Tonga's debt to China hinders rebuild four years on from eruption



Nuku'alofa, Tonga, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



More than four years on from one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in history, Tonga is struggling to improve its infrastructure as it pays off a massive Chinese loan.

When Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai erupted on January 15, 2022, the blast could be heard as far away as Alaska and sent a powerful tsunami crashing into Tonga's main island some 65 kilometres (40 miles) away, killing three people.

Hundreds of homes were destroyed, businesses flattened and roads washed out, while most water supplies were left undrinkable as six inches of ash fell on the Tongan islands.

Tongan Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua said last month that most government programmes to rebuild were complete, but conceded there were "some leftovers" his government needed to finish.

The damage caused by the tsunami remains obvious in parts of Tonga.

Debris from homes and businesses knocked down by the waves remains scattered near beaches on Tongatapu's west coast, and on the nearby 'Eua island, tourists are encouraged to bring cash with them from the capital, Nuku'alofa, as ATMs and banking services have not been restored.

But as much as Lord Fakafanua may want to address these issues, he told AFP his government has stopped taking loans.

Budget documents show a $67.36 million loan owed to China's Exim Bank, taken out to rebuild Nuku'alofa's central business district after the 2006 riots.

The initial loan, taken out in 2008, was for $55 million, but with interest, the debt reached more than $100 million by 2024.

Tonga's government has committed to paying down its debt by 2030, and in the year to June 2025, it paid China $17.7 million as part of total debt repayments of $29.4 million.

The repayments represent a large share of government spending in the small nation where the annual infrastructure budget was just $10.1 million.

The health budget for the same year was $24.9 million, boosted by one-off funding provided by donors, including New Zealand and Australia, to redevelop Nuku'alofa's hospital and nursing buildings.

The health budget is expected to be significantly lower this year, despite the country's dire rates of obesity, diabetes and non-communicable diseases.

"We could use that money for other things," Lord Fakafanua told AFP when asked if the debt to China hurt Tonga's health and infrastructure needs.

"But Tonga committed to signing a loan agreement, and we intend to pay off what we signed to do."

-- Chinese support --

While Tonga shows fiscal restraint, China wants to spread its influence in the Pacific by offering loans and building infrastructure.

During a November visit to Beijing by Tongan King Tupou VI, President Xi Jinping said China was ready to "provide assistance to Tonga's economic and social development" and said he wanted Tonga's "independence and sovereignty" to be safeguarded.

Lord Fakafanua said his country will not be accepting any more Chinese loans.

"We're currently in a position where we're not taking any more loans, we're not taking any more debt," Lord Fakafanua told AFP.

"We're being a lot more clever with our fiscal management," he added.

According to Tonga's budget documents, the country faces significant risk from its loan to China, with "refinancing risk and exchange rate risk being the primary concerns".

The International Monetary Fund says Tonga is at high risk of debt distress.

-- World Bank grants --

Tonga has received several grants from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank to build much-needed infrastructure.

That includes the $97 million Fanga'uta Lagoon Bridge project currently under construction -- the largest infrastructure project in Tonga's history.

The 720-metre-long bridge will connect Nuku'alofa, with the southern side of the main island, Tongatapu.

More than 120 Tongans are working on the project, which will provide a new evacuation path for Nuku'alofa in the event of a tsunami or flooding caused by tropical cyclones.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon viewed the bridge site during his two-day visit to Tonga in March, speaking to the New Zealand firm McConnell Dowell, which is building the bridge.

Luxon said he supports Tonga's focus on fiscal restraint, and it "goes without saying" that New Zealand was ready to help when needed.
Sweden releases tanker after oil-spill probe



Stockholm, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



Swedish authorities have released a tanker they had suspected of causing an oil spill after finding no offence could be proved.

The Flora 1 was boarded on Friday after officials alleged there were issues with its registration status and that the vessel was on an EU sanctions list.

But the coast guard said late on Saturday that Cameroon had confirmed the vessel's registration and no environmental offence could be proved, adding: "There are therefore no further grounds for continuing the investigation."

European countries have ramped up action against a so-called "shadow fleet" of vessels that transport oil from Russia in an effort to get around EU and other international sanctions.

According to the ship tracking site marinetraffic.com, Flora 1 departed the Russian oil port Primorsk on March 31 heading for Santos in Brazil, flying the flag of Sierra Leone.
Angola floods kill 15, displace thousands



Luanda, Angola, April 5 (AFP) Apr 05, 2026



Torrential rains have swept across Angola, killing 15 people and flooding over 4,000 homes, emergency services said on Sunday.

The hours-long storm triggered flash floods that inundated streets and damaged infrastructure in the capital Luanda and the southern city of Benguela on the country's Atlantic coast.

Benguela bore the brunt of the devastation, with 12 deaths reported there and three in Luanda, the fire service said, citing a preliminary report.

"I've lost almost everything and I don't know where to go," said Natalia, a resident of Luanda's poor Kilamba neighbourhood, describing how her home was turned into a "swimming pool" by the floods.

Her family had moved their children and grandchildren to stay with relatives, she told AFP.

"We really are at a loss for words. May God help us."

Heavy downpours are not unusual in the southwest African country during the rainy season, but scientists say human-caused climate change is increasing the probability, length and severity of such extreme weather events.

In neighbouring Namibia, the Zambezi River has risen sharply, forcing thousands of people living along its banks to flee their homes.

Officials said water levels had reached about 6.8 metres (22 feet), well above the usual four metres.

Authorities have relocated residents to nine temporary camps, including one sheltering more than 2,700 people, officials told AFP on Saturday.
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Halle Bailey is, by her own admission, an old soul. Its a running joke in my family that Ive been a grandma since I was a little girl, says the actor and musician who may not yet be a grandma but is a mother, mind you. Sometimes Bailey herself can hardly believe shes only 26.

Shes lived a lot of life for someone in their mid-twenties. Bailey was 13 when she and her sister Chloe were signed to Beyonces music label; 17 when they released their debut album The Kids Are Alright as Chloe x Halle; and 18 when that album earned two Grammy nominations. She wasnt yet 20 before their second, the slinky and self-assured Ungodly Hour, earned three more. That same year Bailey was announced as marine life princess Ariel in Disneys live-action remake of The Little Mermaid; the racist backlash to her casting wouldve aged anyone in her position at least 10 years.

People often think shes younger. Her doe eyes suggest as much  big pools of emotion primed for expressing childlike (or fishlike) wonder on screen. But its true that she carries herself with the composure of someone born much earlier than the millennium. Bailey recalls being six years old and getting chills the first time she listened to Billie Holidays Lady in Satin. An old soul indeed; a more spiritual person might say shes on her fifth life.

It has taken a while for public perception to catch up with her actual age. This is the first time where I am playing a grown version of myself, says Bailey of her new film You, Me & Tuscany. This feels like the first time where Im stepping into my womanhood. It felt cool because it reflected me now. You know, I have a baby. I do feel like Im an official adult woman.

None of this is to say that You, Me & Tuscany is some self-serious drama. True to its whimsical title, the film is a romcom romp set in the rolling hills of Italy. Anna-from-Atlanta crashes at an empty Italian villa by posing as the owners fiancee  only to fall for his dashing cousin, played by British actor Rege-Jean Page. Pasta is eaten, wine is drunk, and R&B love songs are sung a cappella.

Speaking of age, I say, is this one of those controversial age-gap relationships? At 38, Page is a good 12 years older than Bailey. Yeah, hes old! she laughs, admitting that some of her Gen Z slang was lost on the Bridgerton star.

Between slo-mo shots of Page stripping off a wet button-up shirt and an enemies-to-lovers character arc based around a case of mistaken identity, the film is in many ways a by-the-numbers romcom. But in another more important way, its a rarity: a big, studio-backed theatrical release with two Black leads. That fact isnt lost on Bailey. Its weird that it is so rare, she says. I feel honoured that Im able to show other young Black girls and women and men that we deserve to see ourselves on screen. Its a theme thats been very prominent in the projects that I choose, or at least I try to choose.

The most obvious being The Little Mermaid. Looking back on it now, three years after the films release, Bailey says it was a beautiful experience for me  and I feel like it taught me to listen to myself and the good voices inside. I learnt how to block out the noise. Within that very diplomatic answer is an acknowledgement of the rough seas she weathered along the way as a locs-wearing Ariel  the noise of racists on the internet who took umbrage at a Black actor playing the role.

open image in gallery Look of love: Rege-Jean Page and Halle Bailey in You, Me & Tuscany ( Universal )

Bailey found her own way of dealing with it. How do I explain it she ventures. It was actually freeing to be in the middle of this conversation where so many different opinions were coming in, and they were so opposite from one another. Bailey took to seeing the whole thing like an experiment. She holds her hand in front of her face, palm up, peering at something tiny and imaginary on top of it. I felt like I was watching myself inside a cup, seeing how people react to it.

There it is again, a level-headedness that belies not only her young age  but also her exposure to fame at that young age. Growing up in the industry can really develop your sense of self, and for me, it keeps me grounded in a way, she says. I know for some people its the opposite but I just always think to myself, None of this is real. To that end, Baileys favourite thing to do is to immerse herself in nature. I love feeling small, realising that the world is so big and beautiful and Im just a tiny, tiny part of it. The fact Im here is a blessing, and Im grateful [to be doing music and acting], but at the same time, this is not what matters in life. What matters is keeping our feet on the ground, and holding the people we love.

Still, it was nice to feel supported by Disney amid the #NotMyAriel controversy. Its more than some of her peers can say  like John Boyega or Rachel Zegler, who received similar backlash for their roles in Star Wars and Snow White, respectively. Zegler and Bailey connected to offer support to one another. Zendaya also reached out, and Ariana Grande was so nice, Bailey confides.

open image in gallery Fish out of water: Halle Bailey as Ariel in The Little Mermaid (  2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved. )

As women, I think we form a little protective bubble around each other, especially when we see a peer going through lots of opinions. Rachel was definitely one of those people. I love her, she says. We all understand what a vulnerable place it is to be, and at the end of the day, we are young women... were self-conscious... were insecure. Im insecure at times, and sometimes the opinions of people can muddy your own thoughts. So its special to have a community whos there to say, Youre amazing. Were here for you.

As women, I think we form a little protective bubble around each other, especially when we see a peer going through lots of opinions

The Little Mermaid was more good than bad, she insists. Playing Ariel was very impactful to the little girl in me... also I have a son, so for him to see that is really cool. Whenever he sees a mermaid, he goes Mommy, mommy! At playgrounds, kids will come up to Bailey and ask where her tail is.

The experience also led her to her sixth Grammy nomination  this time for Best R&B song with Angel, her solo debut written in the aftermath of those nine months filming in London. It was this mantra to myself to stay up, and stay confident, and be reminded that there are amazing things about you, she says. Everybody needs positive affirmations. Bailey is big on guided meditation, something she confesses with a knowing laugh. When I go to sleep, I put on these positive phrases: I am love. I am good. I feel like we need these reminders when bad thoughts come our way. Whatever it is, its working. Outside the hotel room, a maelstrom of publicists rages on; inside with Bailey, its pure calm.

open image in gallery Making a splash: Halle Bailey greets fans at the UK premiere of The Little Mermaid ( Getty )

The same year that Bailey put out a solo album, so too did her sister Chloe. The siblings  once joined at the hip, cheek-to-cheek  went their separate ways, musically at least. Its actually been really good for us, says Bailey. I do miss living together, being back in our home studio making stuff, but its also cool when you grow up and live your own lives. I love my sister and Ill make music with her until the end of time. Thats my home and where I feel my safest. Chloe is loving being an auntie, she smiles.

And as for aunties-in-spirit, Beyonce is very much still a presence in both their lives. It was the pop star who kickstarted their careers almost 15 years ago after hearing their cover of Pretty Hurts on YouTube, where their following has ticked up to almost 2 million but their channels bio remains the same: Just two girls who love making music in our living room. Having someone like Beyonce in their corner was incredible, obviously. It makes you feel confident in your ideas because shes acknowledging you. Crucially, she was never overbearing. She just let us be, says Bailey. Shes a very genuine human being  a nice, soft voice who will give us advice when we need it.

open image in gallery Double vision: The Grammy-nominated sister duo Chloe and Halle Bailey ( Getty )

Up next for Bailey is an untitled musical comedy with Jesse Eisenberg and Paul Giammatti, while off the slate is Golden, the Pharrell Williams biopic she shot together with the musician, Kelvin Harrison Jr, DaVine Joy Randolph, and Brian Tyree Henry. The film was unceremoniously canned last year, a mutual decision made by the producers. I was really excited for it, and I dont know what happened, but Im just happy I even got to spend that time shooting in Virginia. It was insightful to watch a legend like Pharrell up close, so that experience alone was enough for me.

These days, Bailey adds, picking projects isnt just about her: its about her son, too. I just want to make him proud. I want to do good. I want to be a good mommy.

You, Me & Tuscany is in cinemas from 10 April
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Footage has emerged of Jonathan Majors and another actor unintentionally falling through a window on the set of his comeback movie amid reports that some members of the film crew have since walked out, citing safety concerns.

It was reported earlier this year that Majors is starring in an as-yet-untitled action movie produced by right-wing media company The Daily Wire, co-created by conservative commentator Ben Shapiro.

The film will mark the 36-year-old former Marvel actors first on-screen role since being convicted in 2023 of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari.

In footage obtained by Deadline, Majors and fellow actor JC Kilcoyne can be seen jumping backwards into an unsupported window, which gives way. According to reports, the two men fell about six feet to the ground, and Kilcoyne required stitches in his hands.

In the clip, a voice that sounds like Majors asks if the production was rolling and suggests they keep the footage, saying: Did we shoot it? Use it.

Jonathan Major has reportedly suffered a fall on the set of his comeback movie as the films crew raises concerns over safety ( Amy Sussman/Getty Images )

The incident is reportedly part of the reason that the union International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) called a strike against the production at the end of last month, citing safety concerns and other labor issues.

The producers are actively looking for replacement crew, the union posted on social media. All IATSE members are advised not to cross the picket line.

The film, which is being produced by Dallas Sonniers Bonfire Legend alongside The Daily Wire, is still filming.

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Sonnier hit back at the crew who walked off set in a statement to Variety, saying: The actors fall was shorter than the failed movie careers of the now-union reps.

Majors acting career was beginning to flourish following his roles in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Creed III, but it was derailed when he was arrested in 2023 and charged with misdemeanor assault and harassment after an altercation with Jabbari.

Later that year, he stood trial, where he was found guilty of two counts of misdemeanor assault and harassment. He was found not guilty of one count of assault in the third degree and aggravated harassment in the second degree.

The actor avoided jail time but was sentenced to a year-long domestic abuse prevention program in April 2024.

Majors, who had been expected to reprise his villainous role as Kang the Conqueror in Marvels Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, was subsequently dropped by the studio. The film was effectively canceled and replaced by the forthcoming Avengers: Doomsday.
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Hollywood screenwriters and major studios have reached a surprise four-year tentative agreement, concluding roughly three weeks of intense negotiation.

The Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) announced on X that its negotiating committee unanimously endorsed the deal with The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), representing the studios.

The AMPTP confirmed the agreement on its website Saturday, stating, "We look forward to building on this progress as we continue working toward agreements that support long-term industry stability."

While specific terms remain undisclosed, the agreement is anticipated to address key writer priorities, including enhanced healthcare provisions and robust protections against artificial intelligence.

The WGAW noted on X that the deal safeguards writers health plans, builds upon 2023 gains, and "helps address free work challenges." This contract, which extends for four years rather than the typical three, requires approval from the guilds board and its members before full ratification.

While specific terms remain undisclosed, the agreement is anticipated to address key writer priorities, including enhanced healthcare provisions and robust protections against AI ( AFP/Getty )

This swift resolution stands in stark contrast to the protracted and contentious negotiations three years prior, which culminated in a historic Hollywood writers strike that significantly disrupted the industry.

That previous agreement, which screenwriters overwhelmingly approved, secured improved compensation, longer employment terms, and greater control over AI. The current contract was due to expire in May.

The studios are also engaged in ongoing negotiations with leaders of other unions, including actors and directors, whose contracts are set to lapse by the end of June.

Sean Astin, president of SAG-AFTRA, indicated in a February interview with The Associated Press that he observed signs of studios desiring "to work as partners again." Hollywood actors similarly staged a months-long walkout in 2023, demanding better contract terms.

Adding another layer of complexity, the WGAWs tentative deal with studios coincides with an ongoing strike by its own staff union, which began in February.

Over 100 employees across legal, events, and residuals departments initiated the strike, citing allegations of unfair labor practices, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. The potential impact of this weeks-long internal dispute on the tentative studio agreement remains uncertain. The WGAW previously canceled its annual award ceremony last month due to the staff union strike.
Easter is typically a time when families come together to celebrate  but what if youre not speaking to your family?

For people who are estranged from their parents, events like Easter and Christmas can be particularly challenging, bringing up complex feelings of guilt and grief  especially if they have big families with annual traditions.

Theres no bigger family with more traditions than the royal family, and yet this year, neither Princess Beatrice nor Princess Eugenie will be attending the Royal Easter service amid the fallout from their parents Epstein-related scandals. There have been reports that Princess Eugenie has completely cut ties with her father, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, but both sisters have made alternative plans this Easter as they navigate the outcome from the past few months of news stories about their parents, although they have reportedly been invited to join King Charles at Ascot this year.

At the same time, it is also reported that when King Charles travels to the US later this spring, he wont be meeting Prince Harry, and its uncertain whether he will invite Harry to spend the summer at Sandringham. There has been a prolonged distance between the father and son since Harry moved to the US and stepped back from royal duties in 2020, even though last year, Harry said he would love a reconciliation with his family.

Cutting a parent out of ones life is never an easy decision. Ive never met anyone who managed to cut contact and then say that doesnt matter to me, says Dr Becca Bland, a psychologist specialising in family estrangement. Its a very painful decision for the majority of people and they revisit it all the time, thinking, is it strictly necessary?

Dr Bland has first-hand experience of going no-contact with parents. She was mainly raised by her grandmother due to both her parents addiction problems, and in her early twenties, it became increasingly hard to keep up a relationship with them. As much as I tried to change the dynamic, they werent willing to talk about it and couldnt be present to do something different, she explains. I love them, but I dont think its safe to have a relationship with them.

Even so, she never set out to completely cut ties with her parents  it was a gradual distancing that came from both sides: They realised I wouldnt be quiet any more, and I realised they wouldnt listen. For the last 17 years, shes been completely estranged from them and now works to support other people going through the same thing.

open image in gallery Becca Bland hasnt spoken to her parents in 17 years ( Supplied )

Its really hard to cut anybody out of your life that you love and have an attachment to, she says. What makes it a lot harder with your parents is that society thinks you should have a lifelong, unconditional relationship with them, and that creates stigma. Its extremely stressful to have to navigate a society that punishes you for protecting yourself. You feel abnormal even though millions of people are going through it.

Despite the stigma around family estrangement, its something one in two families in the US and one in five families in the UK experience. While it can often seem its on the rise as phrases like no-contact and taking space are normalised, Dr Bland points out its been happening since the beginning of the 19th century, but people simply called it moving countries or taking jobs in different towns and marrying out of the family.

The difference now is we have a more open culture around mental health and generational trauma  though according to Dr Bland, the consequences of estrangement may be more challenging now due to inequalities with generational wealth that mean younger generations are more incentivised to stay in touch with family members as ultimately your survival in British society may rely on inheritance.

She hopes that recent high-profile examples of estrangement  from the royal family to Brooklyn Beckham cutting off his parents  will help remove the stigma. For Eugenie and Beatrice, theyve got an incredibly complex situation where theyre facing the fact their father may have abused his privilege, she adds. How do they reconcile their love for him with what hes accused of? He may have betrayed their trust and confidence, and arguably that of the nation.

open image in gallery Mariette Jensen cut off her parents in her early fifties ( Mariette Jensen )

This is something that Mariette Jensen, 67, can relate to. She grew up in the Netherlands with two parents who were cold, emotionally unavailable and unsupportive. Jensen, who now works as a psychotherapist specialising in narcissistic relationships, believes her mother was a narcissist and her father enabled her. She saw them less when she moved to England to start a family with her British husband, but didnt cut off contact until she was in her early 50s.

That was when she became aware that her father had financially manipulated her brother, who was mentally disabled. I thought, this is so wrong, says Jensen. Hes a criminal. He was scared of the taxman because hed been fraudulent all his life with certain things. I told him I didnt want any more contact with him, and if he called me one more time, Id call the taxman. That closed the door from his side.

Jensen has no regrets. Shed maintained a connection with her parents for her children, but her parents never had a rapport with her sons  my mum used to want them to parade for her for a while, but then shed get bored and leave, she says.

Jensen stayed no-contact with her parents until their death. She visited her father in the Netherlands when he was dying of cancer, but there was no reconciliation  he wasnt very nice, but I felt Id done my duty. She only found out about her mums death via a condolence message on Facebook but didnt feel a thing.

I can imagine the princesses might have felt how I did when I looked at my parents: I cant find respect for you Mariette Jensen

She was dead for me before she died, explains Jensen, who is the author of Rulebook of a Narcissist and From Victim to Victor: Narcissism Survival Guide. I lived my life without her. And I was a lot happier without her.

She has empathy for the royal princesses. Those two girls are in such a difficult situation. I can imagine they might have felt how I did when I looked at my parents: I cant find respect for you. But for them, its happening on a public level, and theyre part of a big family. So if they [cut off their parents], what are the repercussions of that within the family? My heart goes out to them.

For Jensen, cutting off her parents was freeing. But its not always that simple. Dr Bland calls it a living loss  the grief process of losing someone who is living. Reddit forums are full of hundreds of people who have cut off their parents, saying things like I still have doubts every day and talking about guilt. One user shared about her first Easter since cutting off her parents, and even though she knew her family had rejected her all her adult life, she still felt so sad when they didnt call.

Its why Jensen believes its important that anyone thinking of taking space from family members needs to do it in their own way. No one can tell you what to do; youll know, she says. You have to do it at your own pace. You might cut your parents out, but then be dragged back in. Thats part of the process. Dont be too harsh on yourself, but be true to yourself. Go through this process in your own way.

Sometimes people find it so difficult to go no-contact because if youre part of a bigger family, there might be big repercussions. If youre then cut off from the whole family, it might be too high a price to pay, so then it might be finding a way of keeping in touch but on your own terms, to keep yourself safe and sane. Theres no one way for everyone.
You are the owner of this article.
Jeffrey Goldberg moderates a conversation titled, "America at 250: Opening Night with The Atlantic," during the first day of the New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University in New Orleans, Thursday, March 12, 2026. (Photo by Sophia Germer, The Times-Picayune)
The confrontation could have happened almost anywhere in the country. Australians are obsessed with their local supermarkets , with proximity and variety sometimes enough to dictate decisions as significant as where they look to buy the family home.

Yes, we didnt tell you about why we were doing this, and I absolutely acknowledge that and apologise for that, Nolan told a room of angry residents in September 2023.

So it was no surprise when leaders of the Alexandria Resident Action Group hit the newspapers and the airwaves to protest. Politicians got involved: Lord Mayor Clover Moore wrote to the then-chief executive of Woolworths, Brad Banducci, urging him to reconsider . Woolworths offered up its then-head of Metro stores, Justin Nolan, at a town hall to assuage unhappy locals.

The Alexandria site doesnt look like many Metro stores: it is big, squat and monotone, sitting like so many other full-service Woolworths stores within a complex that also houses a chemist and a Dan Murphys in a largely residential area.

It was a clear signal of the trend that has been splitting Sydney and Melbourne in two, changing the way Australians on each side of the border shop for essentials, and crucially, how much it costs them.

There was more than just outrage when, in 2023, residents of inner Sydneys Alexandria realised Woolworths was planning to turn their suburban supermarket into a grab and go Metro outlet.

They locate themselves in areas where theres not much competition and theres a higher disposable income.

Vanessa Knight, who convened the community group against Woolworths in 2023 but still does her top up shopping at the Metro, is resigned to its presence. Thats a corporate decision theyve made  Do I agree with it? Not necessarily, she says.

But more than two years on, residents in Alexandria have learnt to live with the change.

The Alexandria Woolworths, as with many more of the brands locations, now looks quite different to the traditional suburban supermarket: as with Coles, in-store butchers and seafood counters have largely been phased out, instead offering packaged meats and increasingly, prepared meals that can be easily reheated. Prices, in general, are higher.

The confrontation in Alexandria that night, during which locals queued up one by one before the microphone to berate Nolan, mattered little. In the end, Woolworths pushed ahead with its original proposal: the supermarket became a Metro.

After all, its estimated we spend more than $150 billion a year on groceries, as well as countless hours walking the aisles, contemplating dinner menus for everything from school night meals to family Christmas feasts.

In 2018, Woolworths Metro stores were overwhelmingly located in inner-city neighbourhoods, where real estate is at a premium and more shoppers are likely to be buying fewer items more frequently.

Higher incomes and property prices around a store are key indicator of whether it will be full service or smaller, according to historical and current store data compiled by this masthead that maps each supermarkets strategy in Sydney and Melbourne. And that is undermining a key expectation Australians have come to have of the supermarket duopoly: that people pay about the same for their groceries regardless of postcode.

Guiding the trend is a stark geographical line. As the two dominant supermarkets continue expanding across the country, and as the multibillion-dollar ASX-listed companies feel the competitive pressure to squeeze more out of their customers, a clear pattern has emerged.

Over the past decade, these smaller format inner-city stores have swelled to nearly 140 Woolworths Metro and Coles Local stores across the nation. Their number has more than quadrupled from seven years ago, when Woolworths had about 30 and Coles had none.

In Melbourne, a Woolworths Metro line has emerged from Ascot Vale north-west of the CBD, running to south-east suburbs such as St Kilda and Caulfield South.

The Metro line is most evident in Sydneys inner city, inner west, eastern suburbs and north shore. While it tapers off in the northern beaches, wealthy postcodes such as Mosman and Avalon have hosted Metro supermarkets since 2018.

As more of these stores sprouted across Australian cities, a Woolworths Metro line has emerged. In Sydney, the line runs from Parramattas south-east to Maroubra as new stores opened, were converted, or acquired from independent grocers.

However, by 2026, the list of Metro stores had exploded.

At the time, the Metro branding strategy was new and its future unclear, after the final outpost of Woolworths short-lived Thomas Dux premium grocer experiment shut in 2017.

At the end of last month, Coles opened a new Local store in Glen Iris, in the same location that previously housed independent grocer Leos Fine Food, which specialised in gourmet offerings.

In contrast to Woolworths, no CBD stores in Melbourne are branded Locals.

Today, Coles Local in Melbourne remains largely a phenomenon of the eastern suburbs, after typical supermarkets in St Kilda, Glenferrie Road Hawthorn, and Camberwell were among those converted; so too have standard Coles stores in inner-city suburbs of Fitzroy and South Melbourne.

Coles Local, which first launched in Melbournes eastern suburb of Surrey Hills in 2018, years after Woolworths, follows similar yet starker geographic trends.

Melbournes west has been largely spared Woolworths Metro stores, with the exception of a store opened in Yarraville and a standard supermarket in Williamstown that was converted in 2018. The Metro line tapers off past Hawthorn, with only traditional Woolworths supermarkets north and west of the suburb, as the demographics quickly turn to be dominated by lower average incomes, higher levels of socioeconomic disadvantage, and higher levels of new migrants.

It represented the effective enveloping of yet another independent brand at the hands of the Coles and Woolworths duopoly, which has also vanquished brands including Bi-Lo and Franklins.

With less competition from smaller players, the differences between individual Woolworths and Coles stores has become more noticeable.

Coles opened its first Sydney Local store in 2020 after the store in the affluent Rose Bay  home to waterfront residences, a seaplane airstrip, and the exclusive Catalina restaurant where Rupert Murdoch is known to dine when in town  was converted. The company has since expanded to a similar, yet smaller, footprint across Sydney when compared with Woolworths Metro line.

Standard, full-offering Coles premises in Manly, Avalon, Chatswood, North Sydney, Birkenhead Point, Pagewood, Earlwood and Concord have all been converted to Local branches, with a Coles Local on York Street in the CBD the only example of a new store opened.

To former competition and consumer watchdog chair Allan Fels, the expansion of Local and Metro stores serves as a defensive tactic.

There is a consumer demand for the smaller, faster outlets of the sort they have, Fels says. If they werent in that field, the competition would nibble at the edge of their main business, and also open the door for a new competitor to get in and do that and, ultimately, one day, set up big supermarkets.

Growing their store footprint in population-dense suburbs means enhancing market share and buying power, Fels adds. Why not grab parts of it for themselves? That will deter new entry.

Local v Metro: Not the same

The smaller store rollout hasnt always been an immediate success. In one notable incident, Woolworths opened a Metro outpost directly underneath its full-sized Double Bay supermarket in 2019, called The Kitchen, with shoppers seemingly opting to ride the escalators one level up to avoid the more expensive prices charged at street level. That store has since shut and the ground floor space has been repurposed.

Woolworths Metro Balmain. Dominic Lorrimer

Meanwhile, Coles smaller-format store has undergone several iterations: Coles Express debuted across more than 150 Shell petrol stations in 2003, which forced the supermarket to rebrand existing CBD stores to Coles Central. Then, when it introduced Coles Local in 2018, the chain began retiring the Coles Central banner to avoid confusion.

A Woolworths Metro, which is about a quarter (600 square metres) the size of a typical supermarket (2500 square metres), stocks less than half the number of products (about 10,000 compared with 28,000). Designed for the midweek top-up rather than the full weekly shop, it sells more items by the unit, which means fewer opportunities to make savings by buying in bulk.

There is a price premium: Woolworths Metro groceries often carry a mark-up of between 5 and 15 per cent, but differ between stores as each can set its own prices. A comparison shop conducted by this masthead for a beef stroganoff recipe that serves four found shopping at a Coles Local will cost nearly $20 more.

Retail consultant Trent Rigby  who has previously worked at Coles  suspects private-label products are the first to go. So even where the shelf price matches, you might not find the Woolworths own-brand option. Youre stuck paying more for branded, he says.

The new Coles Local supermarket in Glen Iris has extensive premium, deli-style offerings. Eddie Jim

Metro stores are often benchmarked against convenience stores, not other supermarkets. If you live in Sydneys Alexandria, your closest grocery stores are Metro stores in Alexandria, Park Sydney Village, and IGA Alexandria. The closest full-sized supermarket is just over two kilometres away. Thats not really a convenience offering, says Rigby. Its the only option.

Woolworths declined to provide a list of Metro supermarkets or stores that had been converted. This masthead compiled data by scraping store lists from website archives, as well as records from Retail and Fast Food Workers Union branches. Historical data was mapped alongside each companys current store network.

Despite being rivals, Coles and Woolworths have diverging strategies to their smaller-format inner-city stores.

Woolworths has pitched Metro as an alternative to a convenience store in densely populated locales like train stations, stocked with food that can be eaten on the run.

Ready meals, microwave meals, things that can be turned around on the spot, fresh juice, coffee machines, theyve played around with all those formats, says grocery industry consultant and Ranged executive director Mark Roestenburg, who was part of the founding team of Coles Local.

Gemma Koo, the head of Coles Local, says her stores are not trying to be everything to everyone. You have to tailor your smaller store to the culture, the rhythm of the neighbourhood, Koo says.

She denies that Coles Local stores were designed to be more expensive than typical supermarkets.

Coles Local is about personalisation of offer, not premiumisation, Koo says. It doesnt mean were bringing in more expensive things, it means that were bringing in something thats important to that community.

For instance, popular local bakeries might be brought in as suppliers, or areas with stronger Asian or Mediterranean demographics will see a wider range of those products, she says.

Its true that there is no price mark-up at a Coles Local, but its focus on pricey offerings  things like mochi, macarons and mini gelato bars  means that the cost of shopping there skews higher. And this mastheads stroganoff comparison shop showed Local stores sometimes do not stock the most affordable budget option for common products.

Value for customers includes solving their problems, Koo says, pointing to a greater range of convenient meal offerings.

We definitely dont intentionally remove budget options. Actually, we review our ranges extremely regularly to ensure key brands, especially value brands like [Coles] Simply are well represented, says Koo.

A Woolworths spokesman says the company operates its Metro stores in convenient locations to cater to customers buying snacks and meals or a few items on the way home.

Metro branded stores are individually designed to meet customer needs, and have a locally tailored range of products that is continually updated based on local community feedback, the spokesman says. He says the stores also have trading times tailored to their local areas, and are used to trial new products.

This means there can be variations within the Metro store network, he says.

Smaller, faster, better, stronger

Planting smaller stores in dense residential areas also serves another purpose: faster delivery. Online orders now make up 13 per cent of Coles sales and nearly 17 per cent of Woolworths. Assets from the failed rapid grocery delivery start-up Milkrun have been absorbed by Woolworths, propelling the delivery of more than 40 per cent of orders within two hours.

The startup Milkrun aimed to revolutionise grocery shopping with quick deliveries in 2021, but it failed and Woolworths bought its brand. Louie Douvis

If Woolies is delivering from a Woolies Metro to the apartment above, thats a lot easier, says grocery consultant Roestenburg. Those distribution points set them up really well for e-commerce  Where this fight will be fought in the next three years is in the under-two-hour delivery.

Competitors are watching the growth of Metro and Local closely. Australias supermarket oligopoly shifting to smaller grocery stores puts it in greater competition with players like IGA. A local strategy is often copying the local IGA, says IGA parent company Metcash executive general manager of merchandise Estella Young.

The reality is that a supermarket chain naming a branch of stores Local says that what IGA does really well, and what makes it special, is worth trying to compete with, right? Because local is kind of our thing, she says.

But the economics of running a Metro or Local store is harder due to higher leasing and operating costs, which is what Woolworths blames for higher prices.

Its hard to make a small-format store successful, says MST Marquee consumer analyst Craig Woolford. Its harder to get the staffing and the sales ratio right. The success is really sensitive to the sales outcome; typically a shopper has other alternatives.

By the end of the year, Coles will have 39 Local stores. Last Friday, it opened a new Local store in Melbournes affluent suburb of Glen Iris, which includes a liquor aisle.

Grocery consultant Roestenburg expects the supermarket to grow the fleet of Local stores, or convert existing supermarkets.

The whole reason Coles Local came about is because Coles bought the [Surrey Hills, Victoria] site and then realised that it was probably wrong for a full-size store, he says.

When they get to these refurb stores, theyll be looking at them and going, actually, if Coles Local existed when the store first launched, it would have been a Local.

Back at Woolies Metro Alexandria on a recent Thursday night is Medha Setia, who is contemplating how the price of baked goods at the shop is noticeably higher.

The 20-year-old international student has lived in the suburb for two-and-a-half years, and while she has noticed prices are more expensive than at a full-line supermarket, she believes the Alexandria Metro is cheaper than the prices at the Woolworths Metro Park Sydney not far away, and as such, finds the Metro branding confusing.

I dont really get why this is a Metro  its quite big and it doesnt have a cafe built in like the others do, Setia says.

But, like so many others, she still shops there.

The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.
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NationalPoetry Opinion Can poetry help our politics? There was a time in Australia when it did George Brandis Former high commissioner to the UK and federal attorney-general April 5, 2026  12:30pm

April 5, 2026  12:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

John Curtin spent the Easter weekend of 1945 at The Lodge. He had just three months to live. His health had been in sharp decline since the heart attack he had suffered the previous November. When he died on July 5 at the age of only 60, his death would be attributed to the strains of wartime leadership. Prime Minister John Curtin on December 19, 1941. Staff photographer Most Australians would have gone to church that Easter Sunday morning. Curtins Labor colleagues were mainly Catholics, for whom Sunday Mass was a religious obligation; Protestant Australia was scarcely less devout. The prime minister did not. Curtin had ceased to practice his Catholic faith as a young man. However, he did observe the Sabbath in his own private way. It was his custom to spend Sunday mornings reading poetry. For Curtin  a man of deep spirituality  this was his secular equivalent to going to church. While we cannot be certain, it is likely that that is how he spent his last Easter Sunday on earth. Although glimpsed by some of his biographers, the depth of Curtins devotion to poetry was unappreciated until 2021, when Toby Davidson  not a political historian but a scholar of Australian literature  published Good for the Soul: John Curtins Life with Poetry. Dr Davidson reveals to us Curtins library; it included many volumes of poetry, including that of the Australians Mary Gilmore, C J Dennis, Adam Lindsay Gordon, Walter Murdoch, Bernard ODowd and Vance Palmer, as well as such American and English poets as Walt Whitman, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Matthew Arnold, Byron, Shelley, Milton and Tennyson. It also included a translation of Dantes Divine Comedy, heavily annotated in Curtins handwriting.

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His collection also included a volume of poetry by his fellow Western Australian Paul Hasluck, who would be elected to the House of Representatives in 1949 in the seat named in Curtins honour, and become one of the most intellectually distinguished members of any Australian cabinet. As a young man, Hasluck published several volumes of poetry, which reveal a lover of nature and something of a tortured soul. Robert Menzies speeches contained frequent poetic references. R. L. Stewart Curtins political rival Robert Menzies was also devoted to poetry; there is a remarkable similarity between their respective collections. Like Curtin, reading poetry was one of Menzies main relaxations. His daughter Heather recalls that it was his habit, on evenings before an important speech, to read poetry  to get the rhythms running through his mind, the better to find the right cadence on the morrow. Menzies speeches contain frequent poetic references  for instance, his famous Forgotten People speech draws on the poetry of Robbie Burns to evoke homes spiritual. Remarkably, his budget reply speech in 1947 was partly in verse, quoting several stanzas from A P Herberts poem What Used to Be, satirising the planned economy. The young Menzies also wrote a good deal of poetry although, unlike Haslucks, his did not aspire to deep literary seriousness. It is, for the most part, cheerful doggerel, although there are some touching poems which memorialise friends lost in the Great War. Last year, it was published for the first time by the Robert Menzies Institute in a collection entitled Fancies I Dare Not Speak.

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While Curtin, Menzies and Hasluck were undoubtedly civilised men of cultivated taste, the devotion to poetry of an earlier generation of political leaders was deeper still. The acknowledged father of Federation, Sir Henry Parkes, published no fewer than six volumes of poetry in the course of his long life, from Stolen Moments, published in 1842 when he was just 27, to Sonnets and Other Verses, which appeared in 1895, the year before his death. Alfred Deakin, our second prime minister and progenitor of Australian liberalism, at the age of just 21 wrote the first half of a planned monumental treatise entitled The History, Philosophy and Principles of Poetry. He embarked on this enterprise shortly after his admission to the Bar  a more creative use of his time than that of most young barristers waiting for the briefs to come in. Deakins friend Walter Murdoch  himself an important poet and essayist  described the unfinished treatise as a remarkable performance; had he died before reaching the age of twenty-two, he would have left behind him in this manuscript convincing evidence of his extraordinary powers  [F]ew indeed were the masterpieces of poetry with which he had not made himself familiar. Alfred Deakin, Australias second prime minister, was a great student of poetry. Jason South The most daring poetical feat of colonial era politicians was surely that of Sir Samuel Griffith, principal draftsman of the Constitution, leading colonial liberal and twice premier of Queensland. A man of extravagant learning, he translated Dantes Divine Comedy from the 14th-century Italian. This was largely done after Griffith, his political days behind him, had become Australias first chief justice. In those days, the High Court travelled between the state capitals; it was said by one wit  probably a Sydney barrister  that he translated Inferno in Brisbane, Purgatory in Melbourne and Paradise in Sydney. Unfortunately, Griffiths Dante  which was published by Oxford University Press  did not find favour with most critics. One  evidently a lawyer, aware that Griffith was also the draftsman of both the Queensland Criminal Code and the Supreme Court Rules  claimed to detect a stylistic similarity between them. Sir Samuel has succeeded in rendering the poetry of Dante into the language of a parliamentary enactment, he waspishly remarked. Well, at least he tried. It was not the Griffith translation of Dante that graced Curtins bookshelves.

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Shelley famously wrote that Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world. There was a time in Australia when legislators were poets too. George Brandis is a former high commissioner to the UK, and a former Liberal senator and federal attorney-general. He is now a professor at the ANUs National Security College.
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NationalWomen's health Landmark payout over vaginal exam during labour will improve maternity care, say consent advocates Wendy Tuohy April 5, 2026  4:29pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Doctors have been advised not to panic, and consent advocates say maternity care will improve, after a landmark court payout for assault to a family violence survivor pressured into having a vaginal examination. Dentistry academic Larissa Gawthrop was awarded $275,000 in damages for assault, battery and negligence by the Supreme Court of Victoria on March 27 against Bendigo Health, where she gave birth in 2020. A Victorian MP has called for a birth trauma inquiry after a woman sustained lasting psychological impairment after a non-consensual vaginal examination. Getty Images The court heard Gawthrop had a birth plan, provided to the hospital, which declined all vaginal examinations unless there is an urgent medical reason to do so. She had gone into labour at home, at more than 40 weeks pregnant, and her waters had broken, but over two hours was corralled and worn down into having a vaginal examination before the hospital would admit her or allow any pain relief.

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Justice Stephen OMeara found Gawthrop eventually caved while distressed, in pain, crying and saying, I dont want this, more than once. I am, of course, mindful of the gravity of such a finding. However, the circumstances to which I have referred establish that the plaintiff was not freely, voluntarily and therefore actually consenting when the vaginal examination was performed, he said. Gawthrops solicitor, Alastair Lyall, told this masthead the fact that a labouring woman in pain was offered only a sponge as pain relief unless she agreed to vaginal examination was appalling, and that the finding would have wider implications for the maternity care industry. This really should send a signal to all those involved in that industry to say we just cant coerce people into having these examinations, he said.

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Professor Hannah Dahlen, one of Australias most senior maternity researcher-educators, said the case was a turning point, and she was aware of other women who had experienced coercion who would follow suit. Related Article Exclusive

Healthcare A womans choice over risk: The new birth rules for Victorian hospitals It sets a significant precedent which will enable other women who have wanted to bring similar cases forward to do so, said Dahlen, Associate Dean in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Western Sydney University. The reaction in medical circles that the case was worrying for doctors is a sad take on this, she said. It should be considered a wake-up call for all of us midwives and obstetricians to do better and provide women with informed consent, not coerce them into choices  these are fundamental rights women have and obligations professionals have. Alicia Staines, founder of the national birth advocacy group Maternity Consumer Network, said medical workers would be aware that non-consensual vaginal examination was assault, and this finding illustrated womens right to respectful care.

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This is a clear signal to healthcare staff that consent has to be voluntary and fully informed she said. Women know that the court is in our corner as we have this precedent applying the law. Dr Nisha Khot, president of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said dismay among practitioners about the judges finding were unjustified. There seems to be this panic that the court has said doing vaginal examinations is the wrong thing to do, that is not at all what the court said, Khot said. Such examinations were an accepted part of care if it is indicated and required  provided you have had a discussion explaining why youre doing it, and gained the womans informed consent, rather than badgering someone into giving consent. Gawthrop consenting to a number of subsequent examinations after her known, continuity-of-care midwife had arrived showed that with adequate information and communication the procedure could be correctly managed, she said.

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We [medical staff and patients] are not at war with each other; women want respectful care, clinicians want to provide respectful care. This should not be a debate, it should not be polarising at all. Western Victoria MP and former general practitioner, Sarah Mansfield, called on Tuesday in state parliament for a birth trauma inquiry similar to that held in New South Wales in 2024, which resulted in an apology by the state to women for harms inflicted during maternity care. Mansfield noted that up to 1000 submissions to the NSW inquiry were from Victorians, yet Victoria is one of the only states to have made no substantive response to birth trauma  which affects one in three Australian mothers. Gawthrops experience illustrated ways in which failure of informed consent, continuity of care and transparency of birthing options could lead to lasting harm. These experiences are of just one person, but they reflect stories I hear frequently, Mansfield said. Though it has not inquired into birth trauma, Victoria this year introduced new guidelines stating womens wishes must be respected in maternity care.

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Associate Professor Hazel Keedle, a birth trauma researcher and senior lecturer of midwifery at Western Sydney University, said the finding was a significant step towards establishing respectful maternity care because it supported that non-consensual examination was assault. Related Article Women's health Why didnt I know?: The trauma women are reporting about having a baby Its a good step forward for consent; it identifies that healthcare providers cross the line too much, said Keedle, who has published research on consent in maternity care and on factors contributing to birth trauma. This has highlighted womens rights in childbirth, she said. The court heard Gawthrop had not been experiencing a medical emergency but the staff member who treated her had believed they were following mandatory policy.

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OMeara found Bendigo Health had breached its own standard of care by failing to secure truly informed consent and that the organisation was negligent in its messaging to their patient. Bashi Kumar-Hazard, board chair of Human Rights in Childbirth International and law lecturer at the University of Sydney, said the case was a landmark and should prompt hospitals to remove policy requirements for vaginal examinations before admissions. You have processes in place that do not factor in whether or not women agreed to the processes and practices: Overriding [womens] consent is so normal in the [hospital] system for things like this, Kumar-Hazard said. That the judge had taken Gawthrops written birth plan seriously would mean hospitals nationally were also on notice to take womens stated wishes more seriously, she said. Editor's pick Special series

The restaurant tycoons Anger, ego and a ruthless streak: Shane Delia reveals details of his feud with George Calombaris

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Asked on Sunday if it would appeal against the courts decision, a spokeswoman said Bendigo Health acknowledged the outcome and we are considering the detailed verdict of the court and wont be providing any further comment at this stage. The Australian College of Midwives was contacted for comment. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalVictoriaCity life Hanging by a string: De-funding could kill off quirky Snuff Puppets Carolyn Webb April 5, 2026  7:50pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Its giant puppets have shocked, dazzled and amused millions of people around the world, but one of Melbournes best-known arts bodies may soon be snuffed out. The Footscray-based not-for-profit Snuff Puppets which, along with depicting goats, puppies and babies, has explored dark themes such as species extinction, is itself facing doom after the state government withdrew funding. Founder Andy Freer says his beloved Snuff Puppets might have to close. Justin McManus Founder and CEO Andy Freer says he is devastated that Creative Victoria has declined to renew his 34-year-old organisations long-standing Creative Enterprises Program annual grant of $112,000. Freer says Snuff Puppets $40,000-a-year grant from Maribyrnong Council is not enough to fund the companys operations. Unless a white knight is found, the company may have to close.

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I feel personally rejected, said Freer. Ive been with company since the beginning, so it feels like its personal. Its been an amazing journey, but it feels like its not the right time to stop, were still peaking. Freer is proud of a work ethic that has seen Snuff Puppets making and performing puppets with locals everywhere from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Brazil. One video, Human Body Parts in London, has attracted 160 million views on YouTube. In a statement on Facebook, Melbournes East African Womens Foundation said Snuff Puppets funding loss was devastating for many communities in Melbournes west, and urged the Victorian government to reconsider.

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The foundation said members of the Somalian community had worked with Snuff Puppets since 2021. Our stories have been shared and our young people have connected with their culture in creative and joyful ways, the foundation said. Is this my bus? Dad Boom, a puppet from Snuff Puppets, interacts with public transport in 2000. Snuff Puppets Snuff Puppets is seeking new funding, including an appeal for tax-deductible donations, for when a six-month bridging grant from Creative Victoria expires in June. The 500 puppets stored in their headquarters, the historic Footscray Drill Hall, might be sold or thrown out if Snuff Puppets folded, Freer said. But he is more concerned for the hundreds of artists who would lose work and opportunities. So many artists got their start with us, Freer said.

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Most of the income from Snuff Puppets gigs went to pay its artists, Freer said. Then-Sydney Festival director Olivia Ansell at Bondi Beach in 2024 with Snuff Puppets giant seagulls. Oscar Colman A state government spokesperson said its Creative Enterprises Program was supporting 81 organisations, including 10 for the first time, such as L2R Next Gen dance program in Footscray. The funding process was highly competitive, and the latest round reflected a need to be more equitable and diverse. According to the government, Snuff Puppets is eligible to apply for other Creative Victoria programs.

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Freer said: We understand that there needs to be renewal and bringing on younger, fresh companies. [However], we represent this practice of excellence which ticks all their boxes working with diverse cultural organisations, [a] diverse pool of artists. Editor's pick Interactive

Petrol prices Fuel price calculator: How much will it cost to fill up your car? Freer said Snuff Puppets was often provocative. We dont exclusively do puppets for children. We want to show stories of taboo subjects like sex, death and corruption. The companys name reflects how years ago, they would sometimes use fire in shows, and joke that the puppeteers might be destroyed too, or snuffed out. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalVictoriaCoroners Court of Victoria I have been robbed of my son: Family speaks out after Indigenous mans death in custody Erin Pearson April 5, 2026  4:00pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Warning: This story contains the name and images of an Indigenous person who has died. Jeffrey Winmar was his familys protector. A beacon of positivity and a man of strong values, he died two days after police placed him in handcuffs on a Melbourne nature strip. Police called an ambulance to attend to him, but officers later cancelled it. Jeffrey Winmar, a 28-year-old Noongar man, suffered a medical episode while being arrested and later died in hospital. Winmar, a Noongar man and one of 13 siblings, died in hospital days later following repeated cardiac arrests in November 2023.

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Medical staff found he also had litres of blood in his abdomen due to unexplained lacerations to his liver and methamphetamine in his bloodstream. Coroner Sarah Gebert has begun examining the circumstances of Winmars death after it was revealed police were attempting to arrest the 28-year-old for alleged aggravated burglary, theft and deception offences when he fled a Burwood property and scaled the roof. Winmars sister Margaret and father Jeffrey Anderson take part in a smoking ceremony outside the Victorian Coroners Court. Chris Hopkins He jumped a string of backyard fences while being pursued by police, including the dog squad. Winmar, the nephew of AFL great Nicky Winmar, was arrested soon after being found in a tree.

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Dont let it bite me, he said four times about the dog as police attempted to get him to surrender and climb down. Get on the f---ing ground, last warning, the dog squad officer said. Winmar had started speaking about humility, patience and becoming the best version of himself, his mother says. Body-worn camera footage of Winmars interaction with police show he appeared to collapse and fall unconscious as he jumped down, before appearing to briefly come to. Police called an ambulance but then cancelled it, until Winmar suffered a suspected cardiac arrest. Police called for an ambulance a second time, and it took Winmar to hospital, where he was placed in intensive care. He had earlier consumed a significant quantity of methamphetamine.

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Winmar never fully regained consciousness and died in Box Hill Hospital two days later, on November 11, 2023. Related Article Exclusive

Courts Police ordered to move accused from cells after unlawful 24-day detainment The community and Jeffreys family have a natural concern that his passing is one in an all-too-long line of Aboriginal men passing away in the setting of police contact or custody, Rachel Ellyard, the counsel assisting the coroner, told the inquest. The court heard an internal police report commended the 11 officers involved in the arrest, and no disciplinary action was taken against them. One officer told the coroner that although he was unaware Winmar was an Indigenous man when called to assist in his arrest, he wouldnt have done anything differently and believed appropriate risk assessments were conducted before and during the arrest.

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He said Winmar was known to run from police and had outrun them in the past due to his speed and agility. Winmars mother, Ursula Winmar, said that shortly before his death, her son had started speaking to her more about learning humility, patience and about becoming the best version of himself he knew he could be. Members of Winmars family outside the Coroners Court on Monday. Chris Hopkins He was the kind of person who shared that knowledge freely, like a gift he couldnt keep for himself. Jeffrey was 28. I am looking for justice for my son. I want people to be accountable for what happened to him, Ursula said. We should not have had to come this far to seek the truth. Two years later, we are still in the dark about how he ended up in hospital with internal bleeding and organ failure.

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Until this country properly accounts for First Nations deaths in custody  and until those responsible for their care are genuinely held to account  there will be more Jeffreys. More mothers like me. More broken homes like ours. I have been robbed of my son. Winmars father, Jeffrey Pepe Anderson, called for accountability. Jeff wasnt a nobody. He was my boy, he said. A coroner is examining Winmars death in 2023. Nerita Waight, the chief executive of the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, said 626 Aboriginal people had died in custody in the three decades since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. These included Veronica Nelson, 37, and Joshua Kerr, 32.

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Waight said that in the past 12 months, there had been the highest number of Aboriginal people who had died in custody since the royal commission, which made its findings in 1991. This is a national shame, Waight said. The inquest continues. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

When Elise Heerde mustered up the courage to report a pastoral care leader at Hillsong church who had stalked and sexually assaulted her, she was threatened with losing her job. Then, she was urged to forgive the man who had abused her. Senior clergy at the Pentecostal megachurch, where she was working at the time, warned her against going to the police and bringing shame to Gods church. When Elise Heerde mustered up the courage to report a member of Hillsong church who had sexually assaulted her, she was threatened with losing her job and urged to forgive the man who had abused her. Justin McManus The clergy also attempted to reframe the grooming and sexual abuse the mother-of-one had endured as an affair, and then put her in further danger when they told her perpetrator she had reported him. The 39-year-old, who had been a devoted congregation member and staff member of Hillsong for years, was devastated. The man, who cannot be legally named due the Spent Convictions Act, was appointed by Hillsong with providing Heerde with pastoral care and support after she had sought help from the church following years of overwork and personal strain. In her written submission to the Victorian government inquiry into cults and fringe groups last October, Heerde revealed how he had groomed and stalked her, and psychologically, emotionally and sexually abused her.

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Related Article Courts Pentecostal church member jailed for 22 years over sexual abuse of Geelong boys She also detailed how he found out where she lived, sent screenshots of her house on Google Maps, and flooded her with messages at all hours, leaving her paralysed with fear. It was a big decision to go public with my personal story, Heerde said. It was such a relief to finally have a safe space to be able to say exactly what happened without having the church be able to sue me for telling the truth. Now, Heerde is among a growing number of survivors calling for a broadening of coercive control laws to cover religious settings, fringe groups and cults. At the moment, criminal coercive control laws are used largely in domestic violence cases, but Heerde wants the laws expanded to include extreme religious sects and high-demand groups. As previously reported by this masthead, an expansion of the coercive control laws could allow greater powers for cult-like leaders to be held accountable.

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Coercive control refers to a sustained pattern of controlling, threatening or humiliating behaviour. Heerde said she endured a pattern of coercive control during her time at Hillsong and when she disclosed the sexual abuse she was threatened, blamed for the abuse and silenced by non-disclosure agreements and non-disparagement clauses in her staff contract. This experience was not only traumatic, it was emblematic of the institutional betrayal, gendered power imbalance, and coercive manipulation that pervaded Hillsong and I believe Hillsong globally, Heerde said. Elise Heerde was sexually assaulted by a member of Hillsong church where she worked. She is calling for major law reforms. Justin McManus It demonstrated that even in the face of serious criminal conduct, the priority was never truth, justice, or care. The priority was to protect the churchs reputation, discredit the victim, and maintain power at all costs. In recent years, Hillsongs reputation has been rocked by scandals, including allegations of child abuse and sexual assault, racial discrimination and claims of extreme labour exploitation of young volunteers.

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Related Article Child protection God is in control: Hillsong comforts the flock after founder charged by police Heerde eventually sought assistance from police and reported the sexual abuse. Court documents seen by The Age show Heerdes perpetrator was criminally charged with sexual assault and pleaded guilty in 2021 at the Bendigo Magistrates Court. He was given a good behaviour bond, and no conviction was recorded. But months after facing the courts, he left Hillsong and quietly moved to another network of more than 100 Christian churches and agencies, which was unaware of his sexual abuse offending. There, he was counselling vulnerable church members in a senior safeguarding and professional standards role and training pastors on how to deal with complaints of abuse. I was horrified, Heerde said. It just keeps putting victims in harms way while perpetrators are allowed to just move on to the next place.

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She wants to see an end to cover-ups among religious organisations that for years have allowed perpetrators to move from church to church. Related Article Explainer

Psychology Why do people join cults? And how do they get out of them? At his new church, Heerdes abuser was appointed as support contact for a Melbourne man who had raised a historical complaint to the church. He said was alarmed when he learned of his support persons past. It was like a re-traumatisation in a way because this guy was a predator who was handling complaints of abuse at a denominational level, he said. A spokesman for the church that employed Heerdes abuser said as soon as the organisation became aware of the mans offending it appointed an external law firm to conduct a thorough investigation. He said the man was no longer an employee of the church, nor an endorsed minister, and misconduct of any kind was unacceptable.

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Updated WorldMiddle EastMiddle East at war Trump issues fiery new threat against Irans power plants after missing US airman rescued Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali Updated April 6, 2026  12:18am ,first published 10:09am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Washington: US President Donald Trump made new, expletive-laden threats to escalate strikes on Iran and its infrastructure if it doesnt open the Strait of Hormuz by his deadline, after American forces rescued an aviator whose Iran-downed plane had fallen behind enemy lines. A defiant Iran showed no sign of backing down, striking economic and infrastructure targets in neighbouring Gulf Arab countries and challenging the US account of the rescue. Loading In a social media post, Trump promised strikes on Irans power plants and bridges. He vowed the crazy bastards would be living in Hell if the strait, a crucial waterway for global trade, isnt opened to marine traffic by Tuesday. Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F---in Strait, you crazy bastards, or youll be living in Hell  JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP, he posted on Truth Social.

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Trump has issued such deadlines before but extended them when mediators have claimed progress toward ending the war, which has killed thousands, shaken global markets, cut off key shipping routes and spiked fuel prices in just over five weeks. Meanwhile US forces have staged a daring rescue of an airman caught behind enemy lines after Iran shot down his F-15 fighter jet, resolving a crisis for President Donald Trump as he weighs escalating the war, now in its sixth week. An F-15E Strike Eagle similar to the one shot down deep inside Iran. AP WE GOT HIM! Trump said in a Truth Social post early on Sunday. Over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US History. The rescue is a bright spot for the United States in a war that has killed thousands, sparked an energy crisis and threatens lasting damage to the world economy after Iran virtually shut the vital Strait of Hormuz.

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Trump said the rescue mission in Irans mountains involved dozens of US military aircraft. The airman, a weapons system officer who Trump said held the rank of colonel, was injured but would be just fine. Related Article Middle East at war How a group of commandos pulled off risky night mission to extract US airman from deep inside Iran He was the second member of a two-person crew of an F-15 that Iran said on Friday had been brought down by its air defences. Trump said the US didnt confirm the first rescue to avoid jeopardising the second operation. Iranian officials had called on citizens to help locate the remaining American, hoping to gain leverage against Washington in the war launched by the US and Israel on February 28. Iranian media reported Tehran had offered a reward of about $US66,000 ($96,000) if the airman was captured alive.

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The downing of a US aircraft and the search for the crew member had pierced the aura of invincibility that Trump has sought to project as he tries to stave off the increasing political risks of the war. Trump has repeatedly claimed dominance over Iranian airspace and used maximalist rhetoric to suggest the US has won and that Irans military capability has been eliminated in an effort to calm markets and an American public that is strongly opposed to the war. Analysts have said the downing of the jet cast doubt on Trumps claim of air supremacy over Iran. Loading Trump did not provide details on the rescue but said it was the first time in memory that two US pilots had been rescued, separately, deep in enemy territory.

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The high-stakes rescue effort encountered fierce resistance from Iran. Reuters reported on Friday that two Black Hawk helicopters involved in the search effort were hit by Iranian fire but made it out of Iranian airspace. In a separate incident, a pilot ejected from an A-10 Warthog fighter aircraft after it was hit over Kuwait and crashed, the officials said, though the extent of crew injuries was unclear. Irans Revolutionary Guards said several flying objects were destroyed during the US mission, after the regimes police command announced an American C-130 aircraft had been downed in the south of Isfahan. US President Donald Trump said the rescue mission in the treacherous mountains of Iran involved dozens of US military aircraft. AP Still, Trump was triumphant.

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The fact that we were able to pull off both of these operations, without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded, just proves once again, that we have achieved overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies, he said in his statement. US air crews are trained in what to do if they go down behind enemy lines, measures known as Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE), but few are fluent in Persian and face a challenge in staying undetected while seeking rescue. The conflict has killed 13 US military service members to date, with more than 300 wounded, according to the US Central Command. Earlier this weekend, Trump threatened to unleash all hell on Iran as early as Monday (Washington time), saying the 10-day deadline for the country to make a peace deal with the US was running out. Iran has shown little sign of accepting Trumps demands for peace and has laid out its own conditions  most of them unacceptable to the US and Israel. The president has warned that if Iran doesnt agree to his terms and open the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping traffic out of the Persian Gulf, the US would bomb the countrys civilian energy infrastructure  strikes that could constitute a war crime under international law.

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Iran announced on Saturday that Iraq, a major oil producer, would be exempt from its shipping restrictions in the strait, allowing through as much as 3 million barrels a day of Iraqi oil. An Iraqi official struck a cautious note, saying the outflow depended on whether shipping companies were willing to risk entering the strait. Related Article Middle East at war Trumps Iran obsession means US boots on the ground still on the cards Tehran continued its barrage of attacks on its neighbours over the weekend. Kuwait Petroleum Corp said on Sunday that its headquarters caught fire after a strike by unmanned drones. The damaged building also houses the emirates oil ministry. There were also drone attacks on two power and distillation plants that resulted in significant material damage, Kuwait News Agency reported, citing an electricity ministry spokesperson. Bahrains Interior Ministry reported on Sunday that its civil defence was taking measures to control a fire in a facility as a result of the Iranian aggression, without citing the location and type of facility. The United Arab Emirates Defence Ministry also said on Sunday that its systems were actively engaging with missiles and drone threats. The Israeli military said it hit a petrochemical complex in south-western Iran on Saturday, claiming it produced military substances. Irans semi-official Mehr News Agency said five people died in the attack and 170 were injured.

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Other attacks targeting the perimeter of Irans Bushehr nuclear power plant left one security staff member dead, Irans semi-official Tasnim news agency reported. The main sections of the facility, where Russias state nuclear company Rosatom has workers, were unaffected, Tasnim said. More than 1900 people have been killed in Iran since the war began, while more than 1400 people have been killed in Lebanon. In Gulf Arab states and the occupied West Bank, more than two dozen people have died. Nineteen people have been reported dead in Israel and 10 Israeli soldiers have died in Lebanon. Reuters, Bloomberg, AP Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
NEWARK, Calif., April 3, 2026 -- Lucid Group, Inc. , maker of the world's most advanced software-defined vehicles and technologies, today announced production and delivery totals for the quarter ended March 31, 2026. During this period, the company produced 5,500 vehicles and delivered 3,093 vehicles.1

During the quarter, deliveries of the Lucid Gravity were disrupted for 29 days due to a supplier quality issue with the second-row seats. As a result of this, the company's ability to meet customer demand was impacted. These issues have now been addressed, and the company is reaffirming its previously shared production guidance of 25,000-27,000 vehicles.

Lucid will host a conference call to discuss its first quarter 2026 financial results on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 2:30 pm PT / 5:30 pm ET. Prior to the conference call, the company will issue an earnings press release with a link to the live webcast on its investor relations website, https://ir.lucidmotors.com.

To enhance engagement with the company's shareholder base and facilitate connections with its investors, Lucid is partnering with Say Technologies to allow retail and institutional shareholders to submit and upvote questions, a selection of which will be answered by Lucid management during the earnings call.

Starting on April 20, 2026, at 2:30 pm PT / 5:30 pm ET, all shareholders can submit questions by visiting: https://app.saytechnologies.com/lucid-group-2026-q1. This Q&A platform will remain open until 2:30 pm PT / 5:30 pm ET on May 4, 2026. Shareholders can email [email protected] for any support inquiries.

Earnings Call Details:

Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Time: 2:30 pm PT / 5:30 pm ET

Webcast: https://ir.lucidmotors.com (live and replay)

1 Lucid's net income and cash flow results will be announced along with the rest of its financial performance when Lucid announces first quarter earnings. Lucid vehicle production and delivery numbers represent only one measure of the company's operating performance and should not be relied on as sole indicators of quarterly financial results, which depend on a variety of factors. Starting this quarter, Lucid is including all vehicles produced at AMP-1 in its production numbers, including those vehicles being shipped to Saudi Arabia.

About Lucid Group

Lucid Group, Inc. is a technology company creating exceptional mobility experiences through innovation to drive the world forward. Built on Lucid's proprietary technology and software defined vehicle architectures, the company's lineup of award-winning vehicles brings Lucid's "Compromise Nothing" approach to premium segments of the global automotive market. Lucid designs and engineers its products in-house and assembles at its vertically integrated facilities in Arizona and Saudi Arabia, enabling continuous innovation across vehicles, software, and advanced driver assistance and autonomy-ready capabilities.

Investor Relations Contact

[email protected]

Sign up for investor email alerts: https://ir.lucidmotors.com/ir-resources/email-alerts

Media Contact

[email protected]

Trademarks

This communication contains trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights of Lucid Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries and other companies, which are the property of their respective owners.
Disastrous path





IS IT a major overhaul of the United States military leadership or a vengeful decision by a furious Head of the State? The Americans are figuring out the rationale behind high-profile sacking of uniformed officers in the middle of a raging war after Defence Secretary Mr. Pete Hegseth ousted US Army Chief of Staff Gen Randy George, Gen David Hodne and Major General William Green. No reason has been given for the decision to remove the decorated officers when the country is engaged in an intense war with Iran. The sackings have come on the heels of the removal of Attorney General Ms. Pam Bondi, once a loyalist of President Mr. Donald Trump. The three major decisions have shaken the US politics and military circles even as a spiteful regime continues to push the country towards an impending disaster on all fronts. The ouster of Gen Randy George is being termed as part of a broader overhaul of US military leadership since President Mr. Trump returned to the White House. The officers removal is in line with many changes effected by Mr. Trump in the last few months, it is said.

However, this decision cannot be seen through the simple prism of an overhaul, for, Gen George is known as an astute leader with tons of experience. His sacking smacks of a definite vendetta by the administration which is increasingly facing reverses at all levels over the continuation of the Iran war without any strategy or exit plan. The three officers who were shown the door by the Defence Secretary possess a great career record. They led forces in many conflict zones where American boots were put by the political leadership. Their experience must have shaped the US strategy in the ongoing war but with the daily flip-flop of the President and no exit strategy, the generals must have conveyed to Mr. Hegseth that his Iran plans were turning unworkable, disastrous and deadly. The sacking came immediately after Mr. Trump threatened a ground invasion of Iran. This plan seems to have become the ultimate bone of contention between the civil and military leadership and hence the unceremonious ouster of the uniformed officers. The sacking of the generals and the Attorney General reflects the anxieties of Mr. Trump in face of a major crisis.

Already embroiled in the Epstein files, the POTUS has encountered severe setbacks in the Iran war. The American economy has started to bleed and the world is turning against the US in an apparent thumbs-down to Mr. Trumps high-handed functioning. Frustration is growing alarmingly for the President as seen in his daily U-turns on Iran. It is leading to removal of all sane voices who are questioning his decisions and their consequences. The case of Ms. Bondi is on the same lines. She had upended the US Justice Departments culture and helped the President in carrying out large-scale firings as the Epstein files started to become a political liability. In the end, Ms. Bondi was also unable to handle the pressure of the judiciary and had to relent in releasing some of the contents. It was seen as a betrayal by Mr. Trump and hence the dictatorial behaviour of the US administration. Whatever is happening inside America has a striking similarity with the Chinese way of functioning. The all-powerful Chinese Communist Party (CCP) indulges in a similar purge of high-profile military and civic officials ahead of its annual conclave to send a strong message to the dissenters of President Mr. Xi Jinping. The US is walking the same path.
Tenant becomes trespasser after denying landlords ownership: HC





Staff Reporter :

JUSTICE Rohit W Joshi at the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has ruled that a tenant becomes a trespasser if he denies the ownership of the landlord and in such cases, a civil court has full jurisdiction to decide the dispute. The case involved a longstanding property dispute between the appellants Dilip Ramaji Poharwar and his family members (tenants) and PunjabraoVithalraoVaidhya and his family members (landlords). The tenants had earlier claimed that there was an agreement to sell the property in their favour. However, their claim was rejected by the court and the decision became final. Later, in 1996, the tenants denied the landlords ownership and claimed that they themselves were the owners. This denial changed their legal status.

According to the High Court, once a tenant rejects the landlords title, he no longer remains a tenant but becomes a trespasser - a person who is illegally occupying someone elses property. After this, the landlord issued a legal notice and filed a case in the civil court seeking possession of the property. The trial court ruled in favour of the landlord in 2005, and the district court upheld the decision in 2011. The tenants then approached the High Court, arguing that the case should have been heard in the Small Causes Court. However, Justice Joshi rejected this argument. The court clearly stated that a trespasser cannot claim protection under tenancy laws. Once the tenant denies the landlords ownership, the relationship of landlord and tenant ends. From that moment, the persons possession becomes illegal, and he is treated as a trespasser.

The court also said that cases against a trespasser must be filed in a civil court and not in the Small Causes Court. On the issue of delay, the High Court found that the case was filed within the legal time limit. The cause of action started when the tenants denied ownership in 1996, and the landlord filed the case soon after. With these observations, the High Court dismissed the appeal and upheld the earlier orders. The landlords will now get possession of the property, as the tenants have been declared trespassers under the law.

Sequence of dispute

1. The suit property was originally given on rent by Punjabrao Vaidhya (landlord) to Ramaji Poharwar (tenant).

2. During the tenancy, the tenant claimed there was an agreement to purchase the property and filed a suit for specific performance (1971).

3. The court dismissed this suit, and the dismissal became final around 1995.

4. After losing the case, the tenant denied the landlords ownership and claimed himself as owner in a reply filed on March 19, 1996.

5. Due to this denial, the landlord treated it as forfeiture of tenancy and filed a suit for possession (1996), treating the tenant as a trespasser. 6. The trial court (2005) and appellate court (2011) both ruled in favour of the landlord, and finally, the High Court dismissed the tenants second appeal and upheld the landlords right to possession.
US presses search for missing crew as Iran calls on public to find enemy pilot





TEL AVIV ;

THE US military pressed ahead Saturday in a frantic search for a missing pilot over a remote area in Iran, a day after the Islamic Republic shot down a US warplane and promised a reward for whoever turns in the pilot. The plane, identified by Iran as a F-15E Strike Eagle, was one of two attacked on Friday, with one service member rescued. It was the first time the United States lost aircraft in Iranian territory during the war, now in its sixth week, and could add pressure on the Trump administration to end the fighting. The war, which began with joint US-Israel strikes on February 28, has killed thousands, shaken global markets, cut off key shipping routes and spiked fuel prices. It shows no signs of slowing as Iran responds to airstrikes with attacks across the region.

The downing of the American planes came two days after US President Donald Trump said in a national address that the United States has beaten and completely decimated Iran. The US and Israel had boasted that Irans air defences were obliterated. But on Saturday, an apparent Iranian drone damaged the headquarters of US technology company Oracle in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Both sides have threatened, and hit, civilian targets and infrastructure in the war. The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran said that an airstrike hit near its Bushehr nuclear facility, killing a security guard and damaging a support building. Its the fourth time the facility has been targeted. The head of Russias state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, said that 198 workers were being evacuated. The search for the US pilot focused on a mountainous region in Irans south-western province of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad. Neither the White House nor the Pentagon released information, but in an email from the Pentagon, obtained by the AP, the military said that it received notification of an aircraft being shot down in the Middle East, without further details.

A US crew member was rescued. But the Pentagon notified the US House Armed Services Committee that the status of a second service member wasnt known. In a telephone interview with NBC News, Trump said that what happened wouldnt affect negotiations with Iran. Separately, Iranian state media said a US A-10 attack aircraft crashed in the Persian Gulf after being struck by its defence forces. A US official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive military situation said that it wasnt clear if the aircraft crashed or was shot down. The crews status was not immediately known. An anchor on a channel affiliated with Iranian state television urged residents to hand over any enemy pilot to police, a first in the war. Iran previously made claims about shooting down piloted aircraft that turned out not to be true. Oracles offices hit in Dubai An apparent Iranian drone damaged the Dubai headquarters of Oracle after Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard threatened the firm. Footage verified by the AP outside the United Arab Emirates showed a large hole in the buildings south-western corner.

The sheikhdoms Dubai Media Office, which speaks for its government, noted a minor incident caused by debris from an aerial interception that fell on the facade, saying there were no injuries. Oracle Corp, based in Austin, Texas, didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Irans veiled threat to disrupt second waterway Irans parliamentary Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, issued a veiled threat late Friday to disrupt traffic through a second strategic waterway in the region, the Bab-el-Mandeb. The strait, 32 kilometres (20 miles) wide, links the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. More than a tenth of seaborne global oil and a quarter of container ships pass through it. What share of global oil, LNG, wheat, rice, and fertiliser shipments transits the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait? Qalibaf wrote, referring to liquefied natural gas.

Which countries and companies account for the highest transit volumes through the strait? More than 1,900 people have been killed in Iran since the war began. In Gulf Arab states and the occupied West Bank, more than two dozen people have died, while 19 have been reported dead in Israel and 13 US service members have been killed. In Lebanon, more than 1,400 people have been killed and there have been more than 1 million displaced people. Iran releases photos showing wreckage of US Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter THE Iranian State Media, Press TV, on Saturday released unverified pictures of a US CH-47 helicopter in Kuwait, which, according to the media, was targeted by Iran. There has been no immediate confirmation from the US administration in this regard. Another Iranian media, Mehr News Agency, reported that an Iranian projectile struck a US helicopter, which, according to Mehr News Agency, was under an operation to search for the downed pilot of the US F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet.
A hole is seen in the dome of the Grand Hosseiniyeh mosque that officials say was hit by U.S.-Israeli airstrikes Tuesday in Zanjan, Iran, Saturday, April 4, 2026. Francisco Seco/AP Pedestrians look at a destroyed building within the Grand Hosseiniyeh, with the mosque visible in the background, which officials at the site say was hit by U.S.-Israeli airstrikes Tuesday, in Zanjan, Iran, Saturday, April 4, 2026. Francisco Seco/AP Mohammad Qubaisi, 53, with burn wounds from an Israeli airstrike on southern Lebanon, undergoes surgery by Dr. Mohammed Ziara, left, and his team, at the Sidon Government Hospital, in Sidon, Lebanon, Thursday, April 2, 2026. Emilio Morenatti/AP Tamara and her sister Amal color pictures on the floor as their parents, Sara and Ahmed, who fled their village of Khiyam in southern Lebanon due to Israeli bombardment, sit inside a tent used as a shelter in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, April 3, 2026. Emilio Morenatti/AP Palestinian Muslims attend Friday prayers outside Jerusalem's Old City due to restrictions linked to the Iran war, April 3, 2026. Mahmoud Illean/AP

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday stepped up his threat to hit Iran's critical infrastructure hard if the country's government doesnt reopen the Strait of Hormuz by his Monday deadline.

Trump punctuated his threat with profanity in a social media post Sunday, saying that Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran.

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He also offered details of the rescue of a seriously wounded and really brave U.S. service member he identified as a respected colonel who was missing since Iran shot down a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle on Friday.

The U.S. president said the rescue was a rarely attempted type of operation because of the potential dangers. A second crew member was rescued earlier in broad daylight after seven hours over Iran.

The war began with joint U.S.-Israel strikes on Feb. 28 and has killed thousands, shaken global markets, cut off key shipping routes and spiked fuel prices. Both sides have threatened and hit civilian targets, bringing warnings of possible war crimes.

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Here is the latest:

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Strikes in Iran kill at least 9 people

From Sunday into Monday across Iran, local media and activists reported strikes on Ahvaz, Bandar Lengeh, Karaj and Shiraz.

The strikes in Bandar Lengeh and Kong killed at least six people and wounded 17 others, the state-run IRAN newspaper said.

Another airstrike in southeastern Tehran hit a home, killing at least three people, Iranian state TV reported.

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Iranian strikes hit Haifa

Israels Magen David Adom and Fire and Rescue services said early Monday that there are two reported sites of Iranian missile hits in the northern city of Haifa.

Video footage provided by Magen David Adom of the affected sites show active fire and bombed cars in what appears to be a residential area.

It is still unclear whether those were direct hits or damage from falling shrapnel from interceptions.

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The missile strikes comes a day after another attack from Iran also hit a Haifa residential area, killing two people and injuring others.

Two people were still trapped in the rubble caused by the Sunday attack and their fate is unknown.

Meanwhile, Israels military warned the public Monday morning of another missile barrage coming from Iran, the third-such alert of the day.

Airstrike on Iranian city of Eslamshar kills at least 13

An airstrike early Monday struck a residential building in a city southwest of Irans capital, Tehran, killing at least 13 people, Iranian media reported.

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The semiofficial Fars news agency and Nour News reported the strike near Eslamshar.

It wasnt clear why the building had been struck.

Neither Israel nor the United States claimed the strikes early Monday, but they came after Trump issued a profanity-laced threat to Iran that it must reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Airstrikes hit Tehran university linked to weapons work

Airstrikes early Monday morning on Irans capital targeted the Sharif University of Technology.

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Iranian media reported the strikes and damage to buildings there, as well as a natural gas distribution site next to the campus.

It wasnt immediately clear what had been targeted on the grounds of the university, which is empty of students as the war has forced all schools in the country into online classes.

However, multiple countries over the years have sanctioned the university for its work with the military, particularly on Irans ballistic missile program, which is controlled by the countrys paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.

Meanwhile, the Guard and other security forces have been using secondary sites as rally points as their bases have come under repeated attack during the war.

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Airstrike in the Irani city of Qom kills at least 5

The state-run IRAN daily newspaper said in an online message that an airstrike in a residential area of Qom killed at least five people. Qom is a holy Shiite seminary city just south of Tehran.

It wasnt unclear what the target of the strike was.

Iran has not provided overall casualty figures from the war in days. It also hasnt discussed its materiel losses.

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Airstrikes hit Iran's capital

Before dawn Monday, a series of airstrikes hit Irans capital, Tehran. Explosions rang out into the night, though it wasnt immediately clear what had been struck. The sound of low-flying fighter jets could be heard off and on for hours.

In Israel, authorities sounded one missile alert. In Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, two such alerts went off with air defenses firing, but it wasnt immediately clear what had been targeted by Iran. Kuwait also said its air defenses worked multiple times overnight to intercept incoming.

Crude oil prices jump in early trading after Trump threats

Crude oil prices jumped sharply in early trading Sunday after U.S. President Donald Trump issued fresh, heightened threats against Iran and its infrastructure.

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The price of Brent crude, the international standard, rose more than 2% to $111.25. U.S. crude oil prices were up nearly 3% to $114.54 a barrel.

The last time front-month prices for U.S. crude oil prices were above $115 a barrel was the summer of 2022, in the aftermath of Russias invasion of Ukraine and during a period of high inflation across the globe.

Trump on social media vowed to hit Irans power plants and bridges and said the country would be living in Hell if the Strait of Hormuz, crucial for global trade, isnt opened by Tuesday.

Official with Lebanese Christian party killed in Israeli strike

Pierre Mouawad, an official with the Lebanese Forces party, was killed along with his wife in an Israeli strike Sunday on an apartment building in the village of Ain Saadeh in the mountains east of Beirut, the state-run National News Agency reported.

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Another woman was killed and three women were wounded, Lebanons health ministry said.

The Israeli military has made no statement about the strike, and its intended target remains unclear.

The Lebanese Forces party is opposed to Hezbollah and has blamed the Shiite militant group for dragging Lebanon into a new war with Israel.

Israeli strikes in Christian-majority areas have led to sectarian tensions, with local residents fearing that Hezbollah members may be hiding among displaced Shiite civilians taking refuge there.

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Doctors Without Borders condemns Israeli strike in Beirut neighborhood

The international aid group, known by its French acronym MSF, said the strike in Beiruts Jnah neighborhood on Sunday hit a densely populated residential area  only meters from Rafik Hariri Public Hospital.

Lebanons Health Ministry said the strike, which came without a warning, killed four people and wounded 39.

We are seeing elderly people and adolescents arriving with critical injuries to the head, chest, and abdomen, including shrapnel wounds, Luna Hammad, MSF medical coordinator working in the hospital, said in a statement. When strikes hit crowded residential areas without warning, the consequences are severe, both in human casualties and in hospitals capacity to respond.

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MSF said that strikes this close to a hospital spread fear and can stop people from seeking lifesaving care.

The Israeli military has not named the intended target of the strike, which comes five weeks into the renewed Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon.

Iran says US bombarded its own aircraft, personnel

Irans joint military command spokesperson said Sunday that the U.S. had to bombard its own military aircraft and personnel that were struck and downed by Iranian fighters to prevent embarrassment for President Trump and the hollow image of its military.

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Ebrahim Zolfaghari added that several U.S. military aircraft entered Iranian airspace to carry out a rescue operation for the pilot of a downed U.S. fighter jet, but said Iranian fighters and air defense systems struck the aircraft and forced them to make an emergency landing in an area south of Isfahan.

A regional intelligence official, who was briefed on the covert mission and who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss it, said the U.S. military blew up two transport planes due to a technical malfunction that forced them to bring in additional aircraft to complete the rescue.

Over the weekend, the United States pulled off a daring rescue of two aviators whose fighter jet was shot down by Iran, plucking the pilot from behind enemy lines before setting off a complicated extraction of the second service member who hid deep in the mountains as Tehran called for Iranians to help capture him.

___

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 Associated Press reporter Toqa Ezzidin contributed to this report.

Bahrains foreign minister urges action on Strait of Hormuz

Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani wrote in a statement Sunday that Irans weekslong chokehold on the critical waterway has created an escalating crisis that threatens global stability, food security, and the foundational principles of international law.

He urged action by the United Nations Security Council on a Bahrain draft proposal, which has faced crucial opposition from Russia, China and France over several issues, including language authorizing the use of force to open the strait. All three countries wield veto power over any resolution in the 15-member council.

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The vote on the heavily revised and watered-down draft was scheduled to take place last week, but has been postponed due to lack of consensus.

Al-Zayani noted that the window of opportunity is narrowing day by day and failure by the international community to act sends a dangerous message that vital arteries of the global economy can be threatened without consequence.

Iranian negotiators have immunity from death, Trump says

The U.S. president made the comments during an off-camera interview with Fox News.

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Weve given them immunity from death. And weve told the people that were dealing with, who are the top people, the president said.

Trump contended that the Iranians had already conceded on having a nuclear weapon.

Theyre not even negotiating that point, its so easy, Trump told Fox News. Thats already been conceded. Most of the points are conceded.

4 wounded in fire at UAEs Khor Fakkan port

The United Arab Emirates Sharjah government said that one Nepali and three Pakistani nationals were wounded Sunday in a fire caused by falling debris from an intercepted Iranian projectile at Khor Fakkan port, according to a statement posted on the social platform X.

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One individual was severely wounded and had to be hospitalized, while the others suffered mild and moderate injuries, the statement said.

The statement did not specify whether the intercepted projectile was a missile or a drone.

3 missing in Haifa apartment building strike

Israels Fire and Rescue Authority said Sunday they were searching for three people in the northern Israeli city of Haifa after an Iranian missile strike.

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Paramedics said they rushed to the scene and searched through the rubble to dig out the injured, finding an older man in serious condition. They added that three other people were mildly injured, including a baby.

Associated Press video filmed at the scene showed much of the multistory building reduced to rubble.

The rescuers described the damage as resulting from a direct hit, but it was not immediately clear if the building had been struck by a missile or shrapnel from an interception.

Israeli fire kills 1 Palestinian in Gaza City, health officials say

The strike on a group of people also wounded others, according to health officials at the Shifa hospital, where the casualties arrived.

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The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Gaza Strip has seen near-daily Israeli fire and strikes since a fragile ceasefire was reached in October, and more than 700 Palestinians have been killed since then, according to figures from the Gaza Health Ministry.

The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-led government, maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts. But it does not give a breakdown of civilians and militants.

Since the Iran war began over a month ago, Gaza militants have sat out the conflict and havent claimed any attacks against Israel.

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Irans head of parliament lashes back at Trump

In a social media post on Sunday, Irans parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf dismissed Trumps recent threats of targeting Irans infrastructure as reckless.

You wont gain anything through war crimes, Qalibaf wrote on X. The only real solution is respecting the rights of the Iranian people and ending this dangerous game.

Top Iranian official threatens closure of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait

A former foreign minister and adviser to the supreme leader warned Sunday that the resistance front could target the Bab el-Mandeb Strait off the Red Sea, through which about 12% of the worlds trade typically passes.

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If the White House thinks of repeating its stupid mistakes, it will quickly realize that the flow of global energy and trade can be disrupted with a single signal, Ali Akbar Velayati said on social media, signaling possible closure of the vital waterway if the U.S. escalates attacks.

Iran leads the so-called Axis of Resistance, which includes armed groups in Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen, where Houthi rebels had in the past cut off transit through Bab el-Mandeb with attacks on vessels.

Iran has effectively stopped cargo traffic through the Strait of Hormuz during the conflict, leading to higher oil and gas prices globally.

Iran floats a new condition for Strait of Hormuz reopening

Seyyed Mohammad Mehdi Tabatabaei, a presidential spokesperson, wrote Sunday on the social platform X that the reopening of the vital waterway can only happen if transit revenues are partially earmarked to compensate Iran for war damages.

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There has been growing alarm over Irans grip on the Strait of Hormuz, critical for shipments of oil and gas from the Persian Gulf to Europe and Asia. Trump has threatened to attack Irans infrastructure if it fails to reopen the strait by Monday.

Oil-producing countries decide on symbolic output increase

Eight countries from the OPEC+ oil cartel say they will increase production again in May to ensure stability on the oil market  a decision overshadowed by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz to tanker traffic due to the Iran war.

The countries said in a statement carried Sunday on the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries website that production would be increased by 206,000 barrels per day.

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That, however, remains largely on paper due to the loss of an estimated 12 million barrels a day from Persian Gulf producers due to the Hormuz closure.

The countries  Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman  warned that damage from attacks on oil infrastructure will take a long time to repair and return supply to previous levels.

Such attacks, as well as disruption of navigation, undermine efforts to support stable prices for the benefit of producers, consumers and the global economy, they said.

Iranian government minister dismisses Trump threat in AP interview

Irans culture minister has dismissed President Donald Trumps latest threats, calling the U.S. leader an unstable, delusional figure.

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Iranian society generally does not pay attention to his statements, as it believes he lacks personal, behavioral and verbal balance, and constantly shifts between contradictory positions, Sayed Reza Salihi-Amiri told The Associated Press in an interview Sunday.

Trump on Sunday said he would strike Irans power plants and bridges this Tuesday if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to marine traffic. In an expletive-laden post, Trump promised the Iranians would be living in Hell if the waterway isnt opened.

It seems Trump has become a phenomenon that neither Iranians nor Americans are able to fully analyze, said Salihi-Amiri.

He said the Strait of Hormuz is open to the world but closed to Irans enemies.

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Latest attack from Iran hits Haifa apartment building, Israels rescue services say

Paramedics say they rushed to the scene and searched through the rubble to dig out the injured, finding an older man in serious condition. They say three other people were mildly injured, including a baby.

Photos and video showed much of the multistory building reduced to rubble.

The rescuers described the damage as resulting from a direct hit. It was not immediately clear if the building had been struck by an Iranian missile or shrapnel from a missile interception.

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2 Black Hawk helicopters were hit during the rescue, but got to safety

The two helicopters were able to navigate to safe airspace, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive information.

It was not clear where the Black Hawks landed or if their crew members were injured.

Irans joint military command has claimed it struck two U.S. Black Hawk helicopters.

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 Associated Press reporter Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.

Kuwait and Qatar report further aerial attacks

The Kuwaiti army said Sunday that Iran had fired a total of nine ballistic missiles, four cruise missiles and 31 drones at Kuwaiti territory over the past 24 hours.

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That brings the total number of projectiles that have targeted Kuwait since the war erupted to 740 drones, 336 ballistic missiles and 13 cruise missiles, according to an official statement posted on the social platform X.

Also, the Qatari army reported that it had on Sunday intercepted several drones and two cruise missiles fired by Iran, according to another statement on X.

Muslim civil rights group accuses Trump of mocking Islam

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a nationwide advocacy group, assailed Trump for invoking Allah in his Truth Social post threatening Iran.

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President Trumps deranged mocking of Islam and his threats to attack civilian infrastructure in Iran are reckless, dangerous, and indicative of a mindset that shows indifference to human life and contempt for religious beliefs, CAIR said in a statement.

Trump, in his post on Easter Sunday, demanded that Iran open the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday, or youll be living in Hell  JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.

The casual use of Praise be to Allah in the context of violent threats reflects a disturbing willingness to weaponize religious language while simultaneously denigrating Islam and its followers, CAIR said.

Iranians say Trumps threats to strike infrastructure is intent to commit war crime

Hours after Trumps expletive-laden post promising Iran will be living in Hell over the Strait of Hormuz closure, Tehrans mission to the U.N. called the open threats to target civilian infrastructure a direct and public incitement to terrorise civilians and clear evidence of intent to commit war crime.

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The international community and all States have legal obligations to prevent such atrocious acts of war crimes, the mission said in a post on the social platform X. They must act now. Tomorrow is too late.

Iran says Ahvaz Shahid Soleimani airport hit

Iran state-run television IRIB quoted a security official as saying that so far, no casualties were reported in the aftermath of a US-Israeli strike on Sunday.

Also on Sunday, the United Arab Emirates Sharjah government said that Khor Fakkan port was targeted and that no casualties were reported so far, according to a post on the social platform X by the governments media office.

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Earlier, UKMTO said that a captain had witnessed multiple splashes from unknown projectiles near his vessel while conducting loading operations at the same port.

Border crossing between Lebanon and Syria awaits threatened Israeli strikes

The main border crossing between Lebanon and Syria was closed Sunday after the Israeli military warned of plans to strike it the night before, alleging that Hezbollah was using it to smuggle military equipment.

Samir Abdelkhaleq from the Lebanese border town of Majdal Anjar said the closure is an economic blow to many.

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These are real losses for people and for business owners, he said. Everyone is just waiting for the strike to be over.

Syrian authorities, who have a hostile relationship with Hezbollah, have denied that the crossing is being used for smuggling. In recent days, Syria announced the discovery and closure of several tunnels they said were being used by Hezbollah for smuggling.

More than 200,000 people have crossed from Lebanon into Syria in the five weeks since the outbreak of renewed war between Israel and Hezbollah.

US official says CIA launched deception campaign to find second crew member

Details about the rescue of a second U.S. crew member in Iran, who was a weapons systems officer, are trickling out hours after Trumps announcement.

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A senior U.S. administration official said Sunday that before locating the crew member, the CIA spread word inside Iran that U.S. forces had already found him and were moving him on the ground for exfiltration.

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet made public, said the campaign managed to confuse Iranian officials while the agency conducted its search-and-rescue operations.

___

 Associated Press reporter Matthew Lee contributed to this report.

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Over 1,400 people in Lebanon have been killed in war between Israel and Hezbollah militant group

Among the 1,461 killed are 97 women, 129 children, and 54 paramedics, according to Lebanons Health Ministry.

4,430 people have been wounded since the latest fighting began on March 2.

After Hezbollah fired rockets toward northern Israel, the Israeli military launched an intense military operation with daily strikes across the country and a ground invasion into southern Lebanon.

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Top satellite imagery provider says US asked it to suspend access to Mideast imagery

The U.S. government has asked top providers of satellite imagery to stop publishing photos from parts of the Middle East because of the Iran war, says the company Planet Labs.

Planet Labs and companies like it provide near-daily imagery crucial to reporting on regions where on-the-ground access for journalists is impossible, limited or unsafe. That has made it an especially key tool for reporting on the Iran war, which has impacted nearly all Middle Eastern countries.

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In a Saturday email to users, including the AP, Planet Labs said it was complying with the U.S. governments requests and would indefinitely delay publication of imagery taken after March 9, 2026. It said it would release new imagery on a case-by-case basis and for urgent, mission-critical requirements or in the public interest.
Rescue workers search for victims at the site of an Israeli airstrike that hit a crowded neighbourhood south of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, April 5, 2026. Hussein Malla/AP Israeli security forces and rescue teams work amid the rubble of a residential building struck by an Iranian missile in Haifa, Israel, Sunday, April 5, 2026. Ariel Schalit/AP Yemeni soldiers patrol the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Yemen, Sunday, April 5, 2026. Abdulnasser Alseddik/AP A truck loaded with logs and other vehicles drive along a road toward Tehran near the Turkish border on the outskirts of Razi, northwestern Iran, Saturday, April 4, 2026. Francisco Seco/AP

TEHRAN, Iran (AP)  U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday made expletive-filled threats against Iran and its infrastructure if it doesn't open the Strait of Hormuz by his Tuesday deadline, after American forces rescued a wounded aviator whose Iran-downed plane fell behind enemy lines.

A defiant Iran struck infrastructure targets in neighboring Gulf Arab countries and threatened to restrict another heavily used waterway, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait off the Arabian Peninsula.

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Trump on social media vowed to hit Irans power plants and bridges and said the country would be living in Hell if the Strait of Hormuz, crucial for global trade, isnt opened. He ended with Praise be to Allah.

Trump has issued such deadlines before but extended them when mediators have claimed progress toward ending the war, which has killed thousands, shaken global markets and spiked fuel prices in just over five weeks.

It seems Trump has become a phenomenon that neither Iranians nor Americans are able to fully analyze, Iranian Culture Minister Sayed Reza Salihi-Amiri told visiting Associated Press journalists in an interview in Tehran, adding that the U.S. president constantly shifts between contradictory positions.

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Both sides have threatened and hit civilian targets like oil fields and desalination plants that provide drinking water. Irans U.N. mission called Trumps threat clear evidence of intent to commit war crime.

Irans joint military command warned of stepped-up attacks on regional oil and civilian infrastructure if the U.S. and Israel attack such targets there, according to state television.

The laws of armed conflict allow attacks on civilian infrastructure only if the military advantage outweighs the civilian harm, legal scholars say. Its considered a high bar to clear, and causing excessive suffering to civilians can constitute a war crime.

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The US describes a dramatic rescue

An intense search followed Friday's crash of the F-15E Strike Eagle, while Iran promised a reward for the enemy pilot. It was the first known American aircraft to crash in Iranian territory since the U.S. and Israel launched the war on Feb. 28.

Trump said that the service member was seriously wounded and really brave and rescued from deep inside the mountains" in an operation involving dozens of armed aircraft. He said a second crew member was rescued in broad daylight within hours of the crash.

A senior U.S. administration official said that before locating the second aviator, the CIA spread word inside Iran that U.S. forces had found him and were moving him out, creating confusion for Iranians. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet made public.

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Iran also shot down another U.S. military plane Friday, demonstrating the perils of the bombing campaign and the ability of Iran's degraded military to hit back. Neither the status of the A-10 attack aircraft's crew nor where it crashed is known.

On Sunday, Irans state television aired a video showing what it claimed were parts of U.S. aircraft  a transport plane and two helicopters  shot down by Iranian forces during the rescue operation.

However, a regional intelligence official briefed on the mission told the AP that the U.S. military blew up two transport planes because of a technical malfunction and brought in additional aircraft to complete the rescue. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the covert mission.

Irans joint military command later said the U.S. bombarded its own aircraft to prevent embarrassment for President Trump."

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Two Black Hawk helicopters were hit but navigated to safe airspace, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive information.

Diplomatic efforts continue

Trump's deadline centers on alarm over Iran's grip on the Strait of Hormuz, critical for global shipments of oil and gas from the Persian Gulf as well as humanitarian supplies. Some ships have paid Iran for passage.

An Iranian presidential spokesperson, Seyyed Mohammad Mehdi Tabatabaei, said on social media that the strait can reopen only if some transit revenues compensate Iran for war damages.

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A top Iranian adviser, Ali Akbar Velayati, warned on social media that Tehran also could disrupt trade on the Bab el-Mandeb, a key chokepoint to and from the Red Sea.

Diplomatic efforts continued. Oman's Foreign Ministry said that deputy foreign ministers and experts from Iran and Oman met to discuss proposals to ensure smooth transit through the strait.

Egypt said that Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty had spoken with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and with Turkish and Pakistani counterparts. Russia said that Araghchi also spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Bahrain urged the U.N. Security Council to act on its draft proposal with language authorizing defensive action to ensure safe passage through the strait.

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Airstrikes hit Iran

An airstrike early Monday struck a residential building near Eslamshar, southwest of Tehran, killing at least 13 people, the semiofficial Fars news agency and Nour News reported.

Airstrikes also damaged buildings at the Sharif University of Technology in Tehran as well as a natural gas distribution site next to the campus, Iranian media reported. It wasnt immediately clear what was targeted at the university campus, which has switched to online classes because of the war.

Elsewhere in Iran, an airstrike killed at least five people in a residential area of Qom, the state-run IRAN daily newspaper said in an online message. Qom is a Shiite seminary city just south of Tehran.

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It wasn't clear why the buildings were struck. Neither Israel nor the United States claimed the strikes early Monday

In the United Arab Emirates, authorities said one Nepali and three Pakistanis were hurt in fires caused by debris from the interception of an Iranian projectile at Khor Fakkan port, and interception debris caused fires at a petrochemical plant in Ruwais, halting operations.

In Kuwait, Iranian drone attacks caused significant damage to power plants and a petrochemical plant. They also put a water desalination station out of service, according to the Ministry of Electricity.

In Bahrain, a drone attack caused a fire at a national oil company storage facility and a state-run petrochemical plant, the kingdoms official news agency said.

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In Israel, rescue authorities searched for three people in the northern city of Haifa after an apartment building was hit. It wasn't immediately clear what struck it.

More than 1,900 people have been killed in Iran since the war began, but its government has not updated the toll for days.

In Lebanon, whose health ministry said an Israeli strike without warning killed four people in Beirut, more than 1,400 people have been killed and more than 1 million people have been displaced. Eleven Israeli soldiers have died there while targeting Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants.

In Gulf Arab states and the occupied West Bank, more than two dozen people have died, while 19 have been reported dead in Israel and 13 U.S. service members have been killed.

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Member of Parliament and Secretary General of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), Praveen Khandelwal, has urged the government to curb alleged malpractices by certain e-commerce and quick commerce companies and called for the formation of a National Retail Development Council to ensure fair policymaking for the retail sector. In a communication to Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Khandelwal expressed concern that practices adopted by some companies are "severely distorting India's retail trade ecosystem." He highlighted that activities such as "predatory pricing, deep discounting, dark patterns, inventory-led models disguised as marketplaces, preferential treatment to select sellers, and the rapid expansion of dark stores" are harming fair competition and threatening the survival of small and medium traders. "These companies cannot be allowed to operate in a manner that undermines India's economic sovereignty and disrupts fair competition. A level playing field between offline and online trade is essential for a balanced and sustainable growth of the economy," Khandelwal said. The CAIT Secretary General also demanded that the government expedite the implementation of a comprehensive National E-commerce Policy and put in place strict regulatory frameworks to address these issues. He further emphasised the need for an institutional platform representing traders and proposed the creation of a National Retail Development Council. "Policies impacting trade must be formulated with active participation of stakeholders. A National Retail Development Council will ensure that the voice of traders is heard and integrated into the policy framework," he said. Khandelwal noted that India's "more than 9 crore traders are not merely economic partners; they are the backbone of our supply chains, vital generators of employment, and custodians of trust in the marketplace," and their interests must be protected to ensure inclusive economic growth. Welcoming the passage of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, Khandelwal said the legislation reflects the government's reform-oriented approach. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has strengthened trust-based governance and ease of doing business. "This landmark reform reflects the Government's transformative, reform-oriented and trust-based governance approach. By further decriminalising business laws and reinforcing ease of doing business, it will significantly boost confidence among traders and entrepreneurs," Khandelwal said. However, he stressed that while digital commerce has opened new opportunities, it has also created distortions in the marketplace, particularly due to certain foreign-funded e-commerce entities. "A fair and transparent marketplace is the cornerstone of a strong and self-reliant economy," he added. The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, recently passed by both Houses of Parliament, aims to further enhance ease of doing business and ease of living in the country. According to official information, the Bill amends 784 provisions across 79 Central Acts administered by 23 Ministries. Of these, 717 provisions have been decriminalised to promote ease of doing business, while 67 provisions have been amended to facilitate ease of living. Overall, the legislation seeks to rationalise more than 1,000 offences by removing minor offences and reducing the compliance burden on individuals and businesses, thereby improving the regulatory environment and creating a more conducive ecosystem for economic activity. (ANI)
We first met Hedy Page (also known as Hedy Pagemanski) one fall afternoon in 2014. She had set up a folding chair and easel across from 400-402 Grand St., twin century-old tenements where Trader Joes and Target are now located. The painting she was working on that day became Hedys 86th urban landscape, one of the last in a series documenting a part of New York that has faded away.

On February 4, Hedy Page died at the age of 96. Ken Page, Hedys son, told the Long Island Herald, She was an amazing mom, wife, mother-in-law and grandparent She was all about love. Hedy was a longtime resident of Long Beach, but often found herself drawn to the Lower East Side.

One day in 1973, Hedy positioned herself on Orchard Street in front of Sol Moscot, the eyeglasses shop, and started painting. It didnt take long for Joel Moscot, who was leading the family business at the time, spotted her, asking if the painting was for sale. The answer was, yes! Soon enough, Hedy was in demand. She painted the Second Avenue Deli (when it was still in the neighborhood), Yonah Schimmel, Katzs Deli and many other streetscapes not only on the Lower East Side but across New York City.

For the Austrian immigrant who fled the Nazis with her family at the age of 8, the paintings were not simply tributes to old buildings but also to the people who lived in them. Every single scene  from the old Fulton Fish Market, to Times Square to Orchard Streets former bargain district  was a celebration of real New Yorkers.

When Hedy decided to paint 400-402 Grand St., she had not undertaken a new project in the city for about a decade. As she had gotten older, the trip from Long Island and the act of sitting on the sidewalk for hours at a time had become too grueling. But when she heard these buildings were about to be demolished to make way for the Essex Crossing mega-project, Hedy was determined. Passersby told Hedy their neighborhood stories, and she included them in the finished painting.

They also told her what else was happening on the Lower East Side. One day, an agitated man approached Hedy (the Lower East Side-based artist Nathan Hilu), telling her emphatically that she should turn her attention to his synagogue, Beth Hamedrash Hagadol, on Norfolk Street. The building, once home to one of the most consequential congregations on the Lower East Side, had suffered years of neglect and was very much endangered. Hedy rushed to paint the exterior of Beth Hamedrash Hagadol, and although it wasnt possible at that point to include the people whose lives had been touched by the synagogue, she finished the painting in 2014. Three years later, the building was ravaged in an arson fire and destroyed.

We asked Hedy a few years ago why she was so committed to depicting the lives of real people in New York City. The point, she said, is that, We matter. Each one of us matters. Somebody has to speak up and say We exist.


Rural and semi-urban regions are emerging as key growth drivers for India's insurance sector, with a rising share of premiums originating outside major metropolitan areas, according to a study by Policybazaar. The report finds that 43% of Life and Health insurance premiums now come from districts where a majority of the population resides in rural areas--an increase from 41% in FY23. The study noted that "43 per cent of Life and Health premium comes from rural-majority districts -- and the share is rising." This steady rise underscores a structural shift in demand toward non-metro markets. Data spanning FY23 to FY25 shows that rural-majority districts have consistently contributed over 40% of all new Life and Health premiums, highlighting sustained momentum rather than a short-term spike. Cities with populations of less than 10 lakh now account for nearly half of new Life and Health insurance premiums. "When premium is mapped against population size, sub-10 lakh cities account for 47% of all fresh Life and Health premium in FY25," the study said, up from 44 per cent in FY23. Within these smaller cities, towns with a population between one lakh and five lakh have emerged as key contributors. "The 1-5 lakh population band is the standout mover: its contribution rose from 26% in FY23 to 29% in FY25," reflecting growing insurance adoption in emerging tier-2 towns. A similar pattern is visible in motor insurance. Rural-majority districts have maintained a stable 36% share of new motor insurance premiums over the past three years, indicating consistent demand. Meanwhile, cities with populations under 10 lakh contributed between 44% and 47% of motor premiums during the same period. The findings challenge the long-standing perception that India's insurance growth is primarily driven by metro cities. Instead, the report highlights that rural and semi-urban markets are now central to the sector's expansion. According to Sarbvir Singh, Joint Group CEO of PB Fintech, the shift reflects broader changes in financial awareness and digital accessibility. "Bharat is leading India's insurance growth, both in scale and behaviour. Nearly half of our Life and Health premiums today come from rural-majority and semi-urban regions," Singh said. He added that increasing digital access and growing awareness are enabling consumers beyond traditional urban centres to actively seek financial protection. (ANI)
The government on Sunday said fuel supplies across the country remain stable despite the ongoing conflict in West Asia, urging citizens to avoid panic buying of petrol, diesel and LPG. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said it is closely monitoring the situation and has taken several steps to ensure an uninterrupted energy supply and the smooth functioning of key sectors. "Govt. is making all efforts to ensure availability of Petrol, Diesel and LPG, and citizens are advised to avoid panic purchase of petrol and diesel as well as unnecessary booking of LPG," the ministry said in an update. The advisory comes amid concerns over developments in the Gulf region and around the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy transit route. The ministry also urged citizens to rely only on official sources for information and avoid rumours. "Citizens are advised to beware of rumours and rely only on official sources for correct information," it said. To reduce crowds at LPG agencies, the government has asked consumers to use digital platforms for bookings. "For LPG, citizens are requested to use digital modes for booking of LPG cylinders and avoid visiting LPG distributors unless necessary," the ministry said. The government said LPG supply across the country remains stable, with no reports of shortages. "No reported dry-out at LPG distributorships," the ministry said, adding that "more than 51 lakh domestic LPG cylinders were delivered yesterday." Authorities have also strengthened monitoring systems to prevent diversion of cylinders. "To prevent diversion at the distributor level, Delivery Authentication Code (DAC)-based deliveries have been increased from 53 per cent in February 2026 to 90 per cent yesterday," the ministry said. To improve access to cooking fuel during the current situation, the government has also expanded the availability of smaller LPG cylinders. "More than 90,000 - 5 Kg FTL cylinders have been sold yesterday," the ministry said, adding that these cylinders can be purchased by showing any valid ID proof and "no address proof is required." At the same time, the government is accelerating the expansion of piped natural gas (PNG) connections to reduce dependence on LPG. "Since March 2026, about 3.6 lakh PNG connections have been gasified. Further, more than 3.9 lakh customers have been registered for new connections," the ministry said. Consumers have also been encouraged to adopt alternative fuels wherever possible. "Citizens are encouraged to use alternate fuels such as PNG, induction and electric cooktops wherever feasible," the ministry said. On the fuel supply front, the government said refineries are operating normally, and the country has sufficient inventories. "All refineries are operating at high capacity, with adequate crude inventories in place. The country is also maintaining sufficient stocks of petrol and diesel," the ministry said. The government has also taken steps to shield consumers from rising global oil prices triggered by the West Asia conflict. "In order to protect consumers from this impact, the Government of India has decided to absorb a part of this burden through a reduction in excise duties on petrol and diesel by Rs 10 per litre," the ministry said. Meanwhile, maritime operations and the safety of Indian seafarers in the region remain under close watch. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said, "All Indian seafarers in the region are safe, and no incident involving Indian-flagged vessels has been reported in the past 24 hours." A total of "17 Indian-flagged vessels with 460 Indian seafarers remain in the western Persian Gulf region," the ministry said, adding that the situation is being closely monitored. Port activity across the country also remains unaffected. "Port operations across India remain normal, with no congestion reported," the ministry said. The government added that it continues to coordinate with various ministries and state governments while closely monitoring the evolving situation in West Asia. (ANI)
India's push to expand its space economy is gathering pace, with industry-led capacity building emerging as a key pillar in the country's ambition to capture a larger share of the global space market. As the sector transitions towards a more commercially driven ecosystem, experts underline that skilled talent will play a decisive role in sustaining growth. India is targeting a significant jump in its space economy, from USD 8.4 billion currently to USD 44 billion by 2033, aiming to raise its global share to around 8 per cent. With increasing private sector participation and scaling downstream applications, the demand for a trained workforce across satellite and geospatial domains is rising sharply. Highlighting the importance of structured skill development, Lt Gen AK Bhatt (retd), Director General of the Indian Space Association, said, "As India's space economy expands across satellite communications, downstream applications and increasing private sector participation, the role of industry in structured capacity building becomes even more critical." Satellite connectivity, a crucial component of the space ecosystem, is fast becoming integral to India's digital infrastructure. The domestic satellite communications market, valued at USD 4.3 billion in 2024, is projected to grow to USD 14.8 billion by 2033. This growth is expected to drive demand for professionals equipped with expertise in satellite systems, spectrum management, and integration with terrestrial networks. In a step towards bridging the talent gap, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has partnered with global satellite communications firm Viasat to roll out a specialised training programme. The initiative, to be conducted under the proposed Telecom Innovation Research and Training Center at the Bharat Ratna Bhim Rao Ambedkar Institute of Telecom Training in Jabalpur, will focus on satellite technology and its applications. Emphasising the need for future-ready talent, Ben Palmer, President - Commercial at Viasat, said, "Building a future-ready satellite-related talent pipeline is essential as India accelerates its digital and emerging-tech ambitions. With this first course, we aim to make high-quality satellite fundamentals accessible to students and professionals and over time expand to blended virtual and classroom programs." The programme is designed for students, early-career professionals, and engineering graduates seeking foundational knowledge in satellite communications and related fields. Industry leaders also point to curriculum reforms, hands-on training, and institutional collaborations as critical enablers of a resilient space ecosystem. Bhatt noted that such initiatives are laying the groundwork for an innovation-driven environment across space, satellite, and geospatial sectors. Parallelly, India's geospatial sector is witnessing a transformation, aided by policy reforms such as the National Geospatial Policy 2022, which has liberalised access to geospatial data. The geospatial economy, currently estimated at Rs 50,000 crore, is expected to nearly double by 2030, further fuelling demand for GIS specialists and spatial analytics professionals. Responding to this shift, Agendra Kumar, Managing Director of Esri India, said, "At Esri India, we are committed to nurturing the talent through our initiatives like Master Mentors Geo-Enabling Indian Scholars program, GIS Master's Scholarships, Young Scholar program. Industry leaders must actively support these kind of efforts by creating platforms and opportunities that enable young talent to transform ideas into measurable outcomes." (ANI)
Extending the healing touch to Jiri Need to now focus on Ukhrul

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Extending the healing touch and Chief Minister Y Khemchand seems intent in providing the right atmosphere for Manipur to start taking her steps to normalcy. Going by road from Imphal to Jiribam fell in place with the script the CM is seeking to draw for going by road includes seeing first hand the state in which people live and in the process get a first hand account of the ground situation. Topping this off was obviously the all community meeting the Chief Minister had at New Alipur Naga village at Jiribam. Significant to note that this was perhaps the first time that members drawn from different communities including the Thadou, Paite, Hmar and Meitei attended the meeting with the Chief Minister and by any yardstick this was the first time that Manipur saw such a meeting since May of 2023. A good initiative, one may say and the positive response from the people drawn from different communities reflects the feel good vibes the meeting elicited from the public. This is what is expected from the Government, that is take the lead in dealing with the loss of confidence between communities. This was not the first time that Khemchand had visited Jiribam after being sworn in as the Chief Minister on February 4, and perhaps such visits will follow in other districts too. For the moment, one hopes the Chief Minister takes time to see and explore what may be done to break the deadlock at Ukhrul, particularly at Litan and the adjoining villages. Trouble started at Litan late in the evening of February 7 and what was previously a confrontation between two individuals quickly morphed as a clash between the Nagas, the Tangkhuls in this case, and the Kukis. Following the quick and positive response of Deputy Chief Minister L Dikho and the MLAs of Ukhrul district things came under control, but not for long for fresh trouble erupted on March 11 and the hostage taking of Tangkhul travellers and the murder of two Kuki men followed in quick succession. It did not end there for firing continued with Sinakeithei village, a Tangkhul settlement, singled out and targeted repeatedly. Firing and direct confron- tation between the Kukis and the Nagas may have ebbed for the time being but tension still runs high and no one from Ukhrul feels it safe to come to Imphal passing through Litan and the adjoining villages. It is the same on the Imphal to Ukhrul route and people have to take a much longer route, which takes at least 8 hours. This is where the focus of the Chief Minister must shift to and see what may be worked out.

Time is certainly not on the side of the Chief Minister and this should make it all that more important for him to reach out to all sections of the people. Jiribam has received his touch and judging from the response of the cross section of people there, the visit has been positive. The next should be Ukhrul. See what may be done, for here is a case of a district headquarters being cut off from Imphal and nothing can be more unacceptable than this. A tough task it may be, for remember even the free movement from March 8 call of Union Home Minister Amit Shah was snubbed with violence and human chains when the first attempt was made to pass Kangpokpi and reach Senapati by road. This was in 2025 and cut to the present and there is nothing much to suggest that things have improved. The free movement call of the Union Home Minister and in the discussions that followed, all that Delhi and Imphal received were responses like The highway was never blocked. Anyone can travel, but we cannot guarantee the safety of anyone. How the new Chief Minister goes about addressing this vital point remains to be seen, but the Government should show that it is trying and doing something to open the highway to everyone. And the first step should be to ensure that the Imphal-Ukhrul road is opened to all. A check of the passenger list of the helicopter service between Imphal and Ukhrul should tell so many things.
In his timeless collection, Gitanjali, Rabindranath Tagore envisioned a society unburdened by fear and elevated by the freedom of thought: Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high; where knowledge is free; where the world has not been broken into fragments by narrow domestic walls.

Tagore wrote these lines as a call to awaken a nation under colonial rule. Today, they return with a renewed urgency, as West Bengal searches for the freedoms it once helped define.

Where the mind is without fear: This was not poetic idealism, but the foundation of a fearless society. And, yet, in West Bengal today, fear has been normalised. Elections, meant to celebrate democracy, are too often followed by post-poll violence. The Supreme Court has described such incidents as grave assaults on democracy. Even now, allegations before the Election Commission suggest voters are being warned of consequencesreflecting a deliberate attempt to shape political choice through fear.

Rabindranath Tagore. Today, the lines he wrote return with a renewed urgency, as West Bengal searches for the freedoms it once helped define | AP

Where the head is held high: There was a time when Bengal stood tall, not only culturally but as one of Indias foremost industrial engines. At Independence, it accounted for nearly 27 per cent of the countrys industrial output. Today, that share has shrunk to barely 5 per cent. Few numbers reveal decline with such stark clarity. What was once a centre of enterprise now stands diminished, with investment retreating and industry migrating. A state that once defined ambition now finds itself struggling to sustain it.

Where knowledge is free: No failure is more profound than the corrosion of opportunity. The West Bengal School Service Commission recruitment scam revealed a system where merit was subordinated to money, and aspiration itself was commodified. When the Supreme Court set aside thousands of appointments, it did more than remedy an illegality, it illuminated a deeper erosion of institutional integrity. For the youth of West Bengal, this was not a scandal, but a collapse of faith. When education and employment cease to reflect fairness, the promise of justice itself begins to ring hollow.

Where the world is not divided into fragments: Bengals history is one of cultural synthesis, yet that harmony now shows strain. A politics of selective appeasement has deepened social fault lines, leaving many with a sense of exclusion. In the land of Goddess Durga, it is disquieting that citizens have had to seek judicial intervention to secure permissions for Durga puja processions. This is not mere administrative failure, but a sign of imbalance in governance. When cultural expression becomes contingent, the idea of equal citizenship stands diminished.

And, yet, to view Bengal only through the prism of its present challenges would be to misunderstand its enduring character. This is a land that has, time and again, renewed itself through its people, producing reformers, revolutionaries, poets and thinkers who have shaped Indias intellectual and moral imagination. As it approaches another election, West Bengal stands at a moment to rise above fear and choose a future anchored in development, dignity and freedom, and to reclaim its place in Indias journey towards a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Tagore did not merely write a poem, he gave voice to a prophecy. Bengal stands today at the threshold of that unfinished promise, where the choice is no longer of politics, but of courage. If it chooses courage, the mind will yet be without fear, the head will yet be held high, and freedom will not linger as memory, but rise again as a living reality.

Bansuri Swaraj is the Lok Sabha member from New Delhi.
Among the several hundreds who gathered outside the cathedral where Dame Sarah Mullally was being enthroned as the first woman archbishop of Canterbury was a Catholic activist, Jane Varner Malhotra. The 57-year-old with an Indian surname, who had flown in from the US, carried a sign reading Catholics, lets do this.

Easier pronounced than ordained. As in the case of humans, so with institutionsthe older you are, the more rigid you get when it comes to changing your habits, pun intended. The Catholic church is older than the Anglican, tracing its origins to Jesuss own disciple St Peter.

Indeed, the English church claims to be nearly as old. Legend has it that Pope Gregory the Great inquired about a few fair-faced boys he saw in a Roman slave market. Told they were pagan boys from the land of Angles, he exclaimed non Angli, sed angeli (not Angles, but angels), and sent priest Augustine to proselytise England, the Angles land.

Rwandas Archbishop Laurent Mbanda. Bishops threatened to elect Mbanda as rival to Dame Sarah Mullally, but refrained from the move at the last minute | X@MbandaLaurent

Augustine converted King Ethelberht of Kent (easy job; he had a Christian wife already) in 597, built a priory and an abbey at Canterbury, and is revered as the first archbishop. The archbishopric has since survived assassinations (Thomas Beckett), beheadings (Simon Sudbury), being burnt at stake (Thomas Cranmer) and more.

Canterburys primacy was often challenged by York, the only other province in Britain. The matter was settled in the 14th century by Pope Innocent VI. He recognised York as Primate of England and Canterbury as Primate of All England. That sounds like the difference between Britain and Great Britain or cyclopaedia and encyclopaedia.

But the Anglican church is actually younger than even Methuselah. In the 16th century, King Henry VIII wanted to annulnot divorcehis first marriage to his brothers widow Catherine of Aragon (he didnt want to be the keeper of his brothers wife), so that he could marry Anne Boleyn, in the hope of getting a male child. Pope Clement VII, who was under the thumb of Catherines nephew, the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, refused, citing canon law.

Henry, who had campaigned against Protestant ideas spreading in Europe and had been honoured by the Pope as Fidei Defensor or Defender of Faith, now told the Pope to go to hell (not literally; God forgive), severed the English churchs links with Rome, and established the Church of England with himself as its head and Canterbury as the highest priestly office. But he kept the title; the monarch of England is still styled Defender of Faith.

For an old institution, the Church of England has been fairly open to reforms, especially in the post-war era, ordaining women as priests, recognising gay and lesbian rights, and now getting a woman archbishop. All the same, Anglicans outside England, especially several in Africa, are resisting change. So much so, a group of bishops met lately in Nigerias capital Abuja and threatened to elect Rwandas Archbishop Laurent Mbanda as rival to Mullally, but refrained from the move at the last minute.

The Nigerian move has sent shock waves across the global Anglican laity. For, of the 95 million Anglicans around the world, two-thirds are in Africa. Most of them are opposed to same-sex marriage, which the church in England no longer damns, and say the majority of the Anglican Communion still believes that the Bible requires a male-only episcopalism. The issue, they say, is whether scripture or contemporary culture governs the life of this church.

Anglicans in England arent worried. If God has been saving the king, He will save the kings archbishop, too.

prasannan@theweek.in
Babur had wrested the throne of Delhi from Ibrahim Lodhi in the First Battle of Panipat on April 21, 1526. The easy victory over an enemy twice his force gave him a foothold in India. Yet to truly establish the Mughal Empire in India, he had to contend with the Rajputs under their charismatic chief Rana Sanga.

Rana Sanga, the one-eyed, one-limbed Rana of Mewar, was the victor of over 80 battles and had assembled a confederacy of Rajput chiefs against the Mughal invader. In fact, in 1525, Rana Sanga had sent a letter to Babur, asking him to attack Ibrahim Lodhi and promising to attack Agra during the battle, but he reneged on the promise. After Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodhi at Panipat, Rana Sanga thought that he would loot and depart, leaving Delhi up for the taking. Baburs decision to stay in India led Rana Sanga to form a coalition of Rajput and Afghan chiefs to evict the outsider.

In December 1526, he moved out of Mewar towards Agra, the seat of the Mughal Empire. The Rajput armies, with over seven major chiefs, 40 minor chieftains and 12,000 Afghans, had a combined strength of 80,000 well-trained and courageous fighters. Yet, they depended on individual valour and skill and had no exposure to cannons and guns or the concepts of fire and manoeuvre, which Babur had developed. Their rigid adherence to outdated concepts of war would cost them dearly.

They crossed the River Gambhir and entered the Mughal Empire, capturing the forts of Dholpur, Gwalior and Bayana. A large Mughal force that had been sent to relieve the siege of Bayana was comprehensively defeated. The Rajputs also got the better of their adversaries in most of the skirmishes that occurred. At that time, the bulk of the Mughal army, under Humayun, was in the East, quelling an uprising of Afghan chiefs. They were hastily recalled, and on February 11, 1527, Babur moved out to contest the advancing Rajput armies. As they advanced from Agra towards Khanua, the Advance Guard of over 2,000 was intercepted by a force of Rajput cavalry and virtually decimated. News of Rajput valour and their skill at arms percolated down, and a sense of defeatism crept into the Mughal camp.

ALSO READ: January 14, 1761 - The blackest day in India: The Third Battle of Panipat

Seeing the flagging morale, Babur assembled his army and, in an emotional speech, smashed his bejewelled goblets and wine caskets, vowing to never drink again. He also declared a jihad against the infidels. The call had the desired effect. It galvanised his men out of their despondency and rejuvenated them for the battle ahead.

Babur now set about making preparations. Additional reinforcements came in from Kabul, which beefed up his strength. He set up camp in the area of Fatehpur Sikri, in which he established a defensive perimeter with carts yoked together and linked with chains, with the gaps covered by the fire of his cannons. He also developed a new invention, a movable tripod. This was a triangular fortification on wheels which could allow his matchlock men and archers to fire behind its protection, and still move across the battlefield. In effect, he developed his camp to be a mobile defensive platform.

For over a month, Babur remained in his camp. Surprisingly, the Rajputs did little to attack, thus allowing Babur to consolidate. Negotiations also began between the two sides, conducted by Taur Silhadi of Raisen, who was an important chief of the Rajput Confederacy. He had recently converted to Islam and, during the negotiations was convinced by Babur to change sides and defect during the battle. That month-long period of inactivity also saw the differences between the perpetually warring Rajput chiefs come to the fore, and signs of rift emerged in the alliance.

Finally, on March 17, 1527, at the urgings of his chiefs, Rana Sanga decided to attack Baburs camp. Babur had deployed his guns in the form of an all-round defence and had placed his infantry and archers in the centre, with light cavalry in the flanks and a 10,000-strong force of heavy cavalry as the reserve. The initial Rajput charge was met with a fusillade of fire  something they had never encountered before. The faceless rain of shots and pellets took a huge toll that valour and individual skill could do little against. The Rajput Centre, led by Rana Sanga himself, tried valiantly to close in with the enemy, but the elephants refused to attack, terrified by the cannon fire that they had encountered for the first time. Rana Sanga ordered the left and right flanks to attack, and in spite of dreadful casualties, the Rajput ranks managed to close in. Taur Silhadi, who had been entrusted with the important task of leading the left flank, now abruptly left the battlefield with his entire contingent and deserted to the Mughal sidesomething that must have been agreed upon earlier. His departure left a gap in the Rajput formation, and seeing his moment, Babur launched his tulugmashis cavalry reservesthat scythed their way through the open flank and into the Rajput ranks.

With Mughal Cavalry on their flanks and fire pouring in from the front, the Rajputs fought desperately to break out of the encircling ring that surrounded them. Babur now moved his movable fortifications and guns forward, hemming them into a tight knot in which they could neither manoeuvre nor fight effectively. Rana Sanga, leading the attack, had been repeatedly wounded and collapsed in the howdah of his elephant. The unconscious Rana was carried away to safety while the Rajputs tried to fight their way out of the closing Mughal ranks. But it was no longer a coordinated battle. By around four in the afternoon, the battle had been decided, and it was all over.

Over 25,000 lay dead on the battlefield, and the Mughals began the grisly practice of creating a mound of human heads on a hillock by the battlefield to commemorate their victory. Rana Sanga and the remnants of his army withdrew towards Mewar. He pledged never to enter Chittor, his capital, till he attained victory. It was a promise he could not keep. Within a year, he was dead, most probably poisoned by his own ministers in the incessant power play of politics, which has been the curse of Indian rulers. The Rajput chiefs, who had been unified by his personality, went back to their internal squabbling and infighting, and with him, the last major opposition to Mughal rule disappeared.

From then on, the Rajputs continued to hold on to their kingdoms but were never able to present a united front again. Babur consolidated his position with other victories and slowly expanded his empire, laying the foundation for a three-century-long rule of the Mughal Empire over the Indian sub-continent.
IBARAKI, Apr 05 (News On Japan) - A bus carrying riot police from Nara overturned on the Joban Expressway around noon on April 5th in Ibaraki Prefecture while en route to Fukushima to provide security for an upcoming visit by the Emperor and Empress, leaving one officer with minor injuries.

According to the Ibaraki Prefectural Police, a report was received via emergency call stating that a bus had overturned near the Tomobe Junction on the outbound lane of the Joban Expressway.

Authorities said the bus, operated by the Nara Prefectural Police's riot unit, overturned after attempting to avoid a passenger vehicle that had changed lanes.

A total of 13 police officers were on board at the time of the accident, and one officer was transported to a hospital with minor injuries.

The bus had been traveling from Nara to Fukushima to assist with security arrangements for the Emperor and Empress, who are scheduled to visit the prefecture from April 6th.

Source: TBS
Days after netizens reacted with mixed opinions to the first teaser of Ranbir Kapoor-starrer 'Ramayana,' actor Hrithik Roshan addressed the debate surrounding the film's VFX and visual style. The teaser of the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer received praise for its scale and music; however, it also drew criticism from some viewers over its visual effects. As the debate continued on social media, Hrithik addressed the conversation through a detailed note. Reflecting on his own journey with visual storytelling and how "bad VFX" can feel, Hrithik shared how deeply cinema has influenced him since childhood and how even imperfect visuals can shape creativity. "Yes bad VFX exists. It's sometimes so bad it's painful to watch. Especially for me... and especially when it's a film I'm part of. As an 11 year old kid I saw Back to the Future on a trip to London and it changed me forever. I became obsessed. I would sit with my dad's VHS player studying the frames pause -play pause-play until I broke the player." Talking about the effort and "intention" behind large-scale films, Hrithik praised filmmakers who take risks to create something new for movie buffs. "Today some special humans among us, like the makers of films like Kalki 2898 AD, Baahubali, Ramayana, (also my dad for Koi Mil Gaya and Krrish of course) are my heroes, they have the guts and vision to do what's never been done - all for the love of cinema so that we - the audience - get to experience something never watched before. From my point of view, they risked all that money, and years and years of effort just so another 11 year old kid could feel what I felt. To me, that's noble." "The intention by itself deserves applause! I am proud of my fellow Indians. What I would give to be a part of such dreams even as an assistant. But this post is not about me, it's about us, the audience. The thing is, it takes thousands of our artistes working round the clock for multiple years to bring VFX-heavy films to life, so the least we can do is bash them with some better awareness!," he added. He went on to share how "different VFX styles" work, adding that every visual choice is about realism, and audiences should also consider what suits the story. "In my little understanding from the little that I have learnt is that there are different VFX styles adopted by makers to bring their vision to life. It's like in comics or animation - some prefer ANIME style but that's not as realistic as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. You can like one style over the other but neither is wrong." Concluding his note, Hrithik said, "you can't criticize the maker just cause he has chosen one style while you prefer another style. Thats not fair. So sometimes when you say "bad VFX." Maybe it's just a style you didn't expect? So next time don't just ask, "Is it real?" First ask, "Is it right for the story?" "Is it making me feel what the maker intended?" Debate it. But debate it with awareness." Soon after he shared the post on Instagram, netizens chimed in to share their reactions. A fan asked him in the comments, "Loved this perspective sir. As an audience, how can we train our eye to understand the intent behind VFX instead of just judging realism? Any simple way you'd suggest for beginners like us?" Hrithik replied, "I guess - wait till you watch the entire movie before you judge. Till then hold your opinion." Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana also stars Yash, Sai Pallavi, and Sunny Deol. The film is set to release in October 2026, ahead of Diwali. (ANI)
The last half-decade has rewritten the rules of aerial warfare. From the grinding resilience of Ukraine to the sharp lessons of Operation Sindoor and the asymmetric blows traded around Iran, three conflicts expose a single, uncomfortable truth: airpower is no longer decided by platform prestige or the romance of the dogfight. Sensors, standoff reach, missile mass, and unmanned systems now shape outcomes. For nations that still equate air superiority with fleets of high-end fighters, the message is urgent and unambiguous: adapt or be outflanked.

When Russias invasion settled into a prolonged war, Ukraines survival became a study in distributed resilience, and it still stands four years later. Skilled pilots and capable aircraft mattered, but they mattered within a broader system: mobile air defence batteries, resilient sensor networks, dispersed logistics, and an industrial base that could sustain attrition. The conflict demonstrated that survivability in contested airspace is not an attribute of a single platform; it is a property of an integrated force. Fighters could not operate with impunity where layered defences and long-range fires dominated. Ukraines endurance was less about individual airframes than about the ability to combine sensors, missiles, and improvisation under pressure, aided substantially by Western support.

Operation Sindoor cut close to home and to doctrine. When the Pakistan Air Force engaged Indian formations in contested airspace, decisive effects came not from close-in dogfights but from standoff fires. BrahMos and other long-range systems delivered the damage while pilots remained well behind contested thresholds and within our borders. The episode exposed a painful mismatch: procurement and training had prized thrust-vectoring fighters and platform prestige, while the battlefield rewarded reach, precision, and the ability to strike from the safety of home. The public narrative in India, polished by the service chief and loyal analysts, celebrated victory; the quieter lesson was that missiles and ground-based systems provided the decisive effect, not the fancy, expensive fighters we had been told would dominate. Sindoor was not a failure, but it was a mirror: it reflected doctrine that had not kept pace with the character of modern conflict.

ALSO READ: Minefields, missiles, and Marines: The near-impossibility of cracking Hormuz

The confrontations involving the United States, Israel, and Iran added another dimension. Irans airspace may have been thinly defended in conventional terms, yet its use of drones, cruise, and ballistic missiles proved disruptive. Swarms of low-cost unmanned systems overwhelmed defences and sustained attacks on military infrastructure; ballistic missiles, harder to intercept, punished fixed targets, made more than a dozen US airbases unusable, and forced the US to operate without reliable early warning systems, leaving host countries exposed and operating from further afield. Reports of American aircraft damaged or lost under ambiguous circumstances and fratricidal incidents underscored a new reality: information, perception, and the denial of early warning can be as decisive as kinetic power. Perhaps most striking was the democratisation of airpower: actors with modest budgets can now impose strategic costs through numbers, persistence, and the asymmetric employment of missiles and drones.

What these conflicts share: A new grammar of aerial war

As these patterns cut across these theatres, common patterns emerge. Platform prestige is insufficient. High-end fighters remain valuable, but their survivability and mission utility collapse when confronted by integrated, long-range defences and massed standoff fires. Battles are increasingly decided at beyond-visual-range distances; close dogfights are becoming the exception. Quantity and integration matter; massed, cheaper effectorsdrones, cruise missiles, and abundant guided munitionscombined with resilient sensors and electronic warfare can outpace a smaller fleet of premium platforms. Fixed infrastructure is vulnerable from day one. Airbases, radar sites, and forward logistics within enemy missile range become immediate liabilities once conflict begins. Lastly, sensing and information are decisive, and blinding an opponents early warning and C4ISR networks can render even technologically superior forces ineffective.

Strategic implications

Doctrine, procurement, and jointness are prerequisites, and operational lessons demand strategic reorientation. Procurement should shift emphasis from ever-costlier manned fighters toward longer-range expendable airborne weapons, expanded missile stockpiles, distributed sensor networks, and robust electronic warfare. Doctrine and training must prioritise the suppression and destruction of enemy air defences, dispersed basing, rapid runway repair, and the joint employment of land, sea, and air standoff fires. Manned platforms will remain important, but they must be treated as nodes in a networked system rather than as lone decisive instruments. Jointness is no longer optional: when airspace is contested, the ability to deliver effects from sea and land through cruise missiles, ballistic systems, and artillery becomes a strategic multiplier. Equally, resilience in sensing and command networks is essential to avoid being blinded by targeted attacks.

A final reflection

We have planned and watched while doctrine lagged behind technology. The conflicts in Ukraine, Sindoor, and around Iran are not isolated lessons; they form a single narrative about the changing character of war in the air. Pride in platforms must yield to humility before systems. Nostalgia for the dogfight and for forward airbases must give way to investment in reach, sensors, and massed effectors. The next storm will not ask whether we loved our fighters, how we flew them, or how expensive they were; it will ask whether we adapted. Nations that align procurement, doctrine, and training with this new reality will not only survive the contested skiesthey will shape them.

The IAF often speaks with the certainty of practitionersairmen who believe no one understands airpower better than those who fly it. That confidence is understandable, but it can also blind services to broader shifts in how wars are fought. Today, a new cohort of entrepreneurs, having imbibed these lessons, are putting personal capital behind different bets, and the United States is moving at a critical pace to absorb those lessons. When Elon Musk, the entrepreneur and CEO of X, SpaceX, xAI, and Tesla, presciently forecast in 2020 that the era of the manned fighter jet was waning, many in defence circles dismissed him as a provocateur. His critique was blunt: platforms like the F-35 are staggeringly expensive, operationally complex, and increasingly mismatched to the economics and geometry of contemporary conflict.

Recent campaigns have made Musks provocation harder to ignore. The Iran confrontations and the grinding Ukraine war have highlighted cost asymmetries, the power of massed unmanned systems, and the decisive role of sensors, software, and production capacity. These theatres show that survivability and effect are now as much about networks, attrition tolerance, and industrial throughput as they are about individual airframe performance. The lesson for air forces is not to abandon pilots or high-end capability, but to rebalance: treat fighters as nodes in a distributed system, invest in scalable unmanned platforms, resilient sensors, and rapid production lines, and align doctrine to a battlefield where numbers, software, and logistics increasingly determine outcomes.

Much of Musks core point rests on cost asymmetry and scale. Cheap, mass-produced armed drones and loitering munitions can be launched in waves to overwhelm defences that were designed to counter a handful of high-value targets. Each incoming unmanned system forces a defender to expend costly interceptors, creating an attritional imbalance that favours the attacker. In theatres where ballistic and cruise missiles are also in play, the defenders sensor and interceptor networks are stretched thin, and the premium placed on a single multi-million pound fighter looks increasingly fragile. He also correctly argued that autonomy, networking, and swarm tactics change mission design. Small, coordinated formations can extend reach, saturate air defences, and perform persistent ISR and strike missions without risking pilots. Silicon Valley firms rushing to build AI-enabled collaborative systems have only reinforced the plausibility of this trajectory.

That said, Musk did not foresee a wholesale, immediate replacement of manned aviation, as evidenced by lessons learnt. Advanced fighters still offer payload flexibility, survivability in contested electromagnetic environments, and integration into complex joint campaigns. The real insight is about balance rather than replacement. The conflicts we have seen suggest a future where drones and missiles are central, not peripheral, to airpower. Procurement and doctrine must, therefore, prioritise affordability, mass, and networked sensors alongside retained manned capabilities. Musks rhetoric may have been blunt, but the direction he pointed to is now a strategic imperative rather than a mere thought experiment.

Elon Musks vision of airpower is provocative but well-founded and in line with recent lessons learned. Both we and he see drones as the inevitable future, reshaping warfare through affordability and swarm tactics. However, the transition is far from complete: technological, ethical, and strategic barriers remain. The Iran war has shown drones disruptive potential, but for now, fighter jets and drones coexist, each filling critical roles in modern airpower.

Anduril, a hot Silicon Valley startup, is one of many spending billions to keep pace with changing threat scenarios. Its CEO Palmer Luckeys counterpoint to Musk sharpens the argument: future wars will be decided by industrial scale, not by a handful of exquisite platforms. The lesson is practical and immediate. If drones, sensors, missiles, and software can be produced, deployed, and sustained in vast numbers, manufacturing capacity and logistics become strategic weapons. The calculus shifts from the marginal performance of a single airframe to the ability to churn out thousands of capable, networked systems that can be replaced as quickly as they are lost.

This industrial logic is already reshaping US DoD procurement and doctrine. Commercial firms such as Anduril are moving from prototypes to production lines, promising lower unit costs and rapid iteration. Its Lattice software, currently undergoing trials, is an AI-enabled sensor-to-shooter C2 layer that illustrates the point: data fusion, automated threat classification, and decision loops measured in seconds compress the kill chain and make massed, coordinated responses feasible. When software can orchestrate swarms, a common codebase scales across air, sea, and ground vehicles far faster than bespoke airframes can be designed and fielded.

The Pentagons revised enterprise contracts with commercial tech firms signal institutional acceptance. These agreements aim to simplify acquisition, accelerate fielding, and standardise systems across servicesprecisely the conditions needed to sustain industrial-scale forces. If a theatre requires thousands of interceptors, loitering munitions, or autonomous wingmen, enterprise contracting and factory capacity matter as much as doctrine. Andurils YFQ-44A prototype, an autonomous, affordable "loyal wingman", embodies the hybrid future: a platform that can operate independently or alongside crewed fighters, designed for mass production and rapid software upgrades. The prototype was produced from scratch for testing and trials in a flat 556 days. Whether such systems fully replace manned fighters is beside the point; their real value lies in attrition tolerance. A cheap unmanned combat aircraft, produced in numbers, changes the arithmetic of engagement far more than a single multi-million pound stealth jet ever could.

The strategic corollary is stark: nations that can mobilise industrial ecosystemsfactories, supply chains, software pipelines, and logisticswill hold the initiative. Hardware matters, but software and production scale matter more. The future battlefield will reward those who can sustain tempo, absorb losses, and iterate quickly. Musks provocation and Luckeys industrial thesis converge here: airpowers next chapter will be written not only in hangars and cockpits but on assembly lines and in code repositories.

India has approved the RPSA under the Ghatak programme with an eight-year induction targeta welcome move from concept to commitment. Our plan to prototype unmanned stealth fighters with industry partners signals progress, but the timeline risks being too slow in an era where production speed and attrition tolerance matter as much as platform capability. Finally, India should reassess its appetite for more frightfully expensive 4.5 and 5th-generation fighters. High-end platforms and their numbers will still have roles, but they cannot be the sole pillar of airpower. Prioritise scalable unmanned systems, missile stockpiles, distributed sensors, and resilient C4ISR, backed by an industrial base that can turn design into massed effect. The sky has changed; our industrial response must change fast.
Following a daring Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) mission in Iran, a US Air Force colonel who was shot down while over Iran has been extracted. The US Air Force lost two aircraftan A-10 and an F-35 Lightning IIto Iranian strikes, which led to a complex mission to rescue the three airmen who used parachutes to eject.

Tehran has also claimed to have brought down another US aircraft that was deployed as part of a major operation to spot and rescue the missing pilot. CENTCOM is yet to respond to the claim.

ALSO READ | Why did Iran thank 'people of India' in messages on missiles fired at Israel?

Iranian air defence units could have used a Third Khordad missile system to bring down the stealth fighter jet, the New York Times said in a report. It is a medium-range surface-to-air system that can be operated from a truck, the report said.

Also called the Sevvom Khordad, the Third Khordad missile systems are operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The United States needs no lessons in its effectiveness, as it lost an RQ-4 Global Hawk BAMS-D drone over the Strait of Hormuz in 2019 to this proven air-defence system. This remains one of the most celebrated episodes of Iran's missile warfareuntil the fifth-generation jet was brought down.

ALSO READ | Israeli air defence systems failed? Iran's missiles strike Dimona and Arad; over 100 injured

Its mobile vehicle can hold three Taer-2 guided missiles and an AESA X-Band Active Phased Array radar. These systems are reportedly capable of detecting 100 targets, engaging four, and launching two missiles simultaneously. Their altitude reach reportedly ranges from 25 to 30 km depending on the version, and it takes no more than five minutes for the IRGC to deploy them.

For more defence news, views and updates, visit: Fortress India

The Third Khordad was indigenously developed by Tehran and was reportedly showcased with prominence at the DSA & NATSEC 2024 defence and security exhibition in Kuala Lumpur. The system strongly resembles the Russian Buk-M2EK system.

ALSO READ | Iranian missiles force US soldiers to sleep in hotels as 13 bases are heavily damaged in war: Report

A typical battalion of the Sevvom Khordad system includes four Transporter Erector Launchers and Radars (TELAR), eight Transporter Erector Launchers (TEL), and a Bashir S-band Phased Array Surveillance Radar with a range of 350 km, Defence Security Asia said in a report. The advanced versions are capable of striking targets as far as 200 kilometres away, the report added.
The first glimpse of Ranbir Kapoor-starrer 'Ramayana' in the form of a trailer titled 'Rama' didn't exactly blow everyone away. The debates to that end continue on social media, with some folks trying to "school" others on the difference between good and bad VFX. However, on Saturday, no one expected an industry insider, and a superstar to boot, to offer a sensible take on how to approach visual effects, and bring up the importance of debating it with awareness, in a lengthy social media note.

While recalling the good ol' days as a 11-year-old kid when he fell in love with big-budget Hollywood movies like "Back to the Future" and "Star Wars", and being enamoured with the VFX in them, to the point of even buying a book about Industrial Light and Magic (the company behind the "Star Wars" movies that George Lucas gave birth to), Hrithik Roshan addressed the need to know about why some VFX sequences look the way they do.

While not denying the existence of "bad VFX" and that sometimes it's "painful to watch" the same even in his own movies (he mentions "War" had good VFX but "War 2" had logical and time-related issues), Hrithik wrote that different films have different VFX styles, and how important it is to know which is which.

He added that it "takes thousands of our artistes working round the clock for multiple years to bring VFX-heavy films to life, so the least we can do is bash them with some better awareness! It's like in comics or animation - some prefer ANIME style, but that's not as realistic as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. You can like one style over the other, but neither is wrong. In the same way, VFX movies can be Photorealistic (invisible), VFX where you shouldnt notice the VFX at all. Like in big-scale action films like James Bond, Die Hard, War 1, etc. OR the makers can adopt storytelling-stylised VFX, which is more magical, with sometimes enhanced colours, non-realistic lighting, and visuals that purposefully resemble beautiful paintings. Like in movies like 300, Lord of the Rings, etc., then there are others like Hyperreal/Enhanced Reality - think Superhero films and high concept films like Inception... Fantastical Realism (Hybrid)... I also enjoy Surreal/Experimental VFX where they break all reality and logic intentionally. It has abstract forms and impossible geometry. [sic]"

Hrithik explained that "bad VFX" is when the movie promises 'photorealism' but doesn't deliver. "Even a small lapse in physics/gravity can then destroy the entire illusion. Or the promise is of storybook style, but they fail in making it beautiful enough, artistic enough or divine enough, and so fail to engage. But to say that the storybook style is not looking photorealistic - isn't fair. Cause it's not meant to be. AND you can't criticise the maker just because he has chosen one style while you prefer another style. That's not fair. So sometimes when you say 'bad VFX.' Maybe its just a style you didnt expect? [sic]"

The actor concluded his note by suggesting that instead of asking "Is it real?" next time, ask, "Is it right for the story?" or if it makes one feel "what the maker intended."
At a time when India is rapidly transitioning into an ageing society, Shantanu Naidu, founder of Goodfellows, delivered a keynote address that reframed the conversationfrom a demographic problem to a deeply human opportunity.

Speaking at THE WEEK Goodfellows Silver Economy Summit in Mumbai, Naidu challenged the dominant narrative around ageing. Rather than viewing it through the lens of policy burdens or market potential alone, he urged stakeholders to recognise the lived experiences of senior citizens. These are not just data points or statistics, he emphasised. They are real people with real emotions, real histories.

The summit, which brought together policymakers, healthcare experts, entrepreneurs and social sector leaders, focused on building an age-ready India. Drawing from his work with Goodfellowsa companionship startup for the elderlyNaidu highlighted the importance of proximity and empathy. He spoke of spending thousands of hours in living rooms with seniors, learning that their needs go far beyond clinical care or technological solutions. The foundation of everything we build must be rooted in dignity, respect and emotional connection, he said.

For your daily dose of medical news and updates, visit: HEALTH

Naidu cautioned against two extremes that currently define the silver economy: a purely clinical, utilitarian approach on one hand, and a hyper-commercial, opportunity-driven mindset on the other. Instead, he proposed a middle pathone that balances professional rigour with genuine human engagement.

He also reminded the audience that the systems and services being built today are not just for the current elderly population, but for future generationsincluding those in the room. Whatever we build now is what we are going to use, he said, urging participants to see themselves as future beneficiaries.

While acknowledging advances in healthcare that are extending life expectancy, Naidu posed a more profound challenge: ensuring that longer lives are also meaningful ones. We are getting better at helping people live longer. But how do we help them feel alive? he asked.

Central to that answer, he argued, is addressing loneliness and the need for acknowledgement. Regardless of whether organisations operate as for-profit or non-profit entities, he said, their efforts must prioritise making seniors feel seen, heard and valued.

Naidu concluded with a call for a shared value system in the rapidly expanding silver economy. With the sector poised for significant growth, he warned that scale and profitability should not come at the cost of empathy. This is about building a world for people who built the world for us, he said.
In a pre-election opinion poll jointly conducted by Tamil daily Dinamalar and Chanakya, the voters in Tamil Nadu revealed how they felt about the leaders at the Centre and in the state.

The opinion poll was carried out in March with a sample of 19,305 respondents across 70 constituencies. Among the respondents 55 per cent are aged 25 to 50 years while 25 per cent are aged above 50 and 20 per cent are aged under 25.

Around 42 per cent of voters claimed that they voted for the ruling DMK in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections while 31 per cent supported AIADMK and 11 per cent backed the BJP. Around 7 per cent respondents voted for the NTK alliance in 2024.

The first question posed to the respondents was about the functioning of the BJP-led government at the Centre. Thirty-two per cent respondents felt it was Excellent, while 20 per cent found it to be Poor and 48 per cent said it was Average. With regard to how the Centre dealt with international issues, 36 per cent said it was Excellent while 17 per cent believed it was Poor. Another 47 per cent said they don't know.

When asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's performance, 35 per cent said he was Excellent. Another 20 per cent thought the PM's performance was Poor and 45 per cent opted for No Opinion or Average.

Another interesting questions asked to voters was whether the Modi government is betraying Tamil Nadu. Around 40 per cent said No while 27 per cent said Yes. Another 33 per cent went with "Somewhat".

Regarding the functioning of the DMK government in the state, 41 per cent said it was Poor while 39 per cent felt it was Average. Only 20 per cent gave an Excellent. Regarding the law and order situation in Tamil Nadu, 59 per cent felt it was Poor while 32 per cent gave it an Average and 9 per cent Excellent.

The next set of questions were about the performances of CM Stalin and Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin. Stalin got an Average from 40 per cent respondents, Poor from 37 per cent and Excellent from 23 per cent. On the other hand, 45 per cent felt Udhayanidhi's performance was poor while 39 per cent said it was Average. Just 16 per cent opted for Excellent.

The methodology used in the opinion poll or the results of the poll survey could not be independently verified by THE WEEK.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, joined by various others formerly accused in the alleged liquor policy scam, moved a recusal application before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma in the Delhi High Court on Sunday.

Kejriwal is now scheduled to appear in court tomorrow and argue the case, an AAP statement said.

AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and many other former accused in the alleged liquor scam have moved a recusal application before Justice Swarn Kanta Sharma in the Delhi High Court. Arvind Kejriwal will appear and argue in person tomorrow: AAP  ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2026

This comes days after the Delhi court offered Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and the others formerly accused in the liquor scam one final chance to file their stand on a plea by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to erase "unwarranted" remarks that the trial courtwhich had discharged them on January 22had made against the agency.

The agency had further argued that the remarks had also caused irreparable damage to its credibility.

Notably, despite seeking time during the last hearing, only one of the defendants, Vinod Chauhan, had filed his application so far, ahead of the April 22 deadline, on which the case is scheduled to be heard before Justice Sharma.

The Delhi HC has already pointed out that failure to file applications before the deadline would lead to the defendants' right to file further responses deemed lost.

After the January 22 ruling, Kejriwal, Sisodia, and 21 others accused in the liquor policy case were discharged by the Delhi court, which noted that the CBI case was wholly unable to survive judicial scrutiny, and stood discredited in its entirety.

Separately, Kejriwal and Sisodia on March 11 had appealed to Delhi HC Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, asking that the case be assigned to another "impartial" judge.

The AAP supremo had claimed in the case that he had a "grave, bona fide, and reasonable apprehension" that hearings in the liquor policy scam case would not be impartial with Judge Sharma.

In the hearing, he had also flagged Justice Sharma's order of March 9, in which she had put on hold a trial court direction to investigate the CBI officer who investigated the excise policy case.
The BJP is not letting go of the Malda issue, in which seven judicial officers were held hostage for hours over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) issue on April 1.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lashed out at the Trinamool Congress (TMC) over the issue during his public meeting in Cooch Behar in North Bengal on Sunday.

You saw a few days ago how in Malda, judicial officers were kept hostage. What kind of a government is this, where the judicial officers and atmosphere are not safe? How can you expect security of citizens from this government? questioned PM Modi, while alleging that the TMC strangled law enforcement agencies, with the Supreme Court also having to intervene.

What happened in Malda was due to TMCs misgovernance. It is a maha jungle raj.

PM Shri @narendramodi exposed how judicial officers being held hostage in Malda is the biggest example of TMCs Mahajungle Raj. Ordinary citizens cant expect safety in this complete breakdown of law and order.#CoochBeharWithModi pic.twitter.com/ebZNUCPEEC  BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) April 5, 2026

The other issues that PM Modi brought up on the ruling establishments misgovernance issue was cut money, the syndicate raj, the teachers recruitment scam, and the prevention of money from the Centre from benefiting the public at large. The PM also said that the money looted from corruption was to be returned to the people.

PM Shri @narendramodi gave a clear contrast of TMCs bhoy of corruption, cut money syndicate, illegal infiltration and atrocities on women with that of Bhorsha over BJPs Development, Women Safety and anti Infiltrator stance.#CoochBeharWithModi pic.twitter.com/02knWtdPYM  BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) April 5, 2026

While speaking about the SIR and the infiltration issue PM Modi lashed out at TMC for opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which gives citizenship to Hindu minorities. The PM also mentioned a change in West Bengals demography as TMC was sheltering infiltrators, while the BJP was working to remove infiltrators.

The PM also told his supporters not to fear TMC goons and believe in the BJP.

No matter how much TMC goons threaten you, you must have faith in the law, the PM added.

The BJP is using women empowerment to garner the support of West Bengal and to be seen as a party that is looking at the welfare of women on the national stage.

We want the role of daughters to increase. Hence, in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, we made a law for 33 per cent reservation, said PM Modi, noting that it would be implemented from 2029 onwards.

That is why the discussion will be taken up on 16th, 17th and 18th of April. It has been held up for 40 years and cannot stalled any longer, PM pointed out, while asking people to put pressure on all political parties to support the BJPs initiative to make this a reality.

All India Trinamool Congress does not need a bill for womens representation. At this point 40 per cent of our Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs are women. We give many more women tickets and representation than you. People can see the gap between BJPs words and actions," said TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose.

She also called the saffron party one that garlanded rapists and made fun of women leaders.

This is the PMs second visit to Cooch Behar where the BJP currently holds 6 of the 9 Assembly seats with huge support from the indigenous Hindi-speaking Rajbanshi population.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address an election rally in Cooch Behar district on Sunday, in what could strengthen the Bharatiya Janata Partys outreach in north Bengal.

Modi will speak at the Bijoy Sankalpa Sabha at the historic Ras Mela grounds in the afternoon, formally launching the BJPs campaign for the upcoming assembly elections. This will be the prime ministers first rally in the state since the election schedule was announced.

He is expected to outline the partys vision for a Developed West Bengal and highlight the impact of central government welfare schemes. Modi is also likely to launch a sharp attack on the Mamata Banerjee government, citing issues such as alleged misgovernance, law and order, and corruption.

The prime minister has previously addressed rallies at the same venue during the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections, as well as the 2021 assembly polls.

Elections to West Bengals 294-member assembly will be held in two phaseson April 23 and 29with counting scheduled for May 4.

Modis last public appearance in the state was on March 14, a day before the elections were announced, when he addressed a rally at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata and inaugurated development projects worth around Rs 18,680 crore.

The BJP, which had increased its tally to 77 seats in the previous assembly elections, aims to wrest power from the Trinamool Congress, even as multiple pre-poll surveys predict a return of Mamata Banerjees party, albeit with a reduced number of seats.
An intensive search and rescue has been initiated for an IT professional from Kerala who has been reported missing during a trek in Karnatakas Coorg. Saranya, a 36-year-old woman from Keralas Kozhikode, went missing while trekking in Thadiyandamol, the highest mountain of Madikeri taluk, Kodagu district, on April 2, according to local media reports.

The police and forest department are carrying out a search with four teams. Besides a dog squad, the search team has also employed a drone to search the forest. While a SIM tracking expert has been deployed, Saranyas phone has been switched off.

The team is also being assisted by the members of the anti-Naxal force who have worked in the area before. The Kerala government had sought the help of the Karnataka government in the search, and the team hopes to complete the search, which has been conducted in several areas, by Sunday itself. This is reportedly the first time that someone has gone missing while trekking in the area.

According to reports, Saranya arrived at the trek spot on April 1. She had booked online for the trek and arrived solo, but the Forest Department staff did not let her, citing the threat of wild elephants. Following this, she booked a room at a homestay in Yavakapady, 500 meters from the trekking start point, according to Manorama Online.

She then set out for the trek on Thursday morning with a 10-member group that had come for the trek. Saranya was not familiar with the others in the trekking group before. They informed the police that Saranya had separated from the group and was travelling a little behind.

At around 2 pm, the home stay authorities informed the police that they received a message from Saranya, saying that she had lost her way. The Karnataka Forest Department and the police immediately started a search, but to no avail.

The other trekking team members who had gone with Saranya returned in the evening. Deputy Conservator of Forests V. Abhishek said that the location could not be found as the mobile phone was switched off.

According to officials, even if trekkers get lost, they usually manage to find the trekking route in 2-3 hours. The area has multiple homestays and resorts and the trekking route here includes a residential area on one side and the Pattighat Reserve Forest on the other.
In what could be described as one of the most daring search-and-rescue operations, the US on Sunday announced that it successfully extracted the missing crew member of the US F-15 fighter jet that was shot down over Iran over the last week. US President Donald Trump on Sunday announced that the US military official was safe and sound.

Though the US did not identify the crew members, reports said he was a Weapons Systems Officer and a highly respected Colonel.

According to a report that appeared in The New York Times, the operation unfolded over nearly two days and was described as a race against time between American and Iranian forces searching for the downed airman.

The US had sent dozens of aircraft armed with the most lethal weapons in the world to retrieve him. These included elite special operations forces and aircraft from multiple branches. The US crew member was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran and was actively being hunted down by Iranians who were closing in on him.

Amid this, the CIA, the US intelligence agency, launched a deception campaign inside Iran before starting the rescue mission to confuse the Iranians. A report by Fox News said the CIA spread word inside Iran that U.S. forces had already located the airman and were moving him on the ground for exfiltration.

This left the Iranians confused and uncertain. After this, the CIA resorted to its unique talents to locate the airman, which the report described as like looking for a needle in a haystack. The airman was reportedly hiding inside a mountain crevice and invisible without CIA capabilities. The CIA immediately shared the service members location with the Pentagon and the White House, the report added.

The airman managed to evade capture for two days and used survival training to move away from the wreckage and hide on elevated ground. He was signalling for rescue and was in close contact with the US surveillance team. He only had a pistol as Iranian forces continued to scour the area. The Iranians also mobilised civilians to hunt him down.

A US rescue aircraft reportedly struck Iranian convoys that were rounding off the area in search of the airman. A heavy firefight broke out with Iranian units, but as per reports, this was not directly between Iranian and US forces.

The US soon managed to locate and extract the airman. However, another unexpected complication emerged when the two aircraft meant to evacuate the rescue teams malfunctioned. The US then had to deploy three alternative aircraft to complete the extraction, while the malfunctioning aircraft were bombed to avoid the Iranians getting hold of them.

The rescue team then managed to fly out of Iranian airspace safely to Kuwait to receive treatment for his injuries. None was injured in the rescue operation.
Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu is all praise for the trailer of actors Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur's upcoming film 'Dacoit,' calling it a "solid setup" of what's to come. The trailer for the romantic-action-thriller was unveiled on Saturday, April 4, with many fans sharing positive reactions. Among them was Mahesh Babu, who shared the trailer on social media and appreciated Adivi Sesh's journey as an actor. Taking to his X account, Mahesh Babu shared the trailer along with a note praising it and Sesh's growth. "From Major to #Dacoit... great to see you push further Sesh... The Trailer is a solid setup for what's to come. Wishing you and team the very best..," he wrote. https://x.com/urstrulyMahesh/status/2040404732997407112?s=20 The trailer showcases a gripping story of two dacoits, featuring a layered backstory, action sequences, and an evolving relationship between the characters. The Telugu version of the trailer was unveiled at an event in Hyderabad. Directed by Shaneil Deo, the film is set to hit the screens on April 10, 2026. It was earlier scheduled for a March 19 release, but the makers reportedly decided to shift the date as other big films, including 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge,' were also planned for the same day. Adivi Sesh was last seen in 'HIT: The Second Case (2022),' directed by Sailesh Kolanu. The film followed the story of police officer Krishna Dev, also known as KD, who investigates a series of crimes involving female victims as part of the HIT unit in Andhra Pradesh. (ANI)
The UAE authorities have confirmed that a fire broke out at the UAEs Borouge petrochemicals plant after debris from an Iranian missile fell on the site. According to a statement from Abu Dhabi Media Office, the operations at the facility have been immediately suspended.

The fires were caused by the debris from the missile which was intercepted by the air-defense system, the office said. No injuries were reported. The statement from the media office added that the operations at the factory have been suspended pending an assessment of the damage.

Abu Dhabi authorities also urged the public to rely on official sources for information and avoid sharing unverified reports.

Borouge is Abu Dhabis flagship petrochemicals firm engaged in creating high-performance plastic from oil and gas. It makes polyethene and polypropylene and is operated by Borouge Plc. The company markets and manufactures globally.

This isnt the first time that the UAE infrastructure has been a target of Iran. Last week, the countrys largest gas-processing facility, at Habshan, suspended operations following an attack. One Egyptian national tragically lost his life at the site, while four others, two Egyptians and two Pakistanis, sustained minor injuries.

The UAE Ministry of Defence said its air defences are responding to missile and drone attacks as Iran said it was targeting aluminium industries in the Gulf nation. UAE Air Defences  are actively engaging with missiles and UAV threats, the ministry posts on X.

Meanwhile, Irans army said it was targeting aluminium industries in the UAE and US military infrastructure in Kuwait, the official IRNA news agency reports.
Tensions in the Middle East remains heightened after Iran rejected a 48-hour ultimatum issued by US President Donald Trump to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian military officials warned that the gates of hell would open for the United States and Israel if strikes on energy infrastructure continue, reported CNN. The statement mirrored Trumps own warning that all hell will rain down on Iran if Tehran refuses to open the key shipping channel.

General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters sharply criticised Trumps remarks, calling them helpless, nervous, unbalanced, and reckless.

In a recent social media post, Trump said that time is running out for Iran to reopen the strategic waterway by his April 6 deadline. He reiterated that failure to act within 48 hours would trigger severe consequences.

"Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out--48 hours before all hell will rain down on them. Glory be to GOD! President DONALD J. TRUMP," his post read.

Earlier, Trump had announced a temporary pause on strikes targeting Irans energy infrastructure, which he later extended until April 6.

Irans defiant stance has now raised fears of further escalation in a conflict that is already unsettling global markets and driving oil prices higher. The Strait of Hormuzone of the worlds most critical oil transit routeshas effectively been closed, significantly disrupting shipping. However, Iran has reportedly allowed limited passage for vessels bound for friendly nations.

Meanwhile, US forces continue search-and-rescue operations for a missing crew member from a downed F-15 fighter jet. Reports indicate that Iranian tribesmen have fired on US helicopters involved in the mission.

In a major setback for US forces, two advanced American warplanes were reportedly shot down by Iran on Friday, just days after Trump claimed in a national address that the US had completely decimated Irans capabilities. The aircraft reportedly included an F-15E Strike Eagle and an A-10 Warthog. Two pilots have been rescued, while one crew member remains missing.
US President Donald Trump on Sunday expressed hope for a peace deal with Iran, barely hours after posting an expletive-filled outburst online warning Tehran of his deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

I think there is a good chance tomorrow, they are negotiating now, Trump said in an interview with Fox News, referring to what he claimed were ongoing backdoor negotiations for a ceasefire in the war, which has crossed one month.

This is the latest addition to Trump's explosive rhetoric around the war, as neither a US exit nor a ceasefire deal have come to fruition so far.



(trump mojtaba iran, us iran war news israel, ceasefire irgc war address spot hits, hormuz strait)https://t.co/2pf6CxgBPM  THE WEEK (@TheWeekLive) April 4, 2026

At the same time, he warned of severe consequences if the two sides failed to agree on a ceasefire deal and reopening the strait.

If they dont make a deal and fast, Im considering blowing everything up and taking over the oil, he said in the interview.

However, just hours before Fox News released the interview, Trump wrote an expletive-filled post on Truth Social putting forth the exact same warning, but amplified with anger.

"Open the Fuckin Strait, you crazy bastards, or youll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah," he wrote in the post, sparking a great deal of shock online.

He also refers to Tuesday (April 7)the deadline of his 10-day ultimatum for Iran to agree on a ceasefire deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuzas "Power Plant Day" and "Bridge Day" in the post, indicating that Tehran's critical infrastructure would be blown to bits if the terms of the ultimatum were not met.

"Our whole region is going to burn because you insist on following Netanyahus commands," Iranian lawmaker M.B. Ghalibaf responded in an X post on Sunday, calling US-Israel actions "war crimes".

2/ The only real solution is respecting the rights of the Iranian people and ending this dangerous game.    | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) April 5, 2026

This comes as a clear gap continues to emerge between Trump's war rhetoric and the ground reality of the war. Yet, the possibility of destruction beyond the daily US-Israel strikes on Iranian facilities cannot be ruled out.

Iran continues to maintain pressure on US-Israel forces with regular missile and drone attacks on Israel, as well as critical infrastructure in Arab countries around it.

Notably, the two sides' inability to agree on peace talks is because Iran has repeatedly stated that it was open to a complete end to the war, and not just a ceasefire, while the US has demanded that Tehran reopen the Hormuz Straitthat it had 'closed' to ships linked to the US and allied nationsand agree to a ceasefire with uneven terms.

In that regard, the 10-day ultimatum that Trump speaks of in his latest posts, also comes on the back of the alleged peace talks between the two nations that he claimed were "going very well".

Iran, however, has consistently declined that it has "begged" the US for peace, and continues resisting and responding to attacks from Washington and Tel Aviv.
Iran has denied the US claims that it carried out a daring search-and-rescue operation to extract the missing crew member of the US F-15 fighter jet, stating that it thwarted the attempted mission to rescue the pilot and neutralised the incoming aircraft.

The Iranian attempt to demolish the US claims comes as President Donald Trump announced that the US sent dozens of aircraft armed with lethal weapons to rescue and extract the crew member. Trump added that the US crew member was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran and was actively being hunted down by Iranians who were closing in on him, but the US successfully managed to rescue him and bring him to Kuwait.

However, the Iranian state-backed Tasnim quoted the spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters of Iran to state that Iranian military forces destroyed several US aircraft in southern Isfahan, thwarting an attempted mission to rescue a downed American fighter pilot.

The spokesperson said the incident followed desperate efforts by US forces to infiltrate central Iran and extract the pilot. A joint operation involving the aerospace and ground forces, volunteer Basij units, and law enforcement servicemen successfully intercepted and neutralised the incoming aircraft, Tasnim added.

The Iranian media said the operation resulted in the destruction of multiple hostile aircraft, calling it another humiliating defeat for the US. It also drew parallels with the failed Operation Eagle Claw in April 1980. It also accused Trump of attempting to downplay the incident.

The spokesperson also released several images purportedly of the US aircraft in southern Isfahan. He added that the downed aircraft included two Black Hawk helicopters and one C-130 military transport plane, all of which were struck and left burning in southern Isfahan.

Irans Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, also shared one of the images, commenting, if the United States gets three more victories like this, it will be utterly ruined.
The US special forces have rescued the second crew member of the F-15 fighter jet that was downed over western Iran on Friday.

The rescue of the two crew members from the F-15E Strike Eagle was a high-stakes Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) operation that involved a massive "rescue package" and intense firefights.

US President Donald Trump said that the pilot was rescued in one of the most "daring operations" in the history of the US. Though the pilot has sustained injuries, he "will be fine", added Trump.

For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East

"WE GOT HIM! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now SAFE and SOUND!" Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

While the Trump administration had initially claimed air superiority in Iran, the loss of this advanced aircraftalong with an A-10 Thunderbolt II on the same dayexposed significant risks in the ongoing conflict.

Rescue conducted in two phases

With the F-15Es pilot and Weapons Systems Officer drifting apart after ejecting, the recovery mission evolved into a two-stage operation. The separation of the crew meant rescuers had to secure two different extraction points deep within hostile Iranian territory.

According to sources, the F-15 pilot and weapons systems officer both made contact via their comms systems after ejecting on Friday.

One crew member was located and recovered by US Special Operations Forces shortly after the crash on Friday. This was a 'hot' extraction, as Iranian forces and local tribal groups were already converging on the crash site. During that rescue operation, Iran struck a US Blackhawk helicopter, wounding crew members, but it was able to fly on.

The second crew member, the weapons systems officer, had been missing for over 24 hours. He utilised his SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) training to evade capture in the rugged highlands of the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province.

The Iranian state media offered a $60,000 bounty for his capture, and the armed Bakhtiari tribesmen patrolled the mountains to find him.

The rescue operation began after the WSO was located on Saturday. Reportedly, the crew member had made contact with the US forces via an encrypted radio.

Meanwhile, unlike the F-15E crew, the A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot was not downed directly over the crash site in Iran. When the flight crashed, the pilot managed to keep the "Warthog" airborne long enough to clear Iranian airspace, limping the damaged aircraft back toward friendly territory.

The pilot eventually ejected over Kuwaiti airspace. Because he was in a friendly territory, he was recovered quickly and safely by U.S. forces stationed in Kuwait.
The US military has ordered that a majority of its inventory of stealthy JASSM-ER cruise missiles be pulled from its Pacific stockpile and committed to its military campaign against Iran.

After the $1.5 million worth of weapons are moved, only about 425 of the missiles would be available out of the 2,300 for the rest of the globe, a person with direct knowledge of the matter told Bloomberg.

About 75 or so of the missiles are unserviceable due to damage or technical faults.

The JASSM-ER or Joint Air-to-Surface Missile Extended Range can fly more than 600 miles and was designed to hit targets at safer distances to avoid the air defences of the opponent.

About two-thirds of the US stockpile, including the shorter-range JASSM, which has a range of about 250 miles, has been committed to the Iran war.

The order has amid U.S. President Trump's claim that Irans capabilities have been completely decimated.

The US had been having issues with supplies of missile interceptors and long-range strike weapons since the beginning of the war.

Replacing what has been used would take years of production, as the country has been using a large number of weapons like the JASSM ERs for strikes.

The weapons reduce risks to service members but has greatly reduced stocks of systems meant for opponent like China. Just the first four weeks of the war have consumed more than 1000 JASSM, according to a source who spoke under the condition of anonymity on the matter.

47 of them fired during the raid to capture Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro.

The move also comes after Iran shot down two US combat search and rescue helicopters and an A-10 jet. Meanwhile, Iran has launched about 1,600 ballistic missiles and about 4000 Shahed typed rudimentary cruise missiles. The US has used at least 3,200 interceptors defending against the ballistic missiles alone.

Production constraints have been a major concern. Manufacturer Lockheed Martin. Currently produces about 650 Patriot PAC-3 interceptors per year, with plans to scale up to make 2,000 a year by 2030. They have also signed an agreement to scale up THAAD interceptor output from 96 per year to 400.

However, committing a majority of the weapons to the Iran war does not mean they will all be used.

The US has funded the procurement of over 6,200 JASSM missiles since 2009 through production of a baseline variant ending a decade ago.

Manufacturer Lockheed Martin is expected to produce 396 JASSM-ER missiles in 2026.

If production lines are fully dedicated, the production could scale up to 860 annually.
Two US special operation aircrafts were blown up on the ground during the rescue mission of the second American pilot in Iran, a person who is familiar with the mission told the Wall Street Journal.

Officials say that during the course of the mission it became necessary to destroy two MC-130J aircrafts which were used for the covert operations. The advanced planes each cost more than $100 million. The planes were designed so that they could be refueled in flight and were equipped with advanced sensors to defend against interceptors.

The US forces had to reportedly destroy their aircrafts after they were stuck during the mission to prevent them from being taken by Iranian forces, the officials said.

JUST IN:  Footage shows wreckage of US Black Hawk helicopters and C-130 military transport aircraft destroyed by US forces before departing Iran. pic.twitter.com/uJv89NVfbj  BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) April 5, 2026

The CIA reportedly took a day to locate the second missing pilot, Axios reported. After that they launched a disinformation campaign in Iran to create the impression that he had been found to mislead them.

They also reportedly used Uncrewed Reaper drones to strike males within three kilometres of the pilot and those who were perceived as threat.

US officials and Donald Trump said that no Americans were killed or injured in the rescue mission.

Iranian officials however have now claimed that they destroyed the warplanes, thwarting the pilot rescue mission. Dismissing US claims they said that the Iranian military forces, involving the aerospace, ground forces, volunteer Basij units and law enforcement destroyed the US aircrafts in southern Isfahan.

This is however, not the first time the US had to destroy their own equipment in enemy territory.

During the 2011 Operation Neptune Spear, US Navy SEALs destroyed one of their own Stealth Black Hawk helicopters that crash landed in Afghanistan to prevent them from being taken by the enemy. The helicopters had sensitive radar evading technology. Intelligence specialists also removed valuable data from the aircrafts before they blew it up with explosives.

US troops had to bring additional aircraft to complete the rescue of the US F-15E pilot.

Iranian state media shared visuals of the the planes which were destroyed. The military claimed that US forces used an abandoned airstrip to conduct the operation. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a spokesman for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, called the American operation a deception he said that the US lost a C-130 military transport plane and two Black Hawk helicopters during the mission.

At least seven manned US aircraft have been destroyed during the war, CNN reported.
A federal judge has halted efforts by the Trump administration to collect data that proves higher education institutions arent considering race in admissions.

The ruling from U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV in Boston on Friday granting the preliminary injunction follows a lawsuit filed last month by a coalition of 17 Democratic state attorneys general. It will only apply to public universities in plaintiffs.

The federal judge said the federal government likely has the authority to collect the data, but the demand was rolled out to universities in a rushed and chaotic manner.

The 120-day deadline imposed by the President led directly to the failure of NCES (National Center for Education Statistics) to engage meaningfully with the institutions during the notice-and-comment process to address the multitude of problems presented by the new requirements, Saylor wrote.

President Donald Trump ordered the data collection in August after he raised concerns that colleges and universities were using personal statements and other proxies to consider race, which he views as illegal discrimination.

In 2023, the Supreme Court ruled against the use of affirmative action in admissions but said colleges could still consider how race has shaped students lives if applicants share that information in their admissions essays.

The states argue the data collection risks invading student privacy and leading to baseless investigations of colleges and universities. They also argued that universities have not been given enough time to collect the data.

The data has been sought in such a hasty and irresponsible way that it will create problems for universities, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, Michelle Pascucci, told the court, adding that the effort seem was aimed at uncovering unlawful practices.

The Education Department has defended the effort, arguing taxpayers deserve transparency on how money is spent at institutions that receive federal funding.

The administrations policy echoes settlement agreements the government negotiated with Brown University and Columbia University, restoring their federal research money. The universities agreed to give the government data on the race, grade-point average and standardized test scores of applicants, admitted students and enrolled students. The schools also agreed to be audited by the government and to release admissions statistics to the public.

The National Center for Education Statistics is to collect the new data, including the race and sex of colleges applicants, admitted students and enrolled students. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has said the data, which was originally due by March 18, must be disaggregated by race and sex and retroactively reported for the past seven years.

If colleges fail to submit timely, complete and accurate data, the administration has said McMahon can take action under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which outlines requirements for colleges receiving federal financial aid for students.

The Trump administration separately has sued Harvard University over similar data, saying it refused to provide admissions records the Justice Department demanded to ensure the school stopped using affirmative action. Harvard has said the university has been responding to the governments requests and is in compliance with the high court ruling against affirmative action. On Monday, the Education Departments Office for Civil Rights directed Harvard to comply with the data requests within 20 days for face referral to the U.S. Justice Department.

(AP)
The Trump administration has revoked the green cards or U.S. visas of at least four Iranian nationals connected to the current or former Iranian government, including two who have been detained by immigration authorities and are to be deported.

The latest actions were taken just this week when Secretary of State Marco Rubio determined they were no longer eligible for either lawful permanent resident status, or to enter the United States. The steps follow a move late last year in which the visas of several diplomats and staffers at Irans mission to the United Nations were also revoked.

In a statement on Saturday, the State Department said the niece and grand-niece of former Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps chief Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. airstrike near the Baghdad airport in 2020, had been arrested late Friday by immigration agents after Rubio revoked their green cards.

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter are now in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the statement said, adding that Afshars husband has also been banned from entering the United States.

Afshar and her daughter had been living a lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles for many years while publicly supporting the Iranian government and anti-American attacks, according to the statement.

She is an outspoken supporter of the Iranian regime who celebrated attacks on Americans and referred to our country as the Great Satan, Rubio said in a post on X. The Trump administration will not allow our country to become a home for foreign nationals who support anti-American terrorist regimes.

The Iranian mission to the U.N. had no comment Saturday.

Afshar and her daughter are just the latest Iranians to have their legal status in the U.S. rescinded by Rubio, who recently revoked the visas of Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, an academic and the daughter of Irans former national security adviser Ali Larijani who was killed in a U.S.-Israel airstrike last month. Her husband, Seyed Kalantar Motamedi, also had his visa revoked, the State Department said. Neither are still in the U.S.

In early December, well before the surge of anti-government protests in Iran and the start of the war, the State Department revoked or declined to renew visas of several Iranian diplomats, including the deputy ambassador, and staffers at Irans mission to the United Nations.

The department said Friday that action had been taken on Dec. 4 but declined to comment further for privacy and security reasons except to note that it was unrelated to either the protests or the war.

(AP)
Iran shooting down two American military jets marks an exceedingly rare assault for the U.S. that has not happened in more than 20 years and shows the Islamic Republics continued ability to hit back despite President Donald Trump asserting it has been completely decimated.

The attacks came five weeks after U.S. and Israeli strikes first pounded Iran, with Trump saying earlier this week that Tehrans ability to launch missiles and drones is dramatically curtailed.

Iran shot down a U.S. F15-E Strike Eagle fighter jet Friday, with one service member getting rescued and the search still underway for a second, U.S. officials say. Iranian state media also said a U.S. A-10 attack aircraft crashed after being hit by Iranian defense forces.

The last time a U.S. warplane was shot down by enemy fire in combat was an A-10 Thunderbolt II during the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, said retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Houston Cantwell, a former F-16 fighter pilot.

But, he said, thats because the U.S. had largely been fighting insurgents who didnt have the same anti-aircraft capabilities. The fact that there have not been more fighter jets lost in Iran, Cantwell said, is a testament to the capabilities of U.S. forces.

The fact that this hasnt happened until now is an absolute miracle, said Cantwell, who served four combat tours and is now a senior resident fellow at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. Were flying combat missions here, they are being shot at every day.

Shoulder-fired missile likely used, experts say

U.S. Central Command said in a statement Wednesday that American forces have flown more than 13,000 missions in the Iran war while striking more than 12,300 targets.

After more than a month of punishing U.S.-Israeli airstrikes, a degraded Iranian military nonetheless remains a stubborn foe. Its steady stream of strikes against Israel and Gulf Arab neighbors have been causing regional upheaval and global economic shock.

When it comes to American dominance over Irans airspace, theres still a distinction between air superiority and air supremacy, said Behnam Ben Taleblu, Iran program senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a hawkish Washington think tank.

A disabled air defense system is not a destroyed air defense system, he said. We shouldnt be shocked that theyre still fighting.

American planes have been flying missions at lower altitudes, which makes them more vulnerable to Irans missiles, Taleblu said. Its possible that Iran fired at the F-15 with a surface-to-air missile, but its more likely that a portable, shoulder-fired missile was used, he said. Those are much harder to detect and reflect how Iran is weak but still lethal.

This is a regime that is fighting for its life, he said.

Mark Cancian, a retired Marine colonel and a senior defense adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, agreed that a shoulder-fired missile was likely used against the fighter jet.

Nonetheless, the American air war against Iran has been a tremendous success so far, he said.

To put things in perspective, he said the loss rate for American warplanes flying over Germany during World War II was 3% at one point, which would equal about 350 warplanes in the U.S. war against Iran.

But then theres the political side  you have a American public that is accustomed to fighting bloodless wars, Cancian said. Then a large part of the country doesnt support the war. So to them, any loss is unacceptable.

Pilots are trained on what to do if their plane is hit

The last U.S. jet shot down in combat was struck by an Iraqi surface-to-air missile over Baghdad on April 8, 2003. The pilot safely ejected and was rescued, according to the Air Force.

In high-threat environments like missions over Iran, Cantwell, the retired general, said an aviators blood pressure goes up and they become highly alert to incoming missiles. Those are typically either infrared- or radar-guided missiles, he said, requiring different evasive tactics.

If they are hit and need to eject from their aircraft, they are trained on what to do next, he said.

Pilots learn to check for wounds after a violent ejection and the shock of a missile explosion and, most crucially, how they are going to communicate their location so rescuers can find them.

At the same time, he said, the enemy is likely working to intercept the communications or even spoof the location.

Helicopters are more at risk than other aircraft

The planes that went down Friday were not the first crewed American aircraft to be lost overall in Iran.

A military helicopter and airplane exploded in 1980 during an aborted mission to rescue several dozen American hostages at the U.S. embassy in Tehran, according to the Air Force Historical Support Division.

After a series of setbacks, including severe dust storms and mechanical failures, the mission was called off. As the aircraft took off, the rotor blades of one of the RH-53 helicopters collided with an EC-130 aircraft full of fuel and both exploded, killing eight.

More U.S. helicopters have been shot down in recent decades, including a MH-47 Army Chinook helicopter that was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade in Afghanistan in 2005, killing 16. Helicopters are more dangerous because the lower and the slower, the more susceptible you are, Cantwell said.

Thats why those who went out on this weeks rescue missions, likely in helicopters, he said, did such a brave and honorable act.

(AP)
The upcoming second season of 'The Studio' will confront a profound real-life loss, as co-creator and star Seth Rogen has confirmed that the series will directly address the absence of veteran actor Catherine O'Hara, who passed away in January at the age of 71. In a recent interview, quoted by E! News, Rogen acknowledged that the Apple TV+ comedy feels "anchorless" without O'Hara, who played Hollywood executive Patty Leigh in its debut season. He emphasised that the show will not sidestep the emotional impact of her death. "If anything, we're acknowledging the idea that we are a little anchorless," Rogen said, adding that while the series typically avoids heavy themes, elements of grief and loss will naturally shape the upcoming season. "We are not ignoring it," he said, as quoted by E! News. O'Hara's passing has left both an emotional and creative gap for the team. Rogen's longtime collaborator Evan Goldberg described the process of reworking the second season as "an unbelievable challenge," noting that scripts had originally been written with her character at the centre. "Obviously emotionally, dealing with the loss, but also when it comes to the show itself," Goldberg explained, adding, "We wrote it for her to be there. We had it all set and the shock waves permeate throughout the entire new season," as quoted by E! News. He added that O'Hara had been "the anchor" of the show, underscoring the magnitude of her absence. Beyond her on-screen performance, O'Hara played a crucial role behind the scenes. Rogen recalled her dedication while accepting her posthumous Actor Award in March, revealing that she would regularly send detailed revisions of her scenes before filming. "Pretty much every evening before she had a shooting day... she would email me and Evan," he said, noting that her suggestions consistently improved not only her character but the overall quality of the show. (ANI)
Russia and Ukraine traded deadly strikes overnight and on Saturday morning, killing 10 people and wounding several dozen more, officials on both sides said Saturday.

The attacks came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Istanbul for talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He will also meet with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of Eastern Orthodox Christians.

We are working to strengthen our partnership to ensure the real protection of lives, advance stability, and guarantee security in Europe and the Middle East. Joint efforts always yield the best results, Zelenskyy said in a post on the messaging app Telegram after arriving in Istanbul.

Russia fired 286 drones at Ukraine overnight, 260 of which were downed, the Ukrainian Air Force said in an online statement.

Five people  three women and two men  were killed in the city of Nikopol in the Dnipropetrovsk region, and 19 others were wounded, the head of the regional military administration Oleksandr Hanzha said. The attack damaged market stalls and a shop.

In the city of Sumy, not far from the border with Russia, a strike wounded 11 people, the National Police said. Residential areas were hit, and houses, cars and utility networks were damaged in the attack.

In the capital, Kyiv, a drone strike caused a fire on the first floor of a three-story office and warehouse building, Ukraines State Emergency Service said. No casualties were reported.

In the partially occupied Donetsk region, a Russian drone strike hit a civilian car on the KostyantynivkaDruzhkivka road on Saturday morning, killing one woman and wounding another, according to the head of the Kostyantynivka City Military Administration, Serhiy Horbunov.

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed Saturday that its forces fired long-range air- and ground-based precision weapons, as well as strike drones at unspecified military-industrial and energy facilities used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Meanwhile, the Russian-installed head of the occupied Luhansk region, Leonid Pasechnik, said Ukrainian forces hit railroad infrastructure in the region and private houses, killing a family of three  a couple and their 8-year-old child.

The Security Service of Ukraine, also known as the SBU, claimed it used drone strikes to halt production at a metallurgical plant in the Russian-occupied city of Alchevsk in the Luhansk region, most of which is controlled by the Russian forces.

The SBU said on its Facebook page that drone strikes damaged blast furnaces, key production workshops, distillation columns, gas pipelines and electrical substations that power the plant, which supplies Russias state tank and railroad car plant, Uralvagonzavod.

There was no immediate comment from Russian officials.

The Russian Defense Ministry said that the Russian military overnight shot down 85 Ukrainian drones over nine Russian regions, the annexed Crimea region and the Black Sea.

In Russias Rostov region, on the border with Ukraine, one person was killed and four sustained injuries, according to the regions governor, Yuri Slyusar. The attack sparked a fire at a warehouse facility of an unspecified logistics company, and another fire on a dry-cargo vessel flying a foreign flag several kilometers from the shore, Slyusar said.

In the Samara regions city of Tolyatti, one person was wounded, Gov. Vyacheslav Fedorishchev said. The roof of a residential building was damaged and windows were shattered in several apartments, he said.

(AP)
War Secretary Pete Hegseth asked Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George to step down and retire immediately Thursday, removing the Armys top uniformed officer in a sweeping leadership shakeup as U.S. forces remain engaged in active combat with Iran.

A senior War Department official told Fox News that Hegseth called George directly Thursday and told him it was time for a leadership change in the Army. No reason was given for the dismissal, an Army official said.

General Randy A. George will be retiring from his position as the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army effective immediately, War Department chief spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement. The Department of War is grateful for General Georges decades of service to our nation. We wish him well in his retirement.

Gen. Christopher LaNeve, the Armys vice chief of staff, will serve as acting chief, according to a senior War Department official.

George, a career infantry officer with combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, was nominated by President Biden and confirmed by the Senate in 2023. He had been expected to serve a four-year term running through roughly 2027. As Army chief, he sat on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Prior to the role, he served as senior military assistant to then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin from 2021 to 2022.

The abrupt dismissal comes amid reported tensions between Hegseth and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. Hegseth recently intervened personally to remove multiple Army officers from a promotion list after Driscoll refused to do so  an unusual step that drew White House attention. Senior military promotion lists are reviewed by the White House before being forwarded to the Senate.

Georges removal is the latest in a pattern of aggressive senior military leadership changes Hegseth has pursued since taking office. Former Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti were both pushed out earlier in the second Trump administration. Hegseth also replaced the Armys vice chief of staff earlier in 2026 and removed Lt. Gen. Jennifer Short from her role as senior military assistant, installing allies in key advisory positions in her place.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
President Donald Trump said Thursday that Pam Bondi is out as his attorney general, ending the contentious tenure of a loyalist who upended the Justice Departments culture of independence from the White House, oversaw large-scale firings of career employees and moved aggressively to investigate the Republican presidents perceived enemies.

The departure followed months of scrutiny over the Justice Departments handling of files related to the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation and failed efforts to meet Trumps unwavering demands for criminal cases against his adversaries. As Trumps own frustrations mounted, he began privately discussing firing Bondi, people familiar with the matter say.

Pam Bondi is a Great American Patriot and a loyal friend, who faithfully served as my Attorney General over the past year, Trump said in a statement. He added, We love Pam, and she will be transitioning to a much needed and important new job in the private sector, to be announced at a date in the near future.

Trump named Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, one of his former personal lawyers, as the acting attorney general. Three people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Thursday that he has privately discussed Lee Zeldin, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, as a permanent pick.

In her own statement, Bondi called the job the honor of a lifetime and said she would be working over the next month to transition the position to Blanche.

Bondi came into office 14 months ago, pledging that she would not play politics with the Justice Department. But she quickly set out to do Trumps bidding, heaping lavish praise at congressional hearings and White House events, firing prosecutors deemed insufficiently loyal to the president and opening investigations into his political foes. The intense turmoil contributed to the resignations of hundreds of employees, with the norm-breaking actions stirring concern that the department was being wielded as a tool to advance Trumps personal and political interests.

Pam Bondi oversaw an unprecedented weaponization of the Justice Department that brought our nations rule of law to its knees, said Sen. Adam Schiff, a California Democrat.

Bondi rejected accusations that she politicized the Justice Department and said her mission was to restore the institutions credibility after overreach by President Joe Bidens Democratic administration, which included two federal criminal cases against Trump. Bondis defenders have said she worked to refocus the department to better tackle illegal immigration and violent crime and brought much-needed change to an agency they believe unfairly targeted conservatives.

Embracing, supporting and protecting the president

Bondis public embrace of the president, however, marked a sharp departure from her predecessors, who generally took pains to maintain an arms-length distance from the White House to protect the impartiality of investigations and prosecutions. Bondi postured herself as Trumps chief supporter and protector, praising and defending him in congressional hearings and placing a banner with his face on the exterior of Justice Department headquarters.

She called for an end to the weaponization of law enforcement that she said occurred under the Biden administration, even though Bidens attorney general, Merrick Garland, and Jack Smith, the special counsel who produced two cases against Trump, have said they followed the facts, the evidence and the law in their decision-making. Bondis critics, meanwhile, said she was the one who had politicized the agency.

Youve turned the Peoples Department of Justice into Trumps instrument of revenge, Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary committee, said at a February hearing.

Bondi delivered a combative performance but few substantive answers at that hearing, as she angrily insulted her Democratic questioners with name-calling and praised Trump for the performance of the stock market  The Dow is up over 50,000 right now! - and openly aligned herself as in sync with a president whom she painted as a victim of past impeachments and investigations.

Even Republicans began to challenge her, with the GOP-led House Oversight Committee last month issuing a subpoena to her to appear for a closed-door interview about the Epstein files.

Under Bondis leadership, the department opened investigations into a string of Trump foes, including Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, New York Attorney General Letitia James, former FBI Director James Comey and former CIA Director John Brennan. The high-profile prosecutions of Comey and James were short-lived as they were quickly thrown out by a judge who ruled that the prosecutor who brought the cases was illegally appointed.

Trump repeatedly praised and defended Bondi publicly but also showed flashes of impatience with his attorney generals efforts to meet his demands to prosecute his rivals. In one extraordinary social media post last year, Trump called on Bondi to move quickly to prosecute his foes, including James and Comey, telling her, We cant delay any longer, its killing our reputation and credibility.

Bondi oversaw the exodus of thousands of career employees  both through firings and voluntary departures  including lawyers who prosecuted violent attacks on police at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021; environmental, civil rights and ethics enforcers; counterterrorism prosecutors; and others.

Fumbling the Epstein files

She struggled to overcome early stumbles over the Epstein files that angered conservatives eager for government bombshells about the case, which has long fascinated conspiracy theorists. She herself had fed the conspiracy theory machine with a suggestion in a 2025 Fox News Channel interview that Epsteins client list was sitting on her desk for review. The department later acknowledged that no such document exists.

Bondi was ridiculed over a move to hand out binders of Epstein files to conservative influencers at the White House, only for it to be later revealed that the documents included no new revelations. And despite promises that more files were going to become public, the Justice Department in July said no more would be released, prompting Congress to pass a bill to force the agency to do so. Ultimately, the department said it had complied with its obligations by releasing millions more records.

Jess Michaels, an Epstein survivor who traveled to the U.S. Capitol last year to press for the files release, said she was optimistic when Bondi took office but lost faith after Bondi distributed the binders at the White House.

I think she had this opportunity to be a hero and to really do right by survivors of sexual violence and trafficking, and she chose not to, Michaels said by phone. It is outrageous, the volume of miscalculation she has made.

The Epstein files fumbles led to a stunning public criticism from White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, a close friend of Bondis, who told Vanity Fair that the attorney general completely whiffed. The Justice Departments release of millions of pages of Epstein files did little to tamp down criticism, prompting a House committee, with the support of five Republicans, to subpoena Bondi to answer questions under oath.

Bondi, who defended Trump during his first impeachment trial, was his second choice to lead the Justice Department, picked for the role after former Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida withdrew his name from consideration amid scrutiny over trafficking allegations.

(AP)
Iran shot down two U.S. military planes in separate attacks Friday, with one service member rescued and at least one missing, in a dramatic escalation since the war began nearly five weeks ago.

It was the first time U.S. aircraft have been downed in the conflict.

The incident began on Friday with the downing of a U.S. F-15E fighter jet over Iran. One of the two crew members was rescued but the second remains missing, and US is continuing an intensive effort to locate him before he falls into Iranian hands.

The Telegraph reported that U.S. special forces are operating on the ground in an attempt to rescue him.

According to reports, the aircraft was hit during operations over Iran, and both crew members ejected. Shortly afterward, American forces managed to rescue one of them, while the search for the second continues under difficult terrain conditions and constant threats. Reuters reported that Iranian forces are also working simultaneously to locate the missing crew member, turning the situation into a highly sensitive operational race.

Two Black Hawk helicopters searching for the missing crew member were hit by Iranian fire but made it out of Iranian airspace, the two U.S. officials told Reuters.

In a brief telephone interview with NBC News, Trump declined to discuss the search-and-rescue efforts but said what happened would not affect negotiations with Iran.

No, not at all. No, its war, he said.

In a separate incident, an A-10 Warthog fighter aircraft was hit and crashed over Kuwait. The pilot ejected from the craft, US officials said.

Neither the White House nor the Pentagon released public information about the downed planes. But the Pentagon notified the House Armed Services Committee that the status of a second service member from the fighter jet was not known.

Irans attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure and its tight grip on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the worlds oil and natural gas transits in peacetime, have roiled stock markets, sent oil prices skyrocketing, and threatened to raise the cost of many basic goods, including food.

Prior to word of the rescue, social media footage showed American drones, aircraft and helicopters flying over the mountainous region where a TV channel affiliated with Iranian state television said earlier that at least one pilot bailed out of the fighter jet.

Meanwhile, Iranian media outlets urged residents to hand over any enemy pilot to police and promised a reward.

It was the first time the U.S. has lost aircraft in Iranian territory during the conflict and could mark a new level of pressure on the U.S. military.

Throughout the war, Iran has made a series of claims about shooting down piloted enemy aircraft that turned out not to be true. Friday was the first time that Iran went on television urging the public to look for a downed pilot.

Iranian state media said in a post on the social platform X that the military shot down a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle. The aircraft is a variation of the Air Force fighter jet that carries a pilot and weapons system officer.

Alan Diehl, a former investigator for the Air Force Safety Center, said the Strike Eagle has an emergency locator beacon in a survival kit that can be set to activate automatically or manually.

News about the downed planes came after Iran attacked Kuwaits Mina al-Ahmadi oil refinery. The state-run Kuwait Petroleum Corp. said firefighters were working to control several blazes.

Kuwait also said an Iranian attack caused material damage to a desalination plant. Such plants are responsible for most of the drinking water for Gulf states, and they have become a major target in the war.

Also sirens sounded in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia said it destroyed several Iranian drones and Israel reported incoming missiles.

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates shut down a gas field after a missile interception reportedly rained debris on it and started a fire.

Activists reported strikes around Tehran and the central city of Isfahan, but it was not immediately clear what was hit.

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem & AP)



(YWNs Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated on Motzei Shabbos in Israel)
President Trump on Saturday warned Iran it had 48 hours to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping or face severe consequences.

Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out  48 hours before all Hell will reign [sic] down on them, Trump posted Saturday.

The warning reiterates a Monday deadline Trump first announced March 26, when he gave Tehran ten days to either negotiate a deal or restore free passage through the strategic waterway. The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly 20% of the worlds seaborne oil supply. Commercial traffic through the passage has fallen approximately 90%, according to CNBC, after oil tankers were struck multiple times and Iran threatened vessels linked to the United States and Israel.

Iran has asserted sovereignty over the Strait and has been demanding tolls from ships seeking passage. The development has alarmed U.S. policymakers, who fear Tehran could exploit the arrangement to generate revenue to sustain its government under military pressure.

Some vessels have made it through the Strait in recent days. A container ship owned by a French company transited the waterway, the Financial Times reported Friday, along with three Oman-linked tankers and a Japanese-owned liquified natural gas carrier. Turkeys transportation minister confirmed Saturday that a second Turkish ship had also cleared the Strait.

This was possible due to our initiatives and also because these ships were using Iranian ports or were carrying cargo to or from Iran, Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu told CNN Turk. A first Turkish vessel passed through March 13 after receiving Iranian permission.

The crisis may be expanding to a second chokepoint. A senior Houthi official threatened Saturday to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea if Gulf states enter the conflict directly.

The option of closing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a Yemeni option that can be implemented should the aggression against Iran and Lebanon escalate savagely, or if any Gulf state becomes directly involved in military operations, Houthi Deputy Information Minister Mohammed Mansour told Al-Monitor.

The Bab el-Mandeb, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, is a critical corridor for global shipping between Asia, Europe and the eastern United States.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Dutch police are investigating an explosion that struck the Israel Center in the town of Nijkerk late Friday, the third attack targeting Jewish and pro-Israel sites in the Netherlands in less than a month.

The blast occurred around 11:30 p.m. local time on Henri Nouwenstraat, according to NL Times, which first reported the incident. No injuries were reported and damage appeared limited, police said.

Around 11:30 p.m., we received a report of an explosion on Henri Nouwenstraat in Nijkerk. No one was injured. The damage appears limited for now. We are, of course, continuing our investigation, police said in a statement quoted by NL Times. Authorities are asking witnesses to come forward.

The Israel Center houses Christenen voor Israel, a Dutch Christian organization dedicated to solidarity with Israel and combating antisemitism. The group said its members were shocked to have been targeted.

This attack affects not only us but is also a signal to the Jewish community in the Netherlands, which has long been confronted with threats and intimidation. This is a cause for great concern to us, the organization said in a statement, adding that it would not be deterred from its mission.

The Nijkerk attack is the latest in a series of incidents targeting Jewish institutions across the Netherlands. On March 12, a shul in Rotterdam was struck by an explosion that caused no injuries. Terrorist group Ashab Al Yamin claimed responsibility for that attack. Two days later, on March 14, a Jewish school in Amsterdam was targeted in a similar explosion that damaged the building but left no one hurt.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Israels Transportation Ministry is moving to increase the number of passengers permitted on departing flights from Ben Gurion Airport as early as Sunday, officials said.

Under the emerging framework, departing flights would be allowed to carry up to 70 passengers, up from the current cap of 50. An additional 20 seats would be reserved for humanitarian cases, bringing the potential maximum to 90 passengers per flight.

The plan has not been finalized and remains subject to revision based on security assessments and decisions by relevant government authorities.

The ministry reduced the departing passenger limit to 50 on March 23, down from a previous cap of 120, after Iranian ballistic missiles struck central and southern Israel, causing multiple impacts and injuries. No restrictions apply to arriving flights.

Ben Gurion Airport continues to operate under severe constraints, with takeoffs and landings limited to one per hour as Israels airspace remains largely closed to regular commercial air traffic amid the ongoing war with Iran.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Iran is restoring underground missile bunkers and silos within hours of being struck by American and Israeli forces, according to U.S. intelligence reports cited by the New York Times.

Iranian personnel have been digging out damaged facilities from rubble and returning them to service, the Times reported, raising doubts about how much lasting damage the strikes have inflicted on Tehrans missile program.

American intelligence also assesses that Iran has preserved a significant portion of its missiles and mobile launchers. The findings cast doubt on how close the United States has come to achieving its stated goal of dismantling the Islamic Republics missile capability.

Adding to the uncertainty, Washington cannot reliably determine how many launchers have been destroyed because Iran has deployed decoys, according to the report.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Iran retains more than 1,000 ballistic missiles capable of striking Israel, an Israeli Air Force intelligence officer said in an interview with Channel 12 news.

The Iranians have more than 1,000 missiles that are capable of reaching Israel, said Lt. Col. Tet, who heads missile and drone research within the Air Intelligence Group, the IAFs intelligence unit.

At the outset of the war, the IDF estimated Irans ballistic missile stockpile at approximately 2,500. Since then, Iran has fired more than 500 missiles at Israel and hundreds more at other targets across the Middle East, with potentially hundreds of additional missiles destroyed in strikes.

The pace of Iranian missile fire at Israel has slowed considerably in recent weeks, dropping to roughly 10 to 15 per day from a peak of around 90 on the first day of the conflict. Israeli military assessments have held that launches will continue for as long as the war is active, and that the rate could increase.

The intelligence officer said he does not expect the launches to stop entirely. In all honesty, I assess it will not reach zero, he told Channel 12. I think they will continue to launch ballistic missiles. I dont think it will be significantly more than what we have seen.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
In a dramatic and high-risk mission deep inside enemy territory, U.S. forces successfully rescued a downed American airman from Iran, bringing a tense and dangerous 36-hour ordeal to a stunning conclusion.

President Donald Trump announced the rescue in a powerful statement, revealing the scale and intensity of the operation that unfolded behind enemy lines.

WE GOT HIM! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History, Trump said.

According to officials, the airman  a highly respected Colonel  had been stranded in hostile Iranian territory, hunted by enemy forces who were closing in hour by hour. Despite the danger, U.S. military leadership tracked his location continuously while preparing a complex rescue mission involving special forces and heavy air support.

This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, Trump said.

At Trumps direction, dozens of aircraft  armed with advanced weaponry  were deployed to secure the extraction. The operation was carried out under constant threat, with U.S. forces striking Iranian positions to prevent enemy forces from reaching the downed airman.

The rescued service member sustained injuries but is expected to recover.

Trump also revealed that another pilot had been rescued in a separate operation just one day earlier  a mission that had been kept secret to avoid jeopardizing the second rescue.

This is the first time in military memory that two U.S. Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory, Trump said.

In a moment of defiance and pride, Trump declared: WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND!

The president emphasized that both operations were completed without any American fatalities, underscoring what he described as overwhelming U.S. air dominance over Iran.

The fact that we were able to pull off both of these operations, without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded, just proves once again, that we have achieved overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies, Trump said.

He concluded by calling the mission a moment of unity and pride for the nation.

This is a moment that ALL Americans, Republican, Democrat, and everyone else, should be proud of and united around.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Hollywood icon Sharon Stone has opened up about her approach to modern depictions of sexuality on television, saying she often fast-forwards through "blatant, harsh" sex scenes that detract from her imagination. During a recent interview, as per Deadline, the Academy Award nominee reflected on the 1992 erotic thriller 'Basic Instinct' and its infamous interrogation scene. Stone emphasized that the power of sexuality lies in suggestion rather than explicitness. "It wasn't even an entire frame of film," she said of the now-notorious nude scene. "And, so, people were desperately trying to figure it out. And I think that idea of, 'Oh, my God,' this hope, this wonder, this mystery, this intrigue, this yearning is something that is what all of our profound sexuality is based in," she said, as per Deadline. Stone explained that contemporary television often misses this subtlety. "So often, now, when sex scenes come on TV, I fast-forward. I don't want to see it. I don't want to have to go through all of this blatant, harsh sexuality. For me, it steals from my own imagination. And I prefer my yearning, mystery, desire. I want to keep that alive inside myself," she said, as quoted by Deadline. The interview also revisited Stone's experiences during the making of 'Basic Instinct'. In a 2021 Vanity Fair excerpt from her memoir 'The Beauty of Living Twice', Stone recalled being misled about the film's nude scene by director Paul Verhoeven. "That was how I saw my va--na, shot for the first time," she wrote, recounting her reaction while watching the final cut in a room filled with agents and lawyers. Stone criticized alternative interpretations of the scene, saying, "The other points of view are bulls--t. It was me and my parts up there," as quoted by Deadline. Looking ahead, Stone will next appear in the third season of HBO's 'Euphoria', portraying a legendary showrunner. Maude Apatow's Lexi serves as her assistant in the continuation of the Sam Levinson drama. (ANI)
Birchas Kohanim took place at an almost-empty Kosel on Sunday morning due to Home Front Command regulations limiting public gatherings to up to 50 participants.

Meanwhile, while gatherings for tefillah are strictly banned, three Supreme Court justices felt that allowing hundreds of leftists to gather at anti-war protests was so important that they convened this past Shabbos and issued a ruling in defiance of Home Front Command regulations, allowing up to 600 people to participate in protests at HaBima Square in Tel Aviv. The ruling, which was also a flagrant violation of Israels status quo of refraining from non-emergency proceedings on Shabbos, sparked outrage, with Deputy Minister Yisrael Eichler calling the ruling a declaration of war against the kedushas HaShabbos.

In light of the ruling, the Rav of the Kosel, HaRav Shmuel Rabinowitz, wrote a letter to Home Front Commander Maj.-Gen. Rafi Milo, on Motzei Shabbos, requesting that the restrictions on the entry of mispallelim to the Kosel be re-examined.

First, I wish to express deep appreciation for your dedicated work and that of your personnel, he wrote. The responsibility for protecting the home front and safeguarding every person is a sacred mission, and on behalf of the entire Am Ysrael, I thank you for the devotion and professionalism that saves lives every single day.

He then referred to the Supreme Court ruling, I cant understand why the right to protest is perceived as more important or urgent than the right to daven. The Kosel is the beating heart of the Jewish people. Particularly now, when our soldiers are fighting with great courage and at great risk, the public needs to come to the holiest place left to us since the Churban Bayis.

If the security reality allows hundreds of people to gather in city squares for protests, all the more so Jews should be allowed to gather at the Kosel.

I request that the guidelines be reconsidered and the public be allowed to come to the Kosel and daven for the welfare of our people, our land, and our soldiers, at least under the same conditions in which other gatherings are permitted. And even more so. Davka during these days, we must not be mevateir on tefillah, our source of strength and hope.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir excoriated the Supreme Court ruling, saying: The Supreme Courts decision, issued on Shabbat, endangers the demonstrators, the police officers, and the soldiers. Even at Har HaBayis, the Kotel, and other holy places, the Home Front Command does not allow mispallelim to gather, but the Supreme Court, on Shabbat issues, yet another decision that harms the safety of police and citizens.

To allow demonstrators to ignore the law just because they are protesting against the State of Israel? To issue a decision requiring the Home Front Command and the police to respond on Shabbat within one hour?? The time has come to ask: Supreme Court judges who make such decisions, are you part of the Jewish nation?

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem)
In one of the most audacious special operations missions in recent American military history, SEAL Team 6 extracted a seriously injured Air Force weapons officer from deep inside Iran early Sunday after a two-day manhunt, a CIA diversion operation, a firefight with local militias, and the deliberate destruction of two $100 million aircraft that became stranded on a hastily constructed airstrip on hostile soil.

The unnamed Air Force colonel, whose F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down last week, survived by climbing a 7,000-foot mountain ridge while evading Iranian forces hunting him for a $60,000 bounty, as American MQ-9 Reaper drones pounded militia units whenever they closed in on his position, according to a report by the New York Times.

He evaded up a 7k ridge. Theyve been schwackin dudes chasing him all day. Was nuts, a source told veteran war correspondent Toby Harnden.

The rescue operation, centered near the city of Isfahan some 200 miles inside Iranian territory, required multiple transport aircraft  believed to be MC-130J Commando IIs  to land on an improvised airstrip. Two of the aircraft became stuck in the sand at the improvised strip. Rather than risk the sophisticated, classified aircraft falling into Iranian hands, commanders made the call to destroy them in place.

Three additional aircraft were dispatched to extract the American forces stranded alongside the destroyed planes. All commandos and the rescued airman returned safely. There were no American deaths among the rescue team, a senior U.S. military official confirmed.

While the ground operation unfolded, the CIA executed a separate diversion designed to throw Iranian search teams off the airmans trail. Agency operatives planted false intelligence suggesting the officer had already been recovered and was being driven out of Iran by road  buying the rescue team critical time as Iranian militias, armed civilians, and security forces scrambled to find him.

The injured airman has since been flown to Kuwait for medical treatment.

The rescue caps a harrowing 48-hour ordeal that began when the weapons officer ejected from his stricken F-15E over Iran. The planes pilot was rescued in a separate operation Friday, prompting President Trump to post WE GOT HIM! on Truth Social. This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, Trump wrote.

In a subsequent post, Trump acknowledged the stakes of what his forces had attempted. This type of raid is seldom attempted because of the danger to man and equipment,' he wrote.

The president announced he would hold a news conference with military officials at the Oval Office Monday at 1:00 p.m. to address the successful operation.

The mission stands as a remarkable operational achievement  and a costly one. The two destroyed MC-130Js represent a combined loss of approximately $200 million in hardware. But American commanders got what they came for: every man came home.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
When Iran recently launched ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia, it wasnt just firing at a remote American military outpost in the middle of the Indian Ocean. It was, in a meaningful sense, field-testing North Korean hardware.

Thats the picture emerging from weapons analysts who have spent years tracking the deepening military partnership between Tehran and Pyongyang  a relationship that has quietly shaped the backbone of Irans ballistic missile inventory for decades.

The missile aimed at Diego Garcia was a Musudan, according to Bruce Bechtol, who co-authored Rogue Allies: The Strategic Partnership Between Iran and North Korea. Iran purchased 19 of them directly from North Korea and took delivery in 2005. This is no secret weapon,' Bechtol told Fox News Digital  just a two-decade-old procurement that finally made headlines when one of those missiles crossed 4,000 kilometers of ocean toward a joint US-UK base.

The attack itself was only partially successful, by the most charitable definition. One missile failed mid-flight. A US warship fired an intercept at the other. Whether that intercept landed is still unclear, but neither missile struck the base. What was clear was the range  roughly double the 2,000-kilometer ceiling Irans own foreign minister publicly claimed his countrys missiles could reach just last month.

The North Korean thread runs deeper than a single purchase. Irans short-range missiles targeting American assets in neighboring Gulf states rely on the QIAM system, built with North Korean technical assistance. The Shahab-3, which Iran markets as a domestic development, is, in Bechtols description, nearly an identical copy of North Koreas No Dong. Pyongyang transferred around 150 No Dong systems to Iran in the late 1990s, and then, apparently encouraged by Iranian satisfaction with the product, helped build a No Dong production facility on Iranian soil. The Emad and Ghadr systems  both deployed against Israel and Gulf targets  rolled out of that same facility.

Bechtols summary of the arrangement is blunt: North Korea builds, Iran buys, and the currency is cash and oil.

What Iran has now is a layered arsenal anchored in short- and medium-range systems stretching up to 3,000 kilometers, according to Israels Alma Research and Education Center. What it is apparently working toward is something longer. The center assessed at the outset of the current conflict that Irans long-range ballistic missile program was in advanced stages of development  a program that, if the pattern holds, likely has a Pyongyang return address somewhere in its supply chain.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Saturday urged opposition parties to support the implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women's Reservation Act), saying they should not "back down" or make excuses on an issue concerning women's empowerment. Speaking to ANI, Poonawalla said, "A special session of Parliament is being convened on April 16-18 to implement the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' at the earliest." Expressing concern over political reactions, he added, "It is very sad that the government is taking a very important initiative and steps towards women's empowerment, but some political parties are arguing about it and distancing themselves from it." Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal, he said, "Prime Minister Modi has also made an appeal to all parties today. I hope that all political parties, especially the opposition parties that make big statements for women, will not back down from this and will not make excuses." Centre for Social Research Director Ranjana Kumari on Saturday termed the Women's Reservation Bill a "historic moment" for India and urged political parties not to block its implementation, stressing the need for greater participation of women in Parliament. Speaking to ANI, Kumari said, "This is a very special moment in India's history... Because the bill was proposed 30 years back, and it was passed in 2023." She noted that its implementation has been delayed due to factors such as delimitation and census. "I think because of the delimitation and census issue that was attached to the bill, it could not be implemented in 2025," she added. On Friday, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju announced that Parliament will convene a special session on April 16 to take up the Women's Reservation Bill. Rijiju said the government is committed to women's empowerment and called for political unity on the issue. Speaking to ANI, he said, "We are convening the Parliament on 16th April. We will take up the Women's Reservation Bill then. Empowerment of women is our commitment. We must come together for the empowerment of women, not play politics." (ANI)
It would be premature and foolish to announce more cost-of-living measures at this time, the Tanaiste said as he dismissed requests to recall the Dail.

Simon Harris said current advice to the Government is that there isnt a particular concern about fuel supplies.

However, the Finance Minister warned that the situation is fast evolving with further damage to energy infrastructure occurring in the war in the Middle East.

He said it was prudent to put in place advisory measures for households and businesses on energy use.

We stand ready to consider further measures in the time ahead but Ive got to be honest with people: we have to prepare not just for the days ahead, but for the months ahead, for the year ahead  and thats why we have to take this step by step.

Mr Harris told reporters at the 1916 Easter Rising commemoration that the economic challenge would be lessened if the war concluded before winter.

Its a very different crisis in the summer months than it could be in the winter months.

Obviously, we hope to see this war end. I think its true to say theres an economic challenge no matter what happens.

The economic challenge, though, is easier to manage if the war comes to an end  at least then we have an end in sight and we work to rebuild.

My concern is, though, if this war continues through a winter period where theres always an increased demand on energy, that becomes a more challenging situation.

Asked about calls for the Dail to be recalled to introduce further measures on fuel prices, Mr Harris said: I have no interest in performative politics but what I do have in an interest in is working every single day on this extraordinary moment of economic challenge.

The world is going through an economic crisis, which is hard to overstate the significance of, and the energy crisis that were living through now is the worst the world has ever seen.

And its really important that day in, day out, hour in, hour out, Government works intensively with colleagues across state agencies and indeed across the world, as we seek to navigate this.

Mr Harris said the coalition would have a leaders meeting on the issue of energy in the week ahead, also involving Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Minister of State Sean Canney, who represents the independents who supported Government formation.

Thats a really important opportunity for us to be briefed and take stock on where were at from an energy supply and energy security point of view.

I would also say this to the Irish people: while this is a moment of challenge, this is not 2008.

The Irish economy is in a strong position. We have a country with full employment, our economy is growing and fiscal buffers built up.

He added: We will work our way through this and at this stage, it would be premature and foolish to rule anything further in or out.
Lots of things to consider for the early evening as we track court cases, suburban crime upticks, police action and community outreach.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Man sentenced for fatally shooting nephew after altercation Gabriel B. Eredia, 48, was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter last month.

Vandalism, illegal dumping at Wyandotte County parks spark safety concerns Wyandotte County Parks and Recreation said it has seen an increase recently in vandalism, theft and illegal dumping across its parks.

Blue Springs to consider hotel safety changes, refusal-to-rent rules The proposed changes are also expected to make it easier to monitor hotel safety.

Kansas Supreme Court adheres to state law in murder case, prosecutors call result 'absurd' * Kansas Reflector The Kansas Supreme Court affirms in the appeal of a Wichita murder case its 2025 decision regarding calculation of jail-time credit in sentencing.

Gov. Kehoe to sign bills on juvenile criminal justice, divorce and sex trafficking Gov. Mike Kehoe is set to sign three bills concerning divorce, juvenile criminal justice and sex trafficking into law on Tuesday.

Kansas bill may determine whether local law enforcement partners with ICE Kansas HB 2372 would allow local law enforcement officers to detain people wanted by ICE.

After midday stabbing at park, what's the state of violent crime in Olathe? Certain categories of violent crime have seen reductions, while others have remained steady in Olathe. What to know.

Man sentenced to federal prison for stealing 41 guns from Raytown store A man was sentenced to prison for stealing firearms from a Raytown gun store in 2023, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Kansas City said.

Man charged with attempted murder in March 25 incident, court document reveals events leading up to arrest Steven Gale Bundy Jr. is facing charges of first-degree attempted murder and violating a protection order for a March 25 incident in Johnson County, Kansas.

Kansas City man sentenced for forging US Treasury checks A federal judge sentenced 25-year-old Jevon P. Crudup, Jr., to 57 months in prison.

Olathe police launch drone program to respond to emergencies faster and improve safety Police in Olathe are adding a new tool to help officers respond faster and more safely to emergencies: drones.

Overland Park neighbors ask for speeding solutions on 87th Street following launch of Safe Streets plan An initiative in Overland Park wants neighbor feedback to make the streets safer. KSHB 41's Isabella Ledonne filed a report on the program launch, and it caught the attention of multiple neighbors.

Life-Saving Officers Receive Chief's Coin In recognition of saving a young woman's life, Chief Stacey Graves presented two East Patrol officers with a Chief's Coin at the start of a Board of Police Commissioners meeting on March 24.

Developing . . .
First . . . If nobody told you yet . . .

HAPPY EASTER KANSAS CITY!!!

As always, we celebrate by way of sharing news from pop culture, community reporting and top headlines.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Cowtown Edification

Book recs: Kansas City librarians and booksellers share what to read this spring A sweeping historical epic, an eerily relevant political dystopia and an adult fantasy book from a beloved children's author are just a few of the recommendations from KCUR's book experts this spring.

Meth Town Contest

Independence mayoral questionnaire: Hear from candidates King, McCandless Independence voters will pick between City Councilwoman Bridget McCandless and former Roofer Local 20 Business Manager Kevin King during the April 7 mayoral election.

Rising Costs Across Midwest

Diesel prices impacting family farms across Kansas, Missouri At Jet Produce and Meats, diesel fill-ups for their farm equipment have become much more expensive in just a matter of weeks.

Local Wildlife Guide

It's baby squirrel season: Here's what you should do if you find one Here is how you can help a baby squirrel survive during baby squirrel season and return it to its mother.

More Deets On New Digs

Kansas City Symphony to build 4,600-person music venue steps from the Plaza The Kansas City Symphony is expanding its geographic footprint to new parts of the Kansas City metro, bringing a brand new music venue to the South Plaza district.

El Papa Offers Advice

Pope Leo urges those who 'unleash wars' to choose peace in his first Easter message | CNN Pope Leo XIV called for dialogue and for those with the power to unleash wars to choose peace, in his first Easter Sunday message since becoming the head of the Catholic Church last year.

Victory For Troops In Iran

US rescues missing service member in Iran: Trump President Trump said overnight Sunday that the U.S. rescued a missing service member from Iran, after a U.S. fighter jet was downed Friday. "My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S.

Unsavory American Sabotage

An Indiana man is poisoned with a root beer float. How a robbery revealed a sinister plot to kill When Harold Allen died suddenly in his home in Freetown, Indiana, no one suspected anything out of the ordinary. Nine months later, a burglary at his home would lead to a murder investigation and an unusual weapon.

Historic Court Battle

In fight against ICE facemasks, Black Democrats point to history The Democrats' push to prohibit facemasks for federal immigration officers is a new fight with very old roots. While Democrats have demanded the ban only in the wake of a pair of fatal shootings by...

Resistance Has Arrived

Delivery Robot Companies in Trouble as Bot Become Targets for Vandalism Delivery robots are becoming expensive targets for vandals from Philadelphia to the UK to express their rage.

Iran From Mean New Bosses

Iran's 'new' regime looks much the same, only harsher | CNN US President Donald Trump said this week that Iran's new leadership is "less radical and much more reasonable." Trump and the Pentagon have repeatedly claimed that regime change has happened.

Royal Appearance . . .

Prince William, Kate Middleton and kids join royal family for Easter service The Wales family had not attended the royals' Easter service in two years.

Home Team Slugs It Out

Royals split doubleheader with six-run sixth in the nightcap The bats come alive at night.

Chilly Revival . . .

Quiet, cool Easter weekend ahead of another messy work week You'll need a warm layer or two to get outside for any Saturday plans, as yesterday's cold front and storm system left us with a dry, cold morning, with temperatures starting in the upper 30s and low 40s.

Soundgarden - Live to Rise is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 5. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry commented on recent statements in Russia regarding Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, Trend reports.

"During the meeting between the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, and the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, held in Moscow on 1 April, and in the following days, Russian officials in public discussions touched upon issues strictly related to Azerbaijans internal affairs.

In this regard, our position on the inadmissibility of using the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan for political speculation and our expectations for the cessation of such actions have been brought to the attention of the Russian Presidential Administration, the Government, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through diplomatic channels.

Despite this, the topic remains present in the official political discourse of the Russian side. Specifically, today, in an interview with the Vesti, the Press Secretary of the Russian President, Dmitry Peskov, while expressing his position on Armenian-Russian relations, once again commented on whether the Garabagh region is recognized as part of Azerbaijan first by Russia or by Armenia.

The fact that Garabagh region is an integral part of Azerbaijan is based not on the decision of any state, but on history, international law, and justice. This was once again reaffirmed and fully re-established as a result of the 44-day Patriotic War of 2020 and the 1-day anti-terror measures of 2023.

We once again remind the Russian side that no country, including the Russian Federation, has ever questioned the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan including the Garabagh region.

We once again bring to the attention of the Russian side our expectations that issues related to Azerbaijans sovereignty will not become a subject of public clarification of relations at a time when Russian-Armenian relations are complex," the ministry noted.
West Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya on Saturday alleged that the reported incident involving 7 judicial officers held hostage by Malda villagers was "orchestrated" by the Trinamool Congress, accusing the ruling party of mounting pressure on the judiciary and engaging in divisive politics across the state. Speaking to ANI, Bhattacharya said, "The entire thing was orchestrated by TMC. The person who was arrested was spotted on the stage with the West Bengal Chief Minister... It is in the public domain. TMC's divisive politics are prevalent throughout West Bengal." He further alleged that the state was being pushed in the wrong direction. "Today, they are taking West Bengal towards 'West Bangladesh', but the citizens of West Bengal will not let it happen," he said. Raising concerns over the alleged targeting of judicial institutions, the BJP leader added, "TMC defies the federal structure... they are attacking the judges. They are mounting political pressure on the judiciary. The Chief Minister herself went to the Supreme Court wearing a black coat. Something like this has never happened in any state before." Reacting to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's statement on the issue, Bhattacharya said, "She has been accepted, tested, and is now being rejected. She can say whatever she wants, but the TMC is about to be shown the door. No power in the world can bring TMC back to power. We will win with a comfortable majority." On the condition of potato farmers in the northern region of West Bengal, Bhattacharya alleged distress across regions. "It is not only about the northern region; the southern region is also facing similar conditions. Because of the TMC government, potato farmers are being pushed towards extreme distress," he said. Responding to the news that many TMC leaders want to join the BJP, he said, "There are many such news. Let us see what happens." The 294-member West Bengal Assembly will go to polls in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4. (ANI)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 5. While the world continues to argue over the redistribution of trade routes, two neighboring states in the South Caucasus are doing what others only talk about: turning their geographic position into real money and real influence. Azerbaijan and Georgia are not just partners in the Middle Corridor - they have already become the backbone of this crucial transport route.

The numbers speak for themselves - and loudly. In 2025, container traffic through Azerbaijan grew by 19%, reaching 135,000 TEU. Transit increased by 20% to 66,300 TEU. More than 390 container block trains traveled along the ChinaEurope route via the Middle Corridor. This is not just growth - it is acceleration. At the Georgian end of the chain, the picture is just as telling: by the end of 2025, transit accounted for nearly 58% of the countrys total rail freight turnover. Azerbaijan confidently took first place among sources of railway imports into Georgia - 32% in the third quarter. For comparison, at the beginning of the same year, this share was half as much. The partnership, as we can see, is not just working - it is gaining speed.

Behind these figures lies concrete work that has largely gone unnoticed in the broader agenda but has tangible consequences for any shipper. In October 2025, in Almaty, the railway administrations of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia signed a plan for the digitalization of freight transport. The result was striking: the time required to process documents for transit cargo passing through Georgia dropped from eight to nine hours to just forty minutes - nearly an order of magnitude faster. In logistics, time is literally money, and this step has made the corridor significantly cheaper for all its users. This is not just a technical improvement - it is a signal to the market: the corridor is operating in earnest.

Looking at the timeline of recent months, one thing stands out: Baku and Tbilisi are practically living in negotiation rooms. In February 2026, the Director of the Georgian Maritime Transport Agency, Ivane Abashidze, met with Azerbaijans Consul General Fuad Azizov - discussing maritime transport, regional connectivity, and the strategic role of the Middle Corridor. During the same weeks, Georgia officially joined the international association Eurasian Transport Route, a structure Azerbaijan had been building together with Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan since 2024. The associations goal is unified tariffs, unified transport technologies, and unified logistics products. Georgia has entered this architecture as a full-fledged participant. On February 26, at a GeorgiaAzerbaijanTurkiye business forum, Azerbaijans Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov spoke no longer about intentions, but about concrete mechanisms for deepening integration.

It would be naive to discuss all this in a vacuum - transit has long become part of larger geopolitics. After 2022, global shippers began urgently searching for routes bypassing traditional ones. The Northern Corridor through Russia became toxic for Western businesses. The Southern route through Iran remains closed to most Western companies due to sanctions, and given the developments around the Islamic Republic in recent weeks, the future of any logistics via Iran is drifting into the realm of theoretical discussions. Against this backdrop, the Middle Corridor has emerged not just as an alternative, but as the only viable alternative. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev stated this directly in his speech at the 13th Global Baku Forum in March this year: What we are doing now is just investing additional funds in order to expand the capacity of existing corridors, because the demand to go through Azerbaijan is growing. And we provide critical transit for many countries to the east and to the west of Azerbaijan."

Behind these words are concrete figures: over the past three years, cargo volumes passing through the country have increased by nearly 90%. Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye recognize this moment - which is why, back in 2022, they agreed on a joint roadmap for the development of the route through 2027, and meetings of transport authorities have become almost more frequent than summits of heads of state.

The horizon is already clearly defined on both sides. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze put it plainly: by 2030, the country will complete construction of all segments of the Middle Corridor on its territory - highways, railways, and port infrastructure. We are a small country, but we have a very strategic location, and we are making use of it, he said. Ilham Aliyev looks at the same timeline with the same confidence: according to him, by 2030 the capacity of the Middle Corridor will triple compared to 2021, while transit time will be cut in half. Two leaders are speaking about the same project - and in unison.

Competition for transit flows will only intensify. In this situation, Azerbaijan and Georgia have one key advantage - predictability. The route works, documents are processed in forty minutes, trains run on schedule, and agreements are honored. In a world where logistics increasingly resembles a geopolitical chessboard, that is worth a great deal - in the most literal sense.
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Premium Azerbaijan tallies American Express card transactions for Feb. 2026

By February 2026, transactions with resident-issued American Express cards declined in both volume and count. The total transaction value also saw a notable decrease. In contrast, transactions from non-resident institutions grew in both number and value.
Premium Tajikistan discloses early 2026 figures for oil and gas production

Photo: Official information source of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Crude oil and natural gas production in Tajikistan fell sharply in early 2026, while the broader extractive and industrial sectors maintained moderate growth.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 5. Uzbekistans trade turnover with Kazakhstan reached $837.5 million in the period from January through February 2026, marking a 26.8% year-on-year increase compared to $660.4 million recorded in the same period of 2025.

Data obtained by Trend from Uzbekistans National Statistics Committee indicate that the figure also rose by 44.1% compared to $581 million recorded in January- February 2024 pointing to a sustained expansion in bilateral trade.

Kazakhstan remained Uzbekistans third-largest trading partner during the reporting period, accounting for 7.2% of the countrys total foreign trade turnover.

Trade flows continue to be driven primarily by imports. Uzbekistan imported goods worth $677 million from Kazakhstan, while exports to Kazakhstan totaled $160.4 million, highlighting a notable trade imbalance.

Overall, Uzbekistans foreign trade turnover amounted to $11.6 billion in January-February 2026, with the country maintaining trade relations with more than 160 countries worldwide.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 5. Uzbekistan has revealed its top export partners in the period from January through February 2026, with Russia maintaining its position as the countrys largest export destination.

Data obtained by Trend from the countrys Statistics Committee show that exports to Russia totaled $679.4 million over the reporting period, accounting for 19.2% of Uzbekistans total exports. China ranked second with $382.2 million (10.8%), followed by Afghanistan with $289.1 million (8.2%).

Among other key destinations, exports to France reached $211.1 million, while Kazakhstan accounted for $160.4 million and Turkiye for $154.0 million. Exports to Kyrgyzstan stood at $102.1 million, followed by the United Arab Emirates with $100.0 million and Tajikistan with $94.2 million.

In subsequent entries, exports directed to Ireland amounted to $62.4 million, whereas the aggregate shipments to other nations hit $1.31 billion.



In the timeframe from January through February 2026, Uzbekistan's export figures reached $3.5 billion, reflecting a year-on-year decline of 23.4%.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 5. Nine people were killed and eight wounded in US and Israeli airstrikes in Iran's Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad provinces, rector of the Iranian University of Medical Sciences Yassoj Ruqayya Panahi told local media, Trend reports.

According to her, 5 people were killed and 8 were injured in the Kuh Siyah area of the Kohgiluyeh district, and 4 people were killed in the Wazak and Kakan areas of the Boyerahmed district.

The governor of Kohgiluyeh district said that after the downing of the American F15 fighter jet in Iranian airspace, the American side increased the number of flights over the province's airspace to search for the pilots, citing the possibility that the pilots ejected in the provinces of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad.

On February 28, the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran, striking major cities, including Tehran. The White House cited missile and nuclear threats originating from the Islamic Republic as justification for the attacks. The strikes reportedly killed Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with several other senior officials. In response, Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a large-scale retaliatory operation against Israel and has targeted U.S. facilities across Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Syria using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones.

The conflict has placed the regions energy infrastructure and maritime shipping under serious threat. Due to security tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, global oil prices have risen significantly. Iran fully controls the Strait of Hormuz and allows passage only to vessels it deems necessary.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 5. Two Black Hawk fighter jets and a C130 military transport plane were shot down over Isfahan province while attempting to rescue the pilot of an American F15 fighter jet, the Iranian Armed Forces' Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters said in a statement, Trend reports.

According to information, Iran has prepared a joint operation to counter the US military operation. The operation involved air forces, ground troops, volunteer units, the Basij, and police.

On February 28, the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran, striking major cities, including Tehran. The White House cited missile and nuclear threats originating from the Islamic Republic as justification for the attacks. The strikes reportedly killed Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with several other senior officials. In response, Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a large-scale retaliatory operation against Israel and has targeted U.S. facilities across Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Syria using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones.

The conflict has placed the regions energy infrastructure and maritime shipping under serious threat. Due to security tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, global oil prices have risen significantly. Iran fully controls the Strait of Hormuz and allows passage only to vessels it deems necessary.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 5. Since February 28, Iran's energy sector has suffered damage worth more than 250 trillion rials (about $191 million) as a result of U.S. and Israeli military airstrikes on Iran, Iranian Deputy Energy Minister and CEO of TAVANIR, Mustafa Rajabi Mashhadi told local media, Trend reports.

According to him, 1,900 cases of US and Israeli airstrikes on the Iranian electricity sector have been recorded. The serious consequences of these incidents were eliminated by employees of the electric power sector.

Rajabi Mashhadi said the damage, which mainly affected Tehran province, resulted in power outages lasting a maximum of one hour.

On February 28, the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran, striking major cities, including Tehran. The White House cited missile and nuclear threats originating from the Islamic Republic as justification for the attacks. The strikes reportedly killed Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with several other senior officials. In response, Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a large-scale retaliatory operation against Israel and has targeted U.S. facilities across Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Syria using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones.

The conflict has placed the regions energy infrastructure and maritime shipping under serious threat. Due to security tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, global oil prices have risen significantly. Iran fully controls the Strait of Hormuz and allows passage only to vessels it deems necessary.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 5. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the successful rescue of the second crew member of the F-15 fighter jet shot down in Iran, Donald Trump wrote in Truth Social, Trend reports.

"WE GOT HIM! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now SAFE and SOUND!" Trump noted.

The U.S. President added that although the pilot was injured, his condition was stable and he was expected to recover soon.
Easter is being celebrated with religious fervour and devotion at the Sacred Heart Church in Udaiyarpatti of Tirunelveli district, where thousands of Christians have gathered to participate in special prayers and Mass on Sunday. Devotees assembled in large numbers at the church to take part in the Easter Mass. During the ceremony, worshippers shared the light of candles with one another, symbolising hope, faith, and renewal. They also renewed their baptismal vows and offered prayers while holding candles, creating a spiritually uplifting atmosphere. Easter, one of the most significant festivals in Christianity, is being celebrated across Tamil Nadu and different parts of the world with joy and devotion. Churches are holding special Masses and prayer services to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who was crucified and rose again on the third day. Christians observe a 40-day Lenten period in preparation for Easter each year. This year, Lent began on February 18 with Ash Wednesday. During this period, devotees engaged in various spiritual practices such as fasting, Lenten walks, special meditations, pilgrimages, and participation in the Way of the Cross, reflecting on the sufferings and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The final week of Lent is observed as Holy Week and holds special significance among the faithful. It began with Palm Sunday last week, followed by Maundy Thursday on April 2 and Good Friday on April 3, during which the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was commemorated. Good Friday is followed by Easter, which marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is considered the most important festival in Christianity. As part of the ongoing celebrations at the Sacred Heart Church in Udaiyarpatti, special prayers and rituals are being conducted. In a symbolic observance, the lights inside the church were turned off, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ was reenacted through candlelight, adding to the spiritual essence of the ceremony. The programme also included a special sermon delivered by Parish Priest Michael Rasu and pastoral worker Rajesh, following which the Holy Mass concluded. Thousands of devotees took part in the Easter celebrations, marking the occasion with devotion and unity. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh 10th, 12th Result 2026: Steps, Link to Check

The Madhya Pradesh Board of School Education (MPBSE) is most likely declaring the Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) Class 12 and High School Certificate (HSC) Class 10 Matric results on its official website mpresults.nic.in by April 15, 2026, multiple media reports said

MP Board Class 10, 12 Results 2026: The Madhya Pradesh Board of School Education (MPBSE) is most likely declaring the Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) Class 12 and High School Certificate (HSC) Class 10 Matric results on its official website mpresults.nic.in by April 15, 2026, multiple media reports said.

The Madhya Pradesh Board of School Education had conducted the High School Certificate (HSC) Class 10 Matric exam from February 11 to March 2, 2026, On the other hand, Class 12th or Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) exams were held from February 10 to March 7, 2026.

After successfully conducting the two exams, answer sheets of the students were distributed to assigned staff for assessment. Media reports citing MP board said the assessment of the response sheets is finished, and the process of digitising the grades is now in its final stage.

The reports further said that the Madhya Pradesh is the final stage of the preparation of the 10th and 12th exams, and is set to announce the two exam results by April 15, 2026.

Once announced, the MP board Classes 10th and 12th results will be available for download on the official as well as affiliated websites.

How to Check MP board Class 12 HSSC Results 2026

Go official MPBSE official website: " mpresults.nic.in ".

". Click on 'HSSC (Class 12th) Exam Result 2026'.

Enter roll number and name.

Click on "Submit".

The results will be displayed on the screen.

Save the results and take a print out for further reference.

Steps to Check MP board Class 10 HSC Results 2026



Go official MPBSE official website: " mpresults.nic.in ".

". Click on 'HSC (Class 10th) Exam Result 2026'.

Enter roll number and name.

Click on "Submit".

The results will be displayed on the screen.

Save the results and take a print out for further reference.

The students can also check their MP Board Class 10 or HSC results 2026 along with Class 12th HSSC Vocational Exam 2026 on the official website www.mpresults.nic.in, mpbse.mponline.gov.in, mpbse.nic.in, results.mpeducation.net and other affiliate websites.

The MP 10th and 12th results are also available on DigiLocker and other apps. Students should note that along with the board exam results, Madhya Pradesh board also releases Merit List and List of Toppers.

MP Board Previous Year Toppers

In 2025, Class 10 board exams in Madhya Pradesh were held from February 27 to March 19, 2025, and the result was declared on May 06, 2025. Pragya Jaiswal from Singrauli, Ayush Dwivedi from Rewa and Shezah Fatima from Jabalpur had bagged the top 3 ranks in MP Class 10th 2025 board exams.

On the other hand, MP Class 12 Inter exams last year were held from February 25 to March 25, 2025, and the result was announced on May 06, 2025. Priyal Dwivedi of Satna district had topped the Madhya Pradesh Higher Secondary (HSSC) Class 12 Inter exam in 2025.

In 2024, the MP board had registered a pass percentage of 64.49% in Class 12 board exams. In the MP board Class 10 exam 2024 , the state had registered an overall pass percentage of 58.10%.

In 2023, the MP Board Class 12 Exams were held from March 2 to April 01, 2023, at various test centers across the state. The overall pass percentage of boys in 2023 was 51.91% and that of the girls stood at 58.69%.

Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates.

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Positioning Communist Party of India (Marxist) as an alternative to the two major political parties in West Bengal, CPI(M) leader Biman Bose accused the TMC of "anarchy" and the BJP of creating divisions among people as political tensions heighten ahead of the elections. Speaking to ANI on Saturday, Bose said, "We are against the TMC because it spreads anarchy, and we are against the BJP because they work to create divisions among the common people." Emphasising the Left Front's focus on the development of the common man, he added, "We discuss this with people, and we want their cooperation. We will try to save Bengal by taking the common man along". The Left Front has been campaigning in the state with the "Bangla Bachao" slogan as its main pledge and released its candidates' list earlier for the 294 constituencies polls. West Bengal Assembly will go to polls in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4. A primary flashpoint in this election is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which has led to the deletion of over 60 lakh names, triggering widespread protests, legal battles, and allegations from the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), while the BJP frames it as necessary. In the 2021 Assembly elections in the state held in eight phases, the Trinamool Congress recorded a landslide victory with 213 seats amid an intense contest with the BJP, which jumped to 77 seats. Congress and Left Front drew a blank in the last state polls. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) earlier released its fifth list of candidates for the 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) also released its list of star campaigners for Phase I of the West Bengal Assembly elections 2026, featuring top party leaders, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and AITC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. (ANI)
The deities, Lord Subramanya Swamy and Goddess Deivanai, were taken out in a majestic procession on the temple car.

Devotees thronged the temple premises from early morning to catch a glimpse of the deities.

The festival, also known as Panguni Uthiram, marks the auspicious celestial wedding of Lord Murugan and Goddess Valli, a significant event in the Tamil Hindu calendar.

Thousands of devotees chant "Ranga Ranga" as they pull the decorated chariot of Namperumal through the four Chithirai streets.

The festival is observed in the Tamil month of Panguni and is celebrated in honour of the Hindu god Muruga. Devotees make offerings to Lord Muruga with sacrificial feats they believe will keep them away from evil spirits.

Panguni Uthiram is a significant Tamil Hindu festival observed during the full moon of the Panguni month, which falls between March 14 and April 13. This festival aligns with the moon's transit through the Uttiram nakshatra (asterism) in the twelfth month of the Tamil calendar, Panguni.

It coincides with the Hindu month of Phalguna/Chaitra. Panguni marks the conclusion of the solar Tamil calendar year, ushering in the beginning of the next new Tamil year.

Panguni Uthiram is considered auspicious for Tamil Hindus worldwide. The festival is also associated with various mythological events, like the weddings of lord Shiva and goddess Parvati, lord Ram and goddess Sita and lord Murugan (Kartikeya) and Devasena. (ANI)
Ballysagart GAA has opened its state-of-the-art gym to members of the community.

West Waterford councillor Donnchadh Mulcahy, who visited the amenity, praised the club and encouraged anyone interested in joining to do so.

This is a brilliant opportunity for people locally to access top-class facilities.

Not every community has something like this on their doorstep. Its about more than just a gym, its about bringing people together, promoting health and wellbeing, and building on the strong community spirit that Ballysaggart is known for.

Credit has to go to the committee and everyone involved. The work that has gone into this is clear to see. Ballysaggart is in very good hands, and this is something the whole parish can be proud of, said Cllr Mulcahy.

Read More Waterford woman begins gruelling arctic expedition

The gym is now open to both players and non-players, offering a range of membership options including adult, student, and junior packages, along with family and couple options to suit all households.

For those interested, memberships are now available to sign up online, with further details accessible through the club.

Cllr Mulcahy said that the Ballysaggart GAA continues to go from strength to strength and said the development of the club facilities is incredible.

It was great to be out in Ballysaggart and see everything up close.

The clubhouse and pitch are looking fantastic, the new hall is finished to perfection, and the gym itself is truly state-of-the-art. Its a serious asset for the area.

If youre thinking about joining, Id strongly encourage you to do it. Its a fantastic setup and well worth supporting. These are the kinds of facilities that strengthen communities and improve quality of life for everyone, said Cllr Mulcahy.
Dungarvan and West Waterford Chamber has paid tribute to Moira Elsted on her retirement.

Describing Moira as the heart of our office, the chamber posted their thanks and well wishes on social media.

Today we say a very special thank you to Moira Elsted as she begins her retirement after six wonderful years with the Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber and Dungarvan Tourist Office.

A steady, wise presence and, in many ways, like a mother to us all.

Her warmth, good humour, dedication and constant support made every day better.

"She has been a friendly and welcoming face to so many who came through our doors, always ready with help, insight and a chat.

"Moira, thank you for everything  for your care, your commitment and all the laughs along the way, wrote the Dungarvan and West Waterford Chamber.
Gordon Deegan

The Porterhouse hospitality group sustained a 1.85 million revenue hit last year due mainly to lost revenues from the sale of its Porterhouse brewery to Conor McGregor.

The group operates Lost Lane off Dublins Grafton Street, and new consolidated accounts for Wavecrest Inn Ltd show that the group returned to a pre-tax profit of 511,244 in the 12 months to the end of February last year.

The group returned to a pre-tax profit despite revenues decreasing by 1.85 million or 6 per cent from 28.63 million to 26.77 million.

The pre-tax profit last year followed the group sustaining a pre-tax loss of 2.7 million in the prior mainly down to an exceptional cost of 2.55 million.

Director at the Porterhouse Group, Elliot Hughes said that the main reason for the decrease in revenue was due to the sale of the brewery which resulted in reduced revenue overall.

The Porterhouse group completed the sale of its brewery to McGregor in 2023 and Hughes said that during a normal year the brewery would contribute approximately 3 million to 4 million per annum but fluctuated over the last few years prior to the sale.

Commenting on last years return to pre-tax profit, Hughes said: Overall, business has been good for us. We have seen growth within our bars across both drink and food and have seen that continue over recent months as well.

The consolidated Wavecrest accounts cover the group bars in Dublin - Tapped/Lost Lane/Hartys and Porterhouse Temple Bar.

He said that the accounts also cover the groups London pub.

Hughes said last year our best selling products have generally been our beers. Guinness as well as our own beers as well as Dingle Gin & Vodka which have improved as our late night business has improved.

Hughes said that non-alcoholic drink sales accounts for about 2-3 per cent of drinks sales and it is growing certainly and seems to be continuing to grow.

On the main challenges faced by the business today, Hughes said: The increasing costs of staffing - pension enrolment; sick pay & minimum wage - have put significant pressure on our business and others.

He said that recently the increased cost of energy has been challenging as well while incremental price increases from suppliers are becoming more challenging to pass on.

The group recorded the pre-tax profits last year after taking into account non-cash depreciation costs of 702,932.

The group recorded a post tax profit of 302,650 after incurring a corporation tax charge of 208,594.

At the end of February 2025, the group had shareholder funds totalling 19.54 million that included accumulated profits of 15.8 million.

Cash funds reduced from 3.49 million to 2.49 million.

The accounts show that drink sales last year reduced from 26.04 million to 23.99 million while food sales increased from 2.58 million to 2.78 million.

The group generated 21.26 million of revenues here and 5.5 million in Europe.

Staff costs at the group last year reduced from 5.82 million to 5.58 million.
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CultureMusicMusic festivals Pepsi drops sponsorship of London music festival headlined by Ye Michael D. Shear April 6, 2026  5:49am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

London: Pepsi said on Sunday that it was withdrawing its sponsorship of the three-day Wireless Festival in London this summer, which is being headlined by Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West. Yes participation at the festival was part of an effort by the artist to distance himself from a half-decade of antisemitic and racist controversies. Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, is to appear at Londons ultimate summer music festival. AP The decision by Pepsi came just hours after Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was deeply concerned that Ye had been booked to perform at what organisers call Londons ultimate summer music festival. Antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted firmly wherever it appears, Starmer told The Sun newspaper in an article published on Sunday morning. Everyone has a responsibility to ensure Britain is a place where Jewish people feel safe.

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The festival had been advertised as PEPSI PRESENTS WIRELESS. But a statement issued by the company on Sunday said: Pepsi has decided to withdraw its sponsorship of Wireless Festival. It is not clear what Pepsis decision will mean for the festival, which also lists Budweiser, PayPal, Beatbox and several other major companies as corporate partners on its website. Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, performing in Los Angeles on April 1. The New York Times Ye apologised earlier this year for recent antisemitic behaviour, including posting death con 3 ON JEWISH PEOPLE and conducting an interview while wearing what appeared to be a Black Ku Klux Klan robe. He said in an ad in The Wall Street Journal that he hoped to be forgiven by those Ive hurt. Since then, the rapper has been seeking to return to public view in ways that do not create controversy. On Wednesday and Friday, Ye performed at SoFi Stadium, near Los Angeles, to promote the release of his new album, Bully. In addition to the appearance at the London festival, he is scheduled to perform in Italy and Spain this summer.

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But the rappers effort at public rehabilitation has prompted outrage from many public figures in Britain. Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said last week that Britains home secretary should ban him from coming to this country. Related Article Analysis

New music Kanyes new album is stirring controversy ... for being completely uncontroversial It is not clear whether Ye has applied for entry into Britain. For Starmer, the issue of antisemitism is a personal one. Before becoming prime minister, he made a name for himself in politics by vowing to purge the Labour Party of antisemitism in its ranks. Starmer, a former human rights lawyer, helped push out Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour leader who had been accused of unlawful acts of harassment and discrimination against Jewish members of the party. Additionally, Starmers wife, Victoria, is Jewish.

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Since becoming prime minister, Starmer has been under pressure to do more to combat antisemitic attacks and harassment in the country, which have increased sharply since the war in the Gaza Strip began in 2023. A terrorist attack on a synagogue in Manchester, England, last year increased that pressure. But the prime minister has also been criticised by Palestinian activists, including members of his own party, who want him to demonstrate more robust support for their safety in Britain. Sundays comments by Starmer suggested the prime minister did not believe Yes latest apology was sincere. In 2023, the rapper apologised for the deathcon comment and other behaviour in a social media post written in Hebrew, saying that it was not my intention to offend or demean. But in February of last year, he withdrew the apology in a profanity-laced rant on social media in which he declared that he is a Nazi and professed his love for Adolf Hitler.

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Im never apologising for my Jewish comments, he said on the social platform X, formerly known as Twitter. In his most recent apology, Ye blamed what he said was untreated bipolar I disorder, caused by a brain injury he suffered in a car crash in 2002, for his behaviour. But in 2025, he said he had been diagnosed with autism. The New York Times Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.

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I just look vaguely worried all the time. When Im in repose. Thats Emmy-winner Matthew Macfadyens assessment of his resting face and in The Miniature Wife, a new series based on a short story by Manuel Gonzales, Macfadyen has a lot to be concerned about. The 10-hour comedy-drama tells the tale of a science whiz called Les Littlejohn (Macfadyen) who accidentally shrinks his wife Lindy (Elizabeth Banks) to the size of an iPhone. What starts out as Honey I Shrunk  You soon turns into something closer to The War of the Roses, as Jennifer Ames and Steve Turners (Boardwalk Empire, Goliath) scripts mash up physical comedy with a full-blown relationship crisis. Who, after all, hasnt been made to feel small in a marriage at one time or another? Les and Lindys marriage is in trouble when we meet them, is Macfadyens description, because since publishing her smash hit novel, Lindy has been in a terrible writers rut. She hasnt written a thing. Elizabeth Banks as Lindy, Matthew Macfadyen as Les in The Miniature Wife. Meanwhile, Les career has gone from strength to strength. Macfadyen describes him as a wonder-nerd whose abilities and discoveries could really make a difference. He really is a genius. I mean, hes sort of a deeply clever scientist but actually, hes not very techie. Hes not very switched on in a business sense, as is revealed throughout. Macfadyen watched a lot of Bill The Science Guy Nyes YouTube videos for inspiration. We sing the rhyming theme tune to one another. Bill Nye The Science Guy is brilliant, he says. I wasnt trying to emulate or copy him for Les, but I loved his energy. I think theres a part of Les that would be quite happy just noodling around in his lab and not doing any of the tech messiah stuff, but he gets swept up in a sort of ego spiral. He decides that its my turn, gets obsessed with winning the Nobel Prize and he just  loses himself. He gets corrupted.

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Related Article Streaming Speak up and pay attention: A message from the most terrifying woman on TV The disparity between Les and Lindys career paths leads to fissures in the marriage and after one row too many, Les accidentally turns his world-changing technology (he had been hoping to shrink crops, grow huge yields in small spaces and then unshrink them to end world hunger) on his wife. He shrinky-dinks her to about 15 centimetres tall, and The Miniature Wife maps the aftermath. Macfadyens career, like Les, has gone from strength to strength. Before Succession, he was already an established film and TV lead with acclaimed roles in hit series such as Spooks and Criminal Justice, but he was best known for playing it straight  see those large, concerned eyes and that vaguely worried face. Thirty-nine episodes as Tom Wambsgans in Succession, a snivelling, power-hungry rat who would do or say anything to elevate himself in the billionaire Roy family, and Macfadyen was reinvented as a brilliant comedy player. He won two Primetime Emmys for best supporting actor. Like Succession, The Miniature Wife is a black comedy drama and Macfadyen is now the perfect lead  an established master of cold, hard laughs. Les and Lindys marriage begins to crack when their careers go in different directions in The Miniature Wife. Its about Les and Lindys egos and their lack of appreciation of one another and their professional vanity, he says, But there are moments of real darkness. I mean, it gets quite violent and horrible. But its also very tender and sweet. And doesnt feel syrupy either. Hopefully, its a very successful portrait of a relationship in this ridiculous predicament. The ridiculous predicament was repeated in reality  how do you film scenes of caustic marital breakdown when one of the sparring partners is meant to be 15 centimetres high?

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Editor's pick Streaming I took a perverse delight in it: David Berry on Outlanders other great love story Elizabeth, we would say shes got her own soundstage, and she sort of did, he says. It was like the Elizabeth Banks stage in Toronto, where she was wrapped in green screen for long periods of time on her own. Many of the scenes in The Miniature Wife feature Banks holed up in a dolls house doing two-handers with Macfadyens giant left eye looming through the front door like the BFG. Macfadyen was never actually there. When the scenes were with Elizabeth, I would be on my own sort of whispering manically  to a cross on a carpet or pretending Im carrying her around. It was mad but also an imaginative exercise  challenging but also quite satisfying to get right. Macfadyen spent most of his filming time working closely with what he calls the Elizabeth doll. Theyd bring it in to the scene, and then they would line up on it, he says. And then wed have to take it away because special effects would put Elizabeth in there later. I would have to find out where her head would be, which would be different from where her feet were. So its sort of a technical piece of work. Wed put a mark down, and youre trying to work out where to put your eyes  then your hands go in a different place. Sort of strange. There were also times Macfadyen  who is just a tick over 190 centimetres tall  wished he was a bit shorter. To signify his tech success, the writers gave Les a statement vehicle, a red AC Cobra that he drives between the office and his McMansion. It sits about five centimetres from the ground.

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I couldnt get in it, he says. Its a very nice car  once youre in. But they couldnt shoot me getting out of that f---ing car because I literally had to crawl out of it. It was really undignified. So whenever I pull up, they have to cut somewhere else, and then I stumble out. And then they cut back and I sort of do a last move as if everything was normal. Sarah Snook (as Shiv Roy) and Matthew Macfadyen (as Tom Wambsgans) in Succession. Having the fancy car but being unable to get in and out of it is, I proffer, quite a Tom Wambsgans moment. Wambsgans is a character that has brought Macfadyen his choice of scripts, but he says he doesnt strategise over roles or map out his career. Its always the way; theres no plan, he says. In fact Ive never met an actor whos gone, Yeah, this is going exactly how I wanted it to. Youre just muddling along. Related Article Streaming Louis Theroux has always covered those on the edge. These are his best works He does now get sent scripts for him to mull over, such as The Miniature Wife, rather than having to audition to get scripts at all, but theres still no Bill Nye-style science to picking a winner. Even if youre very fortunate and youre getting scripts sent, you still just sort of jump at the thing that speaks to you, he says. Youre never sure its the right thing to do  and thats part of the fun, I suppose. Certainly, I try and do something thats a little bit different from what Ive done before but sometimes the script is so good and fun I just want to do it.

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CultureTV & radioAustralian TV SBS documentary goes inside the divisive Australian War Memorial renovation Bridget McManus April 5, 2026  3:23am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

When Navy veteran Luke McCallum broke protocol to lead the 2024 Anzac Day procession on the newly laid parade ground at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, stepping out on his prosthetic leg ahead of the president of the ACT RSL, the moment was transformative. Not only was it the first time the former IT specialist sailor had marched as an amputee, but the date marked 20 years since a suicide bombing in Iraq claimed the lives of three US servicemen who had been working closely with McCallums unit. That event is now commemorated in the memorials museum, the extensive  and divisive  renovation of which is the subject of a four-part SBS documentary, A New Anzac. Bliss Jensen in the Australian War Memorials Peacekeeping Gallery. Even within Defence and Navy, [that event] didnt, even at the time, get much attention, says McCallum, whose injuries were result of a training accident during his deployment. I got quite bitter and angry about this for so long, but now that the memorial will have the story of that day, it will recognise the loss, and the ongoing impacts to those of us who were there. The $580 million upgrade to the memorial, ordered in 2018 by then-prime minster Scott Morrison, has attracted controversy since its inception, with the auditor-general in 2024 pinpointing issues regarding ministerial oversight and conflict of interest. The documentary instead focuses on the engineering aspects, and on the new exhibits. For McCallum, seeing some of the items on display from the 2004 Middle East tragedy take its place in the museum was a watershed moment.

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This was a significant event in the history of our service in the Middle East thats finally going to be brought to the public, says McCallum, who is now a bilateral amputee and multi-sport para-athlete. Its made it easier for me to be able to talk about it. Related Article Australian TV Facts are being challenged and undermined: Hamish Macdonald on the biggest threat of our times This is just one of the stories of Australias post-World War II defence and peacekeeping history that the memorials director of gallery development, Bliss Jensen, is proud to have curated. Were looking to present multiple perspectives, says Jensen. Up front and centre is, of course, the impact of war on veterans. But the legacy of war is, for the first time, being explored throughout diaspora communities  those new Australians who have fled war where Australians have served. Some exhibits depicting refugees fleeing war zones in horrific conditions are extremely distressing. There is space given to the anti-war movement, with items and images from the 2003 No War Sydney Opera House protest featured. The AWM National Collection includes Army veteran Kat Raes winning 2024 Napier Waller Art Prize entry Deathmin, which is sculpture featuring a stack of papers pleading for help from the Department of Veteran Affairs, by her late Army veteran husband, Andrew.

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Also in the gallery is war artist Peter Churchers painting of Navy veteran Emma Conway, which depicts the now decorated firefighter as the sole female mechanical technician, or stoker, in the engine room of the HMAS Kanimbla when the ship was deployed to the Persian Gulf in 2001. Luke McCallum (right) marching with RSL CEO Kimberley. Hicks That girl [in the painting], has gone on a significant journey through life, and it was nice to be able to step back into that space and recognise that it made a difference, says Conway. At the time, you dont consider what youre doing as part of history. Youre just doing the work. But to have the stories of myself and my colleagues in the War Memorial, its actually a big deal. In the series, Conway refers to herself and her colleagues as ordinary people. None of us can achieve what we achieve by ourselves. I hope that [viewers] see us as people whove come together, she says. In any situation, in any circumstance, when Australian and New Zealand people come together, we can achieve amazing things. And its a reminder that, in the worst of times, we can be at our best. Its happening every day. If we can show the people behind the stories, hopefully, people see that their decisions in their everyday world make a difference.

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A New Anzac premieres at 8.30pm on Friday, April 10, on SBS and streams on SBS On Demand. Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday.
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Mohammed Alastal has been waiting for someone to call, waiting for someone to care. Waiting for someone from the outside world to ask: what is life like now in Gaza? This tiny patch of earth that dominated global headlines for two years has largely faded from view, swept aside by the United States and Israels war against Iran and, to a lesser extent, Israels war against Hezbollah in Lebanon. We are living in a state of no war and no peace, Alastal, 32, says. The situation in Gaza is still extremely fragile. The doctor, who works in a hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis, described a sense of euphoria last January when Israel and Hamas stopped fighting. That ceasefire collapsed two months later when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began bombing Gaza again. The current ceasefire has lasted longer; it will reach six months on April 10. But today, there is no euphoria in Alastals voice, just exhaustion. The crisis has not stopped, it is still ongoing, he says. Heres what he wants the world to know. Yes, the large-scale bombing has ended, and the daily death toll has decreased. But Israel still conducts regular strikes on Hamas targets in the strip, often by drone. An estimated 713 Gazans have been killed, and almost 2000 have been injured, since the ceasefire began. Mourners carry the body of Ahmed Hamdan Tabasha, a Palestinian policeman killed in an Israeli military strike, during his funeral at Al-Awda Hospital in Nuseirat in southern Gaza last month. AP Alastal and his wife live in a tent, exposed to the heat, rain and wind. Later this month, they are due to have their first child. He estimates eight in 10 homes in his city have been turned into rubble. The Alastals home was destroyed in December 2023, and they have not been able to rebuild. Strict Israeli restrictions on the amount of concrete and other construction materials  which are classed as dual-use military technologies  that can enter Gaza mean few homes have been rebuilt since the ceasefire. As for food, some products like chocolate and Coca-Cola now enter Gaza, but it is still extremely difficult, if not impossible, to buy fresh meat, fish and vegetables. Prices have surged since the war in Iran began. It now costs $20 to buy a kilo of meat, Alastal says, in a strip where 80 per cent of people are unemployed.

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The most dire crisis is water and sanitation, he says. Most people are relying on groundwater, and its contaminated, not safe for drinking, he says. There are rising cases of aerial illness, infection and disease like hepatitis A. At our hospital, we are seeing people with acute kidney injury and dehydration. The United Nationss main aid agency in Gaza, UNRWA, reported last week that rodent infestations had become a growing concern across Gaza. Displaced Palestinians walk through a rain-soaked tent camp following heavy rainfall at the end of March. AP In what is already one of the most densely populated places in the world, most of Gazas 2 million residents are now crammed into an area comprising less than half the strip. Some major cities like Rafah  once home to almost 200,000 people  no longer exist. Life here is living in a tent filled with insects, mosquitoes, flies, says Asmhan Abdalraheem, 25. You wake up in the morning bitten by insects; rodents attack children and the elderly. The accounting graduate and her family fled their home in Beit Lahia, in northern Gaza, when the war began and they now live in a refugee camp in Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza. Summer is approaching, which will make things even worse. Like many desperate people in Gaza, she has opened a crowdfunding site to try to attract donations. No matter how much I explain, I wont be able to paint a picture of the suffering here, she says. How can we forget what is happening in Gaza? As well as improving Gazans daily lives, the ceasefire was supposed to mark a new political dawn for the strip. There was plenty of cynicism about US President Donald Trumps 20-point peace plan when he announced it last October, but there was also cautious optimism. Regardless of ones opinions, it was the only realistic plan on the table. Both Israel and Hamas, the militant group that has governed Gaza for 20 years and which launched the October 7, 2023 attacks, signed on. Under the plan, Hamas was supposed to hand over control of the strip to a committee of Palestinian technocrats overseen by Trumps Board of Peace. An international stabilisation force would take control of security, and Hamas would hand over its weapons. Israel, in return, would withdraw from almost all of Gaza, except for a narrow security buffer around its border.

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Mkhaimar Abusada, an associate professor of political science at Gazas Al-Azhar University, says: There was a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of encouragement, among Palestinians two months ago when the Trump administration launched the Board of Peace in Davos. There was a lot of hope we were about to turn a new page. Trump used the launch to announce the US would contribute $US10 billion to the reconstruction of Gaza. Other countries committed a total of $US7 billion. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto pledged to contribute 8000 troops for an international force that would also include Muslim-majority nations Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania. Asmhan Abdalraheem, pictured wearing black, fled her home and lives in a tent. On February 20, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, the technocratic body intended to manage daily life in the strip, posted advertisements for a new Gaza police force. Thousands of people applied in just a few hours. There were hurdles to overcome, to be sure, but also real signs of progress. A few days later, the US and Israel launched a blizzard of strikes on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran responded by attacking nearby Gulf states and effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, crippling the global oil trade. After the eruption of the war with Iran, Gaza has been put on the backburner, says Abusada, who fled the strip when the war broke out in 2023 and is now based in Cairo. Its not a top priority for the US. Its not a top priority for the international community. The war in Iran has fractured goodwill and sent nations looking inward as they scramble to secure their energy supplies and, in the case of influential Gulf states like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, to protect themselves from Iranian attacks. Angered by Trumps decision to go to war with Iran, Prabowo has announced Indonesia was suspending participation in the Board of Peace and has flagged he could quit the body. The second stage of the ceasefire  in which Hamas and Israel are supposed to relinquish power to the new technocratic committee  is stuck in limbo. Jaser AbuMousa, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, a Washington DC think tank, says the Gazan people are collateral victims of the war in Iran, even though they are not directly involved in the conflict. AbuMousa knows that personally. He fled Gaza in 2023 after an Israeli bomb destroyed his home. His wife and two sons died in the December 2023 airstrike. Last year, his mother and his sister were killed in an attack. Gaza is being marginalised and pushed away from the scene, says AbuMousa. This is the perfect situation for both Hamas and Israel. US President Donald Trump holds up a signed charter for the Board of Peace in January. AP

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With the worlds attention focused elsewhere, Israel has been quietly expanding the territory it controls in Gaza, known as the area beyond the yellow line. Under Trumps peace plan, Israel is supposed to withdraw to 40 per cent, and then 15 per cent of the territory. Instead, it now controls up to 58 per cent of Gaza, according to Foreign Policy, and it is showing no desire to step back. The yellow line is a new border line, serving as a forward defensive line for our communities and a line of operational activity, the head of the Israeli military, Eyal Zamir, told troops at the end of last year. Related Article Updated

Israeli-Palestinian conflict Discriminatory by design: Israel passes law to hang Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks As for Hamas, it is a shadow of its former self in military terms and its key patron, the regime in Iran, is battling for survival. But the group remains in control of the territory where most Gazans live. Meanwhile, the new technocratic committee is based in Cairo and it does not have any physical presence in Gaza. AbuMousa says Hamas is taking the opportunity to re-establish themselves on the ground. Their police force is collecting taxes, they are controlling the traffic to show they are in charge. Igal Shiri, an analyst with the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Centre, an Israeli think tank, wrote in March that Hamas is exploiting the war with Iran to tighten its security control using violence and force against those who are critical, labelled collaborators or members of militias receiving Israeli support. He says as long as Israel and the United States focus their attention on the wars in Iran and Lebanon against Hezbollah, Hamas will continue to entrench its dominance in the Gaza Strip. Still, the efforts to turn Trumps peace plan into reality continue. Last week, the high representative for Gaza on the Trumps Board of Peace, former Bulgarian defence minister Nickolay Mladenov, addressed the United Nations Security Council to lay out a plan for Hamas to disarm, starting with the most dangerous weapons, rockets, heavy munitions, explosive devices and assault rifles. The laying down of arms by militant actors would represent a decisive break from cycles of violence that have defined life in Gaza for decades, he said. The world faces a choice, he said, between a renewed war, or a new beginning. Hamas has not officially responded to the disarmament proposal, but it is expected to reject it and propose new conditions, prolonging the stand-off.

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PoliticsFederalFeminism Opinion I watched the manosphere documentary. Wow, are men OK? Jacqueline Maley Columnist and senior journalist April 5, 2026  3:00am

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The most revealing moment in Louis Therouxs new documentary, Inside the Manosphere, comes not when one of its preening influencer subjects flexes a bicep or spouts an antisemitic slur in the same sentence as asserting that men should be the dictators in their marriages. It comes when one of the documentarys subjects, a 24-year-old known as HS, is berated by his mother for using a disrespectful tone with her. HS, who calls his mother Mummy, is caught on camera impatiently rejecting her repeated suggestions that he drink a juice. He doesnt want to drink a juice, he tells her, his irritation rising. Harrison Sullivan, aka HSTikkyTokky, with his mother, Elaine, and documentary maker Louis Theroux in Inside the Manosphere. Netflix Dont embarrass me, she snaps, pointing an index finger at him (the internationally recognised gesture of a mother who has been pushed too far). Dont be rude. Thats not the way I brought you up. Do. Not. Be. Rude. HS backs right off. A few minutes later, he is filmed on his knees, scrubbing the floor with a towel, as his mum castigates him for dirty marks on the villas floor.

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HS is known online as HSTikkyTokky, an unmanly moniker that sounds a little like a pet name his mum might have given him, but which actually refers to one of the many platforms on which he grifts his grift. Related Article Streaming Louis Theroux has always covered those on the edge. These are his best works HSTikkyTokky  whose name is Harrison, as his mother insists to the documentary crew  is a star in the online constellation known as the manosphere, a loose collection of explicitly misogynistic, anti-feminist internet content creators who advocate a return to hypermasculinity and the natural rule of men over women. They are often antisemitic and homophobic, and they are intimately connected to the youth-hustle culture prevalent on social media. They promote to their young male followers the idea of escaping the matrix, which is shorthand for the suckers-only life of working at a 9-to-5 job. As Theroux illustrates, this often translates to selling money-making subscriber scams to their followers, usually enabled by dubious cryptocurrency. The projection of wealth is essential to their power  so they are pictured in seaside villas and driving fast cars. They exist alongside an ecosystem of OnlyFans content-creator women, who they openly denigrate, while using them as props in their own content. HS has many hundreds of thousands of followers on social media, although the exact count is unclear because he keeps getting banned from platforms for his performatively controversial content.

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At the beginning of the documentary, he professes total ignorance of who Theroux is, even Googling him as he speaks to his followers. That ignorance is easy to believe  this is a 24-year-old dude who doesnt seem to own enough shirts, who lives in a villa in Marbella, Spain, because he is on the run from criminal charges in his native England, and who spends up to eight hours a day livestreaming his activities for his audience, a lifestyle that appears as exhausting as it is boring. Louis Theroux on set with Amrou Fudl, known as Myron Gaines, for Inside the Manosphere. Netflix But HS is clear-eyed, to the point of being dead-eyed, about his business model. We live in an attention economy, he says, and if I had just done good things, I would have never blown up on social media in the first place. From here, it is a natural trajectory to proclamations such as f--- the Jews, and luring a gay man into a meeting, only to bash him (with a group of cronies, naturally) while livestreaming the assault. Its not the kind of thing that would make many mothers proud. But the genius and the pathos of the documentary is the way it exposes how dependent these hypermasculine figures are on the women around them. In so doing, Theroux reminds us of their basic humanity, even as they are telling their followers: I dictate when I want to put d--- in you, bitch ... it doesnt matter what you f---in think.

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That quote is courtesy of an American influencer called Myron Gaines, who stands next to his girlfriend as he explains to Theroux the concept of one-way monogamy, which means that the man can have multiple partners (as biology intended), while the woman stays faithful (as biology intended  with the somewhat confusing caveat that all women are also untrustworthy sluts). Related Article Opinion

Schools I approached a woman in a pub. It was a vital step toward becoming a good man Adam Voigt CEO and former principal As he nurses a fluffy white toy poodle in a hot pink pet halter, Gaines explains to Theroux that he is not a misogynist because I love women, and because I understand them, I know whats best for them. His girlfriend, Angie, says Myron is different off camera than he is on camera. She damns him with the faint declaration: I love him very much, and I will love him as long as were together. Gaines tells Theroux that Angie accepts that he might have multiple wives one day. The camera focuses on Angies face. A frown creeps across it. Ill see when it happens  I dont know how that will work, she says, as her boyfriend back-pedals, now telling Theroux that maybe Ill change my mind down the road.

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Theroux points out that he has backtracked on that already, and Angie abruptly walks off camera. Apparently desperate to maintain his aura of control, Gaines calls after her that she needs to clean up his room, but a few seconds later, the camera catches her squeezing past Theroux and her boyfriend, on her way out the door, coat in hand. She hasnt, presumably, cleaned his room. Gaines tells his followers that women want a guy who can dominate them and lead them. According to the internet, he and Angie are no longer together. Another of the documentarys subjects is Florida-based influencer Justin Waller, who founded a construction company aged 24. He asserts that men literally built society, and insists that men (not women) built and invented absolutely everything in the world. He seems keen to impress Theroux with his proximity to the Trumps. Louis Theroux with Justin Waller in Inside the Manosphere. Netflix I had dinner with Barron, the 40-year-old father of three tells Theroux, referring to US President Donald Trumps youngest son, who is half Wallers age. Ive been to Mar-a-Lago four or five times.

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Later, as his toddler daughter gambols around the room, Waller tells Theroux he is also an adherent of one-sided monogamy, which often means threesomes with his hot partner. Wallers own childhood was chaotic and violent, and as Theroux notes, many of these guys had difficult or non-existent relationships with their fathers. Which perhaps explains why they hanker for the traditionalism of the male-breadwinner-model nuclear family. What they dont seem to understand is that central to that model of masculinity is taking responsibility for others, and caring for them. And it is difficult not to see the desperation that underlies their desire to control women. Because you only need to control a woman if youre worried that, given her freedom, she might use it to leave you. Jacqueline Maley is a columnist and senior writer at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.
At 93, the Labor legend and former science minister is eyeing the exit ramp. But he isnt going quietly.

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Weighing a life as sprawling as Barry Jones is no simple task  least of all for the man himself. At 93, with what he calls an eye on the exit ramp, Jones is not inclined to dwell on the accolades. After decades at the front line of politics and ideas, he knows he mightnt be around much longer. What matters to him now is not what he has done, but what endures  and what has been left undone. Im preoccupied with what hasnt been achieved, he says. It is a disarming starting point for a figure whose career has few parallels in Australian public life. Long before he entered parliament, Jones was a household name as the brilliant TV quiz show champion of Pick-a-Box  a polymath whose recall dazzled audiences. But even then, knowledge was only part of the story. Im always interested in making linkages, says Jones, one of the National Trusts Australian Living Treasures. I can see patterns. I can see relationships between things somehow which other people havent.

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That instinct  to connect ideas, to think across disciplines and timeframes  became the defining thread of his career. It took him from high school teacher in Melbournes working-class suburbs to pioneering talkback radio host, to state politics, into federal parliament, into cabinet as science minister under Bob Hawke, to the presidency of the Australian Labor Party, and onto the global stage through UNESCO and the World Heritage Committee. In September last year, Jones suffered a ridiculous fall while out to breakfast with friends in Melbourne, with a three-point landing. I hit my head, right buttock and base of spine, he says. What followed was 40 days in a Melbourne hospital and respite care. In a piece for The Saturday Paper, penned while recuperating, he said his leg had done an Optus. The lines of communication were cut and I could no longer walk. My life changed forever. Jones says politics is now more transactional, more cautious  shaped by money, factional deals and a relentless focus on the immediate. Ruby Alexander Hes now home and recovering, but frail. His famous mind, however, is sharp as ever. Among those to debate the world by his hospital bed were Nobel Laureate Peter Doherty, philosopher Rai Gaita, ex-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, climate campaigner and political disruptor Simon Holmes a Court, ex-union boss Bill Kelty, former media executive Ranald Macdonald, teal MP Monique Ryan and champions of the arts such as Jill Smith and Ralph and Ruth Renard.

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Hes keeping a close eye on the rise of Queensland senator Pauline Hanson and of growing anti-immigration sentiment. His stint in respite care sharpened his view in a way no policy paper could. Related Article NSW Votes From a hypothetical to existential political threat: Inside the rise of One Nation in NSW Of his 21 nurses while in care, only two were Anglo, he says. The other 19 were Nepalese, Hong Kongers, Indonesian or Somali heritage. If we didnt have them, wed be in diabolical trouble, he says. I will be increasingly dependent on that kind of skill. You cant look at the whole question of [immigration], whether its good or bad, have a particular fixed number of people coming in, before you make a decision about how many people you want, like me, living on into their 90s. The experience reinforces his long-held belief that Australias future depends on its ability to remain open  even as politics often drifts in the opposite direction. He fears too many people have picked up one of US President Donald Trumps observations that empathy is a very bad word. Empathy means weakness, he says. If you think about somebody elses interest rather than just your own, then youre weak in the situation. Its quite troubling.

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Jones renowned curiosity has placed him at unlikely intersections of history. He has known or met every Australian prime minister since Robert Menzies first stint in office in 1939, give or take a few. A chance meeting with Dame Patti in a suburban supermarket led to a friendship and many long conversations with her husband. The recordings remain in Jones vast personal archives. A close friendship with Malcolm Fraser nearly created a new political party. He missed a chance to chat with Scott Morrison at the funeral of former Nationals leader Tim Fischer, but he can boast Billy Hughes, Australias seventh prime minister, on the list. Australian polymath and future MP Barry Jones (left) during his record run on quiz show Pick-a-Box in the 1960s. John Dabinett What was Hughes like, I ask. Doddery, but interesting, he replies. Of course, he wrecked every party he joined. Hughes  the fiery wartime leader  was still in parliament when Jones encountered him, a living relic of an earlier political age. Decades later, in a collapsing Soviet system, Jones would meet another figure who at the time seemed entirely unremarkable. In 1990 he was in St Petersburg to meet with the citys mayor, Anatoly Sobchak, but when he arrived was greeted by his assistant.

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Mr Putin will represent him instead, Jones recalls being told. This sort of colourless figure came in and we sort of looked at our watches and thought, Oh, God, how long were going to sit here talking to him? We sort of waved him off after a while and thought, well, thats the last well ever see of him. Explorer and conservationist Jacques Cousteau (left) with then environment minister Graham Richardson and then science minister Barry Jones at Jervis Bay in February 1990. David Bartho He pauses, almost amused by the memory. Well, we couldnt have been more wrong. From Hughes to Vladimir Putin  an odd couple that captures the sweep of Jones life as both participant and observer. If there is a consistent theme, it is foresight. He pioneered the campaign for homosexual rights and successfully advocated for the abolition of the death penalty as an MP in the Victorian parliament in the 1970s. He also dedicated much of his career to reviving the Australian film industry and preserving Antarctica from the threats of mining. Hansard, the official transcript of federal parliament, shows Jones was the first person to speak of pending climate change. He spoke early about artificial intelligence, the genetic revolution and the implications of an ageing population  often decades before those ideas entered mainstream debate.

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Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday paid tribute to freedom fighter and social justice pioneer Babu Jagjivan Ram on his birth anniversary. He praised his lifelong service to the nation and his efforts for the welfare of the exploited and weaker sections of society In a post on X, Chouhan wrote, "On the birth anniversary of the great freedom fighter, pioneer of social justice, and revered Babu Jagjivan Ram Ji, I offer millions of salutations!" https://x.com/ChouhanShivraj/status/2040620743860596782?s=20 "The work you did for the service of the nation and the welfare of the exploited and deprived sections of society will forever continue to inspire us all," the post read. Popularly known as Babuji, Jagjivan Ram was one of India's greatest Dalit icons who fought for the rights of the underprivileged. Babu Jagjivan Ram was a freedom fighter and national leader who fought tirelessly for the upliftment of the downtrodden. He was a Cabinet Minister for 35 years - the longest serving Minister handling several key portfolios. He brought about path-breaking reforms. As Food and Agriculture Minister, he is credited with the success of the 'Green Revolution' in India, while as Defence Minister, he led India to the historic win in the 1971 war that saw the birth of Bangladesh. Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also paid homage to freedom fighter Babu Jagjivan Ram on his birth anniversary. He praised his lifelong dedication to social justice, empowerment of the weaker sections, and the promotion of equality and harmony in society. In a post on X, CM Yogi wrote, "On the birth anniversary of the great freedom fighter, champion of social justice, former Deputy Prime Minister, and people's leader Babu Jagjivan Ram, humble tributes. Throughout his life, he strengthened the voice of society's deprived, exploited, and weaker sections and continuously struggled for equal opportunities and social harmony." "His life inspires us that by walking the path of service, dedication, and social harmony, society can be made even more just," the post read. (ANI)
Iran has formulated its positions and demands in response to recent ceasefire proposals conveyed via intermediaries, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday, adding that negotiations were incompatible with ultimatums and threats to commit war crimes.

Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran had a set of requirements based on its national interests that had already been conveyed via intermediary channels, adding that earlier US demands such as the 15-point plan were rejected for being excessive.

Iran does not hesitate to clearly express what it considers its legitimate demands and doing so should not be interpreted as a sign of compromise, but rather as a reflection of its confidence in defending its positions, Baghaei said in a press conference.

We have formulated our own responses and will announce details in due time, he added in response to an Iranian journalists question regarding ongoing efforts to bring about a ceasefire between Iran and the US.

Reuters
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB)  Louisville police are asking for the public's help to find a missing 25-year-old man who was last seen Friday, April 3, in the Russell neighborhood.

According to an Operation Return Home, Dominique Taylor was last seen in the area of 10th Street and West Broadway.

Taylor is described as 6 feet tall and 130 pounds. Its unknown what he was last seen wearing.

His family hasnt been able to contact him and fears for his safety.

Anyone with information is asked to call the LMPD Crime Tip Line at 502-574-LMPD (5673).

Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
TOKYO, Apr 05 (News On Japan) - As Japan faces a growing infrastructure crisis driven by aging water systems installed during the period of rapid economic growth, a new AI-driven solution is emerging to predict deterioration and prevent failures before they occur.

Leading this effort is Masaaki Ihara, COO of Fracta Japan, who is working to address the challenges posed by water pipes that have exceeded their 40-year service life and are increasingly prone to deterioration. Until now, accurately diagnosing pipe conditions required excavation, making inspections costly and inefficient.

The system developed by Ihara and his team, known as "AlEyes," combines pipe data with environmental factors such as ground conditions and weather patterns, using proprietary AI to visualize the probability of water leaks. The technology has already been adopted by numerous municipalities grappling with labor shortages and population decline, helping to streamline maintenance and improve repair efficiency.

As Japan seeks to safeguard its critical infrastructure, writer Hideo Aiba takes a closer look at the innovator working to transform how water systems are managed.

Source: BIZ
BJP State President BY Vijayendra on Sunday took a sharp swipe at Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, claiming that he is "having sleepless nights" ahead of the upcoming by-elections, while expressing confidence in the Bharatiya Janata Party's victory in both Bagalkote and Davanagere South constituencies. Speaking to reporters, Vijayendra said that the ruling Congress party would not benefit from any factor in the by-polls and asserted that the BJP is set to secure victories in both seats. "In the by-election, no factor is going to help the ruling Congress Party. In both constituencies, the BJP will win. Siddaramaiah is a very confused person. Confused because he is very much aware Congress is going to lose in Bagalkot as well as Davangere. I am sure Siddaramaiah is having sleepless nights," he said. The Karnataka by-elections are scheduled to be held in a single phase on April 9, with the counting of votes set to take place on May 4. Meanwhile, Congress leaders have expressed confidence in their party's performance, highlighting the government's welfare initiatives and grassroots outreach efforts. Earlier on Thursday, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that Congress workers are reaching out to people door-to-door to assess the implementation of the government's guarantee schemes. He also accused the BJP of spreading misinformation regarding these initiatives. Addressing reporters in Bagalkot ahead of the Karnataka by-elections, Shivakumar said that the schemes introduced by the Congress government have gained public trust and are aimed at easing the burden of rising prices. "Congress workers are going door to door to inspect the implementation of guarantee schemes. The BJP is spreading misinformation about these schemes. People are trusting the Congress government and saying, 'We will repay your debt.' The guarantee schemes have been implemented to reduce price hikes," he said. On Wednesday, Shivakumar had expressed happiness over what he described as a strong show of support for the Congress party during his visit to Davanagere, where he also held discussions regarding the upcoming elections. "I am very happy. In Davangere, cutting across party lines, thousands of workers have joined the Congress party today. All the minorities have decided that they will vote in favour of the Congress party, and even other sections have also decided. The contribution of Shamanur Shivashankarappa has been recognised, and they want to pay him respect," Shivakumar said. The Election Commission of India (ECI) earlier announced the schedule for by-elections across eight assembly constituencies in six states. The constituencies include Bagalkote and Davanagere South in Karnataka, Rahuri and Baramati in Maharashtra, Dharmanagar in Tripura, Koridang in Nagaland, Ponda in Goa, and Umreth in Gujarat. (ANI)
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Sunday accused Prime Minister Modi of pushing a proposal to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas without proper consultation, calling it a "Weapon of Mass Distraction." He said the move disproportionately benefits larger states, reduces the relative influence of smaller and southern states, and distracts from pressing economic and foreign policy challenges. https://x.com/Jairam_Ramesh/status/2040664107607822430?s=20 In a post on X, Ramesh wrote, "The PM is upto his usual tricks of making misleading statements that are meant to deceive. He says South Indian states will not be hurt in any way if the strength of the Lok Sabha is increased by 50 per cent and the number of seats of each state in the Lok Sabha is also increased by 50 per cent. This is hoodwinking the people of the country in which the PM has unique expertise. For example, the difference between UP's and Kerala's seats in Lok Sabha is now 60. Mr. Modi's proposal will increase it to 90. Similiarly the difference between UP and Tamil Nadu will increase from 41 to at least 61. Such examples can be multiplied." "Mr. Modi is bulldozing a proposal that will work more to the benefit of larger and populous states since their already large numbers will get further magnified. It is not just South India but states like Punjab and Haryana and those in the North East that will also see their relative influence decline. The nation is facing a serious economic and foreign policy crisis. All that the PM is bothered about is pushing through an increase in the strength of the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas without meaningful consultations and widespread public debate. This is nothing but a Weapon of Mass Distraction (WMD)," the post read. His remark came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a rally in Kerala, stated that the number of Lok Sabha seats in South Indian states, which have effectively controlled their population, will not be reduced, and that the overall increase in seats is aimed at benefiting states nationwide. (ANI)
The opening of Re-COE-llection at the gallery in Claremorris Town Hall Theatre drew a large attendance, as the community gathered to honour the late Johnny Kirrane and his enduring contribution to the arts.

Johnny, who served as chairperson of the Claremorris Arts Committee for more than 40 years, was remembered through an exhibition that reflected both the scale of his work and the depth of his influence. Members of the committee were joined on the night by his family, friends and a wide circle of artists and supporters.

The exhibition was officially opened by renowned sculptor and artist John Behan, who paid a heartfelt tribute to Johnnys lifelong dedication. In his address, he reflected on the impact of Kirranes work before concluding with the words, ni bheidh a leitheid aris ann, capturing the sense of loss felt by many in attendance.

The gallery itself presented an impressive collection, featuring works from leading figures in Irish art including Edward Delaney, Hugh McCormick, John Behan, Graham Knuttel and Bernie Prendergast, among others. The range and quality of the pieces on display spoke to the strong relationships built over decades through the Claremorris Open Exhibition.

Angela Kirrane with her daughters Maria and Joyce, her son-in-law Jad and grandson Tadhg.

In her words of welcome, Eileen Gleeson reflected on both the visible and less tangible legacy of the exhibition. She spoke of the physical achievements of the COE, while also highlighting the intangible legacy, evident in the mindset of a community that authentically embraces and celebrates the arts. She expressed thanks to all who had supported the exhibition over the years, including Mayo County Council and the Arts Council, and acknowledged the vital role of patrons and sponsors whose generosity, she said, bridged the financial gap between what we had and what was needed to get the COE show up and running.

A newly commissioned portrait of Johnny Kirrane formed a focal point of the exhibition. The work was created by Danny Walsh from Robeen, Hollymount, winner of last years Texaco Art Competition. Its prominent placement was widely regarded as a fitting tribute, particularly as it came from an emerging artist whose work now hangs alongside some of the most established names in Irish art.

The exhibition stands as both a celebration of artistic achievement and a recognition of the man whose vision helped shape it over four decades.
RICHMOND TWP., Pa. - The community mourns the loss of Walnuttown Fire Chief Jeff Buck and Assistant Chief Robert Shick.

"There's a lot of good memories that we all have that we will do our best to hold onto," said Walnuttown Fire and Rescue Lieutenant Ryan Tyson.

Authorities said both chiefs were in a UTV during a missing person search when they were hit by a swerving car on the side of Route 222 Saturday night in Richmond Township.

"They were not on the roadway. They were on the side of the roadway and this vehicle hit them head-on," said Berks County District Attorney John Adams.

The District Attorney said both people in the car left the scene and have been apprehended. He said 26-year-old Alexander Sepulveda-Rivera from the Bronx was the driver.

"At this point, he is in Berks County Jail as he had an outstanding warrant," said Adams.

He said Sepulveda-Rivera will face charges.

"With two counts of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence," said Adams.

A makeshift memorial has formed at the site of the crash.

First responders and communities across our region gathered for procession Sunday afternoon to pay their respects.

"The years of knowledge between Chief Jeff Buck and Assistant Chief Robert Shick cannot be replaced. They both knew this building from the inside out more than anybody that's here," said Lieutenant Tyson.

He said both chiefs started with the department when they were in their teens.

Lieutenant Tyson said both leave behind families and gave it their all every day to serve the community.

"Not only were they both chief officers, but they were husbands, they were fathers, two of our members as well. I think every one of us looked up to them in ways they might not have known or understood," said Lieutenant Tyson.

Autopsies for both chiefs are scheduled for Monday.

The fire department said it will be out of service until April 11. Mutual aid departments will be responding to calls in the interim.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

There might be an early shower; otherwise, mostly cloudy. .

Tonight

There might be an early shower; otherwise, mostly cloudy.
Congress MP Karti P Chidambaram on Sunday added to the accusation on Prime Minister Narendra Modi made by Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, saying that the difference between Tamil Nadu and Puducherry vs Uttar Pradesh is currently 40, which will rise to 60 under the new framework. In an X post, he wrote, "The delta between TN:Pondy vs UP is 40 now it will become 60 under the new framework. That's unacceptable." Earlier today, Jairam Ramesh had accused PM Modi of pushing a proposal to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas without proper consultation. Taking it to X, he said the move disproportionately benefits larger states, reduces the relative influence of smaller and southern states, and distracts from pressing economic and foreign policy challenges. "The PM is upto his usual tricks of making misleading statements that are meant to deceive. He says South Indian states will not be hurt in any way if the strength of the Lok Sabha is increased by 50 per cent and the number of seats of each state in the Lok Sabha is also increased by 50 per cent. This is hoodwinking the people of the country in which the PM has unique expertise. For example, the difference between UP's and Kerala's seats in the Lok Sabha is now 60. Mr Modi's proposal will increase it to 90. Similiarly the difference between UP and Tamil Nadu will increase from 41 to at least 61. Such examples can be multiplied," he wrote. "Mr Modi is bulldozing a proposal that will work more to the benefit of larger and more populous states since their already large numbers will get further magnified. It is not just South India but states like Punjab and Haryana, and those in the North East, that will also see their relative influence decline. The nation is facing a serious economic and foreign policy crisis. All that the PM is bothered about is pushing through an increase in the strength of the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas without meaningful consultations and widespread public debate. This is nothing but a Weapon of Mass Distraction (WMD)," the post added. His remark came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a rally in Kerala, stated that the number of Lok Sabha seats in South Indian states, which have effectively controlled their population, will not be reduced, and that the overall increase in seats is aimed at benefiting states nationwide. (ANI)
Opposition in Denmark and across Europe to the Trump administrations brutal persecution of immigrants and political opponents, aggressive America first militarism, and push to establish a dictatorship is widespread.

Large sections of the Danish population have expressed particular outrage at Trumps repeated threats to seize Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Trump has made clear that controlling the worlds largest island is part of his agenda to dominate the Western hemisphere in preparations for world war with China and other US rivals.

Danish troops onboard a frigate in Greenland, June 2020. [Photo: fmn.dk Forsvarsministeriet/Ministry of Defece]

Denmarks pseudo-left organisations, the Unity List (known as the Red-Green Alliance in English) and Socialist Peoples Party (SF), are working overtime to ensure that this opposition to imperialist aggression is channelled into support for Danish and European militarism. SF openly backs the Danish governments rearmament programme, which aims to spend 3.5 percent of the GDP on war by 2030 and includes an expanded military presence in the Arctic. For its part, the RGA attempts to strike a more radical pose, the better to tie leftward-moving workers and young people to a programme aimed at finding new imperialist patrons for Danish capitalist interests after the breakdown of its decades-long alliance with the United States.

Responding to the Danish governments attempt to negotiate an arrangement with Trump on the basis of a major increase in the presence of NATO military forces in Greenland and the entire Arctic region, RGA leader Pelle Dragsted stated in January, This applies both between Denmark and Greenland, but also among the parties here in Christiansborg [the Danish parliament building]. It is a very serious situation and it is therefore important that we all back the government.

RGA leader Pelle Dragsted at a demonstration in support of Greenland in front of the US embassy, March 29, 2025 [Photo: Pelle Dragsted/X]

Support for European imperialism

The RGAs support for Denmarks Social Democrat-led government, which has endorsed Washingtons war of extermination against Iran, is above all a wholehearted endorsement of European imperialism against the US in the conflict over Greenland and the Arctic region more broadly. This was laid bare in a statement published in January by the Socialist Workers Party (SAP), a faction within the RGA associated with the Pabloite United Secretariat. Titled Defend Greenland against the USs raid - without any illusions in the Kingdom of Denmark and the EU, the statement takes an ostensibly more left-wing position than the RGA leadership, but winds up justifying Europes rearmament drive.

SAP begins its statement with the declaration:

The Trump regime is still engaged in a fierce offensive for an imperialist American takeover of Greenland. All means have been used: political, economic and even military threats. In this situation, the Greenlandic self-government, a united Inatsisartut [Greenland Parliament], has quite understandably chosen to seek refuge in a tactical alliance with the former colonial power (Denmark), the EU and the European NATO countries. At best, this alliance can stop Trumps plans to formally take over power in Greenland here and now. However, neither the powers that be in Denmark nor the EU are reliable champions of the Greenlandic peoples right to self-determination  quite the contrary!

Having legitimised the NATO build-up in the Arctic as a quite understandable response by the Greenlandic government, which has apparently freely chosen to seek refuge in a tactical alliance with the former colonial power, the SAP expands on its endorsement of a European imperialist presence:

It is clear that right now it is a matter of creating as strong a front as possible against Trumps threats, for the respect of Greenlands borders and the Greenlandic peoples right to self-determination. And, of course, it is entirely up to the Greenlanders to decide what they are ultimately willing to accept here and now in order to achieve a negotiated solution, in a situation where they face overwhelming threats from the US  and false promises from all sides. But that does not mean that we, including the Red-Green Alliance, should cheer for a solution that essentially cements imperialist interests  neither those of the US nor those of Denmark and the EU.

The article, "Defend Greenland against the USs raid - without any illusions about the Kingdom of Denmark and the EU" [Photo: Screenshot: internationalviewpoint.org]

These comments are both a falsification of the present political situation and a damning exposure of the SAP and RGAs hostility to the working class in Denmark, Europe, and internationally playing any independent role in political life.

Firstly, nobody can seriously claim that the Greenlandic government, which administers a 500 million annual block grant issued by the Danish government to a population of around 57,000 people, has the freedom to decide anything. Even the Danish government found itself largely sidelined in January when Trump and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte met at the World Economic Forum in Davos to hammer out a deal to expand the presence of American and European imperialism in the Arctic. To give the impression that any democratic decision-making was involved here would be to offer an apologia for a world order characterised by increasing lawlessness and violence.

Secondly, to state that the most immediate task is creating as strong a front as possible against Trumps threats, for the respect of Greenlands borders and the Greenlandic peoples right to self-determination, and at the same time that this alliance [between Denmark, the European imperialists, and the Greenlandic government] can stop Trumps plans to formally take over power in Greenland here and now, is to paint the European imperialists in the brightest colours. The SAP statement works to cover this up with correct statements noting that the European imperialists have just as predatory interests in the Arctic as their US rivals. These include control over the regions vast untapped energy resources, trade routes that would significantly shorten trans-continental shipping travel, and key strategic positions for detecting ballistic missiles and carrying out satellite surveillance of rival powers. But SAPs formal declarations are worthless coming from an organisation that justifies alliances with these very imperialists in the here and now.

Entirely absent from the SAP statement is any suggestion that the working class has any role to play in resolving the fate of Greenland and, more broadly, the world capitalist crisis that finds expression in the breakdown of the Transatlantic alliance and escalation of imperialist war. It was written in January, as the beginnings of mass opposition to Trumps drive to establish a dictatorship in the US were demonstrated by calls for a general strike in Minneapolis to oppose cold-blooded murders by his Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) fascist thugs. Moreover, the escalation of the class struggle in Europe, illustrated by such recent events as the large protests and strikes against French President Macrons agenda of austerity and war last September, or the multi-million-strong general strikes in Italy driven by opposition to the Gaza genocide and war, are nowhere to be found.

These are not careless omissions by the SAP, but a reflection of their Pabloite, anti-socialist politics. As far as they are concerned, the here and now consists of invincible imperialist powers competing for a dominant position. The only things the left can do is to apply pressure through protest to persuade the imperialists to moderate their policies or back one group of imperialist gangsters against the other. The fight to unify workers in the United States and Europe against imperialist war and the financial oligarchy that dominates social and political life on both sides of the Atlantic is not in their vocabulary.

The SAP and RGA as a whole are representatives of pseudo-left politics. They speak on behalf of a privileged section of the middle class who fall within the top 10 percent of society when it comes to income and wealth, and whose relatively comfortable social position is bound up with the defence of capitalist property relations. Their left talking points reflect a desire to orchestrate a modest redistribution of wealth and power within the top 10 percent of society to the benefit of trade union bureaucrats, well-paid academics, and other petty-bourgeois forces.

Pabloism and the RGA

The SAP statement on Greenland is a typical example of Pabloite politics, which emerged in the early 1950s as a direct repudiation of orthodox Trotskyism. Responding impressionistically and from the standpoint of the petty-bourgeoisie to the temporary stabilisation of capitalism after World War II, the Pabloites wrote off the working class as the central revolutionary force in capitalist society. Instead, they argued that sections of the Stalinist bureaucracy, the trade union bureaucracies in the advanced capitalist countries, and bourgeois nationalist forces in the colonial world could serve as substitutes for the working class to transform society. Since the working class would, in their view, no longer have any independent role to play, they advocated the liquidation of the Fourth Internationals sections into the mass movement.

Pabloism spoke for a rapidly growing petty-bourgeoisie bound up with the expansion of the welfare state, universities, and international institutions and NGOs following World War II. They believed that the temporary concessions forced on the ruling class by the revolutionary-minded workers across Europe in the aftermath of World War II had produced a new reality that made the class struggle led by the working class under a socialist programme obsolete.

Pabloite politics had a devastating impact in Denmark, one of the Nordic countries that undertook some of the most wide-ranging social reforms in the post-war period. The followers of the Fourth International, following the liquidationist line developed by Michel Pablo and Ernest Mandel, adapted wholesale to a right-wing split from the Communist Party after the Soviet Unions suppression of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Led by Aksel Larsen, a long-time Stalinist, those who broke from the Communist Party of Denmark went on to form SF in 1958. Larsen, who was the leader of the Communist Party throughout the Moscow Trials and Great Terror of the late 1930s--during which the Stalinist bureaucracy murdered hundreds of thousands of Trotskyists, old Bolsheviks, and other oppositionists--responded to the brutal suppression of the Hungarian Revolution by claiming to advocate a middle course between the Soviet Union and US imperialism, without being subordinated to either.

Aksel Larsen (1887-1972) [Photo by Unknown author - The website of the Socialist People's Party / CC BY-SA 2.5

The reality was quite different. Like all the right-wing splits from Stalinism that developed in this period, SF retained the Stalinists bitter hostility to the independent political role of the working class and swiftly accommodated itself to American imperialism. Less than a decade after its founding, SF agreed to support a Social Democrat government. In the post-war period, the Social Democrats were ardent champions of Denmarks membership in NATO and Cold War alliance with Washington, which went so far as permitting the US military to use Greenland as a testing ground for weaponry and even a storage site for nuclear weapons. SF has repeatedly performed the function of helping the Social Democrats to secure a parliamentary majority up to the present day and appears set to do so again following Marchs parliamentary election.

A breakaway group from SF opposed to collaborating with the Social Democrats, which included the Danish Pabloites and various New Left currents, emerged in 1967 under the name Left Socialists (VS). It was only in 1980 that the Pabloites established the SAP.

The key political constant for the Pabloites throughout all these organisational transformations was the blocking of a revolutionary socialist programme for the working class. This was illustrated by the founding of the RGA in 1989, which was conceived of initially as an electoral alliance between the SAP, the remnants of the Stalinist DKP, and VS to secure representation in the Danish parliament (Folketing), for which parties or electoral alliances must gain more than 2 percent of the national vote. Although the RGA was subsequently formalised as a political party that members could join, its founding factions continued their organisational autonomy within the party, as the SAP does to the present day.

Working alongside the Stalinists of the DKP, the SAP claims to be seeking a revolutionary regroupment within the RGA, which the SAP openly acknowledges is not a socialist party. In a 1999 perspectives resolution, the SAP declared:

Red-Green Alliance is not a revolutionary party in the classical Leninist sense (based on democratic centralism, with a developed program for a socialist revolution, etc.), and we do not consider it desirable to try to enforce a development in this direction. Neither the subjective, nor the objective conditions for such a development are present at the moment.

The document continued:

At this stage of development of the Red-Green Alliance we can merely note that there is no pre-set limit as to how far the Red-Green Alliance might develop towards an actual revolutionary party. But, on the other hand, the work of SAP inside the Red-Green Alliance has such a policy as its guiding line.

What the history of the RGA has in fact demonstrated is that there is no pre-set limit to how far it can integrate itself into bourgeois, pro-imperialist politics, and no limits to how far the Pabloites are prepared to accompany this process with left and revolutionary-sounding rhetoric.

From 2011, the RGA helped secure a majority for the right-wing Social Democrat government led by Helle Thorning-Schmidt, which carried out attacks on workers following the 2008 economic crisis. In 2014, the RGA joined the government in backing Danish support for the bombardment of Islamic State positions in Syria by American imperialism, which took place within the framework of Washingtons regime change operation to bring to power a pro-Western puppet in Damascus. After Russias US-provoked invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the RGA emerged as a champion of the US-NATO war, which it dressed up as a struggle for Ukraines self-determination.

Pelle Dragsted and RGA supporters celebrating their vote in the 2024 elections to the European Parliament [Photo: Pelle Dragsted/X]

The RGA and the defence of the Danish Realm

Following the outbreak of the Ukraine war, the RGA performed a sharp turn to the right. This culminated at its 2025 national congress in the acceptance by the party of the need to defend the Kingdom of Denmarks existing borders, which marked a shift from the partys formal opposition to militarism and war. The Kingdom includes Greenland, the worlds largest island, in the Arctic, and the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic, which occupy a strategically important location north of Britain and to the southeast of Iceland for controlling Russian naval access to the open sea.

While the RGAs previous programme did not stop it from embracing US imperialist-led wars of aggression, the 2025 congress and the debates leading up to it involved a more explicit championing of European imperialist aggression. In a document summarising the debate in the RGA on defence and security policy and advancing some conclusions, the partys executive committee wrote in 2024:

The RGA was born in a period marked by the end of the Cold War, where the hope was for a peaceful existence between east and west. It was a period where most took peace in Europe for granted, and that we should never again experience war in Europe. The fact that this was an illusion became clear two years ago, when Russia attacked Ukraine.

The pseudo-left forces in the RGA apparently did not consider the 30 years of uninterrupted US wars of aggression, the vast majority of which were supported by the European imperialists, to have any influence on the present world situation. This is because wars of aggression and plunder are perfectly acceptable to political forces like the RGA when they suit the interests of the imperialist powers with which they are aligned. Revealing is how the RGA has abandoned its traditional opposition to NATO since the outbreak of the US-NATO war on Russia. Instead of calling for Denmarks immediate withdrawal, the party now states that withdrawal is an ultimate goal, but that alternative security structures must first be created.

Ukrainian soldiers prepare to fire at Russian positions from a U.S.-supplied M777 howitzer in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, July 14, 2022. [AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka]

These alternative structures are to be based on a more aggressive assertion of European imperialist interests independently of and if necessary against the US. This is underlined by the statement put out by SAP asserting that the Greenlandic government can freely chose to sanction a massive expansion of European military forces in the Arctic, and that these forces can, at least in the short term, act as an effective counterweight to Trumps threats.

At the partys 2025 national meeting, the executive committees proposal on defence and security policy was adopted by a substantial majority of delegates. Using the language European imperialist powers like Germany have employed to justify a massive rearmament drive, the document declared that policy changes were necessary for a new era. It continued, To be able to stand on our own two feet, we must strengthen our defensive capabilities with an effective territorial defence, which must be able to enforce the sovereignty of Denmark and the Danish Realm and protect the population and our infrastructure.

The SAP faction of the RGA formally cast a vote against this change at the congress. However, the bogus character of such posturing is underscored by the statement put out on Greenland, which presents European imperialism as a more progressive alternative to the US in the here and now.

The full significance of the RGAs embrace of Danish and European militarism is now on display, as the European imperialists endorse Trumps criminal war of extermination against Iran, epitomised by German Chancellor Friedrich Merzs declaration that the precepts of international law are to be irrelevant when judging the conflict.

As for the Danish government, which deserved unconditional backing over Greenland according to the RGA because it was defending Greenlanders right to self-determination and international law, Social Democrat Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen asserted on the first day of the war that it was too early to say whether the US/Israeli bombardment of Iran was a good or bad thing, and that she would support regime change in Tehran. Denmark then voted in the UN Security Council together with the US, Britain, and France to endorse a resolution condemning Irans retaliatory attacks on Israel and the Gulf states but saying nothing about Washington and Tel Avivs war of extermination on Iran.

Opposition to imperialist war and plunder can only come from the international working class. Workers in Europe and the United States have no interest in backing one or another contending party in the imperialist redivision of the world now underway. While differences between the predators flare up from time to time, these always revolve around the question of who will control the distribution of the spoils of imperialist conquest. However, all of the European and North American imperialist powers are determined to deploy the most brutal forms of violence to secure their interests.

Workers in Denmark and throughout Europe require the programme of world socialist revolution and political independence from all factions of the ruling class to put an end to imperialist war and the capitalist system that gives rise to it. The only political movement with a decades-long record of struggle in defence of these principles and against all anti-Trotskyist tendencies, like the Pabloites, who have repudiated them is the International Committee of the Fourth International. This is the movement that workers and young people ready to fight the resurgence of imperialist war and barbarism must now build in Denmark and internationally.
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Sunday expressed confidence that Chief Minister M K Stalin will return to power after the elections, stating there is "no doubt" about it. Campaigning at Thilagar Thidal in Pudukkottai for DMK candidate Muthuraja, he alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is trying to enter Tamil Nadu by using the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) as a "mask," and questioned whether the people of the state would allow it. He criticised AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami, calling him a "puppet" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and claimed that the Centre is attempting to control Tamil Nadu through him. "Tamil Nadu has always remained out of Delhi's control, and we must prove it again," he said. Highlighting the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government's achievements, he listed welfare schemes such as the women's rights scheme, free breakfast scheme, and monthly financial assistance for college students. He also announced that if the DMK returns to power, the women's assistance amount will be increased to 2,000, 8,000 coupons will be provided for purchasing household appliances, and financial aid for women college students will be raised to 1,500 per month. Accusing the AIADMK of spreading false claims, he denied allegations that the DMK government had discontinued the laptop scheme. Udhayanidhi Stalin further alleged that the Centre has not provided adequate funds to Tamil Nadu and even withheld dues, adding that the state was ignored in the Union Budget. Calling the election a fight between "Delhi and Tamil Nadu," he urged voters to support the DMK to continue the Dravidian model of governance. Earlier, during his campaign in Chennai, Udhayanidhi Stalin had made similar allegations against the Centre, accusing it of attempting to control Tamil Nadu through the AIADMK. "Delhi, as usual, is trying to take control of our state. They've not given any funds or any schemes for Tamil Nadu. But they're trying to take control of the state through AIADMK. That's why we're continuously telling that this election is between Delhi versus Tamil Nadu, and we're very sure that Team Tamil Nadu will win," Udhayanidhi told ANI on Thursday. Launching his campaign in Chennai's Aiyodhya Nagar area by travelling in an auto-rickshaw to connect with voters, Udhayanidhi highlighted his engagement with the constituency over the past five years. "I am very happy. I have been with the people here during COVID, the rains, and every situation. A lot of development work has been undertaken, and I hope they will continue to support me," he said. Addressing party workers, the Deputy CM also spoke about his visits to Coimbatore during the pandemic, recalling his time at ESI Hospital and calling the city close to his heart. He praised DMK leaders, including Senthil Balaji, and urged support for alliance candidates across constituencies. Taking a jibe at AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, Udhayanidhi challenged him to list achievements during his tenure. "Anything EPS can list and say what he has done during their regime. He says the manifesto is copied by me, but its him who copied it has announced in the manifesto," he alleged. He also criticised the BJP-led Centre for allegedly rejecting metro rail projects for Coimbatore and Madurai while approving projects in smaller cities. "They have insulted Tamil Nadu in many ways by spreading false information. Metro rails for Coimbatore and Madurai were rejected by the centre, the ruling Bjp party. In Agra metro rail is there where the population is only 16 lakhs," Udhayanidhi said. Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23 across 234 constituencies, with counting scheduled for May 4. (ANI)
Even on a snowy, cold spring day that might be some sort of makeup day for the mildest winter in recent memory, warmth can still be found in acts of service.

Every other Thursday, if youre on the BYU campus, you might see a group pulling a blue wagon passing out beautiful flowers from cylindrical work buckets.

Working with local floral shops, BYU students Carl Huynh, Ashton Chan, Rachel Bolton, Sadie Crandall, Blake Udy and Kaleb Murdock collect flowers to give to unsuspecting individuals on campus to see them smile.

BYU student Summer Branham smiles after receiving a free flower from BYU student Carl Huynh on BYU's campus in Provo on Thursday, April 2, 2026. | Tess Crowley

Twice a month on Wednesdays, Huynh, who organized Flower Thursdays, treks up and down the state, stopping by numerous floral shops from Logan to Nephi, usually collecting between 150-200 flower donations. One week, the roughly three-hour drive ended in 450 flowers.

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In addition to the flowers, bakeries like Crumbl and Lehi Bakery join the fun by donating 300 to 400 cookies before the group passes them out on Thursday.

After Huynh collects all the donations, he invites his friends, family or local church groups to help prepare and package the cookies and flowers.

From left, Blake Udy, Jane Huynh, Ashton Chan, Keimahakeasi Matu and Carl Huynh prepare flowers to eventually give away in Eagle Mountain on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. | Blake Udy

This process is usually an all-day affair for Huynh. He says its worth it.

Its a personal moment when you get to give a flower to someone, talk to them and see them smile, he said.

The idea came when he thought of a time he passed out flowers to every girl at his high school in Eagle Mountain. He said it was marvelous how something as simple as a flower could mean so much to people.

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Udy recalled the first time Huynh passed out flowers on campus this year.

I was hanging out with Carl and Ashton, when Carl said, I want to buy some flowers and just give them out, Udy said. The three of us went to Trader Joes and bought a couple bouquets of flowers and handed them out to a couple girls, and then after that, Carl emailed a bunch of flower shops and it grew from there.

Sometimes people think we need something in return, but theyre caught off guard when we say, Nope, just take the flower, Udy chuckled.

He loves seeing the joy such a simple act can bring into someones day.

BYU student Ben Olsen, center, hands a flower he received from BYU students handing out free flowers to his girlfriend Marina Sandoval, left, on BYU's campus in Provo on Thursday, April 2, 2026. | Tess Crowley

Some who received the flowers expressed an appreciation for the service. The idea that someone would take the time to organize such an activity means a lot, even in something as simple as a flower.

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Others took a flower to give to a significant other, like Zach Grant, who carefully put a rose on the side of his backpack. He said as a college student who is trying to figure out finances, a spontaneous flower that he could give to his soon-to-be wife in 30 days means a lot.

Sometimes people ask, Why would someone do this? Chan said. We dont really have a better reason than we wanted to just do something good.

By the joyful faces that walk away with the flowers, it seems theyre finding success.

Aubrey Frandsen smells a flower that BYU students gave to her while they were handing out free flowers on BYU's campus in Provo on Thursday, April 2, 2026. | Tess Crowley

Emily Parke, who had just finished a meeting with an adviser figuring out her classes, said her day was a lot better after receiving her flower. It just makes everything feel a little more simple.

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Interactions like these are what makes the day for the flower crew worth it. So far, the group estimates at least 2,000 individuals have received a flower or cookie  a number they want to build on.

Huynh said he wants to see Flower Thursdays grow, but doesnt want it to feel commercialized. The personal interaction is the most important part, he says.

Its a balance he seeks to keep as he looks to do something similar in rest homes and other Utah campuses.

At its core, Flower Thursdays isnt really about flowers. Its about helping people feel seen  especially the unseen  and reminding them they are valued and not alone, he said. We live in a world where theres so much pain and so much sadness that something simple like a flower or a cookie can help brighten a day.

BYU student David Ross looks at a flower that BYU student Ashton Chan gave to him while handing out free flowers on BYU's campus in Provo on Thursday, April 2, 2026. | Tess Crowley

BYU students hand out free flowers to students on BYU's campus in Provo on Thursday, April 2, 2026. | Tess Crowley

BYU student Carl Huynh hands out free flowers to students on BYU's campus in Provo on Thursday, April 2, 2026. | Tess Crowley

BYU students Sadie Crandall, right, and Blake Udy, left, hand out free flowers to students on BYU's campus in Provo on Thursday, April 2, 2026. | Tess Crowley

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Anna Smith smiles while receiving a free flower from BYU student Rachel Bolton on BYU's campus in Provo on Thursday, April 2, 2026. | Tess Crowley

BYU student Sadie Crandall hands out free flowers to students on BYU's campus in Provo on Thursday, April 2, 2026. | Tess Crowley

BYU student Carl Huynh hands out free flowers to students on BYU's campus in Provo on Thursday, April 2, 2026. | Tess Crowley

BYU student Braydon Ramsey holds flowers gifted to him by BYU students handing out free flowers to students on BYU's campus in Provo on Thursday, April 2, 2026. | Tess Crowley

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BYU students Carl Huynh, back left, Sadie Crandall, center, and others hand out free flowers to students on BYU's campus in Provo on Thursday, April 2, 2026. | Tess Crowley

BYU student Carl Huynh hands out free flowers to students on BYU's campus in Provo on Thursday, April 2, 2026. | Tess Crowley

A BYU student holds a flower above her head in the rain after being gifted the flower by BYU students handing out free flowers to students on BYU's campus in Provo on Thursday, April 2, 2026. | Tess Crowley

BYU students Kaleb Murdock, center, and Carl Huynh, right, hand out free flowers to students on BYU's campus in Provo on Thursday, April 2, 2026. | Tess Crowley

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BYU student Jayne Heaton smiles after receiving a free flower from BYU student Ashton Chan on BYU's campus in Provo on Thursday, April 2, 2026. | Tess Crowley
For generations of Columbus families, Easter has been a season of renewal marked not just by spring flowers, but by traditions lovingly repeated year after year. Long before chocolate aisles overflowed in supermarkets, Easter in the city was shaped by church bells, family tables, and simple, heartfelt rituals.

In the 1940s, even amid wartime shortages, Columbus residents found ways to celebrate. Families dressed in their Sunday best for church, often weeks in advance after poring over newspaper ads for Easter clothes and shoes for men, women, and children.

Shoppers crowd South High Street in Columbus the day before Easter Sunday in 1950 to purchase the trimmings and trappings for the holiday. Visible in the background are Lobels Youth Center Clothing and Grays Drugs.

Though meat was rationed during World War II, Easter ham remained a beloved centerpiece. With shortages of labor and materials, Easter treats leaned simplemarshmallow bunnies and jelly beans instead of elaborate confections, fewer fresh flowers, but baskets full of brightly colored eggs.

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Music and worship anchored the holiday. Good Friday brought solemn musical performances, while candlelight vigils filled churches with quiet reflection.

Candles illuminate worshippers at the 1989 Service of Light candlelight vigil at St. Josephs Cathedral in downtown Columbus, a Roman Catholic Easter tradition.

Sunrise services became a powerful Columbus tradition, held everywhere from neighborhood parks to the Columbus Zoo. Some years, thousands gathered at Cooper Stadium, where brass bands and combined church choirs greeted Easter morning with triumphant sound.

April showers didnt stop Warnie Stith and her 2-year-old daughter, Keeli, from donning their Easter finery for church services at Trinity Baptist Church in Columbus in1983.

As the decades rolled on, Easter took on a touch of midcentury flair. By 1955, home cooks proudly served brown sugar pineappleglazed ham, and Easter Bunny cakes appeared on dessert tables. Families dressed up to dine out at iconic spots like The Top or the Southern Hotel, while others gathered for big home-cooked meals that stretched long into the afternoon.

The Ohio School for the Blind hosted Easter egg hunts for blind children using beeping eggs manufactured by Telephone Pioneers of America. Here, Sara Powell, age 6, of Findlay, Ohio, finds an egg with the help of teacher Marianne Davis.

Children eagerly awaited community traditions like the Columbus Recreation and Parks Easter egg hunts, though and other community and family egg hunts outdoors were sometimes canceled by the fickle central Ohio weather. The Easter Bunny made appearances in store windows and at shopping centers.

A hoard of children sprint into the fields at Columbus' Whetstone Park in Clintonville at the start of a 1989 Easter egg hunt.

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Through changing times, Easter in Columbus has remained a celebration of togetherness: dressing up, singing together, sharing a ham dinner, and watching children race across fresh grass in search of hidden eggs.

For more memories of Columbus Easter traditions, browse The Columbus Dispatch photograph archives on My History at www.columbuslibrary.org/myhistory.

Kristen Newby is Special Collections Manager with the Columbus Metropolitan Library.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Easters in Columbus have meant dressing up, ham dinners and egg hunts
As one of the biggest fast food chains in the world, McDonald's tries to get food service down to a science. Not just in terms of employee efficiency, but also how many raw ingredients to buy and ship, and how much product to prepare. Despite this, there's usually some leftovers at the end of a shift, and there are rules for what to do with it.

Officially, McDonald's claims that due to sales predictions its restaurants "waste less than 1% of edible food stock." The stated policy is that leftover cooked products are thrown away for food safety reasons, but all other leftover food is sent off-site to be composted, rendered, or anaerobically digested (broken down by microorganisms.) But anyone who has worked in the industry knows that policy and practice can differ.

On Reddit, many self-described employees report that leftover food is simply thrown out, often after being counted, likely to keep track of food waste. In some cases, it depends on the manager on-duty, who might insist on anything between following corporate policy to a T and letting the employees eat or take home whatever they want. One Redditor said, "If there's a strict manager than waste. If there's a cool manager then whoever wants it can take it." Nearly the only thing that is for certain is that McDonald's leftovers do not stay at McDonald's.

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Read more: What 10 Fast Food Chains Do With Their Leftovers

Policy ambiguity comes down to individual employees

A McDonald's employee wearing a hat filling a french fry container in a kitchen. - MajicStock/Shutterstock

Because food waste ultimately means wasted money, there are many fast food restaurants with policies on what to do with leftover food. Starbucks, for instance, donates all leftovers to various local charities, though, in McDonald's defense, a chocolate croissant keeps much better than a cheeseburger. There are real food safety concerns about donating hot prepared food like McDonald's, even if some workers say their stores do it anyway.

Leftovers are not the only somewhat vague policy at McDonald's. If you have ever wondered if McDonald's still does free soda refills, the answer is maybe. The self-serve soda machines of old have been all but phased out, and when this change was announced in 2024, the company claimed that those who asked for a refill can still get one. But that has not been a universal experience.

Policy ambiguity doesn't just hit customers, either. The answer to the question of if McDonald's employees are allowed to sit down during work also seems to depend on the specific restaurant and manager. Some employees say it doesn't matter at their stores so long as the work gets done, while others have claimed they got fired over a few seconds of rest. It can be hard to enforce a uniform policy across 44,000+ global restaurants.

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Hungry for more? Sign up for the free Daily Meal newsletter for delicious recipes, cooking tips, kitchen hacks, and more, delivered straight to your inbox. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google.

Read the original article on Daily Meal.
SAN DIEGO (FOX5/KUSI)  One of the most popular weekend destinations in downtown San Diego continues to draw crowds with fresh food, local flavor and a strong sense of community.

The Little Italy Mercato farmers market stretches roughly six city blocks, making it one of the largest in San Diego County. Since launching in 2008, the market has become a staple for residents and visitors alike, offering everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to eggs, baked goods and specialty items.

Rows of vendors line the streets, with a steady stream of people browsing, sampling and shopping throughout the morning.

Lowell Cohen, a local vendor at the market, with Gourmet Kraft Corn, said quality is key to what they offer.

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We use non-GMO oil. I literally sampled over 45 farmers to get to the current product, Cohen said.

Vendors say the market provides not just products, but an experience.

Our most popular things here are the juices, said Luis Ramirez, who works for Polito Farms.

Its fun here, added Liam Hammes, also with Polito Farms. You meet new people, great vibes.

Organizers say the Mercato is about more than just whats on the table. Farmers markets like this play an important role in supporting local growers and small businesses, helping them connect directly with the community.

Each weekend, the Little Italy Mercato continues to serve as both a marketplace and a gathering place, where fresh food meets local culture in the heart of San Diego.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
A new social media trend has left a 10-year-old Cleveland girl with severe burns.

The girl has second-degree burns on her hands and fingers, and it happened after she did The Microwave NeeDoh TikTok Challenge, according to our CBS news affiliate, WOIO.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

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The mother of the child said her daughter was putting a NeeDoh toy in the microwave to make it softer, unaware that it would burn her, as part of the viral online challenge.

Anything with TikTok or social media, parents need to watch out for things like that. The NeeDoh says on the packaging dont put it in the microwave, said John Kearns from the Cleveland Fire Department.

Kearns said that her burns could have been so much worse, with burns to her face and hands.

The Ohio School Safety Center issued a warning in March, saying the challenge can lead to fires, burn injuries, and equipment damage.

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Christine Eckert said parents need to watch what their kids are doing.

Mia Basit-Hightower said, My niece is only 4 right now, but social media is only going to grow and grow by the time she gets to that age, so I do have concerns about that being online.

Do not microwave the toy. Follow the manufacturers instructions, and educate children on the potential dangers of the trend.

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Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday praised the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), asserting that the party is committed to protecting the land, language and identity of Assam's people. Speaking to ANI, Sonowal emphasised that people have strong faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, noting that the BJP has been instrumental in bringing growth, development and safeguarding the interests of indigenous communities. "This election is essential because we have to protect our land, our language, our identity. The BJP is committed to this. The steps taken against illegal immigrants in the last 10 years are exemplary, which is why people have so much trust in the BJP. People have trust in the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. BJP's speciality is bringing development, peace, tranquillity, and protection of indigenous people," he said. Sonowal's remarks come as Assam prepares to vote in a single phase across 126 Assembly constituencies on April 9, with the counting of votes scheduled for May 4. Earlier, on Saturday, Sonowal accused the Congress party of undermining Assam's progress by facilitating the settlement of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh during their 55-year rule. "Congress never wanted Assam to progress, and that is why during their 55-year rule, the state remained significantly backward... In contrast, over the last 10 years, the BJP government has brought unprecedented change to the state through various developmental works. The Congress party brought illegal Bangladeshis into Assam and settled them by providing land in various districts," he said. The upcoming elections will witness a contest between the incumbent BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government and the Congress-led opposition alliance. The BJP-led NDA, which includes the Bharatiya Janata Party, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), and Bodoland People's Front (BPF), is seeking a third consecutive term in Assam. The Congress-led opposition alliance, which includes Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), Raijor Dal, Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], CPI(ML), and other parties, aims to capitalise on anti-incumbency and reclaim power in the state. (ANI)
Authorities in Wilmington, Delaware are investigating a shooting that sent two people to the hospital.

It happened just before 6 p.m. Saturday on the 2300 block of Lamotte Street.

Police say a 25-year-old man was shot repeatedly, and a 20-year-old man was shot in the head.

Both victims are hospitalized.

No word on their conditions.
Washington  Officials from 23 Democratic states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit Friday seeking to block President Trump's latest executive order that aims to restrict mail voting, arguing the directive unconstitutionally attempts to interfere with states' administration of elections.

The lawsuit, led by California, was filed with the U.S. district court in Massachusetts. It asserts that neither the Constitution nor any federal law gives the president the power to mandate widespread changes to states' electoral systems or voting procedures.

The measure, they said, "transgress Plaintiff States' constitutional power to prescribe the time, place, and manner of federal elections" and seeks to "amend and dictate election law by fiat based on the President's whims."

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The executive order at the center of the challenge was signed by Mr. Trump on Tuesday, months before the November midterm elections, and lays out new requirements related to mail voting. The directive calls for the Department of Homeland Security to compile "State Citizenship Lists" of U.S. citizens who are eligible to vote in federal elections and requires the U.S. Postal Service to send mail or absentee ballots only to voters on each state's list.

Mr. Trump's measure also lays out specific requirements for mail ballot envelopes, including requiring them to bear a unique barcode for tracking. States and localities that don't comply with the executive order are at risk of losing federal funding.

The directive has already been challenged by a coalition of major Democratic groups, which accused Mr. Trump of attempting to rewrite election rules for partisan gain.

In the lawsuit, the states warned that the president's order "violates bedrock principles of federalism and separation of powers."

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"Each Plaintiff State has duly enacted laws governing voter rolls and mail voting that are, where applicable, consistent with statutory requirements set forth by Congress," they wrote. "The EO disregards States' inherent sovereignty and attempts to arrogate to the President the States' and Congress's constitutional power to regulate federal elections."

Mr. Trump has long railed against mail voting, claiming that the method is "cheating" and compromises election integrity. But instances of mail-voting fraud are rare, and there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud.

The president himself has taken advantage of voting by mail, casting a mail ballot in a special election last month for a Florida state House seat. First lady Melania Trump and his son Barron Trump also voted by mail, according to records from the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections.

The Constitution's Elections Clause gives states the power to set the "times, places and manner" of federal elections, and Congress also has the authority to pass election regulations. While Mr. Trump often accuses Democratic states of allowing noncitizens to cast ballots in federal elections, it is a federal crime to do so. Instances of noncitizen voting are rare.

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The president's executive order comes as he has pressured the Senate to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require Americans to show proof of citizenship in person to register to vote in federal elections and implement photo ID requirements for voting. The House approved the measure in February, but it's unlikely to clear the GOP-led Senate, where most legislation requires 60 votes to advance.

Mr. Trump signed another election-related executive order last year, which sought to overhaul U.S. elections and require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote, but key provisions have been blocked in court.

White House reacts to F-15E fighter jet downed over Iran

Early details on F-15E fighter jet downed in Iran

Supreme Court expresses skepticism over Trump order to end birthright citizenship
POCATELLO, Idaho (ABC4)  Three people were killed and two others were injured after a gunman opened fire in Pocatello, Idaho, on Friday.

At around 2:40 p.m. on April 3, police responded to a report of three people shot on Tank Farm Road in northern Power County, Idaho. Emergency personnel arrived on scene and found two people deceased as well as one injured.

The injured person was taken to the hospital via ambulance.

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Authorities then located a suspect hiding near the Portneuf River. While on scene, officers heard gunshots and found another injured person with gunshot wounds. That individual was airlifted to the hospital.

Deputies on scene reportedly tried to negotiate with the suspect before the suspect brandished a firearm. At that point, law enforcement responded with deadly force, shooting the individual.

The suspect died on scene.

Our thoughts are with the families of those lost today and those recovering in the hospital, said Power County Sheriff Sheriff Kasey Kendall. We are grateful for the quick response of our deputies and regional partners who worked to ensure no further harm came to our community.

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The Idaho Falls Police has been called in to lead the Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Task Force investigation into the officer-involved shooting. The investigation into the original shooting will be led by Idaho State Police, Bingham County Sheriffs Office, and the Bannock County Sheriffs Office.

The names of the deceased are not being released at this time. No further information is currently available.

Latest headlines:

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Ashley Davis, 37, died in a suspected domestic violence homicide on April 4, Nashville police said.

Police found Davis in the bedroom of her in Antioch house with multiple stab wounds, the MNPD news release said.

A news release about Davis from the Metro Nashville Police Department did not say whether a suspect is in custody, though it did encourage anyone with knowledge of the incident to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Antioch woman dies in suspected domestic violence stabbing
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP)  The Rockingham County Sheriffs Office and other agencies are asking for the publics help in locating a woman who went missing Saturday evening.

Authorities are actively searching for 60-year-old Lori Anne Bonnes Plummer, who went missing in the Stoneville area, near Pextile Plant Road. Her husband reported that she walked off into the woods at around 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

Rockingham County woman found alive after being missing for 24 years reunites with daughter for first time

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She is 5 feet 7 inches tall and approximately 190 pounds with blonde hair and green eyes. She was last seen wearing black pants, a gray hoodie and sneakers in an unknown color.

Lori Ann Bonnes Plummer (Rockingham County Sheriffs Office)

An initial search was conducted on Saturday with drones and K-9s. The search continued on Sunday.

At this time, Plummer is believed not to have any cellular devices with her.

If anyone has any information or sees a female matching the description of Lori Ann Bonnes Plummer, contact the Rockingham County Sheriffs Office at 336-634-3232 or 911 immediately.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.




About 740,000 stainless steel pans have been recalled from Costco, Walmart and Amazon because of a metal cap that can "forcefully eject" under heat, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

New York City wholesale company E Mishan and Sons recently recalled its Granitestone Diamond Pro Blue Saute pans because of the hazards tied to the ejecting cap, which could strike or burn an individual, according to the CPSC. The company is aware of at least 98 incidents in which the cap ejected from the pan, including one in which an individual came away burned and bruised, federal officials said.

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The company did not immediately return a request for comment.

TRENDING: 3 million bottles of eye drops sold at H-E-B, Walgreens, Kroger and CVS recalled over potential contamination

The products were sold in a set of two with a 10-inch and 11.5-inch pan, according to the U.S agency. Costco sold the pans in store and online, and the pans were also available on Amazon's and Walmart's websites, federal officials said.

They were sold for about 5.5 years, from August 2021 through February, according to the CPSC.

Consumers should stop using the pans immediately, contact E Mishan and Sons for a full refund and will be asked to return the pans, according to the agency. They can contact E Mishan and Sons at 888-230-6698 and find more information at GSRecall.com and www.granitestone.com via the "Recall information" option at the top of the page.

This article originally published at 740K stainless steel pans were recalled from Costco, Walmart and Amazon. Here's what to know.
Deep beneath the turquoise waters of Mexicos Caribbean coast, a shattered skull and scattered bone fragments have emerged from the darkness  remnants of a human who lived at least 8,000 years ago.

The discovery adds another extraordinary chapter to the story of the Americas earliest inhabitants.

The prehistoric skeleton was discovered in an underwater cave system located between the tourist destinations of Tulum and Playa del Carmen. Found 26 feet below the surface, roughly 656 feet into the cave, the remains were recovered in late 2025 and are currently being analyzed.

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Professional cave diver Peter Broger initially came across the shattered skull and bone fragments before contacting cave-diving archaeologist Octavio del Rio to investigate.

Del Rio, who collaborates with the National Institute of Anthropology and History, has been exploring the regions cenotes  freshwater sinkhole caves formed from the collapse of limestone bedrock  for three decades.

You can shout even under water, del Rio told the Associated Press of seeing the skeleton up close for the first time.

This is the 11th such skeleton found in these caves over the last three decades.

Human Remains Found in Mexicos Cenotes

The skeleton was found partially covered in sediment, and its position on a sediment pile suggests intentional placement  likely as part of a ritual funerary practice.

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Its distance from the cave entrance rules out placement by later Paleoamericans, pointing instead to people who knew these caves well.

The cave system flooded at the end of the last ice age  the end of the Pleistocene epoch  approximately 8,000 years ago, due to rising sea levels from melting ice.

That timeline gives researchers a minimum age for the skeleton, though it could be much older. More study is still needed, including dating, photographic studies and collection.

Around the time this individual was alive, the Yucatan Peninsula was a semi-arid savannah with no rivers or lakes. Water and shade were scarce. Some researchers believe ancient peoples sought relief from heat in the caves, which were fed by fresh underground water.

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Ancient Mayans later believed cenotes were sacred portals to the underworld , where gods and spirits dwelled.

The Oldest Human Remains in the Americas

What makes this cave system extraordinary isnt just the newest find  its the staggering collection of ancient remains already recovered there.

Some earlier skeletons found in the same region date back approximately 13,000 years, making them some of the oldest human remains in North America.

In fact, the oldest known skeleton found in the cenotes is  Eva de Naharon  (Eve of Naharon), estimated at 13,721 years old  currently the oldest known human fossil in the Americas.

That number places human presence in the Yucatan thousands of years before the caves flooded at the end of the last ice age.

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DNA data increasingly supports the theory that early inhabitants arrived from Asia via a land bridge at what is now the Bering Strait, though some clues also suggest a South American route.

Each new skeleton offers another potential data point for untangling these competing migration narratives.

Luis Alberto Martos of the National Institute of Anthropology and History told the AP that the history of Yucatans early inhabitants is becoming better understood.

Future Discoveries Are Under Imminent Threat

Even as discoveries accelerate, so do the threats.

The cave system was significantly impacted by construction of the Maya Train under former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, intended to connect Tulum and other tourist destinations to remote areas.

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Steel support pillars driven into the caves have caused rust and iron pollution in the water, and falling stalactites are making some cenotes unsafe to explore.

TOPSHOT - Environmental activists Guillermo DChristy and Roberto Rojo swim inside a cenote close to Playa del Carmen, Mexico on April 22, 2024.

These ecosystems are very, very fragile, geologist Emiliano Monroy-Rios of Northwestern University told the Associated Press in 2024. They are building upon a land [] full of caves and cavities of different sizes and at different depths.

Mexican authorities are now working to designate the entire zone as a national protected area. Mexicos Environmental Ministry confirmed to AP that the goal is to achieve that designation in 2026.

For now, archaeologists are under pressure to find and document as much as possible before mass tourism further impacts the area.

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Only expert divers with specialized equipment can access the caves today  but what they keep finding down there is reshaping our understanding of who the first Americans really were and how they lived thousands of years before civilization as we know it took shape.

This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
An ambulance filled with medical supplies is being sent to support frontline medics in Ukraine.

The vehicle departed from Northampton on Sunday and is travelling 1,650 miles (2,655km) to Kyiv, where it will be handed to charity Ukraine-Mother before being passed to military paramedics in Sumy.

The ambulance has been funded through donations of almost 8,000 to Caritas, the charity arm of the Catholic Diocese of Northampton, while a further 3,500 was contributed by Tove Benefice church in Towcester.

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Steve Challen, from Tove Benefice, said: "These items will help paramedics save lives and support medical stabilisation facilities which treat the injured before they are transferred to hospitals."

The ambulance is delivering defibrillators, humanitarian aid and battery packs to Ukraine [Diocese of Northampton]

The ambulance has around 950kg of medical equipment on board, including defibrillators, humanitarian aid and battery packs.

Contributions also came from Brackley School and Brackley Round Table, which together donated 200kg of supplies.

The delivery follows one of Ukraine's coldest winters in more than a decade, with temperatures dropping below -20C (-4F), and comes four years after Russia's full-scale invasion.

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Many hospitals and essential medical facilities have been damaged or destroyed.

Two volunteers from the Tove Benefice will drive the ambulance across Europe before returning via Poland to England.

Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

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This week, Alameda County will vote on a resolution to prevent the former Dublin women's prison from becoming an ICE detention facility.

It comes a year after the Dublin City Council passed a resolution seeking to do the same.

"Build it and ICE will fill it." That's one of the slogans used by those who want to keep ICE out of Dublin.

"It is not just immigrants that will be harmed. The community will be harmed. It creates an environment where families are separated, where people are denied their basic human rights, and that is not what Alameda County stands for," said Seema Bader, an elected delegate to the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee.

MORE: Hundreds protest proposal to reopen Dublin women's prison as ICE detention center

The organization is part of a larger coalition fighting to keep the former women's prison in Dublin from becoming an U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility.

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On Tuesday, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors will vote on a resolution to oppose reopening or repurposing of the former Federal Correctional Institute in Dublin, or FCI Dublin. The resolution cites "credible reports and public speculation" that the Trump Administration is considering converting Dublin into an ICE facility.

"I think we need to be very strong and vocal. That Alameda County does not support county resources to be used, in any way, shape or form, for (an)... ICE detention center or correctional facility for immigrants," Bader said.

FCI Dublin was closed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons in December 2024 because systematic sexual abuse by staff and the prison chaplain against female inmates.

MORE: ICE may turn shuttered Dublin women's prison into detention center: report

Several Bay Area lawmakers, including East Bay Congressman Eric Swalwell, blasted any proposal to reopen FCI Dublin for ICE.

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"The madness must stop. This disgraced facility behind me should not be further disgraced by having ICE in our community. It is closed because people who worked there violated their oaths and committed sexual assault," Swalwell told a crowd at an event at FCI Dublin in February.

In late 2025, the Dublin City Council voted unanimously to oppose the repurposing the former prison. In January, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors passed a policy prohibiting ICE from using county-owned property for operations.

In February, California's U.S. Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, along with Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security citing "strong opposition" to using FCI Dublin as a detention facility.

MORE: Former Dublin FCI prison inmates reach historic settlement, call for Biden to pardon abuse victims

The Department of Homeland Security has repeatedly stated that there is no plan to reopen FCI Dubin. But Dan Morley with the group Indivisible Tri-Valley says that's not enough.

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"It was the Bureau of Prisons that operated that facility. They were just lying and deceiving all the time in their public statement. So, we really cannot trust the words that are coming out from the federal agencies," Morley said.

Morley adds that there is also concern that detainees housed at such a facility would likely face health and safety risks, based on the treatment of inmates at other ICE detention centers.

"We would see a rushed, hastily opened facility," Morley said. "And it would strike fear into the community because they would then, you know, just be trying to fill quotas. And trying to get people, the easiest targets they could, by targeting, racially profiling our neighbors."

The resolution is expected to pass.

If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live
MELBOURNE, FL  As people around the world paused to observe Easter on April 5, the Artemis II astronauts offered a message of love to the world and took a moment to honor their crewmate, a first-time flier in space  all after hearing from a NASA Apollo astronaut.

Shortly after waking up on Sunday, the Artemis II astronauts, who are currently on their way to fly around the moon, heard the voice of someone other than Mission Control: Apollo astronaut Charlie Duke.

"Hello, Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy. This is Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke. John Young and I landed on the moon in 1972 in a lunar module we named Orion," said Duke. "I'm glad to see a different kind of Orion helping return humans to the moon as America charts the course to the lunar surface."

Duke flew to the moon in April 1972 during the Apollo 16 mission alongside John Young and Ken Mattingly. While in space, Duke left something special behind.

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"Below you on the moon is a photo of my family. I pray it reminds you that we and America and all of the world are cheering you on," said Duke. "Thanks to you and the whole team on the ground for building on our Apollo legacy with Artemis. Godspeed and safe travels home.

On Monday, April 6, the Artemis II crew will make their closest approach to the moon as they swing around the far side. With the current lighting conditions, they will see views that were in darkness during the Apollo missions.

NASA has said photos taken with the crews cameras and iPhones will be revealed afterward. They are expected to return to Earth on Friday, April 10, with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

Here's a timeline: How long will it take Artemis II to get to the moon?

Jeremy Hansen gets his astronaut wings while flying to the moon

Not every astronaut can say they received their astronaut wings while flying to the moon. Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen can.

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Astronauts have a long-standing tradition of receiving their astronaut wings upon their first space flight. It's a gold pin that honors the accomplishment.

While flying toward the moon, Commander Reid Wiseman presented the astronaut wings to mission specialist Hansen live on NASA TV.

Artemis II crew members Jeremy Hansen, Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, and Victor Glover answer questions from reporters during the first downlink event of their mission. Earths crescent is seen from a solar array camera on the Orion spacecraft on the first flight day of the Artemis II mission. A view of the Earth from NASAs Orion spacecraft as it orbits above the planet during the Artemis II test flight. In an image posted by NASA on April 3, 2026, shows a full disk image of Earth, as seen from the Orion capsule. The planet is pale blue, swirling with white clouds and glowing slightly lighter blue in places from reflected light. From the lower left, a large brown landmass is Africa, with the Iberian peninsula twinkling with lights just where the planet curves. In the upper right, aurora glow in a thin green glow, just barely separated from the planets surface. Earth is set against the black of space. In an image posted by NASA on April 3, 2026, One-third of Earth is seen through the Orion capsule window as the NASA Artemis II mission continues towards the moon. Although Earth only fills a fraction of the image it is the brightest object in the image. The capsule window is surrounded by a thick frame held in place with bolts. It is dark in the capsule, but the outlines of straps and various components of the capsule are visible. This screen grab from NASA's feed released on April 3, 2026, shows the four Artemis II crew members (L-R) Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander, Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist and Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot as they head to orbit the Moon for the first time in more than half a century. This screen grab from NASA's feed released on April 3, 2026, shows the four Artemis II crew members (L-R) Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist (hidden), NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander, Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist and Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot as they head to orbit the Moon for the first time in more than half a century. See photos from space during NASA's Artemis II mission so far 1 of 7 Artemis II crew members Jeremy Hansen, Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, and Victor Glover answer questions from reporters during the first downlink event of their mission.

Artemis II celebrates Easter flying to the moon

After the short ceremony, the astronauts each gave a short Easter message to everyone back on Earth.

"We were talking up here as a crew, and we wanted to send a special Easter message on this day. And no matter your faith or religion, for me, the teachings of Jesus were always a very simple truth of love  universal love. Love yourself and love others," said Hansen.

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"And something for us, being up here and looking back at all of you through one tiny window  that just resonates 100 percent true," Hansen said. And our goal as humanity should be to just follow in that example.

Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Artemis II crew hears from Apollo astronaut: World 'cheering you on'
Following the recent hostage incident involving judicial officers in Malda, All India Muslim Personal Law Board member Moulana Abu Talib Rehmani has urged the Election Commission to ensure the safety of officials and the public, and asserted that legitimate voters should not be removed. Speaking to ANI, Rehmani said, "I believe the Election Commissioners, and the system as a whole, must pay close attention to these issues. I have always opposed violence and will continue to do so. Protection should extend not only to bureaucrats and the judiciary, but also to ordinary citizens." Earlier, a major political storm had erupted in West Bengal as seven judicial officers, including three women, were held hostage by villagers in Malda district on Wednesday. The standoff was triggered by mass deletions from the electoral rolls under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. The incident was part of a broader wave of protests that paralysed Malda throughout the day, as demonstrators staged road blockades across national and state highways and key rural routes in at least five Assembly constituencies. ADG North Bengal K Jayaraman stated that 35 people have been arrested so far in connection with the Malda hostage incident, asserting that authorities will not tolerate further violence. On the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state, Rehmani expressed concern over the exclusion of legitimate voters, stating, "If someone holds valid documents... yet their name is missing... denying them the right to vote is deeply unfortunate. Such exclusion would tarnish the electoral process". As the NIA probes the Malda incident following a Supreme Court directive, the controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has intensified in West Bengal ahead of the Assembly polls. The West Bengal Legislative Assembly consists of 294 seats, with the primary contest expected to be between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). TMC, led by Mamata Banerjee, has been in power in the state since 2011. (ANI)
A woman who disappeared nearly 32 years ago  when she was just 13 and living in Arizona  has told investigators she wasnt abducted. She ran away.

Christina Marie Plante, now 44 and living under a different name, told a cold case investigator from the Gila County Sheriff's Office that family members helped her leave.

"This was information we had not been aware of before we located her," Chief Deputy James Lahti told NBC News on Friday. "Up until then, we didn't know where she was and we were under the impression she had been kidnapped."

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But Terry Hudgens, a former Gila County sheriffs deputy who initially investigated the disappearance of the young teenager who went by "Tina," said in an interview Thursday that he was mystified by all the sudden interest in this case  because, he said, it was resolved shortly after the girl was reported missing.

Hudgens said Plante's father had custody of her but that she wanted to live with her mother. So they arranged to meet while Plante was walking to a nearby stable to tend to her horse, he said. The mother and daughter then drove to the airport in Phoenix and flew out of state  and maybe out of the country, he said.

Hudgens said they dropped their investigation after determining that Plante was safe. "It was a custody battle," he said.

Lahti confirmed Hudgens led the initial search for Plante but said the case was never officially closed. He also confirmed that Plante told them certain family members helped her disappear, but offered no further details.

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"We're still in the process of looking into what happened and as new information develops we will be providing updates," he said.

Gila County Sheriff Adam Shepherd drew national attention to the sparsely-populated county northeast of Phoenix with the announcement Wednesday that Plante had been found. Out of respect for her privacy, the sheriff's office said it would not release any other details about her current whereabouts.

On Thursday, the sheriff's deputy who located Plante revealed that she had left voluntarily with help from of family members with whom she had remained in touch.

I was dumbfounded, Capt. Jamie Garrett told NewsNations Jesse Weber Live show Thursday. I guess she wasnt happy with where she was living and who she was living with, and she ran away.

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Garrett said she told Plante that investigators had been under the impression that somebody kidnapped you. It was deemed a criminal offense.

NBC News has not been able to contact Plante's parents. Available records show that a woman with Plante's name and date of birth lived in Portland, Oregon, from June 2004 through May 2006, but both the local police and sheriff's office said they had no contact with this person.

Plante was living in the small town of Star Valley when she went missing May 16, 1994. She was last seen heading to the stable where her horse was kept, according to the sheriffs office missing person poster.

The Payson Roundup, in a May 18, 1994 newspaper article, quoted Hudgens as saying that Plante "had commented to friends about running away. But everybody kind of treats it not too seriously because they don't think she'd ever leave without her horse and her brother," Hudgens reportedly said.

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At the time, Plante was living with an aunt and uncle who put up a $10,000 reward for information on her whereabouts. Her name was entered into national databases for missing children and Lahti said investigators would revisit her case periodically as the years passed and the trail grew cold.

Garrett did not say during the interview how they finally located Plante, but she said she had not wanted to be found.

She said that was a long time ago, that was an old life, Garrett said. Shes in her adult life. She has her family now. Thats not something she even thinks about.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
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Credit: NASA

The parallels between the Artemis 2 and Apollo 8 moon missions now include a stirring holiday message.

As they circled the moon on Dec. 24, 1968, the three Apollo 8 astronauts read the first 10 verses of the Book of Genesis during a live TV broadcast that reached an estimated 25% of Earth's population.

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Mission commander Frank Borman wrapped up the reading with these words: "And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas, and God bless all of you, all of you on the good Earth ."

Artemis 2 astronaut Victor Glover (at right, with microphone) delivers an impromptu Easter message on the way to the moon on April 4, 2026. | Credit: NASA

On Saturday (April 4), as Artemis 2 's Orion capsule sped toward the moon, a CBS News reporter asked mission pilot Victor Glover if he wished to share any Easter thoughts with those of us here on Earth.

"I don't have anything prepared. I'm glad you brought it up, though; I think these observances are important," Glover responded.

Then he gave us some words that showed how thoughtful and eloquent he is, and how well he can think on his feet.

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"You guys are talking to us because we're in a spaceship really far from Earth, but you're on a spaceship called Earth that was created to give us a place to live in the universe ," Glover said. "Maybe the distance we are from you makes you think what we're doing is special, but we're the same distance from you. And I'm trying to tell you  just trust me  you are special."

Glover invoked God and the Bible in his impromptu address, but he took pains to reach believers and non-believers alike

"In all of this emptiness  this is a whole bunch of nothing, this thing we call the universe  you have this oasis, this beautiful place that we get to exist together," he said of Earth. "I think, as we go into Easter Sunday, thinking about all the cultures all around the world, whether you celebrate it or not, whether you believe in God or not, this is an opportunity for us to remember where we are, who we are, and that we are the same thing, and that we've gotta get through this together."

Apollo 8 and Artemis 2 are the first missions of their respective programs ( Apollo and Artemis ) to send people to the moon. (In fact, Apollo 8 was the first human spaceflight mission ever to go beyond Earth orbit.)

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Like Apollo 8, Artemis 2 will not land on the lunar surface; rather, it will loop around the moon's far side , a milestone that will occur on Monday evening (April 6). That flyby will slingshot Artemis 2's Orion  which holds Glover, fellow NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman and Christina Koch and Canada's Jeremy Hansen  back to Earth, where it will arrive on Friday (April 10).

On the same day that Apollo 8 delivered its Christmas Eve message, lunar module pilot Bill Anders snapped one of the most iconic photos ever taken  the famous " Earthrise " shot, which showed our gorgeous planet hanging over the moon's desolate gray dirt.

The Artemis 2 astronauts will try to recreate that photo during their lunar flyby on Monday. And hopefully the image will have similar effects to the original, which has been credited with helping to inspire the environmental movement and drawing all of us on this fractured world just a little closer together.
As the four Artemis II astronauts closed in on the moon, they took time to send Easter greetings to Earth and had their own version of an egg hunt.

Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch on Sunday presented "astronaut wings" to Canadian crewmate Jeremy Hansen, making his first space flight, before getting down to work carrying out planned tests of new Artemis pressure suits. But first, Koch passed along Easter greetings to flight controllers.

"This time of year is something that many religions and many cultures hold dear," Koch said. "It's a time of emotions such as joy, as well as solemnness, honoring what's going on both in our world and in our religious beliefs."

The Artemis II astronauts sent down Easter greetings Sunday as their Orion spacecraft carried them toward a pass over the moon's normally unseen far side Monday. Left to right: Victor Glover, Jeremy Hansen and Christina Koch. Commander Reid Wiseman is out of view to the right. / Credit: NASA

"Another aspect of that is our family tradition ... If I was on the Earth right now, I would be with my family in Houston and we would be hiding confetti eggs in the backyard and watching two very sweet little girls go try to find them."

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Koch said the crew had hidden eggs around the cabin to mark the holiday. "They were the dehydrated scrambled egg variety," she added, "but we're all pretty happy with them."

Overnight Saturday, Koch said the crew had switched from measuring their increasing distance from Earth to tracking their decreasing distance to the moon. At the time she spoke, the Orion spacecraft was 76,362 nautical miles from the moon and 168,000 miles from Earth.

The trip around the moon so far has yielded unexpected detail on its surface, giving scientists a taste of things to come when they pass over the lunar far side Monday.

The two major goals of the Artemis II flight are to thoroughly test the Orion moonship and to work through the procedures and techniques needed to safely guide future crews to the moon. The Artemis II crew also plans a full agenda of science observations when they pass behind the moon's far side Monday afternoon and evening.

A view of the moon from the Artemis II Orion capsule as it closed in for a loop around the normally unseen lunar far side Monday evening. / Credit: NASA/edited CBS News to bring out detail

NASA astronauts, mission control marvel at the moon's surface

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Looking at the moon overnight Saturday, Koch told flight controllers "the moon we are looking at is not the moon you see from Earth," adding that even some 75,000 miles from their target, they could easily discern topography and subtle differences in brightness.

She said Glover was "absolutely mesmerized" by a vast basin where "you can actually see the terrain. It's not an albedo change, it's not shadows. You can actually just tell that they are terrain features of the multi-ringed crater there."

Glover initially thought the structure was Mare Orientale, or "Eastern Sea," a high-priority target that straddles the terminator separating the side of the moon facing Earth and the normally unseen far side.

But Jacki Mahaffey in mission control replied that "we think based on your description of the basin that you saw, that is (Mare) Imbrium."

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"Yes, that sounds right," Koch agreed. "I've never noticed that Imbrium has such a distinctive high albedo ring defining it. Also worth mentioning, we do apparently have a full moon. We can't detect any terminator at all. It looks like full limb all the way around."

Mare Imbrium, or the "Sea of Rain," has a diameter of 710 miles, one of the moon's largest "seas," or maria, formed by a massive impact event several billion years ago. It is surrounded by mountains that were formed by the impact.

Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman agreed the view of the moon was spectacular, even at a great distance.

"I'm not one for hyperbole, but it's the only thing I could come up with just seeing (the crater) Tycho, there's mountains to the north, you can see Copernicus ... it's just everything from the training, but in three dimensions and absolutely unbelievable. This is incredible."

The astronauts re-install seats in their Orion capsule before donning their pressure suits to rehearse procedures they'll use when returning to Earth April 10. / Credit: NASA

"Moon joy," replied Mahaffey.

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Orion's toilet trouble fixed

Before going to bed, the astronauts were told engineers had restored Orion's toilet to normal operation after trouble earlier dumping stored urine overboard.

"At this time you are go for all types of uses of the toilet," mission control radioed.

"And the crew rejoices!" Koch said. "Thank you!

Wiseman, Glover, Koch and Hansen were launched Wednesday and, after spending a full day checking out the Orion spacecraft, the ship left Earth orbit Thursday and headed for the moon.

The crew has had intermittent problems with their space toilet since launch, occasionally being told to avoid its use in favor of "contingency collapsible urinals," or CCUs, plastic containers used for urine collection that can be vented to space later. Each crew member has two of the devices.

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Artemis II astronauts get a call from Charlie Duke

The crew began Easter Sunday in space with a wakeup call featuring CeeLo Green's "Working Class Heroes" and a recorded message from retired astronaut Charlie Duke.

"Hello Reid, Victor, Christina and Jeremy. This is Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke," he radioed. "John Young and I landed on the moon in 1972 in a lunar module we named Orion. I'm glad to see a different kind of Orion helping return humans to the moon.

"Thanks to you and the whole team on the ground for building a family. I pray it reminds you that we in America and all of the world are cheering you on. Thanks to you and the whole team on the ground for building on our Apollo legacy with Artemis. Godspeed and safe travels home."

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The crew's primary objective Sunday was to work with their bright orange pressure suits, designed to keep an astronaut alive for more than six days if their spacecraft lost air pressure or suffered some other sort of catastrophic failure.

The astronauts donned their pressure suits Sunday to demonstrate how long it would take to put them on in an emergency in the cramped confines of their Orion capsule. The test also served as a rehearsal of sorts for re-entry day when the astronauts will suit back up for their return to Earth. / Credit: NASA

Wiseman and his crewmates planned to put on their suits in the cramped confines of the Orion capsule to give flight controllers a better idea of how fast they can be donned in an emergency.

They planned to pressurize the suits, practice getting into and out of their seats while suited, assess their ability to move about and to eat and drink using dispensers in the suit's helmet.

When will astronauts reach the moon?

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Early Monday, NASA said Artemis II officially entered the lunar sphere of influence at 12:38 a.m. EDT. So lunar gravity was exerting more of a pull on the spacecraft than Earth's.

The astronauts will reach a distance of 248,655 miles from Earth at 1:56 p.m. Monday, passing a record set by the crew of Apollo 13 in 1970. Wiseman and company will fly behind the moon and out of contact with Earth for about 40 minutes starting at 6:47 p.m. Monday.

While out of contact, the crew will pass within about 4,070 miles of the lunar surface at close approach and set a new distance record of 252,760 miles three minutes later. They'll fly back into contact with Earth at 7:27 p.m.

But they will be able to observe far side features well before and after passing directly behind the moon and even witness a solar eclipse as the moon passes in front of the sun from their perspective.

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"We have amazing camera data from decades of orbiting spacecraft," said Kelsey Young, a member of the Artemis lunar science team.

"However, the human eye, especially when it's connected to a well-trained brain  which I assure you these four people have  are capable of in the blink of an eye making nuanced color observations that Apollo observations told us can tell us something scientifically."

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Dee Warner disappeared on a Sunday morning in the spring, just as the first crops were being planted in the farmland of Lenawee County, Michigan. Warner, 52, was living on a farm with her second husband, Dale Warner, and their one child together, then 9. The Warners ran three main businesses from their farm, and Dee Warner had four adult children from her first marriage  all living on their own.

Dee Warner's daughter, Rikkell Bock, lived about a half-mile from her mother's farm  close enough to see her mom's house from her own front yard.

Dee Warner / Credit: Parker Hardy

It was Bock who first noticed Dee Warner was missing, on April 25, 2021, when she came over for their weekly Sunday breakfast and found no sign of her mom at home. Both of Dee Warner's cars were on the property, and she was not responding to calls or texts, which Bock says was very unusual. As she tells "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty in "The 'No Body' Case of Dee Warner," "if my mom could glue her phone to her hand, she would."

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Dee and Dale Warner owned a trucking business with about 15 employees. They also had a farm business, raising crops, and a chemical company that sold fertilizer and seed, all based on their rural property. Dee Warner is described by friends and family as a good businessperson  tough, generous and hard-working.

Bock says she and her adult siblings had seen their mother the day before she disappeared and says Dee Warner told them she had been in a fight with two employees from the trucking business that Saturday. Bock says her mom was very upset that day, which is part of the reason they made the decision to call the sheriff's office and report her missing that Sunday.

After police got that call, the Lenawee County Sheriff's Office sent a deputy out to the Warner home. Dale Warner met the deputy and told him about his wife's fight with their employees the day before. He said Dee had been upset, but that he wasn't that alarmed because he noticed her makeup bag, hair dryer and curling iron were gone. He also said his wife had been known to leave before when upset. Dale Warner told police that he thought his wife would cool off and come back home.

Dee Warner's brother Gregg Hardy and his wife Shelley Hardy say they were worried that Dee Warner had been so upset that she may have harmed herself  and wondered if that was why no one could find her. Gregg Hardy says he organized about 50 people to do a foot search of the farmland around his sister's farm the weekend after she was reported missing, to see if they could find any trace of her. Their search came up empty.

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Gregg Hardy says on the day of that search, Dale Warner showed up on a four-wheeler and "doesn't really participate." Gregg Hardy says he soon began to fear that Dale Warner may have harmed his sister, telling Moriarty, "I was getting these, call it a gut feeling if you like, whatever you'd call it, but I was very suspicious of his mannerisms."

As time passed, Gregg Hardy says his suspicion only grew. Hardy says it was about six weeks after Dee Warner had disappeared when he asked Dale Warner how he thought the investigation was going. He says Dale Warner told him he thought the search for his wife was a little slow, but OK, and Hardy says he accused Warner of lying about what happened to his wife and vowed to get him.

Police had searched repeatedly for any trace of Dee Warner, but found no sign of her dead or alive, and no signs of violence. Dale Warner spoke to police many times voluntarily about his wife and allowed them to search his properties on several occasions. He would later assert, through an attorney, that he had not harmed Dee and that he had repeatedly denied harming her in his conversations with police.

Gregg Hardy organized a public vigil at his farm in the fall of 2021 to publicly ask for justice and draw attention to his sister's case. At that vigil, Hardy accused Dale Warner of telling a concocted story that his sister had left on her own. Hardy told "48 Hours" that he was impatient for police to make a move. But the now former county prosecutor says he emphasized to Hardy at the time how important finding a body or similar physical evidence was and was aware of the risks of making an arrest too quickly.

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Three months after that vigil, Shelley Hardy was watching an episode of "48 Hours" about a case where the victim's family suspected foul play, but there was no body. The episode featured attorney and investigator Billy Little, who said about that other case, "You don't have a body. So what? You don't get to get away with murder because you're good at disposing of bodies."

Gregg and Shelley Hardy say they were both moved by that statement, and wanted to find Little and see if he could help them with Dee Warner's case. Little came to Lenawee County the next month to do what he could to assist.

Part of Little's help, Gregg Hardy says, was strategic: he gave Hardy advice on how to use the press to get the word out about Dee Warner's case. And Little says he did a lot of footwork  talking to potential witnesses, walking properties where Hardy thought they might find evidence, and flying drones over the land to look for clues.

Dee Warner's brother, Gregg Hardy, says he was being sarcastic when he wrote the billboard in Lenawee County, Michigan, that read (CBS News)

Part of that effort, they both say, was to make Dale Warner feel the pressure of their investigation. Soon after Little came to help, Hardy says he paid for a billboard that read, "Help Dale Find Dee," and put it up at a big intersection near the Warner home, where, Hardy says, the truck drivers from their trucking company would be sure to see it.

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The billboard was intended sarcastically, Little and Hardy say, since they both didn't think Dale Warner was acting like a concerned husband. Little also said the billboard was intended almost as a form of psychological pressure on Warner, and to publicly shame him for their belief that he was not doing enough to find his wife.

With a community of Dee's friends and supporters, Little and Hardy continued to hold more rallies, and vigils, and lobbied to have state police take over the case from the county sheriff. Michigan State Police did take over Dee Warner's case in August 2022, but had been assisting on the investigation before that, as did the FBI. In November 2023, state police arrested Dale Warner and charged him with Dee Warner's murder. Dale Warner pleaded not guilty.

At the time of that arrest, police still had not found any trace of Dee Warner. Dale Warner was bound over for trial in June of 2024 and his trial for murder is slated to begin on Sept. 2, 2025.

Dale Warner and his attorney declined to speak to "48 Hours" about the case pretrial, as did the state police and the county prosecutor. Warner's attorney told "48 Hours" in an email that "Mr. Warner maintains his innocence, and we are prepared to vigorously fight for him in court and present his defense."

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In August 2024, soon after Dale Warner was bound over for trial, police found a major piece of physical evidence in the case.

On March 10, 2026, a jury found Dale Warner guilty of second-degree murder and tampering with evidence in the death of Dee Warner.

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Boston EMS has provided a statement following Saturdays incident involving an officer-involved shooting in Boston.

Boston police say suspect killed in officer-involved shooting, several officers also injured

The incident occurred on Hemenway Street, located near housing for students at Northeastern University, when officers were dispatched to the scene after someone had called 911 and alleged they were going to be harmed.

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After some time, it was apparent that the individual was going through a mental health crisis, prompting officers to call for the assistance of Boston EMS and their clinician.

According to authorities, the individual opened the door and struck both the EMS clinician on scene and an officer outside the door. He allegedly stabbed the officer with a weapon, which Commissioner Cox identified as some sort of sword.

According to a spokesperson for Boston EMS, those workers suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Today serves as a reminder of the dangers inherent in this work and the sacrifice our members make every day. Members of Boston EMS show up to save lives  not to be assaulted," the spokesperson said. No one should face violence for simply doing their job. Our thoughts are with our injured members, the Boston Police officers, and everyone affected by todays incident.

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Officers shot the individual who later passed away from his injuries in the hospital.

The incident remains under investigation.

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
Before a new week begins, we're taking a look back at the week that was, and the stories that led the news with Enterprise readers.

Top stories this past week included:

A Brockton man accused of opening fire on two Brockton police officers during a car chase was ordered held without bail at his arraignment Tuesday.

Brockton Police are investigating a pedestrian crash that killed a woman and injured a man on Thursday morning, April 2, near North Main Street and Livingston Road.

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Jeano's Restaurant  which Enterprise readers just named Brockton's best Haitian restaurant  will have a new home in 2027. What to know.

In case you missed it, here are five stories from the past week that resonated with our readers.

Brockton Police shootout suspect held without bail. New details

A Brockton man accused of opening fire on two Brockton police officers during a car chase over the weekend was ordered held without bail at his arraignment Tuesday.

Jailson M. Andrade, 44, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to 14 charges, including two felony counts each of assault to murder with a firearm and assault with a dangerous weapon, as well as several firearm related charges and traffic violations, court records show.

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Shootout suspect held without bail:: Brockton Police shootout suspect held without bail. New details

Brockton police chase ends in shootout: Suspect, bystander hurt after Brockton police chase ends in shootout

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Jailson M. Andrade, 44, of Brockton, was ordered held without bail Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Brockton District Court on charges he initiated a shootout with police Sunday, in which he was hit in the arm.

Massachusetts State Police are investigating a shooting involving Brockton Police that injured two people near Moraine and Spring streets on Sunday, March 29, 2026.

Brockton Haitian restaurant is moving. Where, when and why

Jeano's Restaurant  which Enterprise readers just named Brockton's best Haitian restaurant  will have a new home in 2027. The Jeano's brand isn't going away. They aren't uprooting the menu. The same Haitian staples like legumes and red snapper and rice and beans will be coming with them. The only difference: a new space.

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Brockton Haitian restaurant is moving: Beloved Brockton Haitian restaurant is moving. Where, when and why

Who won best Haitian food poll: Here's who won Brockton's best Haitian food. Why it's so authentic

Derrick Jean and his father Dieulifate "Jeano" Jean, owners of Jeano's restaurant in Brockton, seen on Friday, March 13, 2026.

Fatal Brockton pedestrian crash kills woman, injures man. What we know

Brockton Police are investigating a pedestrian crash that killed a woman and injured a man.

At around 6:40 a.m. Thursday morning, April 2, Brockton Police responded to a report of two pedestrians struck by a vehicle near North Main Street and Livingston Road.

Fatal Brockton pedestrian crash: Fatal Brockton pedestrian crash kills woman, injures man. What we know

A woman was killed and a man injured in a fatal Brockton pedestrian crash on Livingston Road on Thursday morning, April 2, 2026.

Brockton school board member absent from meetings for 6 months

Brockton School Committee member Timothy Sullivan stopped attending meetings in October, according to a review of meeting minutes by The Enterprise.

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In the last six months, he has attended just two regular meetings of the board of elected officials  and even those two meetings he attended remotely, via phone, not in person.

Brockton school board member absent: Brockton school board member absent from meetings for 6 months

Tim Sullivan and Jorge Vega of the Brockton School Committee go over plans for the proposed new Boys & Girls Club building while on a tour of the site on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. School Committee member Judy Sullivan is between them.

Is this $1M home Brockton's most expensive single family ever?

A custom-built cape on Brocktons West Side, described as having "all the bells and whistles," may be the most expensive single-family home ever sold in the city, according to the real estate agent who sold the property.

Listed for $1,190,000 in November 2025, the home at 10 Westbury Road in Brockton sold for $1,080,000 on Jan. 28, 2026, according to real estate agent Greg Murphy who sold the property.

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Is this $1M home city's most expensive?: Is this $1M home Brockton's most expensive single family ever?

Realtor Greg Murphy, 10 Westbury Road, Brockton on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.

Staff writer Kathy Bossa can be reached by email at kbossa@enterprisenews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Enterprise today.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton shooting; Brockton fatal pedestrian crash among top stories
While there is not a current burn ban in the state, there have been several fires which were considered illegal/trash fires extinguished around Burton during the last ban.

This past week the Burton Fire District has responded to four illegal/trash fires, to include during the SC Red Flag and SC Burn Ban conditions, said Burton Fire District Assistant Fire Chief Daniel Byrne.

Byrne said one of the illegal/trash fires spread and became a large grass fire requiring two fire engines and over 1,000 gallons of water to extinguish.

Burton Fire District responded to four illegal/trash fires around Burton when the South Carolina Forestry Commission had a burn ban in effect.

State law requires those who live in unincorporated areas of the state and wish to burn notify the The South Carolina Forestry Commission, Byrne said. Yard debris fires need to be monitored at all times with a continuous water source ready.

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Byrne said those living in Beaufort County are required to follow the Outdoor Burning ordinance.

For more information about the ordinance and how to contact the forestry commission for information about whether or not conditions are favorable to burn, visit: https://www.scfc.gov and https://www.beaufortcountysc.gov/index.html

This article originally appeared on Bluffton Today: The Burton Fire District responded to four illegal/trash fires
California is again taking the Trump administration to court, challenging a new executive order aimed at overhauling the nation's election system.

In a partnership with more than 20 other states, California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit Friday arguing that President Donald Trump's executive order affecting mail-in voting is unconstitutional. It marks California's 66th lawsuit against the White House, according to Bonta's office.

"Their interference, their actions are the threats to the integrity of our election system," Bonta said.

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The lawsuit follows a March 2025 attempt by Trump, in which he sought to require proof of citizenship for voting, but three federal courts blocked aspects of that order. Bonta said the new order mirrors those previous efforts.

MORE: Trump signs order directing creation of a national voter list, a move sure to face legal challenges

"This order is just as illegal as the first one," Bonta said. "But the president seems to embrace a philosophy of if at first you don't succeed, break the law again."

If allowed to stand, the executive order would create a list of verified U.S. citizens eligible to vote and require the U.S. Postal Service to ensure ballots are sent only to those voters.

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Trump defended the order, saying, "I think this will help a lot with elections. We'd like to have voter ID, we'd like to have proof of citizenship, and that'll be another subject for another time."

Legal experts say the president lacks the authority to unilaterally reshape how elections are run. Daniel Farber, a professor at UC Berkeley Law School, said election oversight is constitutionally assigned to the states.

MORE: Bay Area lawyers to challenge Trump before Supreme Court in birthright citizenship case

"There just is no constitutional power for the president to really get involved in the election process at all," Farber said. "The framers of the Constitution clearly saw elections as a state function, and they've really only allowed these very limited exceptions."

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Trump has repeatedly and falsely claimed U.S. elections are plagued by widespread fraud. Farber warned that federal intervention could further undermine public confidence.

"Especially given the amount of political polarization we have now, I think it would really destroy faith in elections, because, you know, you would have to trust the party in power to be doing a fair job," he said.

The lawsuit is the latest in a broader push by the president to reshape election rules, an effort federal courts have so far largely pushed back against.

Bonta said he is not concerned the mail-in voting restrictions will take effect before California's June 2 primary election, but he believes the administration is positioning itself ahead of the November midterm elections.

If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live
A bombshell claim in the case against Tyler Robinson, who is accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk last year, has social media buzzing.

According to multiple reports, documents in the case claim the bullet used in the assassination doesnt match the rifle that has been tied to Robinson.

TMZ reported that Robinsons defense team is arguing that there is a discrepancy between the ballistic evidence and the weapon prosecutors say is connected to him.

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Marjorie Taylor Greene shared a headline from the Daily Mail reporting the claim and replied with an eyeball emoji. Greene posted again on X, writing, The ATF could not match the bullet to Tyler Robinsons gun and when the news breaks the sheriff resigns.

Washington County Sheriff Keith Brooksby did resign Monday after 30 years in law enforcement after meeting with the commissioners office to address a few different allegations.

There is no evidence that resignation is tied to the Kirk assassination case, though.

The former Congresswoman from Georgia was not the only person talking about the claim from Robinsons defense team.

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This is not a minor evidentiary dispute, Brian Allen wrote on X. If the bullet doesnt match the gun  the prosecutions case has a fundamental problem.

Where are all my neocons who have been overwhelmed by the non existent evidence against Tyler Robinson? Candace Owens wrote. You should all be ashamed of yourselves. Hope the money was worth it.

There were plenty of wild conspiracy theories being kicked around social media, too.

Kirk, 31, a polarizing but popular conservative activist, was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025.

Robinson was arrested a short time later, and is facing multiple charges including aggravated murder and felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury.

Read the original article on pennlive.com. Add pennlive.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Easter celebrations were held across the Chicago on Sunday.

Local churches have been seeing a bit of a revival. Whether it be because of the new Pope Leo XIV and his local connections, or because of people looking for answers in this messy world, people have reengaged their faith.

There was a long line of people waiting to enter the 10 a.m. Mass at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago.

READ MORE | Catholic churches expecting largest number of new members in years this Easter

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Earlier in the day, at dawn, Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago was home to the 19th the annual Easter Sunrise Service.

Observances began on Holy Thursday when a 15-foot cross was raised at Daley Plaza.

Each year, different groups have sponsored what they call Cross on the Plaza in the days leading up to Easter each year.

The Easter message will be given by Pastor Juan Carlos Callan of New Life Albany Park.

The Easter message was be given by Pastor Juan Carlos Callan of New Life Albany Park.

It was a non-denominational service. The event brings hundreds of faithful members to pray and reflect on Easter Sunday.

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Service began at 6:30 a.m.

SEE ALSO | Pope Leo urges peace in first Easter Mass, skips naming wars in Urbi et Orbi

Chicago's Historic Fourth Presbyterian Church hosted three worship services on Sunday.

A sunrise service kicked off Easter Sunday at Oak Street Beach led by clergy of Fourth Presbyterian Church.

Chicago's Historic Fourth Presbyterian Church hosted three worship services on Easter Sunday.

A musical and joyful celebration begin at 9:30 a.m. at the sanctuary, located at 126 E. Chestnut Street, with processions and congregants filling Michigan Avenue.

Rev. Dr. Camille Cook Howe marked her first Easter as senior pastor at Fourth Presbyterian.

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RELATED | Weekend events, egg hunts held across Chicago area ahead of Easter Sunday

Also on Sunday, the Easter Bunny hopped into La Rabida Children's Hospital to celebrate with some special kids and their families.

It helped to bring a sense of normalcy to children going through some tough health battles.

The Easter Bunny visited kids at La Rabida Children's Hospital on Sunday.

"We have presents for each of the patients and any of the siblings, and we also get to pass out beautiful handmade gift baskets that have been donated," said Allen Kutchins, Board Member at La Rabida Children's Hospital.

The baskets were filled with Easter goodies, including books and plush animals.

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Tyler Rush's 10-year-son is living with autism and is currently staying at the hospital. She says the Easter gifts alleviates the pressure on parents and brings a smile to her family during this difficult time.

"On Valentine's Day we were going to a hotel," Rush said. "Cooper had an accident with his friend where he was accidentally shot in the head. It was with an air rifle pellet gun. So it is stuck in his brain and it will remain there for life."

The hospital is bringing Cooper one step closer to recovery.

"He was temporarily paralyzed on the whole left side of his body so when we came here, he couldn't walk, move, or even like move his eyes to the side. And as you see he's very mobile now," Rush said. "Honestly this place has been more like a home than home has been"

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The special gesture on Easter Sunday brings normalcy to the children's lives while they receive treatment.

"We have a lot of patients who don't have families, so having something like this for them brightens up their day, make a smile. Puts a smile on the staff too," said Catalina Torres, Child Life Specialist at La Rabida Children's Hospital.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said that he will be filing a civil and criminal defamation case against Congress leader Pawan Khera, after the latter accused his wife, Riniki Bhyan Sharma, of holding multiple passports. Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Khera asked, "A sitting CM's wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, is not an Indian citizen today. This is an anti-national activity... who keeps three passports... Hemanta is planning to run away from this country. CEC Gyanesh Gupta should cancel his candidature." Responding to his allegations, the CM, in a post on X, "categorically rejected" the allegations, calling them "malicious, fabricated, politically motivated and misleading." Asserting confidence in the judiciary, he expressed confidence that Khera will "face the consequences of his actions." "Today's press conference by Pawan Khera reflects the deep frustration and panic within the Congress party. As Assam moves decisively towards a historic mandate, such desperate and baseless attacks only expose their sinking ground. I categorically reject every allegation made by him. These are malicious, fabricated, and politically motivated lies aimed at misleading the people of Assam," he wrote. "My wife and I will be filing both criminal and civil defamation cases within the next 48 hours against Shri Pawan Khera. He will be held fully accountable for his reckless and defamatory statements. I have complete faith in the judiciary. Once the truth is established in a court of law, Shri Pawan Khera will face the consequences of his actions, and the law will take its due course," he added. Subsequently, the CM asserted confidence in a landslide victory of the NDA in the upcoming legislative assembly polls. "The people of Assam will not be misled by such propaganda. We remain focused, determined, and confident of securing a decisive mandate of more than 100 Seats from the people," he said. https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/2040704011884753167 In a separate detailed post, the CM noted down several alleged discrepancies in the documents that Khera showed in his press conference, including mispelled surname, no standard biometric image, and anomalies in the UAE ID, Antigua, Barbuda and Egyptian passports, ridiculing them as "digital manipulation." "The documents being circulated show multiple glaring inconsistencies, suggesting a crude and poorly executed attempt at digital manipulation: Surname mismatch -- "SARMA" used instead of the official "SHARMA". The photograph appears to be a publicly available image, not a standard biometric capture. UAE ID anomalies: ID sequence inconsistent with expected year-of-birth pattern Nationality mismatch -- listed as Egypt, while MRZ reflects a different country code, Antigua & Barbuda passport: Expiry date mismatch between printed field and MRZ. Egyptian passport: Passport number mismatch between printed field and MRZ Spelling errors ("Egyptiann") and incorrect Arabic reference. Title deed QR code appears invalid and does not resolve to any authentic record," he noted. "These inconsistencies strongly indicate possible fabrication or digital manipulation. Truth will prevail. Those spreading misinformation will be held accountable," the CM wrote, expressing confidence that "Pawan Khera's campaign of falsehood is nearing its end" and that Khera will eventually 'go to jail." https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/2040730279279817133?s=20 Voicing similar opinions, the CM's wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, ridiculed the alleged "AI generation and photoshopping" in the documents shown by Khera. Criticising the Congress leader for allegedly circulating "poorly fabricated images of imaginary passports and documents," she said that the couple will be pressing criminal charges. "Aapki sirf tapasya mein hi nahi, AI generation aur photoshopping mein bhi kami reh gayi. I expected a spokesperson of a national party to exercise basic due diligence, rather than circulate poorly fabricated images of imaginary passports and documents. I will now be letting the law take over. Criminal charges are being initiated. We can continue this in court. @Pawankhera @INCIndia," she wrote in a post on X. https://x.com/rinikibsharma/status/2040723190008471903 The reactions stem from All India Congress Committee (AICC) Media and Publicity Department Chairman Pawan Khera's claims that documents suggested Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife holds not one, but three active passports. Khera asked, "Himanta Biswa Sarma's entire politics is based on hatred against Muslims, but how does his wife hold passports from two Muslim countries? According to Indian law, you cannot hold dual citizenship, so does Rinki Bhuyan Sarma also hold an Indian passport? Is Himanta Biswa Sarma the adopted son of Amit Shah? And did the country's Home Minister know that his adopted son's wife holds 3 passports?" Subsequently, APCC President Gaurav Gogoi launched a frontal attack on the Chief Minister and demanded an investigation into his properties. He said that Himanta Biswa Sarma will have to answer the questions and "pay for his crime". The allegations come as Assam is all set to go into single-phase Assembly elections on April 9, with 126 constituencies across the state. (ANI)
NEED TO KNOW

Kids discovered a human skull in a creek in South Carolina

Investigators have since unearthed 45 to 50 pretty weathered bones in the Homeland Park area of Anderson County, where the children initially discovered the skull

I want to say that these remains are probably 10-plus years because of the roots that were around the bones and things like that. But thats still a guess, a coroner said

Children who were playing near a creek in South Carolina made a shocking discovery when they stumbled upon a human skull.

The kids mother called the Anderson County Sheriffs Office on Sunday, March 29, after her son brought her the skull found in Homeland Park.



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A spokesperson for the sheriff's office told PEOPLE in a statement that while the callers son was walking around a creek surrounding Lawrence Road, he came across a skull and brought it directly to his mother."

A local coroner confirmed that the skull was not only human.

Investigators have since unearthed 45 to 50 pretty weathered bones in the Homeland Park area of Anderson County, where the kids discovered the skull, according to Fox Carolina, KBTX 3 and WRDW News 12

While no injuries have been reported in the skull, foul play has not been ruled out yet, per Fox Carolina.

I want to say that these remains are probably 10-plus years because of the roots that were around the bones and things like that, the coroner told the outlet. But thats still a guess.

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The sheriff's office also shared with PEOPLE that they "remained on scene for hours" to collect and document all evidence.

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.

"We are in the early stages of the investigation," they added.

Read the original article on People
BEIJING, April 5 (Reuters) - China is willing to continue to cooperate with Russia at the U.N. Security Council and make efforts to cool down the Middle East situation, Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in a phone call on Sunday.

Wang said the fundamental way to resolve navigation issues in the Strait of Hormuz is to achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible, adding that China has always advocated political settlement of hotspot issues through dialogue and negotiation.

The foreign ministers' call came ahead of a U.N. Security Council vote next week on a Bahraini resolution to protect commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

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As permanent UNSC members, China and Russia should "adopt an objective and balanced approach and seek to win greater understanding and support from the international community," Wang told Lavrov, according to a statement from his ministry.

A Russian Foreign Ministry statement said the ministers discussed ways to achieve a rapid ceasefire and "launch a political-diplomatic dialogue."

"Satisfaction was expressed at the coincidence in Russia's and China's approaches on most issues on the global agenda, including the situation around Iran, related to the unprovoked aggression of the U.S. and Israel against that country," it said.

China has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in the Gulf region and Middle East, urging an end to the fighting that has run for more than a month and largely closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping artery for oil and gas.

(Reporting by Shi Bu and Ryan Woo; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Mark Porter)
As American special forces raced to locate a U.S. airman stranded inside Iran after the downing of his fighter jet on Friday, U.S. intelligence officers mounted a bold plan to prevent Tehran from getting to him first.

The CIA spread word inside Iran that U.S. forces had already found the airman and were exfiltrating him out of the country by ground, according to two senior administration officials.

The feint bought time for the CIA to locate the downed airman and quietly relay his precise whereabouts to the White House and Pentagon, added the two officials, who were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak with the media.

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U.S. special forces ultimately managed to find and rescue the airman late Saturday, in what President Donald Trump hailed in a social media post early Sunday morning as one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History. The airman  a weapons systems officer  had been in Iran nearly two days.

We have rescued the seriously wounded, and really brave, F-15 Crew Member/Officer, from deep inside the mountains of Iran  An AMAZING show of bravery and talent by all! Trump said in another post on Sunday, noting there were no U.S. casualties in the operation.

The high-stakes rescue operation prevented the Iranians from capturing the airman in what would have been a significant political embarrassment for the Trump administration  and a powerful bargaining chip for Tehran as the war stretches into its second month.

The airman had been missing since Friday, when Iranian forces downed an F-15 fighter jet, the first time a U.S. jet was brought down inside Iran since the start of the war. While U.S. forces quickly rescued the pilot of the F-15, the weapons systems officer was unaccounted for for days, setting off a scramble between the U.S. and Iran to get to him first.

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Trump said in his post that before the U.S. operation, the Iranian military was looking hard, in big numbers, and getting close to capturing him.

The New York Times reported Sunday that hundreds of special operations forces were involved in the rescue operation, which took place under the cover of night. But the U.S. forces triumphed after the military sent dozens of aircraft armed with the most lethal weapons in the World to retrieve the airman, Trumps post said.

In addition to the deception campaign, the CIA helped locate the airmans precise location and feed it to the Pentagon and White House before the rescue operation, said the two senior administration officials.

It was the ultimate needle in a haystack mission, the first official said.
Heavy rainfall Friday night and Saturday has led to flood warnings across the state through Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Flood warnings around river areas comes as southeast Michigan returns to colder conditions to start the week after isolated pockets of intense wind downed trees, power lines and sheds in Monroe and parts of Wayne counties during severe storms Saturday.

Flood warnings cover Macomb, Saginaw, Genesee, Shiawassee, Midland and Bay counties in southeast Michigan. The eastern Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Michigan also could see flooding along riverbanks. Southwest Michigan river levels will remain high throughout the week.

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The flood warning for Saginaw County is in effect until Thursday morning near the Saginaw River, with levels at 17.4 feet Sunday morning. The river was expected to rise to a crest of 20 feet Monay evening, then fall below 17 feet late Wednesday. In Genesee County, the Swartz River rose to 10.8 feet Sunday morning but should fall below flood levels Sunday evening and the Flint River rose to 14.4 feet but should fall below flood stage Monday morning.

The National Weather Service was surveying Sunday the areas hit by storms the night before to determine whether storms developed into a tornado near Belleville, meteorologist Megan Varcie said. Less than an inch of rain was reported.

No injuries have been reported, said Varcie, who asked residents to contact the weather service with information about damage caused by the storm.

About 14,000 customers lost power because of high winds Saturday, DTE Energy spokesperson Colleen Rosso said. Nearly 1,200 DTE customers were without power as of noon Sunday, and Rosso said the company expects to restore power to them within hours.

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Saturday's storms were caused by air from Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair moving inland, Varcie said. She said brief spinoffs are common when air from different areas collides.

Heavy rain and flooding in southwest Michigan forced Amtrak to cancel Sunday train rides between Grand Rapids and Chicago. The National Weather Service on Sunday issued flood watches and warnings for rivers throughout the lower peninsula.

Temperatures in Metro Detroit will be below average for the next several days, Varcie said, with projected lows in the 30s and 40s and overnight lows in the 20s Tuesday and Wednesday. Quickly melting snow is possible Sunday and Monday, she said.

Chilly weather follows above-average temperatures Friday, when Detroit celebrated Opening Day and highs in the 70s.

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Varcie said it's normal for the weather to vary during Michigan springs, when "the atmosphere basically can't decide if it wants to have cold air from Canada moving in or this warmed air from the south and moisture from the Gulf."

"And so what that does is that puts us in these very unstable, unsettled conditions where we're fluctuating temperatures all the time," Varcie said. "And that makes the atmosphere out of balance, which is what causes us to have all this severe weather and thunderstorms."

Warmer weather was expected to return to the state Wednesday.

sballentine@detroitnews.com

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Flood warnings issued across state after heavy rains Friday
Community activists and leaders held a vigil condemning what police believe was gang violence that led to 7-month-old Kaori Patterson-Moore's death in Brooklyn.

The 7-month-old was shot and killed on Moore and Humboldt Streets in East Williamsburg while her family was out for a walk.

On the eve of Easter Sunday, elected officials, community activists and religious leaders offered hope and healing to the family through the power of worship.

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"Prayer is the key of everything, right? And the hardest moments, we got to pray. And our moments where we don't know what to do. We have no resources. We go into prayer. So why not bring the community together and praying?" said Minister Alejandro Zayas.

NYPD arrested Matthew Rodriguez, 18, on Friday. Detectives tracked the suspected driver of the moped involved in the shooting to Pennsylvania.

The alleged triggerman, who was seen on the back of the moped, 21-year-old Amuri Green was arraigned on Friday. Among the charges are murder and attempted murder.

Police have said they are looking into whether the baby's father was the intended target in what they are investigating as a possible gang-related shooting.

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The 7-month-old's family is calling for more resources for the youth and community engagement.

"We have failed some way through the generations. We failed a lot of these young kids. They don't know. They don't know. They don't have the morals," they said.

Attorney General Letitia James says more needs to be done to remove the guns off the streets.

"If you have a gun, an illegal gun, you have an attorney, and you can contact my office, contact the District Attorney's office. We will give you some resources in exchange for that gun," said James

The loss of baby Kaori has hit the community hard, with residents unable to find the words.

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For now, the family is focused on keeping the baby's memory alive.

"We don't want anyone to go through this," said grandmother Linda Oyinkoinyan.



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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield filed a lawsuit on Friday challenging an executive order from President Trump that limits voting by mail.

Attorney General Rayfield joined 22 other attorneys general and one governor in an effort to block Trumps March 31 executive order. The order directs the Department of Homeland Security to create verified voter lists using federal data, including Social Security. Those lists would be transferred to states, including Oregon, to determine who is eligible to vote.

Rayfield argues the order weaponizes the United States Postal Service by giving it rule-making power to determine who gets a ballot through the mail and who doesnt.

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The United States Postal Service has one job: to deliver the mail. President Trump is trying to give it a second one  deciding which Americans get a ballot, said Rayfield.

That is not the postal services role, it is not the federal governments role, and it is not constitutional, Rayfield argued in a statement. Trump has spent years weaponizing federal agencies to prop up his false story that fraud cost him the 2020 election. He votes by mail. Oregonians vote by mail. And Oregon will keep running its own elections.

The lawsuit argues that the executive order violates the separation of powers as the U.S. Constitution gives states the authority to conduct elections, not the president.

The attorneys general further that the executive order weaponizes the Postal Service by directing it to withhold ballots from voters that are not on a federally-approved list.

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The attorneys general say the order would require states to upend their existing election procedures for upcoming elections and conduct statewide voter education efforts at a dangerously quick pace  potentially within weeks of primary elections and mere months before the beginning of mail voting for the 2026 general election.

The attorneys general warn that the executive order will create confusion, chaos and distrust in state elections while potentially disenfranchising eligible voters.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D) issued a press release Friday in support of the lawsuit, saying, Today, Oregon is moving to block President Trumps unconstitutional voter suppression effort, adding, His attack on the fundamental right of every American to vote has nothing to do with election integrity and everything to do with silencing people so he can ultimately influence election results.

In a statement shared with KOIN 6 News, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson defended the order, saying, Only Democrat politicians and operatives would be upset about lawful efforts to secure American elections and ensure only eligible American citizens are casting ballots. President Trump campaigned on securing our elections and the American people sent him back to the White House to get the job done.

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As reported by The Associated Press, critics say Trumps executive order would offer little time to go through voter rolls before ballots are sent out this fall for elections. Critics also question whether the administrations voter lists would be reliable.

AP notes that mail voting has existed for more than a century and was increasingly popular in Democratic and Republican states until 2020, when Trump hurled baseless claims of mass voter fraud in mail-in voting. These claims come as Trump himself has voted by mail as recently as last month in a Florida special election.

Oregon has had mail-in voting since 1998. The state legislative fiscal office says there have been very few cases of fraud, and not enough to sway any elections. The state already uses bar codes and signature verification for mail-in ballots, which is something the presidents order also stipulates.

The March executive order comes after Trump signed a similar order last year to overhaul election rules; however, the order was blocked by courts.

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Since then, the Trump administration has requested voter rolls from several states, including Oregon. Oregons lawsuit was later dismissed.

Now the administration is trying again, this time using the U.S. Postal Service, the Oregon attorney generals office said.

Rayfield is joined in the lawsuit by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and the governor of Pennsylvania.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A cyclist was killed and two other women were hurt in a hit-and-run crash on Easter Sunday, Chicago police said.

The crash happened at about 1:20 a.m. in the 6300-block of South Kedzie Avenue on the city's Southwest Side, police said.

A man driving a red SUV was heading eastbound when he allegedly ignored a traffic signal, police said.

The red SUV struck a man riding a bicycle and then crashed with a silver car that has heading southbound, police said.

The cyclist, whose age was not immediately known, died at the scene, according to Chicago police.

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A 22-year-old woman, who was a passenger in the red SUV, was rushed to Christ Hospital in critical condition.

A 60-year-old woman, who was in the silver car, was treated at the scene.

Chicago police said the man driving the red SUV ran away on foot before police arrived.

No other information was available.

SEE ALSO | Family mourning after Hyde Park high school student killed in Dolton hit-and-run

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Dedham police are looking for a suspect after they say two employees were assaulted, and a customers car was stolen.

Authorities say officers responded to multiple incidents at Sams Express on Washington Street on Saturday.

Police think the same individual was involved in these incidents.

The incidents are under investigation.

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.

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More than 20 Democratic-led states filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Friday over the presidents executive order that restricts voter eligibility and mail-in voting.

The lawsuit argues that the U.S. Constitution gives states the primary authority to administer elections and that it is unconstitutional for the president to impose changes to federal election procedures without the permission of Congress. The suit is led by the attorneys general for California, Massachusetts, Nevada and Washington, along with co-litigant states.

The Court should declare the specified provisions of the EO(Executive Order) unlawful and void and order corresponding preliminary and permanent relief, the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts stated.

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Trumps executive order signed on Tuesday, directs the U.S. Postal Service to send ballots only to eligible voters on a list provided by the Department of Homeland Security with help from the Social Security Administration. Approved mail-in ballot envelopes will have unique barcodes for tracking, and states that do not comply could have their federal funding withheld.

The order also directed the attorney general to prioritize investigating and prosecuting anyone accused of sending ballots to ineligible voters.

The President wants to control your vote. He wants to tell the Postal Service what ballots they can accept and when. But this is patently unconstitutional, Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown said in a statement Friday. And come November, despite the presidents lawless threats, well once again use that power to protect our democracy.

Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our democracy, and no president has the power to rewrite the rules on his own, New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement Friday. This executive order is yet another attempt to disenfranchise voters and sow distrust in our electoral system as we head into the next election cycle.

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Similarly, Democrats sued the Trump administration Wednesday to block the executive order on mail-in voting. Democratic leaders in Congress  Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.)  filed the lawsuit along with the Democratic National Committee and other party organizations.

Everyone can feel just how afraid Donald Trump and Republicans are of losing the upcoming elections by how hard they are pushing their radical and illegal voter suppression policies, Schumer wrote in a statement Wednesday.

This Executive Order attacking mail-in voting is just the latest in a series of frantic efforts by Donald Trump to rig elections for Republicans by trying to change the rules, he added.

Trump has consistently claimed without evidence that mail-in ballots and votes of immigrants who are in the country illegally contributed to widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential election, which he lost to former President Biden.

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Trump on Tuesday reiterated his allegations about widespread cheating through mail-in voting during his executive order signing. Trump voted by mail from his Mar-a-Lago resort in a Florida special election last week.

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said that Trump has spent years weaponizing federal agencies to prop up his false story that fraud cost him the 2020 election. He votes by mail. Oregonians vote by mail. And Oregon will keep running its own elections.

California, Oregon, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, Vermont, Washington state and Washington D.C. allow all elections to be conducted entirely by mail. Twenty-eight states allow no-excuse absentee voting, meaning voters are allowed to request an absentee ballot, while the remaining states require an excuse to qualify.

In addition to California, Massachusetts, Nevada and Washington, the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin are part of the lawsuit.

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Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat who served as the states attorney general from 2017-23, is also part of the lawsuit. Pennsylvanias current attorney general, Dave Sunday, was sworn in last year  the first Republican to win election to the office in the state since 2008.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Detroit officer working at the city's Coleman A. Young Municipal Center accidentally shot himself Friday inside the government building, according to police.

The officer did not sustain any life-threatening injuries during the shooting, Detroit Police Officer Jalon Nelson said Sunday. No one else was injured.

The officer accidentally shot himself in a bathroom, Nelson said. He will be put on administrative duties while an internal review of the incident is done, he said.

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The Coleman A. Young Municipal Center is a Detroit and Wayne County government office building and courthouse in downtown Detroit.

kberg@detroitnews.com

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit cop accidentally shoots self in city municipal center
YSRCP spokesperson and former MLA TJR Sudhakar Babu on Sunday accused the coalition government of fueling caste and religious discrimination in Andhra Pradesh, pointing to recent actions of Speaker Ayyannapatrudu and Deputy Speaker Raghurama Krishnam Raju as proof of bias against Dalits and Christians. Addressing the media at the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) central office, Sudhakar Babu alleged, "Speaker Ayyanna slapped a Madiga artist. The Deputy Speaker's conduct is against Dalits and Christians. Chandrababu remains silent on the actions of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker." He contrasted the current scenario with the previous government led by YS Jagan, stating, "Jagan stood by Dalits and Christians, allocated Rs 70,000 crore funds, and gave state-level positions. Chandrababu has done nothing for them. Even now, Chandrababu holds an anti-Dalit mindset." Sudhakar Babu further elaborated, "Incidents of caste and religious discrimination are occurring in the state like never before. The actions of Speaker Ayyannapatrudu and Deputy Speaker Raghurama Krishnam Raju are clear examples. Ayyannapatrudu recently assaulted a Dalit (Madiga) artist, and Raghurama Krishnam Raju called for the boycott of Dalits and Christians, reflecting Chandrababu's anti-Dalit ideology once again." He highlighted violations of caste and religious freedom, saying, "Social inequality, caste discrimination, and violations of religious freedom are increasing in Andhra Pradesh. Recently, a Supreme Court judgment regarding Dalit Christians created unrest, leaving the Christian community distressed. At such a time, forces linked to TDP are allegedly trying to divide the state in the name of religion and separate communities that have been living together peacefully." He also criticised Chandrababu's stance on granting SC status to Dalit Christians, stating, "Despite participating in Christmas celebrations and publicly reading the Bible, his silence on SC status for Dalit Christians is inappropriate." Commenting on law and order, Sudhakar Babu questioned, "Why is Chandrababu silent when Speaker Ayyannapatrudu slapped a Madiga drum artist? No action was taken when TDP leader Adireddy Appa Rao allegedly used casteist abuse against a person from the Mala community. Such incidents are happening with Chandrababu's encouragement." He cited specific incidents, alleging, "Speaker Ayyannapatrudu allegedly assaulted a Madiga individual. In Railway Koduru, a Jana Sena MLA's supporter allegedly attacked a Mala woman in public. Even then, Pawan Kalyan did not issue a show-cause notice. In Shantipuram of Kuppam, TDP workers attacked Dalit women. Despite such incidents happening in constituencies represented by the CM and Deputy CM, there has been no response." Sudhakar Babu urged CM Chandrababu Naidu not to compare himself with Jagan, saying, "It is impossible for Chandrababu to win over Dalits who support Jagan. Jagan ensured social and economic justice by providing reservations in committees at all levels and establishing separate corporations for Mala and Madiga communities." He said that under Jagan's leadership, a Dr BR Ambedkar statue worth Rs 400 crore was constructed, Dalits were appointed as Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister, a special SC Commission was formed, five ministerial posts and 16 corporation chairman posts were allocated to Dalits, key positions such as ZP chairpersons, mayors, deputy mayors, and municipal chairpersons were filled, and Rs 70,000 crore was distributed among the Mala, Madiga, and Relli communities. He added, "How could they leave such leadership and join Chandrababu? He should not compare himself with Jagan in any aspect." (ANI)
This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for Chalkbeat Detroits free newsletter to keep up with the citys public school system and Michigan education policy.

Employing student influencers is the latest strategy in the Detroit school districts ongoing efforts to grow enrollment in city schools.

District officials unveiled a plan last week to hire 23 students to share positive messages about their schools in the Detroit Public Schools Community District. The high schoolers will create and share social media content aimed at winning over prospective students and parents, as well as engaging their peers.

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The initiative is one of several new ideas the district is considering to reverse a 20-year trend of dwindling enrollment.

Our students are at the center of everything that we do, said Sharlonda Buckman, assistant superintendent of Family and Community Engagement, during last weeks meeting. They have real stories, real accomplishments, real growth.

When families hear students stories and see possibilities for their children, their perceptions about the district may shift, Buckman added.

Applications for the student influencers have already opened. One student from each of the districts high schools will be selected to take on the task. If approved by the board, the influencers will be assigned content and events to promote each month on rotating schedules, earning $250 each month they post.

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Many factors have contributed to enrollment declines, including a shrinking population in Detroit, lower birthrates, state emergency management of the district, and COVID. The district also competes with charter schools, which enroll about half of kids in the city, as well as suburban districts that heavily recruit Detroit students.

Traditional strategies to attract students  including canvassing neighborhoods, hosting Summer on the Block events, expanding prekindergarten, focusing on reenrollment rates, and putting up billboards  have produced modest results, according to the district.

The district estimates it currently has more than 49,200 students  an increase of about 400 compared to the official count at the end of last school year.

Last summer, board members asked the district to come up with innovative, cost-efficient ways to drive enrollment more rapidly.

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Board member Monique Bryant said during a July committee meeting she wanted to see students tell the stories of their own schools.

I think we have an opportunity to use our students more, and I think we get more bang for our buck than what were spending now, she said.

Students and parents would be brand ambassadors for their schools

Overall, the districts plan to boost enrollment is to shape the publics perception of DPSCD to be more positive, increasing awareness of its schools with targeted advertising and connecting with more families in the city.

Marketing research supports the boards idea to center student voices to reach those goals, district officials said.

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In a survey of about 300 people conducted by the district, about 30% said they wanted to see student success stories, said Deputy Executive Marketing Director Jessica Byrd.

In addition to winning over parents, students also want to see themselves in district messaging, Byrd said. By partnering with high schoolers who are gifted at reaching peers on social media, the district will reach more potential students, she added.

They bring their audience to our platforms, and thats essentially what we want, Byrd said.

The influencers will participate in monthly content creation workshops with the marketing team. They will post both on the districts social media and their own.

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DPSCD also proposes hiring 10 to 15 parent and community ambassadors to counter negative perceptions and amplify enrollment messaging. The presentation did not include how much the ambassadors would be paid.

The ambassadors may be people who are trusted by their communities, such as church leaders, block club presidents, and parents of students in the district. They will have monthly themes for their messaging, including safety, the districts gains in literacy achievement, and career and technical education programs.

The district has relied on volunteer ambassadors in previous years, with slightly different roles. In the past, ambassadors represented the district at community and school events.

This year, the district proposes spending nearly $42,000 on both the student influencers and the community ambassadors.

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In total, the marketing plan, including other new initiatives such as web content managers, would cost around $1.4 million, according to the districts presentation.

The district will continue its traditional enrollment campaigns, including canvassing, yard signs, and events.

Board members at last weeks meeting said they were pleased with the new plans, which would be funded in the districts budget for the next fiscal year. The board must approve a budget by June 30.

Hannah Dellinger covers Detroit schools for Chalkbeat Detroit. You can reach her at hdellinger@chalkbeat.org. Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  The Easter Bunny hopped out of a Michigan police cruiser and escaped, video shows.

The video, posted by Grosse Ile Police Department Friday, shows the Easter Bunny wriggling out of the window of a police cruiser  recreating the viral video of a handcuffed woman who escaped from a Muskegon Heights Police Department Cruiser.

Grosse Ile police said they had pulled over a suspicious individual, identified as the Easter Bunny.

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Woman recorded escaping from cruiser later arrested

During the stop, it was discovered that the subject held a valid warrant for private property trespass and was secured in the rear of the patrol vehicle. Moments later, said individual managed to exit the patrol vehicle through the slightly open window and briefly escaped the scene, GIPD wrote.

Police say the escape was short-lived.

Officers quickly tracked down the escapee, who was safely taken back into custody without incident. Several colored eggs were recovered along the path of travel, the post says. It should be noted the subject displayed above average speed, but ultimately lacked a solid escape plan.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
On Easter Sunday, we will witness what appears to be a routine royal Easter church appearance, but what unfolds outside St Georges Chapel in Windsor represents a small front in a much larger war between King Charles and his son and heir, Prince William.

We have been told in advanceunusuallythat Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, will attend, alongside King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie will be conspicuous by their absence.

The Royalists sources say that William has made it clear that he will not attend any gatherings at which any members of the York family are present.

What a difference a year makes: Princess Eugenie and Sarah Ferguson arrive for the Easter Matins Service at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on April 20, 2025. / Kirsty Wigglesworth / via REUTERS

The official line from the palace is that their absence is their choice, agreed with the king. That phrasing should ring alarm bells. It echoes the choreography around Prince Andrew stepping backframed as voluntary and agreed with the king, before becoming something rather more final.

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But at the same time, we had a briefing this week that Charles will invite Beatrice and Eugenie to attend Royal Ascot alongside himself and Camilla. This contradicts stories thought to have been planted by Williams camp earlier this year, which said they wouldnt be going.

Ascot is not a mere social event; it is one of the monarchys most visible set-pieces, a highly choreographed display of royal unity, hierarchy, and legitimacy. To include the York princesses there would be a clear statement that Charles still sees them as within the public fold.

This is the surfacing of the conflict between two competing courts. On one side, Charles: conciliatory, familial, keen to preserve a sense of unity above all. On the other, William: harder-edged, focused on long-term survival and with an astute understanding of the public mood.

What a difference a year makes, part 2: Timothy Lawrence, husband of Princess Anne, speaks with then Prince Andrew at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, April 20, 2025. / Kirsty Wigglesworth / via REUTERS

Epstein reactions strain logic

After Andrews removal from public life following the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, guidance from King Charles office was explicit: Beatrice and Eugenies roles were unaffected. That always strained logic in a hereditary system where status flows from lineage, and became harder to maintain as the frequency with which their names cropped up in the files became apparent.

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William appeared to grasp the public mood more clearly than his father. I have reported on his deep frustration when Beatrice resumed public-facing roles shortly after Andrews fall, with the kings blessing.

But Charles has always leaned toward reintegration. In his arrogance, he invited the Yorks to Sandringham at Christmas in 2022 and 2023, when anyone could see it was political madness, enabling a gradual softening of Andrews exclusion that went horribly wrong with the release of the Epstein files.

Riding in a carriage at Ascot signifies youre in the royal good books. Here, Princess Eugenie arrives by royal carriage for day five of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire, on June 21, 2025. / John Walton / PA Images via Getty Images

Now we have one arm of the royal machine signaling inclusion (Ascot) while another signals exclusion (Easter). The contradiction is damaging as it shows a lack of discipline or control by Charles and an internal contest playing out through the media.

Public sentiment is not ambiguous. Polling consistently shows limited appetite for the Yorks return to prominence. The association with Epstein remains toxic, regardless of nuance.

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King Charles visit to the U.S. is going to be, well, interesting.

Much like The Royalist, the British monarchy likes to stay out of politics, but its hard to see how Charles and Camilla can maintain the stance that their first thoughts are with the victims of Epstein, and still say nothing about one of the biggest political scandals in a generation when on U.S. soil.

The Democratic congressman Ro Khanna, who introduced the Epstein Files Transparency Act last year, forcing the Department of Justice to release all records relating to Epstein, wrote an open letter to the king last week, calling on the monarch to meet survivors of Epstein. The kings office quickly declined the request, saying he wouldnt want to compromise the ongoing police investigation into his brother.

What a difference a year makes, part 3: Sarah Ferguson and ex-Prince Andrew attend the Easter Sunday service at St Georges Chapel on April 20, 2025, in Windsor, England. Their links to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein could embarrass the king in the United States. / Karwai Tang / WireImage

Its a thin excuse, and Khanna, in a new interview with the London Sunday Times, makes that clear, saying it would be easy for the king to acknowledge the harm done by Epstein without affecting the painfully slow official investigations.

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Khanna tells the Sunday Times: This is an opportunity for the King to say that the modern monarchy is going to be a force for public good My hope is that the King will look at this from the perspective of his historical legacy.

Khanna also makes a very interesting point when he says: Hes either going to come to America and half the questions are going to be about Epstein or he could come here and take a role as a global statesperson by meeting with these survivors privately.

On ex-Prince Andrew, Khanna says: He does not have to get into any of the legal matters concerning his brother. Hes there as one of the respected world leaders saying that these women were abused and that justice was denied and he is calling for justice.

If the king cant meet victims, Khanna suggests he could use a historic address to Congress to acknowledge the importance of transparency and support for survivors.

Either way, its a nightmare.
By Joshua McElwee

VATICAN CITY, April 5 (Reuters) - Pope Leo urged global leaders in his Easter message on Sunday to end the conflicts raging across the world and abandon any schemes for power, conquest or domination.

The pope, who has emerged as an outspoken critic of the Iran war, lamented in a special message to the thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square that people "are growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it, and becoming indifferent".

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"Let those who have weapons lay them down!" the first U.S. pope exhorted. "Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace!"

Leo did not mention any specific conflicts in the message, known as the "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) blessing. It was unusually brief and direct.

The pope said that the story of Easter, when the Bible says Jesus rose from the dead three days after not resisting his execution by crucifixion, shows that Christ was "entirely nonviolent".

"On this day of celebration, let us abandon every desire for conflict, domination, and power, and implore the Lord to grant his peace to a world ravaged by wars," Leo urged.

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Leo, who is known for choosing his words carefully, has been forcefully decrying the world's violent conflicts in recent weeks and ramping up his criticism of the Iran war.

In a sermon for the Easter vigil on Saturday night, he urged people not to feel numbed by the scope of the conflicts raging across the world but to work for peace.

The pope made a rare direct appeal to U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, urging him to find an "off-ramp" to end the Iran war.

In his address from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica on Sunday to the Square below, decorated with thousands of brightly coloured flowers for the holiday, Leo offered brief Easter greetings in ten languages, including Latin, Arabic and Chinese.

The pope also announced he would return to the Basilica on April 11 to host a prayer vigil for peace.

(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
A string of eight dead and missing scientists is causing concern in the U.S., as some of the disappearances are extremely baffling. One of the missing scientists was a retired Air Force general, and some of the others had professional ties to him.

Whether there is any connection is unclear. However, the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department in New Mexico told Newsweekthat the agency is looking into this to see if there is any connection at all." That agency is investigating one of the disappearances, of retired Air Force General William "Neil" McCasland. Two of the missing scientists - McCasland and Monica Reza - "had a close professional connection" and disappeared within eight months of each other, according to The New York Post, which described Reza as a "rocket scientist."

Some of the deaths do not appear related due to the circumstances, however. Four of the eight suddenly disappeared.

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Eric Burlison, a Missouri Republican, wrote on X: The disappearance of multiple scientists and military personnel with ties to advanced research is deeply concerning. Ive already requested FBI involvement, and we will keep pressing for answers.

Fox News' Will Cain highlighted the issue, saying that the missing and dead scientists dealt with sensitive information.

Here is the full list of eight missing and dead scientists:

Monica Reza Missing: She Disappeared While Hiking in California With Friends

Monica Reza. Sheriff's release (Sheriff's release)

Monica Reza was connected to NASAs Jet Propulsion Lab Project. She went missing last summer while hiking in California. No trace," said Cain.

In June 2025, the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Office posted an alert reading, "Missing Hiker  Help Us Locate Monica Reza." The flyer posted with the alert says that Reza was a resident of Los Angeles County who was last seen hiking on June 22, 2025, at 9:10 a.m. along Angeles Crest Highway. "There is concern for Ms. Reza's well-being," the flyer said, indicating that the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau was involved.

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"Crescenta Valley Station is actively searching for Monica Reza, who was last seen while hiking in the Mount Waterman area," the notice said. "She was last seen wearing the clothing shown in the flyer. If you have any information about Monicas whereabouts or may have seen her in the area, please contact our station immediately at (818) 248-3464. Please share this post to help bring Monica home safely."

There is a Facebook page devoted to finding Reza. The page documents months of search efforts, which were to no avail. According to The New York Post, Reza, 60, disappeared while "hiking with two experienced companions who were exploring the popular Mount Waterman Trail." Professionally, she was known as Monica Jacinto. "Fellow-Materials Science and Engineering at Aerojet Rocketdyne," her LinkedIn page says.

In 2017, Space News mentioned her in a news story, writing, "Aerojet Rocketdynes success in developing AR1, an engine designed to replace Russian-made RD-180 engines on United Launch Alliance rockets, hinges in part on its use of Mondaloy, a nickel-based superalloy invented in the 1990s by metallurgists Monica Jacinto, then working at Rocketdyne, and Dallis Hardwick from the Rockwell Science Center." The company was funded partially by NASA, according to The Post.

The Post noted that her invention of Mondaloy "brought her into the orbit of McCasland  who oversaw the Air Force group that funded research in the early 2000s into advanced materials needed for reusable space vehicles and weapons."

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"Monica was hiking in the San Gabriel Wilderness area within the Angeles National Forest with two others on the trail to Waterman Mountain summit from the 6000ft Day Use Parking Lot on June 22, 2025. She became separated from the other two hikers and has not been located since," a page for her on Solve the Case says.

Retired Air Force General William McCasland Missing: He Was Involved in the UFO Community

William McCasland. US Air Force (US Air Force)

William McCasland was a retired Air Force General. "He once oversaw funding connected to a project that also included Monica Reza," added Cain.

The case has taken a bizarre turn, with McCasland's wife debunking theories relating to UFOs.

McCasland's wife Susan McCasland Wilkerson posted a lengthy note on Facebook on March 6. In her post, she confirmed that he associated with the UFO community, but added, Neil does not have any special knowledge about the ET bodies and debris from the Roswell crash stored at Wright-Patt. Though at this point with absolutely no sign of him, maybe the best hypothesis is that aliens beamed him up to the mothership. However, no sightings of a mothership hovering above the Sandia Mountains have been reported.

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The Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office in New Mexico released a detailed timeline about the mysterious disappearance of 68-year-old William Neil McCasland, who was last known to have been at or near his residence in the area of Quail Run Court NE on the morning of Friday, February 27, 2026. A Silver Alert remains in effect, and Mr. McCasland remains missing. Some have compared McCaslands disappearance to that of Nancy Guthrie, but there is no known connection.

McCasland is a retired U.S. Air Force general, the Sheriff wrote. McCasland was the Commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. There, he was responsible for managing the Air Forces $2.2 billion science and technology program as well as additional customer-funded research and development of $2.2 billion, his U.S. Air Force bio says.

Related:

Carl Grillmair Was Shot to Death on the Porch of His Home

Carl Grillmair was an astrophysicist at Caltech. He worked on a NASA-supported space telescope project and infrared systems. Now, he was shot and killed at his home just two months ago," Cain said on the air.

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However, according to ABC 7, a suspect was charged with killing Grillmair "after carjacking his own relative and burglarizing a home." Grillmair "was found shot to death on the porch of his home in rural Llano."

Deputies "had arrested Freddy Snyder later in the day for carjacking and soon linked him to Grillmair's shooting," ABC 7 reported, adding that the motive is not clear as it's not believed the two knew each other.

Added ABC 7: "Grillmair had worked at Caltech as an astronomer and astrophysicist for 30 years, 26 of those years with fellow scientist Sergio Fajardo-Acosta...Grillmair was renowned for his studies on the collisions of galaxies and the search for water on planets outside our solar system."

Frank Maiwald's Cause of Death Was Not Released

Frank Maiwald was a Senior Scientist at NASAs Jet Propulsion Lab. He died nearly two years ago but his cause of death has never been made public," added Cain.

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Maiwald's obituary says, "Frank Werner Maiwald, aged 61, passed away on July 4, 2024, in Los Angeles, CA. Born on June 24, 1964, in Ratingen, Germany, Frank's journey brought immense contributions to both his personal life and professional endeavors." Daily Mail reported that an autopsy was not performed.

The obit adds, "He dedicated many years at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where his expertise and leadership were instrumental. Frank managed the development of the SBG-VSWIR instrument and had previously overseen the successful delivery of two instruments for the AMR-C program. His roles included serving as a technical group supervisor and contributing to various significant projects such as AMR/SWOT, COWVR, AMR/Jason 3, and HIFI."

The obituary continued, "Beyond his professional life, Frank was a devoted husband to YeonJae Maiwald, sharing a deep and loving partnership for 25 years."

Added Daily Mail: "In June 2023, just 13 months before his death, he was the lead researcher on a breakthrough that could help future space missions detect clear signs of life on other worlds, including Jupiters moon Europa, Saturns moon Enceladus, or the dwarf planet Ceres."

Melissa Casias Missing: She Was Spotted Walking on Surveillance Video

Melissa Casias. Missing People in America (Missing People in America)

She worked at Los Alamos National Labs. She has been missing since last summer," said Cain, adding that she had "security clearances."

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In September 2025, the Taos News reported: "Two months after Melissa Casias, a 53-year-old Los Alamos National Labs employee, went missing, her disappearance has left more questions than answers. New Mexico State Police reported no breakthroughs in the investigation."

According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, "Casias had driven her husband, Mark Casias, to Los Alamos National Laboratory, where they both worked, around 6:15 a.m. June 26 but returned home to work remotely after discovering shed forgotten her work badge."

That news site reported that, according to Casias's daughter, Casias left her vehicle, keys, work cellphone, wallet, personal cellphone, purse, and money. Her phones were "reset to factory settings." Surveillance footage emerged showing her "walking eastbound on N.M. 518," the Santa Fe New Mexican reported. It's possible she left on her own volition, the news site noted, but it's not clear.

Anthony Chavez Missing: He Disappeared 'During a Walk'

Anthony Chavez. Los Alamos Police (Los Alamos Police)

Chavez was aonnected to Los Alamos National Labs. He disappeared during a walk. No signs. No answers," said Cain. According to Daily Mail, he worked "at the high-security nuclear lab. The facility was founded by the famed Manhattan Project during World War II. It has been tied to nuclear weapons research ever since."

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Chavez "left his car locked in the driveway and did not take his wallet, keys or other personal items, which were all found inside Chavez's home," Daily Mail noted.

In May 2025, the Los Alamos Police Department shared photos of Chavez and wrote, "MISSING PERSON: On 05/08/2025 Mr. Anthony Chavez of Los Alamos was reported as a missing person. Since then, exhaustive efforts to locate him have proved unsuccessful. Mr. Chavez is not believed to be endangered, but the public is asked to help locate Mr. Chavez to ensure his safety."

The post added: "Mr. Chavezs family and friends consider this disappearance out of character. Please contact the Los Alamos Police Department at 505-662-8222 if you have information on Mr. Chavezs whereabouts. Photos of Mr. Chavez are attached but he is described as a 56 tall, 78-year-old white male, who weighs approximately 135 pounds and wears glasses."

Nuno Loureiro Was Shot & Killed When He Answered the Doorbell

"Authorities have not connected these cases, but look at the overlap," said Cain.

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MIT noted, "Nuno Loureiro, a professor of nuclear science and engineering and of physics at MIT, has died. He was 47...A lauded theoretical physicist and fusion scientist, Loureiro joined MITs faculty in 2016. His research addressed complex problems lurking at the center of fusion vacuum chambers and at the edges of the universe."

Police believe that Loureiro was shot and killed when he answered the door at his home by Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, the suspect in the Brown University mass shooting, who later died of suicide.

Investigators "have said Loureiro and the suspect knew each other from attending the same university program in Portugal between 1995 and 2000," added CBS News.

Jason Thomas Was a Once-Missing Scientist Whose Body Was Found in a Lake

Jason Thomas was a scientist at Novartis, a Swiss pharmaceutical company, when he went missing in December 2025, according to People. According to People, he was struggling with the deaths of his parents, and no foul play is expected.

In March, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Wakefield Chief of Police Steven Skory "confirmed that a body was recovered from Lake Quannapowitt...Preliminary information including the clothing of the victim suggests that it is the body of Jason Thomas, 45, who was reported missing to Wakefield Police on December 13, 2025."

Jason Thomas "reportedly left his home the night of December 12, 2025. When he did not return home, his wife reported him missing to Wakefield Police in the early hours of December 13," the news release says.

"Wakefield Police conducted an extensive search of the area utilizing resources from the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC), K-9 units and drones. Today around 12:30 p.m., a detective from Wakefield Police who was searching the area of the Lake, which had previously been frozen, located what appeared to be a body in the water. Wakefield Police deployed a drone to the area to confirm. Wakefield Police and Fire responded and recovered the body."

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Apr 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
A man was electrocuted to death while allegedly trying to steal copper wire from utility lines. Meanwhile, his accomplicea long-time friendwas arrested after fleeing the scene.



Jerry Hendrickson has been charged with abandonment of a corpse following the death of his friend Cody Lashly, according to a press release from the Franklin County Sheriffs Office in Missouri. Hendrickson has also been charged with, per the doc, attempted stealing of $750 or more and damage to a critical infrastructure facility. It is unclear from court documents whether Hendrickson has entered a plea.

On March 22, a worker conducting a power line inspection on Labadie Power Plant Road discovered an unresponsive man later identified as 34-year-old Lashly, per the release. Police observed that Lashly had fresh burn marks on the back of his left hand and on the right side of his face, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by Oxygen.com.

UTILITY POLE PIC

Lashly allegedly attempted to cut and steal copper wire from utility lines, per the release, with police finding a power tool affixed to a pole, along with a snapped utility pole and downed power lines.

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Investigators noted in the release they found broken pieces of a vehicle side mirror, which they traced to a Dodge Ram truck captured on surveillance footage entering the scene with two occupants and leaving with one.

Hendrickson allegedly admitted to police that he drove Lashly to the scene and allowed him to stand on the bed of his truck to access the wire, the press release noted. During that process, a utility pole snapped which caused live electrical lines to hit Lashlys body and electrocute him to death.

For more true crime news:

Woman Allegedly Stabbed Pregnant Mom in Grocery Store Parking Lot, Then Fled State

3 Women Arrested After Allegedly Forcing Their Way onto Frontier Flight, Refusing to Pay for Luggage

Coral Springs Vice Mayor Allegedly Killed By Husband, Body Found Wrapped in Trash Bags

Police said Hendrickson fled the scene out of fear, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Oxygen.com could not locate an attorney for Hendrickson. His next court date is April 16.




The small coastal enclave of Bolinas was without water Saturday night after its public utility district shut off supply to the entire town due to a "substantial water leak" within the system.

The Bolinas Community Public Utility District told residents in a post on its website to start filling up containers with extra water and expect to be without running water for the evening. The utility said that a contractor was on site by 6 p.m. Saturday and was working to repair the leak as quickly as possible, though the district didn't say where the leak was. Water was expected to go off around 6:45 p.m.

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A proudly hippie township 13 miles north of San Francisco in unincorporated Marin County, Bolinas is home to some 1,200 people - a number that's stayed low for years, largely due to limits on access to water. In 1971, the utility district's board of directors declared a water shortage emergency that created a moratorium on new connections to the municipal water supply.

Leaks have been prevalent this spring around Bolinas. Minutes from the district's February 2026 meeting show the utility dealt with major leaks on residential roads that flooded landscaping, and also required the district to call its emergency contractor, Piazza Construction.

Bolinas gets its water from two reservoirs and the Arroyo Hondo Creek. As of February, both reservoirs were full. In 2024, the district connected two new wells to its water distribution system in an effort to build out its emergency water supply.

This article originally published at Entire Marin town shuts off running water amid substantial' leak.
The F-15E Weapons System Officer (WSO), missing since his plane was shot down on Friday, has been rescued after a very risky combat search and rescue operation and fierce firefight in southern Iran. The pilot had already been retrieved during the rescue operation in which two HH-60W Jolly Green II combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopters were reportedly damaged by incoming fire, injuring several troops.

President Trump took to Truth Social confirming multiple reports that the WSO was safely in American hands.

WE GOT HIM! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now SAFE and SOUND! This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, but was never truly alone because his Commander in Chief, Secretary of War, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and fellow Warfighters were monitoring his location 24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue. At my direction, the U.S. Military sent dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him. He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine. This miraculous Search and Rescue Operation comes in addition to a successful rescue of another brave Pilot, yesterday, which we did not confirm, because we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation. This is the first time in military memory that two U.S. Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory. WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND! The fact that we were able to pull off both of these operations, without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded, just proves once again, that we have achieved overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies. This is a moment that ALL Americans, Republican, Democrat, and everyone else, should be proud of and united around. We truly have the best, most professional, and lethal Military in the History of the World. GOD BLESS AMERICA, GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS, AND HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!

 WE GOT HIM! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History, for one of our incredible Crew Office Members, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I pic.twitter.com/FNPWV6MPvA  The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 5, 2026

U.S. special forces rescued the second crew member of the F-15 fighter jet that was shot down over Iran, Axios reported prior to Trumps posting, citing three U.S. officials. Saturdays operation was conducted by a specialized commando unit with a high volume of air coverthe U.S. forces unleashed a hail of heavy fire, and that all of the forces were now out of Iran.

BREAKING: U.S. special forces rescued the second crew member of the F-15 fighter jet that was shot down over Iran, three U.S. officials tell Axios. https://t.co/uZ0nTGbJkP  Axios (@axios) April 5, 2026

Videos emerged from the scene showing what appears to be missile strikes, with the sounds of gunfire and explosions being heard.

Heavy clashes have been reported in Dehdasht, a city in the Central District of Kohgiluyeh County, where the second American pilot was reportedly spotted. pic.twitter.com/DDleOptrfD  Afshin Ismaeli (@Afshin_Ismaeli) April 5, 2026

Another video purports to show Iranian citizens in the area, searching for the pilot. Tehran has offered a large reward for the WSOs capture. Seizing the airman, or killing them, would have provided an enormous public relations windfall for Tehran and embarrassment for Washington.

  Iran: As the clock passes 4 am, local residents in villages surrounding the Black Mountain are still entering the area to search for the missing pilot. pic.twitter.com/LSV5M34oix  Middle East Observer (@ME_Observer_) April 5, 2026

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Earlier Saturday evening, the Instagram account for U.S. Air Force Special Warfare Recruiting said the WSO was rescued.

BREAKING: The missing F-15E weapons systems officer that was shot down in Iran yesterday was recovered alive by American Special Operations with Air Force Special Warfare attachments inside contested enemy area in Iran.

Special operators willingly put their lives on the line to rescue the fallen, engaged in a massive firefight at the extraction site, and fought with all they had so that others may live.

What a win for America, and the WSO who paid attention in SERE training. What a win for the Air Force Special Warfare community. If you are looking to join Americas best and bravest that bring our fellow Americans home on their worst days, contact your local Air Force Recruiter today!

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F-15 WSO recovered alive. Was escaping and evading. Massive fire fight on tgt. Iranians were actively looking for him in the area.

Update: Air Force Special Warfare recruiting Instagram stating that the shot down F-15 WSO has been successfully rescued



This is the first I'm seeing this from a government source



Air Force Pararescue: 2

IRGC Goat Fuckers: 0 pic.twitter.com/8v5pMEycWC  RiverOaksGuy (@Bowtiedplayer) April 5, 2026

In addition, journalist and former Green Beret Jack Murphy stated on X that they were rescued before reports began to hit online.

Good news for once.



F-15 WSO recovered alive. Was escaping and evading. Massive fire fight on tgt. Iranians were actively looking for him in the area.  Jack Murphy (@JackMurphyRGR) April 4, 2026

Since the shootdown, the U.S. has deployed a rescue packages including fighters for top cover, the HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters and HC-130J Combat King CSAR planes, surveillance jets and drones, among many other assets. You can read more about what goes into a CSAR package in our previous reporting here. As the U.S. search continued Saturday for the WSO, a large firefight reportedly broke out in the southern area of Iran near where the crash took place.

As we have frequently noted, CSAR operations are among the most dangerous and complex missions U.S. troops perform, penetrating into potentially highly defended territory where, in this case, one of Americas most capable combat aircraft did not survive. All this is taking place with the Iranians on the highest alert and very active with their own hunt for the WSO. The fact that the operation was launched in broad daylight soon after the F-15E went down shows the stunning amount of risk U.S. personnel took on in order to save one of their own.

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After the crash, videos emerged of the rescue efforts.

One showed a Combat King flying low over the Iranian countryside.

U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II search and rescue plane overflying an Iranian countryside at ultra-low altitude during the ongoing operation to evacuate two American crew-member of the downed F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet. pic.twitter.com/CWc5SzokRT  Status-6 (War & Military News) (@Archer83Able) April 3, 2026

A rescue helicopter can be seen coming under Iranian fire in the following video.

Footage shows an USAF HH-60G operating over Iran as part of an ongoing search and rescue mission, coming under small arms fire. pic.twitter.com/hEJ4mPY51t  GMI (@Global_Mil_Info) April 3, 2026

You can see a Combat King trailed by two Jolly Green IIs in this next video.

WATCH: U.S. aircraft/helicopters continue flying very low over Iran. pic.twitter.com/2FZndby0zv  Clash Report (@clashreport) April 3, 2026

In addition to the F-15E that was shot down and the two rescue helicopters damaged by Iranian fire, an A-10C Thunderbolt II close support jet crashed after being hit, with the pilot bailing out. Another A-10 may have been damaged during the search effort as well.

The reality is that this was one of the most daring combined arms operations in years and the whole story as to how it all went down successfully is sure to be of huge interest in the coming days and weeks. As always with this type of operation and the initial reporting surrounding, details are bound to change as a clearer picture of what happened and what didnt happen comes to light.

UPDATE: 12:57 AM EDT

NYT reports that the operation involved landing multiple transport aircraft inside enemy territory. Two of the aircraft (likely MC-130Js) got stuck at the forward airfield and three more aircraft had to come and pickup the U.S. forces now stranded there. The aircraft were demolished in place in order for them not to fall into enemy hands.

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So this went far beyond a heliborne rescue operation and according to the report, fixed-wing aircraft landed in enemy territory that was hot with activity. Of course, there are shades of the disastrous Operation Eagle Claw here, but this time, the end result was very different.

Iranian semi-state media has posted an image that appears to show two C-130s on the ground and another that shows a thick plume of black smoke at their location.

IRGC announced that a US aircraft searching for the pilot of the downed F-15 fighter jet was intercepted and destroyed south of Isfahan.



Follow: https://t.co/mLGcUTSA3Q pic.twitter.com/21oA6APFVG  Press TV  (@PressTV) April 5, 2026

This appears to have been a stunning display of USAF/special operations joint forcible entry capability.

UPDATE: 1:47AM EDT

There are reports that the CIA used highly unique capabilities to locate the WSO and executed an elaborate deception campaign targeting Iranian forces in order to allow U.S. aircraft to make it to their forward location to execute the rescue.

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Jennifer Griffin writes:

According to a senior administration official: Prior to locating the WSO (Weapons System Officer) and the US militarys daring rescue, the CIA first launched a deception campaign spreading word inside Iran that U.S. forces had already found him and were moving him on the ground for exfiltration out of the country. While the Iranians were confused and uncertain of what was happening, the Agency used its unique, exquisite capabilities to search for  and find  the American airman. This was the ultimate needle in a haystack, but in this case it was a brave American soul inside a mountain crevice, invisible but for CIAs capabilities. The CIA immediately shared the WSOs exact location with the Pentagon and The White House. The President ordered an immediate rescue mission, which CENTCOM executed with boldness and precision, with CIA continuing to provide real time information.

According to a senior administration official:



Prior to locating the WSO (Weapons System Officer) and the US militarys daring rescue, the CIA first launched a deception campaign spreading word inside Iran that U.S. forces had already found him and were moving him on the ground  Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) April 5, 2026

UPDATE: 5:52 AM EDT

We are now getting images from the landing site, which include burned out MH-6/AH-6 Little Bird helicopters. Read our new report here.

The landing site was just south of Isfahan:

Estimated location of 2 hc/mc130 and 2 little birds south of Isfahan.



est C: 32.258394, 51.901927

S:https://t.co/1bgXkv3DKd



h/t @acceladealer for the stitching and help with the geo@GeoConfirmed @FaytuksNetwork pic.twitter.com/fxN3Rckzjc  Andy (@andynovy) April 5, 2026

Location of the USAF forward base set up deep within Iran for the F-15 crew rescue mission.



The base was set up just outside of Isfahan, a critical Iranian strategic hub with missile and army bases, nuclear facilities, and the airbase home to Irans F-14 fleet. pic.twitter.com/ax0NIIlbKs  OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) April 5, 2026

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
Claim:

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the removal of the chocolate-hazelnut spread Nutella from supermarket shelves.

Rating:

Rating: False

In April 2026, a claim (archived) circulated online that U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the removal of the chocolate-hazelnut spread Nutella from supermarket shelves in the U.S.

One Instagram post on April 1 read:

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced that Nutella will be removed from shelves nationwide following new food safety and ingredient regulations. Officials say the decision is part of a broader push toward stricter standards on processed foods. Ferrero has not yet released a full statement, but sources say distribution will begin shutting down immediately. Stock up while you can

https://www.instagram.com/p/DWmqxQ5Epfq/

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Social media users also discussed the claim on Facebook (archived) and Threads (archived).

At the time of this writing, we found no credible reports that Kennedy actually announced he would pull Nutella from store shelves in the U.S (archived, archived, archived). If that really happened, journalists with reputable news outlets, such as The Associated Press or Reuters, would have widely reported on it, and those search inquiries would have uncovered such evidence.

A spokesperson for Ferrero, which makes Nutella, said via email that Nutella "will remain on US shelves."

Given Ferrero's statement and the lack of credible evidence for the claim, we rate it false.

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The claim appeared to originate from the Instagram account @thewoodenspoonmedia, which posted it on April 1. The brand's website described it as "Italian-American inspired comedy, cooking, podcasting, and much more." Snopes contacted the account and its owner to ask whether the post was satire or perhaps an April Fool's Day joke and will update this report if we receive a reply.

We also contacted HHS to ask if the department could confirm Kennedy's alleged announcement and await a reply.

Though there was no proof Kennedy had pulled Nutella from U.S. shelves, a statement the secretary previously made suggested he probably was not a fan of the sugary spread himself. During a news conference announcing HHS would phase out some petroleum-based synthetic food dyes, Kennedy also lashed out at sugar, saying "There's things that will never be able to eliminate, like sugar. And sugar is poison."

Snopes has reported extensively on claims relating to Kennedy and his role as health secretary.

Sources:

Google Search. https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=603be8ec33a5b75e&rlz=1C5CHFA_enGB1138GB1138&sxsrf=ANbL-n63zwl20KZWTfYgocGg1LjkaC3ufA:1775236665578&q=rfk+remove+nutella+us+shelves&tbm=nws&source=lnms&fbs=ADc_l-aN0CWEZBOHjofHoaMMDiKp9lEhFAN_4ain3HSNQWw-mMGVXS0bCMe2eDZOQ2MOTwnRdx8cTjotWVyC2QMTVww_YBFX02fOeR-h4YTkfXLtUj87_APaKKci4zM8Kw_c71rHxZsT-v1UW7II6F6kahhu-OuZh1DyYmwAbrMCucadQx6PC6o4mb7rAHtUgwnPCinihLtA-9zdyWa7Jep0YSiskAlKgQ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiR_d_2l9KTAxXiQUEAHeyTFCIQ0pQJegQIFhAB&biw=1470&bih=708&dpr=2. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

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'Is Nutella Healthy? Ingredients, Nutrition and More'. Healthline, 20 Mar. 2018, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/nutella.

LiveNOW from FOX. 'RFK Jr. Unveils New Food Dye Bans'. YouTube, 22 Apr. 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exemyQukqHA&t=316s.

Nutella | Ferrero Group. https://www.ferrero.com/int/en/our-brands/nutella. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

Rfk Remove Nutella Us Shelves - Yahoo Search Results. https://uk.news.search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AwrkEK1P9s9p7QIAl5BLBQx.;_ylu=Y29sbwNpcjIEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3BpdnM-?p=rfk+remove+nutella+us+shelves&fr2=piv-web&fr=yfp-t. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

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Rfk Remove Nutella Us Shelves at DuckDuckGo. https://duckduckgo.com/?ia=news&origin=funnel_home_website&t=h_&q=rfk+remove+nutella+us+shelves&chip-select=search&iar=news. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

'The Wooden Spoon Store!' The Wooden Spoon Store, https://thewoodenspoonstore.com/. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.


A wealthy California farmer is accused of gunning down his estranged wife with a higher-powered rifle after telling his family he was going hunting, according to newly released court records.

Michael Abatti is facing first-degree murder charges in connection to the death of Kerri Ann Abatti, who was found fatally shot inside the couples second home in Pinetop, Arizona on Nov. 20, according to a statement from the Navajo County Attorneys Office.

Abattiwho has pleaded not guilty to the charges against himwas arrested and taken into custody in December, but new details are now emerging about the alleged crime after The Los Angeles Times successfully petitioned the court to unseal affidavits connected to the case.

For More True Crime:

13-Year-Old Who "Vanished Without a Trace" Found Alive 32 Years Later

Coral Springs Vice Mayor Allegedly Killed By Husband, Body Found Wrapped in Trash Bags

Ted Bundy Linked to 1974 Murder of Utah Teen Through New DNA Evidence

What Happened to Kerri Ann Abatti?

At the time of Kerri Anns death, the couple was in a bitter divorce battle involving a $200 million trustall of which would have gone to Michael in the event of Kerris death, according to the affidavits obtained by The Times.

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The family is one of the largest landowners in the area and Michael operates a successful farm in Imperial Valley.

The familys future came into question, however, on Nov. 20 when the Navajo County Sheriffs Office said they were called to a Pinetop home after receiving a report of a shooting. They arrived to find Kerri suffering from a gunshot wound. Although the 59-year-old was rushed to a local hospital, she died from her injuries.

Her nephew, who also lived at the property, told investigators that he had been in his bedroom when he heard a loud noise and found the mother of three in the dining room bleeding from the face, according to the affidavit.

Booking photo of Michael Abatti

Evidence Suggests Michael Abatti Traveled to Arizona, Authorities Say

After conducting a reconstruction of the crime scene, investigators concluded, per the affidavits, that the fatal shot had come from outside the homepossibly as far as 30 yards awayfrom a higher-powered rifle.

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The night Kerri was killed, authorities said that her family tried to reach Michael but was allegedly told by his family that he was hunting in the desert.

Using license plate reader technology, investigators found evidence to suggest a Ford truck owned by Michael left the hunting grounds in El Centro, Calif. around 1:30 p.m. on the day Kerri was killed, authorities said. The same vehicle was later spotted in Globe, Arizona around 6:30 p.m. and a second time around 11:41 p.m., according to the court records.

The truck was seen again near the hunting grounds at 4:40 a.m., investigators said.

RELATED: Woman Allegedly Stabbed Pregnant Mom in Grocery Store Parking Lot, Then Fled State

Three days after his wife died, the Imperial County Sheriffs Office was called to Michaels home after he allegedly tried to kill himself.

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He told emergency responders that the act had been because of an incident involving his wife, and ongoing depression, per the affidavit.

Authorities noted in the court records that during a search of his home, investigators seized more than three dozen firearms including two dozen rifles.

On December 2, 2025, detectives served multiple search warrants on residences, properties, vehicles, and camp trailers associated with the Abatti family in El Centro, California, the Navajo County Sheriffs Office wrote in its statement on the arrest. As the investigation continued, a significant amount of evidence was seized, some of which is still being analyzed, leading the detectives to identify Michael Abatti (63) of El Centro, California, as the suspect in the murder of Kerri Ann Abatti.

Where is Michael Abatti Now?

Michael was indicted by a grand jury on the first-degree murder charge in December and taken into custody in California a short time later, before being extradited to Arizona on Dec. 31, prosecutors said. Hes currently being held at the Navajo County jail, according to records reviewed by Oxygen.com.

Michael Abatti

Oxygen.com reached out to Michaels attorneys Owen Roth and Danni Iredale, but did not receive an immediate response.

RELATED: "We Want Answers": Man Found Dead in Azusa Police Car 3 Days After Release from Jail

The attorneys had argued against the release of the affidavits in court and later said in a statement to The Los Angeles Times that they believed the decision to unseal the records unduly risks Michaels right to a fair trial.

Search warrants are untested, one-sided presentations meant to establish probable cause, they said, adding that Michael is innocent unless and until proven otherwise.
Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Sunday launched a frontal attack on Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, calling him "the most corrupt and most communal Chief Minister in the country." He said that CM Sarma has betrayed and misled the people of Assam. In a post on X, Gandhi wrote, "Himanta Sarma is the most corrupt and most communal Chief Minister in the country. Himanta Sarma has betrayed and misled the people of Assam - the proof is before the public. The people of Assam will never forgive his corruption - the punishment is certain." https://x.com/RahulGandhi/status/2040720417741320279 The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Sunday alleged Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma of holding multiple passports and failing to disclose properties, saying that the Chief Minister has "become an embarrassment for the state". Ahead of the state Assembly election, APCC President Gaurav Gogoi launched a frontal attack on the Chief Minister and demanded an investigation into his properties. He said that Himanta Biswa Sarma will have to answer the questions and "pay for his crime". In a post on X, APCC President Gaurav Gogoi wrote, "Shocking allegations have come out related to Himanta Biswa Sarma. Holding multiple passports and failure to disclose properties is a grave and criminal offence. How much money have they sent from Assam to their bank accounts abroad? More investigation is required. Himanta Biswa Sarma has become an embarrassment for the state of Assam and India. He will have to answer the questions and pay for his crime." https://x.com/GauravGogoiAsm/status/2040716757728735390 All India Congress Committee (AICC) Media and Publicity Department Chairman Pawan Khera also raised questions over the Chief Minister and his wife, asking how his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma holds passports from two Muslim countries. Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Khera asked, "Himanta Biswa Sarma's entire politics is based on hatred against Muslims, but how does his wife hold passports from two Muslim countries? According to Indian law, you cannot hold dual citizenship, so does Rinki Bhuyan Sarma also hold an Indian passport? Is Himanta Biswa Sarma the adopted son of Amit Shah? And did the country's Home Minister know that his adopted son's wife holds 3 passports?" He added, "Questions are--What is the need for Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife to hold 3 passports? Are you some kind of criminal? Does Himanta himself have more such passports somewhere? Is this preparation for fleeing after losing the election?" Reacting to the charges, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma dismissed the allegations as baseless and said that Pawan Khera's press conference reflected the "deep frustration" and "panic within the Congress party". Sarma added that as Assam is moving decisively towards a historic mandate, such desperate and baseless attacks only expose Congress's sinking ground. "Today's press conference by Pawan Khera reflects the deep frustration and panic within the Congress party. As Assam moves decisively towards a historic mandate, such desperate and baseless attacks only expose their sinking ground," Sarma wrote in his X post. https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/2040704011884753167 He added, "I categorically reject every allegation made by him. These are malicious, fabricated, and politically motivated lies aimed at misleading the people of Assam." Calling the allegation malicious, fabricated, and politically motivated lies, he said that he would file both criminal and civil defamation cases within the next 48 hours against Pawan Khera. (ANI)
A fire gutted a multi-family home at the Jersey Shore.

The flames erupted Saturday around 3 a.m. at a home on Sheridan Avenue in Seaside Heights.

Three families, totalling nine people, were living there. The Red Cross is now assisting them.

There is no word on how the fire may have started.

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TALLAHASSEE, Florida  Coastal Florida cities and counties fighting the impacts of climate change may soon also face the rising tide of Tallahassee opposition.

More than a dozen cities and counties statewide have committed to bold net-zero or fully renewable energy policies, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to renewable energy sources. Most of these communities are coastal, directly facing sea-level rise, damaging hurricanes and sunny day flooding.

But a bill that passed Floridas Legislature and is expected to be signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis would impose a sweeping ban on limiting greenhouse gases  a move some local governments say could undo years of progress.

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I wish Tallahassee would let us do the business of running government, said Raquel Regalado, a Republican Miami-Dade County commissioner. On an election year, Im not surprised that theres a net-zero bill thatll be signed. People just want to say theyre against that.

In Miami-Dade County, where sea-level rise is expected to increase dramatically over the next century, residents chronically slog through days of heavy flooding and extreme heat. The county has pledged to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and is already in the process of transitioning to an electric-powered bus fleet and swapping fossil fuel energy sources with solar.

But under the new bill, HB 1217, all government entities are banned from pursuing any resolution, ordinance, rule, code, or policy to support a net-zero policy. That includes levying charges based on greenhouse gas emissions or implementing a cap-and-trade program, which states like California and Washington have used to curb emissions. The bill also bars local governments from paying dues, membership fees, subscription fees, or charitable contributions to any organization that has a net-zero policy.

The bill also prevents governments from procuring vehicles or equipment based solely on the type of fuel source used in order to advance net-zero goals. Regalado estimated that Miami-Dade Countys electric bus procurement  which the county has already spent over $70 million on  could take a significant hit, though the county is still reviewing the exact impacts of the bill.

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State Sen. Bryan Avila (R-Miami Springs), the bills Senate sponsor and a resident of Miami-Dade County, said on the Senate floor last month that the bill is intended to prevent local governments from putting financial burdens on residents in pursuit of a goal that theyre never going to meet.

Avila did not respond to a request for comment.

Local governments have argued their net-zero policies also make economic sense and that moving toward renewable energy sources can save residents money. The new bill doesnt provide funding for local governments to unwind any of their current net-zero policies.

Its not the first time Florida localities have been dinged for spending on climate change. In January, Floridas Department of Government Efficiency released a report that criticized 13 cities and counties for their finances.

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The state DOGE report cited a recent Trump administration Department of Energy review that challenged the scientific consensus around climate change and slammed Florida localities for wasting hundreds of millions of dollars on climate-related objectives.

The report slams four southeast Florida counties, which have a combined population of more than 6 million people, for entering into and spending hundreds of thousands on a regional climate compact.

Broward County Commissioner and former Democratic state legislator Steve Geller pushed back on the findings of the state DOGE report, saying the issue is less about Broward Countys spending and more about the state wanting to tell us what to do.

Southeast Florida is ground zero for climate change, Geller said, and the county is spending significant time and money to address sea-level rise. Its unclear to what extent Broward County will be impacted by the bill, but the county has already spent millions of dollars on renewable energy and electric vehicles  some of which was funded through federal and state grants.

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South Florida was carved out of the Everglades, Geller said. If we don't do something, we will be returning to Everglades soon.

The Florida DOGE report, prepared by the DeSantis administration, recommended that the state revise Florida law to prohibit net zero and other related climate initiatives.

When asked whether the net-zero ban bill was requested by the governors office and if he planned to sign it, a spokesperson wrote stay tuned.

The bills passage was a priority for the Governor, however make no mistake, this bill addresses the growing concerns over affordability in our state, state Rep. Berny Jacques (R-Seminole), one of the bills House sponsors, wrote in a statement.

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Jacques said that there is zero reason to believe that net-zero policies are economically beneficial for local governments and that Floridians are facing spikes in energy costs due to Green New Scam policies.

In nearby St. Petersburg, which shares a Gulf Coast peninsula with Seminole, the city is preparing for dramatic changes to its climate policies, City Council member Brandi Gabbard said. St. Petersburg, which was battered by back-to-back hurricanes in 2024, has a climate action plan that the city will now have to go back and review.

The bill will potentially undo the progress St. Petersburg has already made on its sustainability goals, Gabbard said, and prevent the city from participating in mitigating climate issues that directly impact its residents. Allegations that the city is misusing taxpayer funds to implement climate policies are completely unfactual, she added.

I think that that is an easy excuse to lay on top of legislation that preempts local government from passing good policy, but it just is not rooted in fact, she said. Our city is incredible fiscal stewards of every dollar that our taxpayers give us to spend on their behalf.

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Once the bill is sent to DeSantis, he will have 15 days to sign or veto it. If signed into law, the bill will go into effect July 1.

If the bill becomes law, local officials say theyll consult with their staff and revise their plans to make sure they align with Tallahassees climate policies  whether they like it or not. And for some, a larger concern is what state lawmakers may choose to do next year.

At this point, annual preemption is causing counties that don't have much in common to kind of band together and have these conversations about how we survive another legislative session, said Regalado, the Miami-Dade commissioner.
DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN)  Four people are dead after a crash near Banks Friday night.

The four people were killed when a 2022 Hyundai Elentra, driven by Tykevious Russaw, 27, ran off the road on County Road 6628 and hit a tree, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Russaw was pronounced dead on the scene.

A release from ALEA says Russaw was fleeing a state trooper at the time of the crash.

Troopers say the passengers in the car, 17-year-old Robert Hall, 24-year-old Quamary Richardson, and an unidentified 17-year-old juvenile, were pronounced dead on the scene.

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Russaw, Hall, and the 17-year-old juvenile were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash and they were ejected from the car, according to ALEA.

The crash occurred around nine miles east of Banks shortly before midnight on Friday, April 3.

The crash is under investigation by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

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Fox News host Lawrence Jones ran with a novel theory as to why European countries are refusing to join President Donald Trumps war on Iran: too much immigration.

The U.S. and Israel launched the war in February, and it has been unpopular from the beginning. A Reuters poll released on Wednesday shows that 60% of Americans disapprove of military strikes on Iran, while 35% approve. The economic consequences of the war have become increasingly acute, as Iran has restricted travel through the vital Strait of Hormuz and set up a lucrative tolling system for vessels seeking guaranteed safe passage. Since the war began, oil prices have surged and stocks have tumbled worldwide.

Trump has responded to the turmoil by demanding that European allies and China open the strait, which is closed because of actions he took without their input.

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On Fox News on Wednesday night, Jones asked Jim Hanson if Europes refusal to join the unpopular war would mean the end of NATO.

I dont think this by itself would be an end to NATO, but I think theres a reckoning thats been due for a while, said Hanson, of the Middle East Forum, a right-wing think tank. You know, they dont share many of our values. They censor free speech. Theyve allowed migrants to take over their countries. Theyre not really the best allies and the people we stood side by side with to stop the Soviet Union. 

I just hope we take the warning as well, Jones replied, before alluding to the Muslim immigrants in Europe. Part of the reason why the Europeans are so resistant to join in is because their population has changed. They invited a reorganizing of their country, and theyre afraid of upsetting a certain population within their country. America should take warning because the same thing could happen to us as well.

Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX) agreed.

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Weve got to be careful, because we share our intelligence with them and we arm them and share our weapon systems with them, Jackson said. And at some point, we have to rethink that because youre right. Things are rapidly changing in Europe and not for the best.

Hopefully it changes soon, Jones said.

Watch above via Fox News.

The post Fox News Host Says Europe Wont Join Trumps War Because Theyve Accepted Too Many Immigrants: Their Population Has Changed first appeared on Mediaite.
Violence in different parts of Fresno has spiked in recent weeks, resulting in more crime scenes.

Now, police are deploying more officers on patrol, both on foot and on the streets.

"Prevention is a huge part of this. And by having our officers out and being highly visible, there's less likely for the criminal element to feel like they can perpetrate some crime and get away with it," said Lt. Justin Hoagland of the Fresno Police Department.

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Police say it's part of a two-to-three-week violent crime suppression operation that started Saturday, something they say is a direct response to the recent uptick in violent crime.

It comes just two days after five teenagers were stabbed in three separate incidents.

Two at downtown Fresno's monthly Art Hop event around 9 p.m. on Thursday.

The other at River Park just an hour later.

All three incidents involved teenagers, something officers say is concerning.

"I've seen kids that have made some very unfortunate mistakes and just one simple contact by law enforcement was enough to get them to turn around and change their behavior, and that's what we want to see. Unfortunately, we've also seen kids that have been arrested repeated times," Hoagland said.

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And while police say there has been an increase in violent crime involving minors in recent weeks, they also say it's not a new trend.

Fresno Police Sergeant Dominic Morini says that in his ten years with the department, seeing kids involved in gangs has been a problem in Fresno for years.

"I've seen kids as young as 11 with gang-related tattoos," Morini said.

While not every violent crime committed by teens is gang-related, Morini says the need for more role models for teens is there.

"Explaining to these kids the route they may be going down. Maybe assist them in getting down the right track. Whether that's through contacting counselors at school, members of the community," Morini said.

Police do not believe Thursday's stabbings in Downtown Fresno and near River Park are gang-related.

Both incidents remain under investigation.
Florida State College at Jacksonville and CareerSource Northeast Florida are hosting a Spring Career Fair to connect job seekers with employers.

More than 100 companies are expected to attend, including Bank of America, Baptist Health, Boeing, the City of Jacksonville, Duval County Public Schools, and the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

The event is open to students, alumni, veterans, military families, and the public.

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The career fair is scheduled for 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, at FSCJ South Campus, The Reef gymnasium, 11901 Beach Boulevard.

The event is free.

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GROVETON, Texas (KETK)  Two women were arrested on Friday after Trinity County Sheriffs Office deputies found illegal drugs inside a home in Groveton.

East Texas officials warn of ISIS terror threats on Easter services

According to the sheriffs office, deputies were working within Groveton city limits on Friday in an attempt to serve a burglary warrant. While attempting to locate the suspect for that warrant at a home on Sunset Road in Groveton, deputies found evidence that the house was being used to distribute illegal drugs.

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The sheriffs office then secured a search warrant for the home and searched the location. Inside the home they found baggies, 15 grams of suspected crystal like narcotics, drug paraphernalia and unused packaging materials.

Photo courtesy of the Trinity County Sheriffs Office. Photo courtesy of the Trinity County Sheriffs Office. Photo courtesy of the Trinity County Sheriffs Office. Photo of Heaven Porter, courtesy of the Trinity County Sheriffs Office. Photo of Heaven Porter, courtesy of the Trinity County Sheriffs Office. Photo of Heaven Porter, courtesy of the Trinity County Sheriffs Office. Photo of Melanie Casier, courtesy of the Trinity County Sheriffs Office.

Once that warrant was executed, it became clear this wasnt just somebodys house it was a full time bad decision factory, Trinity County Sheriff Woody Wallace said.

Two women were arrested following the deputies search of the home. Heaven Porter was arrested for manufacture and delivery of between 4 and 200 grams of a controlled substance. Melanie Casier was arrested for manufacture and delivery of between 1 and 400 grams of a controlled substance. Both have been booked into the Trinity County Jail.

Melanie Casier, courtesy of the Trinity County Jail.

Heaven Porter, courtesy of the Trinity County Jail.

The burglary warrant suspect was arrested later for the charge of burglary of a habitation.

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Turns out you can run for a while, but eventually you run out of road in Trinity County, Wallace said. Let this be a reminder if you are operating a drug business, you might want to consider a different line of work. Because around here, we do not offer business licenses for that kind of operation just jail space.

You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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An hours-long manhunt in Raymond, New Hampshire, ended in gunfire Saturday night.

Man accused of shooting officer in Raymond, New Hampshire dead after shootout with police

38-year-old Matthew Masse was shot and killed around 10 p.m. Saturday, when New Hampshire State Police said he fired at law enforcement, and law enforcement fired back.

Raymond Police said they were first made aware of Masse from a separate incident three days ago.

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The department said they had been looking for Masse feverishly ever since that incident.

We got him, Colonel Mark Hall said during a press conference Saturday night.

While a shelter-in-place has been lifted, residents in Raymond are left still feeling shaken up.

Im sure everyone says that when something like this happens, but I didnt picture it happening here, Bryan Cote told Boston 25 News. Big quiet town, middle of the woods.

The manhunt ended when Masse was spotted in the woods around 10 p.m. Saturday.

State police said when they tried to take him into custody, Masse fired at law enforcement.

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The suspect was struck by that gunfire and has been confirmed to be deceased, Col. Hall said. A long gun was also recovered next to him. No troopers or officers were hurt.

The chaos first began at a home on Ham road around 1:30 Saturday afternoon, where police responded for a report that Masse fired a rifle at his family.

No family members were hurt but when officers arrived on scene, Masse allegedly shot at them and injured a Nottingham cop.

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We want to give our best wishes to the officer who was shot this afternoon and we offer all of our support to him and his family, Major Brendan Davey said.

The Nottingham police officer was taken to the hospital with serious injuries but is expected to be okay.

Masse allegedly ran from the scene on Ham Rd., only to be found several hours later in the woods nearby.

The community is still reeling from the large police presence so close to home.

Just want everyone to be safe. I hope the people that were injured were ok, Cote said.

Since law enforcement was involved in the shooting, the New Hampshire Attorney Generals Office is investigating.

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Theyre also investigating Masses motive for shooting at family and officers.

Early this week, an autopsy will be performed to officially determine Masses cause of death.

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.

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US President Donald Trump has warned Iran that there will be strikes on its bridges and electric power plants if its leaders do not agree to his terms to end the war.

It came after Iranian media said eight people were killed and almost 100 injured when a bridge under construction in the city of Karaj, west of Tehran, was bombed on Thursday.

Many people had been picnicking near the B1 suspension bridge for the 13th day of the Nowruz holidays when it was targeted twice by US warplanes.

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"Our Military, the greatest and most powerful (by far!) anywhere in the World, hasn't even started destroying what's left in Iran," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"New Regime leadership knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!"

However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on his X account that "striking civilian structures, including unfinished bridges, will not compel Iranians to surrender".

He declared that the strike on the bridge "only conveys the defeat and moral collapse of an enemy in disarray", and that "damage to America's standing" would "never recover".

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Araghchi also responded separately to Trump's earlier vow to bomb Iran "back to the stone ages", asking whether the president was sure he wanted to "turn back the clock" to a time when "there was no oil or gas being pumped in the Middle East".

It is still very difficult to contact people inside Iran amid the internet blackout imposed by Iranian authorities, which has now entered day 35.

However, some people have managed to connect using satellite internet systems such as Starlink and other methods, though it comes at a high cost. Using or possessing Starlink can lead to up to two years in prison.

All of those who spoke to BBC Persian from inside Iran were against the current establishment.

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A woman in her 20s in Tehran expressed deep concern about the attack on a bridge in Karaj and what might be targeted next. She started crying midway through the voice message.

"I feel helpless. [Trump] posts shamelessly about attacking our bridge. I don't know how much further this is going to go," she said.

"Why is no-one standing up to him? He's really taking us back to the Stone Age."

A Tehran resident in his 20s said: "We'll end up with a ruined country. I am more disappointed and saddened that I am in the middle of a situation where I see Iran being destroyed and I can't do anything. My country is being destroyed more and more every day."

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The strike on the bridge in Karaj also worried one local resident who described himself as "pro-war".

"That bridge could have reduced the traffic in the city... it was destroyed in the second strike. This strike has got me worried. I don't know why they hit it," said the man in his 20s.

A woman in her 40s in Tehran, who also supports the US-Israeli military campaign, said: "I was really surprised that they hit a bridge but I think they must have a reason for it."

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The strike in Karaj and Trump's comments were also condemned by hardline, pro-establishment Iranians on social media.

Many demanded that Iran's armed forces retaliate by targeting bridges in neighbouring countries with US bases.

Others warned that the strike on the bridge was another sign that the goal of the US and Israel was the "destruction of Iran" rather than its military assets.

The BBC understands that some officials, pro-establishment users, and journalists still have access to the internet despite the ongoing blackout.
ORLANDO, Fla.  Lake Nona Concentration Camp is certainly an evocative nickname for a potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in east Orlando. But lawyers for a development company say the monicker violates their clients trademark, and they are insisting that the activists who are using it in flyers and signs must stop.

50501 Orlando, which has led No Kings protests and other actions opposing the rumored conversion of a warehouse into an ICE processing facility, received the demand email on March 23 from attorneys representing Lake Nona Property Holdings, an affiliate of Tavistock, the developer of the Lake Nona planned community in Orlando.

The letter, which gave the group until March 31 to stop using the developments name, notes that Lake Nona has no affiliation with the warehouse plan, nor is the proposed site even within its boundaries.

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Your use of LAKE NONA in this manner implies some type of affiliation between the proposed facility and LNPH, which does not exist, it reads. The predominant use of LAKE NONA as the attention-getting device in your title makes consumer confusion as to the source more likely.

50501 posted a video on social media on April 1 in response, stating it considered Lake Nona a geographic area and didnt realize it was trademarked. Lake Nona is also the name of a lake in the vicinity.

Maybe those big feelings are being directed at the wrong people? group member Jackie Giralt says in the video shared by 50501. Because we are not the ones who want to buy a warehouse in your neighborhood with the intention of kidnapping members of your community and holding them indefinitely without due process in horrifying and inhuman conditions.

Corey Hill, a spokesman for 50501 Orlando, said the group believes its messaging on digital flyers and signs is protected by the First Amendment.

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Were pretty confident in our First Amendment rights, Hill said. Theyre more than welcome to meet with us and talk about how they can join the fight.

The letter from Tavistock requested dropping the use of Lake Nona and removing all references from their materials, and also adding a disclaimer to previous posts clarifying that the company has no association with a detention center, nor is it located in its development.

As of Friday afternoon, it doesnt appear 50501 has done so.

They acknowledge in their own materials the property in question is not located in Lake Nona; and yet, they continue to use the Lake Nona name in a misleading and highly offensive campaign, which is blatantly inaccurate and deceptive, said Tavistock vice president of marketing and communications Jessi Blakley.

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The company has been very protective of the name of its 17-square-mile mixed-use development, home to more than 60,000 people. In 2015, it sued the Klein Company of Philadelphia alleging that its Dwell at Lake Nona project was a violation of its trademark. Attorneys for Klein argued Lake Nona is a geographic name, but later backed down and renamed the project.

Tavistock also took issue with a planned Lake Nona Elementary School that same year. While the Lake Nona name was already used for a high school and middle school, the elementary school was not located in the development itself. Orange County named the school Eagle Creek instead.

While the land is not part of the Lake Nona development, Tavistock does plan to develop acreage surrounding the warehouse park for its future Sunbridge plan, which promises to bring thousands of homes and apartments, hotel, office and retail space.

Asked in February about a proposed ICE facility near the Sunbridge site, Tavistock stated, We have not been contacted by any agency regarding the site, and we do not own or manage the property being referenced. Our focus as an adjacent landowner remains on supporting long-term economic growth and a stable business environment in Central Florida.

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50501 and other groups been protesting in opposition of ICE opening a detention center at the warehouse site since it first gained notice in January. That month, TV cameras recorded a senior ICE official touring the facility in a currently remote part of Orlando, south of State Road 528 and 8 miles east of Lake Nona.

50501 held a protest in Lake Nona in recent weeks and led a phone campaign to pressure the Winter Park real estate firm that was marketing the site  leading HLI Partners to remove its contact information from its website and play the Rick Astley song Never Gonna Give You Up to any callers.

Language comparing detention facilities to concentration camps has been controversial around the country.

Critics have said the comparison to Nazi camps both overstates the situation in ICE facilities and trivializes the Holocaust, according to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

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But others have said the comparison is apt. In a video call on the topic hosted by the national 50501 group, journalist Frank Abe, co-editor of The Literature of Japanese American Incarceration, said the ICE warehouses are nothing but 21st Century American concentration camps.

Im a third-generation Japanese American, and I know a concentration camp when I see one, Abe said, referring to World War II-era internment in the U.S.

So far, the Department of Homeland Security has purchased 11 warehouses across the country in a bid to substantially increase the nations detention capacity to carry out President Trumps mass deportation agenda.

But the current status of the Orlando warehouse plan remains unknown. This week, NBC News reported that ICE was pausing the purchase of new warehouses and was scrutinizing purchases made under former DHS Sec. Kristi Noem, who was removed in March. The Senate confirmed former U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin as her replacement, and he was sworn in last week.

The agency didnt respond this week to emailed questions about its plans in Orlando.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday slammed the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), saying the upcoming Assembly elections are about shaping the state's future rather than just changing the government. Addressing a public meeting in the Kunnathunadu constituency in Ernakulam district, Shah said, "This election is not the election to remove the LDF government and bring the NDA government, but this election is for the future of Kerala. The first state in India to become fully literate was Kerala. The youth here are educated and intelligent, but they do not have jobs." He added, "We want to build such a Kerala where the youth of Kerala get jobs right here and do not need to go to other Gulf countries. Now, change is coming across the entire world. The Communist Party is being wiped out all over the world and the Congress is being wiped out across the country. Today, the entire country is moving forward under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, 14% of the votes from Kerala went to the NDA. Now it's time to form an NDA government here." Shah also criticised Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, alleging that the state government takes credit for centrally funded schemes. "Prime Minister Modi sends 5 kilograms of rice for every poor person, but here the Communist Party sets up a cart. The entire 100% cost of National Highway 66 is being borne by Prime Minister Modi, but there are huge posters of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan put up. For the National Health Mission, Prime Minister Modi sends Rs 600 crore, but since there is no space to put up photos, so the National Health Mission has been shut down here. Rahul Gandhi came yesterday and said that petrol prices have gone up, and petrol prices have indeed risen to Rs 460 per liter, but this is not in Kerala but in Pakistan," he said. Earlier in the day, Union Minister JP Nadda spoke about the changing role of election manifestos, saying they have become more meaningful and accountable. Addressing an event in Thiruvananthapuram, he said, "Political parties are talking about manifestos. Previously, nobody used to talk about them, or if they did, it was only ceremonial. People would forget whatever was said or promised after two or three years, and the same manifesto would reappear at the next election, though the issues remained the same. Now, a new culture has developed -- that of a responsive, responsible, proactive, and accountable government. For the first time, the political scenario has changed. Political parties are presenting their report card. What we said we did, and what we did not say, even that we have done." Polling for the 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections will be held on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4. The tenure of the current Assembly ends on May 23. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is seeking to unseat the incumbent CPI(M)-led LDF government in the 140-member Assembly. The LDF has been in power in the state for around a decade. Around 2.7 crore voters are expected to take part in the election. The final electoral roll, released on February 21 after a Special Intensive Revision, includes 2,69,53,644 voters -- 1,31,26,048 male voters, 1,38,27,319 female voters, and 227 third-gender voters. Among them, 4,24,518 are in the 18-19 age group. (ANI)
WE GOT HIM! Donald Trump announced triumphantly, early on Sunday morning.

Over the past several hours, the United States military pulled off one of the most daring search and rescue operations in US history ... I am thrilled to let you know [our missing airman] is now SAFE and SOUND!

The presidents Truth Social post marked the end of a 36-hour drama that will stand proud in the annals of United States military history.

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After a US air force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet was shot down over Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province on Friday, the pilot was rescued almost immediately. But the weapons officer remained missing.

What followed was a race against time between the US and Iran to recover the stranded colonel. At stake was not just the life of the airman and the dozens of special forces troops who risked everything to save him, but the reputation of the US military.

Mr Trump said: This type of raid is seldom attempted because of the danger to man and equipment. It just doesnt happen!

Video footage from the site showed the mountainous region deep in southern Iran where the aviator landed after pulling the yellow side lever on his ejection seat.

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The seats ejection system, which uses a solid CKU-5 rocket propellant to blast through a jets canopy at a speed of about 200 metres per second, is one of the most sophisticated, but carries a high probability of spinal fractures and other injuries.

The US president confirmed on Sunday afternoon that the airman had been seriously wounded. Earlier he had said the colonel had sustained injuries, but he will be just fine.

This brave warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, said Mr Trump, who later described the airmans rescue as a miracle.

Iranian media shared this unverified image on Saturday of an ejector seat, which is consistent with the model used in the F-15E fighter

Iranian media show off part of an F-15 that Tehran claims it shot down

The airman will have had his survival, evasion, resistance, and escape (Sere) instructions playing through his head.

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But armed only with a pistol, beacon and secure communications device, everything depended on the US special forces reaching him before Iranian forces closed in.

He could not use the beacon because Iranian forces could have detected it. But the use of his encrypted communication device caused confusion.

Mr Trump told Israeli television that the rescue had been delayed because the colonel had sent a message saying God is good.

The US was concerned the Iranians had taken its downed navigator hostage, and were forcing him to try to lure American rescue forces into an ambush, Mr Trump told Channel 12.

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He added that it took several hours for the US to determine that the colonel, who holds a religious belief, was speaking of his own volition.

Every moment lost could have been fatal.

Iran had offered a reward for anyone who found the officer, and a video shared on social media on Friday showed dozens of armed locals combing the countryside, rising to the challenge.

It was not an academic risk. The Black Hawk helicopters involved in extracting the first of the two airmen  the pilot  immediately after the F-15E crashed on Friday were fired upon from the ground. Video footage showed one of the two choppers trailing smoke as it beat a retreat into Iraq.

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It was the Naval Special Warfare Development Group or Seal Team 6, as it is known, that was charged with rescuing the remaining airman.

A specialist commando unit tasked with performing complex and especially dangerous missions, it is used by the US for counterterrorism, reconnaissance and short-duration offensive operations as well as rescue missions.

It was established shortly after Operation Eagle Claw, the failed US military attempt to rescue 53 embassy staff held captive by Iran in 1980  something that will have made its success on Saturday night especially sweet.

In the event, extracting the second airman proved a close call, and not everything ran to plan.

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The extraction operation was launched after the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) pinpointed the airmans location and ran a deception operation to cause the Iranians to believe he had already been located elsewhere and that they were trying to get him out of the country via a port.

The agency used fabricated radio transmissions to trick the IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] into believing the pilot was being moved to various decoy locations, effectively steering search parties away from the mountains where he was actually hiding and giving the extraction team more time.

Some reports suggested they used distress beacons as decoys to further distract Iranian forces during the first hours that the airman was missing.

The actual rescue mission involved over 100 special forces commandos being flown in on specialist MC-130J troop carriers, landing on a makeshift agricultural runway normally used by crop-sprayers and other light planes. That runway was just 30 miles from Isfahan, one of Irans most important nuclear facilities.

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MQ-9 Reaper drones and fast jets provided air cover, striking any military-aged males believed to be a threat in a three-kilometre radius.

The injured colonel was reported to have climbed a ridge line 7,000ft above sea level while US forces dropped bombs and opened fire on approaching Iranian fighters.

He only broke cover in the final moments and performed a daring move to meet his rescue team The Wall Street Journal reported.

The feint worked, but a final drama occurred when two of the MC-130Js  which cost $100m (75.6m) each  became bogged down on the unpaved runway and had to be destroyed to stop them falling into enemy hands.

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One Little Bird [an MH-6 helicopter] flew to that mountain top area and rescued the WSO [weapon systems officer] and brought him back to the landing strip. And of course the two C-130s nose gears got stuck in the dirt. So after a few hours they had to bring in three AFSOC [Air Force Special Operations Command] Dash-8s to fly out the rescued WSO and the 100 or so personnel involved in the op, a US military official told Michael Weiss, an American journalist and author.

The US suffered no casualties

The op basically cost $300m because they had to abandon the two AFSOC C-130s and the four MH-6 Little Birds. Then the US air force had to use multiple bombs to blow up all the aircraft they abandoned at that airstrip. And the Iranians shot down two MQ-9s [Reaper drones that were providing cover].

The official added: Luckily the US suffered no casualties and we had to use multiple bombs and missiles to blow up IRGC vehicles that tried to drive up the mountain and also those that tried to drive to the airstrip.

Once the airman was extracted he was said to have been immediately flown to a hospital in Kuwait for treatment.

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Irans Tasnim news agency initially claimed that several enemy American aircraft in the southern Isfahan region were destroyed by the warriors of Islam, and the pilot rescue operation failed, citing unnamed sources at Irans military headquarters.

The White House and the Pentagon were uncharacteristically silent in the 36 hours after the F-15E went down. But in the background, they were working overtime.

The President remained in the Oval Office throughout the drama, receiving constant updates from Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, according to Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary.

Mr Trump is expected to hold a formal press conference on the rescue on Monday.

On Sunday, sources close to the Israeli military claimed Israel had played an unspecified role in the rescue operation, something Mr Trump partially confirmed later, telling Channel 12 that they had helped a little.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, said the rescue operation proves that when free societies muster their courage and their resolve, they can confront seemingly insurmountable odds.

Facing a general election in October, he added: As a nation that repeatedly carried out daring rescue operations, and as someone who was wounded in such a mission and lost a brother in the Entebbe rescue, Israelis and I, we know what a bold decision you took.

The operation denied Iran a potentially pivotal propaganda victory, but the regime was making the best of a bad lot, noting that Mr Trump had been wrong when he claimed on Wednesday last week that Irans had no anti-aircraft equipment and that their their radar is 100 per cent annihilated.

In an effort to salvage what little victory they could, Iranian officials also posted images on Sunday of the charred remains of one of the two torched MC-130Js.

Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament, wrote in a social-media post: If the United States gets three more victories like this it will be utterly ruined.

Yet Mr Trump hailed the mission as one for the ages. He wrote: This is the first time in military memory that two US pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory. WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND!

The Iranians had simply got lucky in shooting down the F-15E fighter jet, he added, telling the Axios newswire they had used nothing more than a shoulder-fired missile.

The rescue, Mr Trump said, was an AMAZING show of bravery and talent by all!.

Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.
A 32-year-old Honolulu woman was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court to four months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, along with paying $60,458 in restitution to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, following her guilty plea to conspiracy to commit wire fraud by submitting false disaster relief claims tied to the deadly Lahaina and Pacific Palisades

wildfires.

Chelsea Johnson and co-defendant Daylyn Harris were arrested July 15 and charged in a seven-count

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indictment returned by a federal grand jury. According to a plea agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, Johnson pleaded guilty in exchange for federal prosecutors dropping six counts of wire fraud.

Harris, who also pleaded guilty, is scheduled to be sentenced May 4.

Court records indicate the two conspired to defraud FEMA by submitting false disaster relief claims, claiming lost income, housing and property, even though they did not live in the disaster areas or suffer those losses.

Harris also made claims for medical reimbursements from injuries he said he suffered in the Aug. 8, 2023, Lahaina wildfire that killed 102 people and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses.

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Federal prosecutors said Johnson assisted in the fraud by posing as Harris Maui landlord, even though they didnt own the property in question. The actual owners later made FEMA claims themselves for the same property and denied renting it to Harris, Johnson or anyone else.

Johnson then falsely claimed to live in Pacific Palisades, Calif., and to

having lost housing and incurring other expenses as

a result of the devastating wildfire that started Jan. 7, 2025, and burned for 31 days, killing 12 people and destroying nearly 7,000 buildings, mostly homes.

Together, Harris and Johnson received over $60,000 in disaster relief from FEMA intended for

victims of the wildfires.

The Department of Homeland Securitys Office of the Inspector General investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Albanese.
It was a bizarre rescue in southwest Houston overnight. Police say a suspect tried to get into a home through a chimney but never made it inside.

It happened at a home on Tooley near Twin Hills. According to police, a call came in about someone jumping on the roof of a home there. That person then reportedly got into the chimney of the home, but got stuck.

The Houston Fire Department responded and was able to rescue the person, who was then taken into custody. The suspect was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

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This is a developing story. Well post updates as we get them.

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By Krisztina Than and Ivana Sekularac

BUDAPEST/BELGRADE, April 5 (Reuters) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called an emergency defence council meeting on Sunday after powerful explosives were found near a pipeline in Serbia that carries Russian gas to the country.

The incident prompted political scrutiny in Hungary at a sensitive time days before a national election, with Orban's party trailing in opinion polls.

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Orban said Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, a close ally, had informed him by phone about the discovery outside the town of Kanjiza, near Hungary's border with Serbia.

"Our units found an explosive of devastating power," Vucic said in a post on Instagram. "I told PM Orban that we would keep him updated on the investigation."

Officials in Budapest and Belgrade did not respond to requests for comment about the incident, which comes before pivotal elections on April 12 in Hungary where nationalist Orban is fighting to hold onto his more than 16-year grip on power.

A former Hungarian intelligence official told Reuters there had been discussions in Hungarian security circles over the past days about a precise plan for a "false-flag" operation impacting the pipeline in Serbia as part of an effort to influence the Hungarian vote.

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Peter Magyar, leader of the opposition Tisza party also raised doubts about the incident, saying it appeared aimed at boosting Orban's electoral prospects.

"Several people have publicly indicated that something will 'accidentally' happen at the gas pipeline in Serbia at Easter, a week before the Hungarian elections. And so it happened," Magyar said in a statement.

PIVOTAL ELECTIONS

In a Facebook post after the defence council meeting, Orban suggested the incident related to an attempt to blow up the pipeline, which transports Russian gas through the Balkans to Central and Eastern Europe.

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"According to information that we have....there was an act of sabotage prepared," Orban said after the meeting, adding that both countries have strengthened the protection of the pipeline.

Without directly blaming Ukraine for the incident in Serbia, Orban said "Ukraine has been for years trying to cut off Europe from Russian energy."

"The Russian section of TurkStream is also under continuous military attack. Ukraine's efforts pose a life-threatening danger to Hungary," he added.

The head of Serbia's Military Intelligence Agency, Djuro Jusic, said the explosives found on a section of pipeline linked to the Turkstream system, which carries Russian gas to Turkey and then to Central Europe, were produced in the United States.

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"We had information that a person from a migrant community, with military training, will carry out a diversion on the gas infrastructure," he told reporters in Belgrade. He did not give further details, but said authorities in Serbia were searching for that person.

Orban in February scaled up security around energy infrastructure in the country by dispatching troops after what he said were plans by Ukraine to disrupt the Hungarian energy system - charges Kyiv denied.

Ukraine's foreign ministry strongly rejected what it said were attempts to link Kyiv to the explosives.

"Ukraine has nothing to do with this," foreign ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi said on X. "Most probably, a Russian false-flag operation as part of Moscow's heavy interference in Hungarian elections."

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Budapest has also been in a dispute with Ukraine over a halt in oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline. Orban's Fidesz party has sought to associate opposition leader Peter Magyar with Brussels and Ukraine, suggesting that voting for his Tisza party means voting for tanks and war.

Hungary is an outlier in the European Union for maintaining ties with Moscow, which voiced support for Hungary over Sunday's incident and suggested that Ukraine was responsible.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto also blamed Ukraine, writing on Facebook that "in the past few days and weeks, the Ukrainians organised an oil blockade against us, and then tried to put us under a total energy blockade ... And now we have today's incident."

(Reporting by Krisztina Than; Additional reporting by Lili Bayer in Brussels and Ivana Sekularac in Belgrade Writing by Edward McAllister; Editing by Hugh Lawson, Helen Popper, William Maclean, Christina Fincher)
Vibe coding often gets a bad rep. Vibe is a euphemism for not really thinking, and that not really thinking part is accomplished by letting an AI spit all the code out in response to natural language prompts. Inexperienced programmers use it to push out half-baked apps and sabotage their own projects, and experienced ones get lulled into making rookie mistakes.

Enter one man whos putting AI coding tools to extremely good use: Rafael Concepcion, a second-generation immigrant and former professor at Syracuse University whos made it his personal mission to foil Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to a new profile in Wired  a quest that would come at great personal cost, including his university job.

Concepcion is behind a number mobile apps designed to counter ICE activities]. He started with an app to teach immigrants how to exercise their constitutional rights when approached by ICE agents. To build it, he heavily used AI tools like Cursor, an AI-integrated coding environment, and ElevenLabs, a leading AI voice synthesizer.

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In a quintessentially American image, Wired describes how Concepcion would spend his nights building his opus.

Concepcion did most of his vibe coding between midnight and dawn while parked outside a Home Depot in his electric F-150 pickup, Wired wrote. He chose the spot to feel kinship with the day laborers he hoped to reach, and he listened to endless repeats of songs from [the musical] Hamilton as he worked.

In a sense, Concepcion is merely leveling the playing the field: ICE leverages an AI surveillance panoptic to follow, menace, and deport civilians.

Eventually, Concepcion realized that simply educating immigrants of their rights wasnt going to help much if ICE agents rounded them up unconstitutionally anyway. Instead, he wanted to vibe code a tool that could stop these people from falling off a cliff, stop these people from disappearing.

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Concepcion called his overhauled app DEICER. It gave users the ability to report ICE activity with pins on a map, and people close to those locations would receive an alert on their phone with information including a description and photos of the ICE agents.

Per Wired, the app was downloaded more than 3,000 times within a matter of days of hitting the App Store, and peaked at 30,000 users. But with it came a barrage of death threats  so many that he started shopping for a bulletproof vest, according to the reporting.

Threats also came from the US government. On October 2, the Justice Department demanded Apple remove all apps that put ICE agents at risk for doing their jobs. A day later, Concepcion received an email from Apple stating his app had been removed from the App Store because its purpose is to provide location information about law enforcement officers that can be used to harm such officers individually or as a group.

Not to be deterred, Concepcion released a web browser version of his app, cooking up city-specific versions of his DEICER platform all across the country. It wasnt until he collaborated with a North Carolina immigrant rights, Siembra NC, that his counter-ICE tools began to really take off. Together, they made OJO Obrero, a more moderated platform that would ensure that user reports were verified and werent becoming noise that added to the general paranoia and pandemonium.

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Catastrophe struck, however, when nefarious actors hacked DEICER and Concepcions other counter-ICE projects, and the resulting right-wing feeding frenzy led him to becoming the target of a Fox News story that described him as part of a shadow network of anti-ICE scouts. Amid all this, US Customs and Border Patrol revoked his Global Entry status without explanation, he told Wired.

Nonetheless, Concepcion perseveres. His anti-ICE tools are back online, and he plans to stick to his mission. Theres just something telling me to try something else, and I cant explain it, he told the magazine. If Im completely honest, I dont want to explain it. I just want to keep going.

More on ICE: Top ICE Official Falling Apart Medically Due to Stress of Getting Yelled At
For months, two neighbours, Democrat Gareth Fenley and conservative John Miller, have been united in the same daily mission.

Each morning the two get into their cars and drive several miles down the farm-lined roads of their small Georgia town to an empty one-million square-foot gray warehouse.

On arrival, they search meticulously for signs of construction, breathing a sigh of relief each time the massive property appears untouched.

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The sprawling industrial warehouse, which the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) bought in February, is part of a $38.3bn (29bn) plan to open up dozens of immigration detention centres across the US.

Those plans have faced fierce opposition, not just in Democratic communities, but in conservative towns like Social Circle, which overwhelmingly supported Donald Trump in the last election - including his campaign promise to deport millions of undocumented immigrants.

"People have different reasons for aligning with the exact same message," Fenley said. "That message is: 'Detention centre, not welcome here.'"

Many who support the president's immigration policies are concerned the facility would starve the small town of critical resources by tripling its population, turning a place once known for its quaint Blue Willow Inn buffet restaurant into a prison town.

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In March, those concerns led City Manager Eric Taylor to shut off the water in the warehouse, a move that made this one-stoplight town the unlikely face of resistance to the administration's plans.

"If you open up that water meter, it gives them full access to the entire supply of the whole city," Taylor told the BBC. "I can't let that happen without knowing what the ultimate impact is going to be."

Now those plans for a 10,000-person detention centre appear to be on hold.

The department also signalled that it is pausing plans to buy more warehouses like the one in Social Circle - though the fate of facilities it already has spent millions on remains unclear. DHS did not directly respond to a comment from the BBC about Social Circle's facility.

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"As with any transition, we are reviewing agency policies and proposals," a statement from the department said.

DHS cancelled a scheduled meeting about the Social Circle warehouse because it was planning a "department review of processes" under new leadership, Taylor said.

Residents are cautiously optimistic.

"We're anxious to see what happens out of this review. They have already pulled the trigger on it. They have already bought the building, so there's going to be some effects no matter what's done or not done," Miller said.

"We're still whispering up the chain as much as we can to make sure that if they are indeed reviewing it, we can give input."

[Reuters]

'We don't have the capacity'

In the centre of Social Circle is a replica of a well, a nod to the origins of the town, which was established in 1832. According to a plaque, a group of men sitting around a well enjoying "their usual drink" invited a passing stranger to join them. "This is surely a social circle," the stranger replied.

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Nearly 200 years later, Social Circle's wells are at the heart of residents' fight against ICE. They say the town's water system - which serves 5,000 people - has had problems for decades, and the ICE facility would require much more than the fragile system could provide.

Taylor, the city manager, said the town has a permit to pull only one million gallons of water each day from the Alcovy River, south of the town, and during the summer, the town uses about 800,000 gallons at least. ICE has said the facility on its own will require one million gallons a day.

Taylor told the agency as soon as an application for water service was filed that he was not going to turn it on, he said.

"I told them at that time that there was a lock on the water meter, and it was there until we had a better understanding of what the impact was going to be on our water."

John Miller's horse farm is across from the proposed detention centre [BBC]

Miller, whose 50-acre grassy horse farm sits just across the road from the Social Circle warehouse, said officials had not done due diligence on selected locations.

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"It's the same story over and over," he said. "Communities weren't informed. They weren't consulted."

"I understand the why, but I just don't understand how they're handling it."

Miller said federal officials have floated several solutions, including either digging a well on the warehouse property or trucking in a million gallons of water a day.

But the father of seven said drilling new wells could take away from the well he uses to nourish his horses, chickens, barn cats and dogs.

Bringing in gallons of water on Social Circle's two-lane roads poses problems too. "That's six or seven trucks every hour, 24 hours a day," Miller said.

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DHS did not directly respond to a list of questions from the BBC inquiring about how it would address the water supply.

Taylor also worries about the town's old sewage systems, established in 1962 and in need of replacement for 20 years, he said.

"Where's the sewage supposed to go?" he asked. "We don't have the capacity to support a million gallons of sewer coming off that site."

A country-wide fight against ICE plans

Residents in Social Circle have been waging their battle against the ICE facility ever since they found out, in a Washington Post report last December, that the warehouse was one of 23 sites earmarked to become detention centres.

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They quickly appealed to the government and their federal representatives, arguing they did not have resources for the facility - but ICE still purchased it in February for nearly $130m - more than four times its initial estimated worth.

Since then, Miller, Fenley and others have led the charge to slow the project, holding protests and meetings with hundreds of concerned residents. Georgia's Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock visited the facility, and his office participated in a briefing with ICE officials, but "many questions remain unanswered", a spokesperson said.

Other communities who have been tapped for similar projects also have fought back.

In Michigan last week, the state sued to block DHS from converting a warehouse into an ICE facility in Romulus, arguing it was too close to residential neighbourhoods and schools and posed a flooding risk. New Jersey and Maryland also sued to halt ICE projects, while residents in Merrimack, New Hampshire, successfully lobbied elected officials to stop a facility in town.

Gareth Fenley, a Democrat, says she is worried about the human-rights issues that a detention centre could bring to the town [BBC]

For some Social Circle residents, their opposition is not only a question of resources, but of human rights.

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Fenley said she and other Democrats in town were concerned about having people "warehoused in a place that was not built for human habitation".

She worries about reports of people being abused in detention centres. At least 13 immigrants died in ICE custody from January 2026 through early March, according to ICE, while civil rights groups have said immigrants are being subjected to unsafe conditions such as a lack of food, overcrowding and medical neglect.

Others raised alarms not only for those inside the facility, but the community around it.

"We have one high school, one zip code, one grocery store, one stoplight. And we are going to triple the size of our town," said Valerie Walthart, who works on a veterinary farm down the road from Miller. "We're going to be overwhelmed."

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Walthart added that as a mother, she was concerned about safety, with a detention facility perched just a five-minute drive from the local elementary school.

"It's unnerving," Joy Coker, a mother of three in the area, said of the warehouse's location.

[BBC]

'Georgia's greatest little detention centre'

Social Circle's Republican Representative Mike Collins also publicly opposed the ICE project.

"Although I am aligned with the mission of ICE to detain and deport the criminal illegal aliens who have flooded across our border due to Joe Biden's reckless policies, I agree with the community that Social Circle does not have the sufficient resources that this facility would require," he wrote.

Rick Cook, a resident of neighbouring Monroe, said he wasn't in favour of the facility, but believed the US had to clamp down on illegal immigration. He said he and others in his Social Circle church hoped to provide religious counseling to immigrants held in the facility.

"It's going to be what it's going to be, and we're going to try to find the ways to make the best with whatever happens," he said.

To Steven Williford, the owner of a cattle farm in Social Circle who voted for Trump, ICE is a "necessary evil". But he couldn't believe the news when he learned the detention centre was coming to his hometown.

"I just thought it was crazy to put something like that in this community, with no forethought, no prior authorisation, not even asking the community," he said.

"I'm all for doing what's best for the country, but is it best for this community?" he added. "That's the question."

Miller said he understood why some would be confused by the Republican town's reaction. He said detention facilities were necessary to detain people so they could be guaranteed due process.

"You can't say that it's something that's needed and then not be somewhat willing to allow a facility to be there," he said.

But, he said, realistically, no community wants such a facility tarnishing the reputation of their town.

"I miss the days we were known for the Blue Willow Inn," he said, referencing the famous buffet restaurant that closed during Covid, once visited by celebrities including actress Helen Mirren.

"Now," he said, "we're going to be known as Georgia's greatest little detention centre."

[EPA]

Some residents had been hoping that a change in federal leadership would put the warehouse plans on pause. Trump fired his Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem at the beginning of March, after backlash for the administration's immigration crackdown in Minneapolis earlier this year, when federal agents shot dead two US citizens.

The president nominated Senator Markwayne Mullin to take her place, which was followed by DHS signalling it may be rethinking its plans.

In its statement to the BBC, DHS referenced remarks from Mullin's confirmation hearing:

"We got to protect the homeland and we're going to do that, but obviously we want to work with community leaders," he said in March. "We want to be good partners."

Some residents are worried about the safety of having 10,000 detainees move into their town [BBC]

Social Circle's facility was originally slated to open in April, but work appears to have stalled. The agency has yet to award a contract for the warehouse or begin the massive construction needed to convert the bare warehouse into a sprawling court facility, complete with holding areas, gyms and recreational spaces, court facilities, cafeterias and even a gun range.

Residents have been thrilled about the potential pause, including Walthart, who said the decision gives locals "a little time to breathe, since we wake up nearly every day wondering if today will be the day the trucks start rolling in".

"We can enjoy our small town life," she said, "for at least a little while longer, we hope."

Video and photos by Meiying Wu
Idaho Democratic leaders railed against the state Republican supermajority at a news conference Friday following the end of the legislative session.

Senate Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow, D-Boise, and House Minority Leader Rep. Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, criticized their Republican colleagues for prioritizing tax cuts over good governance.

This was not good government at any level, Rubel said. And it hasnt been for some time. This session will lead to long term suffering across the state, but we were set on this path by years of previous irresponsible revenue cuts that were designed to leave us unable to pay our bills.

House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, speaks at a Capitol news conference Friday, a day after the 2026 Idaho legislative session ended. (Darin Oswald/doswald@idahostatesman.com)

State Republican leaders had unofficially planned to hold a post-session news conference just before the Democrats at the same location in the Capitol.

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But Friday morning, less than an hour before both parties were expected to give remarks, word came that the Republicans wouldnt be there. Rubel said they could be in hiding.

We were told, as of yesterday, that they were planning to be here, and then this morning, shortly before, we were told they werent, Rubel told reporters in the House fourth floor lounge. I wouldnt want to stand on this record either. This is appalling. We are in an unbelievable mess that they created.

Lawmakers spent the session, which ended Thursday evening, attempting to carve out millions of dollars in cuts after slashing $450 million in revenue the year before, mostly in tax cuts, the Idaho Statesman previously reported.

Blossoms herald the arrival of spring at the Idaho Capitol. (Darin Oswald/doswald@idahostatesman.com)

Some of the cuts drew significant opposition. Hundreds piled into the Capitol earlier in the session to protest cuts to Medicaid.

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Lawmakers made cuts to higher education, Meals on Wheels for seniors, home disability care and water quality monitoring. Idaho budget writers also pulled back $14 million in federal grants to expand the states child care assistance program over concerns of widespread fraud linked to violations in Minnesota.

These families absolutely need the help, Rubel said. But I was told the state is now broke and cant afford to fund it, no matter how desperately needed these services were.

Wintrow said that their party, rather than the Republican Party, had been advocates for local control and government transparency throughout the session. She said the more likely a bill was to run into public opposition, the more eager her Republican colleagues were to bypass public hearings or neglect to give advance notice.

Senate Minority Leader Melissa Wintrow, D-Boise, criticizes budget cuts passed by Republicans. (Darin Oswald/doswald@idahostatesman.com)

She noted a bill that went through the Senate Health and Welfare Committee with about half an hour of testimony.

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When I went back to look at the records, there were over 200 people in opposition and only eight people in support of that bill, Wintrow said. So 95% was in opposition, yet it was rammed through quickly and right out to the floor. There was a formal complaint that was sent to leadership in both chambers and the governor, saying, This isnt right. This is not the peoples house anymore.

Rep. Steve Berch, D-Boise, said during the news conference that the only budget that wasnt a target for cuts was the $50 million lawmakers appropriated last year to fund private school vouchers. Parents can claim up to $5,000 in refundable tax credits for private or home-school expenses.

That budget was protected, Berch said. They made very clear that public education is in their crosshairs.

The Boise Depot viewed from downtown Boises Capitol Boulevard on Friday. (Darin Oswald/doswald@idahostatesman.com)

Culture war distractions

Instead of tackling cost-of-living woes, Wintrow said Republican lawmakers spent far too much time on culture war distractions and half-baked immigration bills.

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The Legislature passed a bill March 27 that would make it a misdemeanor for someone to knowingly and willfully use a restroom or changing room that doesnt match the sex they were assigned at birth. Repeated offenses could earn someone a felony. The law, signed by Gov. Brad Little on Tuesday, takes effect July 1.

Little signed another bill into law Tuesday that would fine local and state governments $2,000 a day for flying flags that arent on the Legislatures list of approved flags. The legislation was a direct response to the Boise City Council adopting the Pride flag as an official city flag in May 2025 as a workaround to a state law that banned the display of unofficial flags on government property. McLean announced Tuesday that the city had taken the flag down to avoid paying the penalty.

Another bill, which didnt pass, would have made it a felony for churches, food banks and domestic violence shelters to dole out food or provide housing to people without first confirming their citizenship status, according to Rubel.

It was a pretty shocking bill that we were able to defeat, she said.

Rubel speaks to reporters. (Darin Oswald/doswald@idahostatesman.com)

Rubel said Democratic lawmakers, on the other hand, brought bipartisan, thoughtful and useful legislation at every turn that aimed to address affordable housing, benefits for first responders, child protection, public safety and coverage for anti-cancer medications.

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We are focused on solving real needs, but on the other side were seeing a tsunami, a ridiculous flag and bathroom bill to distract from the total dereliction in terms of addressing real needs, Rubel said. We ask the people of Idaho to remember in November.

Idaho lawmakers finally head home, but fights over money could amp up

In waning hours, Republicans revive ICE bill that Idaho sheriffs oppose

Update: Meta asked Little to veto a social media bill. He signed it anyway
As the sun set over Jacksonville Saturday, the air was filled with silence and the flickering light of candles. Members of the Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance (JIRA) gathered for a vigil to honor those who have died in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), calling for an immediate end to what they describe as a growing humanitarian crisis.

The mobilization comes in response to a staggering trend. According to JIRA, 14 people have already died in ICE custody this year alone. If this pace continues, advocates warn that 2026 is on track to become the deadliest year for immigrant detainees since 2004.

Just because they had an interaction with ICE, theyre not here any longer, Nina Ballecilo, a representative for the alliance, said.

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The group has documented over 33 deaths in 2025, a number they say is still rising as more cases come to light. Tonights vigil focused heavily on two local tragedies that occurred right here in Florida, including the death of 18-year-old Royer Perez Jimenez.

Jimenez was originally arrested and held at the Volusia County Jail before being transferred to an ICE detention center. Advocates allege that negligence during his detention led to his death, identifying him as the youngest victim of the system in the state.

No matter where you come from, no matter what your background is, you deserve humanity, Vanessa Alvarez, a community organizer with JIRA, said.

Alvarez and other activists are pointing to the 287(g) agreementswhich allow local law enforcement to function effectively as ICE agentsas a primary driver of these fatalities. They are urging Jacksonville residents to speak up and contact their representatives to demand an end to these partnerships.

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One actionable thing we could do is talk to our neighbors and tell them that these agreements are whats leading people to dying, Alvarez added.

In a statement addressing the recent fatalities, ICE maintained that the agency prioritizes the health and safety of those in its care.

Any death that occurs in ICE custody is a significant cause for concern, the agency stated. ICE prioritizes the health, safety, and well-being of all aliens in its custody. The agency further noted that every facility is required to maintain strict written protocols in accordance with federal policy whenever a death occurs.

However, advocates who gathered on Saturday said protocols are not enough. The vigil concluded with a call to action, asking supporters to write to local leaders to demand improved conditions and greater transparency.

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As the names of the deceased were read aloud, the message from the Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance was clear: they will continue to fight until the number of deaths in detention reaches zero.

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DUBAI, April 5 (Reuters) - Several aircraft were destroyed in the south of Iran's Isfahan province during a U.S. mission to find a stranded airman, Iranian military officials said on Sunday.

U.S. officials told Reuters late on Saturday that a second airman whose F-15 jet was downed on Friday in Iran was rescued, a day after the first crew member was recovered.

"Additional investigations by experts on the ground revealed that two C-130 military transport planes and two Black Hawk helicopters of the US army were destroyed by our forces," the spokesperson of the unified command of Iranian armed forces said.

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Separate statements by the Iranian army and Revolutionary Guards said an Israeli Hermes-900 drone as well as a U.S. MQ-9 drone were downed in Isfahan province.

Reuters could not immediately verify the Iranian accounts.

Iran's semi-official Fars news agency said U.S. search operations were conducted from Saturday evening in three different provinces, namely Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad, and Isfahan.

(Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by Kirsten Donovan and Christina Fincher)
BASRA, Iraq, April 4 (Reuters) - Passenger movement has returned to normal at the Shalamcheh border crossing between Iraq and Iran after it was closed following air strikes on the Iranian side that killed an Iraqi citizen, security sources and state news agency said on Saturday.

The crossing serves as one of the main routes for imports to Iraq of vegetables and other food supplies from Iran, traders and border officials say. Any prolonged disruption can quickly affect supplies to local markets.

The sources said at least five Iraqis were seriously wounded in the strikes, which hit a passenger reception area on the Iranian side.

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Iraqi police recovered the body of a man, while the wounded were taken to hospital, most in critical condition.

A few hours after the strikes near Shalamcheh, Iraqi border authorities also briefly halted movement at the Safwan crossing with Kuwait after reporting explosions on the Kuwaiti side, Iraqi security and border officials said.

The officials added they saw drones hovering overhead moments before the blasts.

(Reporting by Aref Mohammed in Basra; Additional reporting by Ahmed Rasheed; Editing by Alison Williams, Toby Chopra and Susan Fenton)
Cotonou, Benin (PANA) - The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), which focuses on fostering a culture of electoral accountability in Benin, has called for a structured stakeholder dialogue, an end to political exclusion and an inclusive civic space for fair and transparent political competition in the country
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday slammed the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), saying the upcoming Assembly elections are about shaping the state's future rather than just changing the government. Addressing a public meeting in the Kunnathunadu constituency in Ernakulam district, Shah said, "This election is not the election to remove the LDF government and bring the NDA government, but this election is for the future of Keralam. The first state in India to become fully literate was Keralam. The youth here are educated and intelligent, but they do not have jobs." He added, "We want to build such a Keralam where the youth of Keralam get jobs right here and do not need to go to other Gulf countries. Now, change is coming across the entire world. The Communist Party is being wiped out all over the world and the Congress is being wiped out across the country. Today, the entire country is moving forward under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, 14% of the votes from Keralam went to the NDA. Now it's time to form an NDA government here." Shah also criticised Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, alleging that the state government takes credit for centrally funded schemes. "Prime Minister Modi sends 5 kilograms of rice for every poor person, but here the Communist Party sets up a cart. The entire 100% cost of National Highway 66 is being borne by Prime Minister Modi, but there are huge posters of Keralam Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan put up. For the National Health Mission, Prime Minister Modi sends Rs 600 crore, but since there is no space to put up photos, so the National Health Mission has been shut down here. Rahul Gandhi came yesterday and said that petrol prices have gone up, and petrol prices have indeed risen to Rs 460 per litre, but this is not in Kerala but in Pakistan," he said. Earlier in the day, Union Minister JP Nadda spoke about the changing role of election manifestos, saying they have become more meaningful and accountable. Addressing an event in Thiruvananthapuram, he said, "Political parties are talking about manifestos. Previously, nobody used to talk about them, or if they did, it was only ceremonial. People would forget whatever was said or promised after two or three years, and the same manifesto would reappear at the next election, though the issues remained the same. Now, a new culture has developed -- that of a responsive, responsible, proactive, and accountable government. For the first time, the political scenario has changed. Political parties are presenting their report card. What we said we did, and what we did not say, even that we have done." Polling for the 2026 Keralam Legislative Assembly elections will be held on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4. The tenure of the current Assembly ends on May 23. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is seeking to unseat the incumbent CPI(M)-led LDF government in the 140-member Assembly. The LDF has been in power in the state for around a decade. Around 2.7 crore voters are expected to take part in the election. The final electoral roll, released on February 21 after a Special Intensive Revision, includes 2,69,53,644 voters -- 1,31,26,048 male voters, 1,38,27,319 female voters, and 227 third-gender voters. Among them, 4,24,518 are in the 18-19 age group. (ANI)
Iris Roley did not want a profile written about her.

The longtime activist said shes endured death threats and what she sees as unfair treatment from the press and social media. Her contract with the city, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, has increased scrutiny on Roley's work.

"These stories that are written are not reflective of the true sacrifice that has been given," Roley said. "You don't talk about the amount of time I've put into the work."

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Thats how she declined an interview with The Enquirer for this story.

Many people approached for this story didn't want to speak on the record about Roley. But those who talked with The Enquirer agreed: few people have impacted the city as much as Roley over the past quarter of a century.

The Enquirer looked at Roley's influence on the city as the 25th anniversary approaches on April 7 of the fatal shooting of Timothy Thomas, an unarmed Black teenager, by a Cincinnati Police officer. Thomas' death sparked the 2001 civil unrest and hastened a historic Collaborative Agreement between the police and city that reshaped policing in Cincinnati.

Thomas' death and the resulting civil unrest catapulted Roley and others in the newly formed Cincinnati Black United Front into the spotlight after the organization sued the city, which led to the agreement. Roley remained at the forefront of reforming police-community relations, gaining enough respect from city leaders they contracted with her to monitor the reforms of the agreement and work to reduce violence in the city.

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Roley has long been both an influential and polarizing figure. Last summer, the Fraternal Order of Police urged the city to fire her, calling her an "agitator" after police bodycam videos showed her confronting officers about how they treat residents and encouraging residents to file complaints. City Hall didnt terminate her, with City Manager Sheryl Long calling Roley an essential community and civic leader.

Long and several other key officials, including the mayor and interim police chief, declined to elaborate for this story.

Pastor Damon Lynch III speaks at "Black Men Stand for Iris" where many gathered at the steps of Cincinnati City Hall to defend City Consultant Iris Roley after the FOP called for her termination.

For the past four years, the city has paid Roley as a consultant to monitor the interaction between police and the community and help establish other social service programs aimed at the city's youth and violence reduction. Roley works out of an office in City Hall next to the nine city council members. Instead of bearing her name, the sign near the door says simply: Collaborative Agreement Sustainability Office.

'Held the city to its promise'

Roley played a central role in the agreement, said Pastor Damon Lynch III, the pastor of New Prospect Baptist Church in Roselawn. Lynch should know. Hes a prominent civil rights leader who led the effort for the Collaborative Agreement. Its his signature on the original agreement.

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While Lynch might have been an architect of the agreement, he credits Roley as the reason the Collaborative Agreement is still in effect. In the years after it was signed, Roley helped keep pressure on the city, including as one of the leaders of a boycott that cost the city millions in revenue.

Three years after Thomas death, Roley questioned whether the reforms were sticking. Why should the boycott be over? she said in 2004. Where is the change?

Shes never let up, Lynch said.

"She's been there for 25 years," Lynch said. "She has been the main person who has held the city to its promise."

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That promise is a police department that is more transparent and accountable to the community than before, Lynch and other Black leaders said.

Roley grew up with activists

Roley grew up around activism, raised in an old Avondale synagogue called the "Black House" that was given to activists as a place to organize, Roley told the University of Cincinnati's Freedom Center publication in 2020.

She has said her grandmother, Vivian Kinebrew, inspired her.

Kinebrew, a longtime social justice advocate herself, led protests against the city and government, as Enquirer archive stories show. For example, in 1988, Kinebrew and nine activists, including the late homeless advocate Buddy Gray, were arrested after taking over a building for three days on Reading Road. They were protesting a lack of housing for low income people and blocking the city's plans to raze the building.

A national impact

Cincinnatis reforms influenced policing debates nationwide, from New Yorks stopandfrisk lawsuit to policecommunity efforts in Ferguson, Missouri, and Minneapolis. Roley and Lynch traveled to both cities to share Cincinnatis model, Lynch said.

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Cincinnati really jumped out to us immediately, Darius Charney, a civil rights lawyer who represented Black and Latino New Yorkers in a class-action lawsuit against the New York Police Departments stop-and-frisk policy, told the Marshall Project in 2014. Charney, in the story, said the relationship between the police and community changed drastically after the agreement.

The Collaborative Agreement was important enough at the time that then-Attorney General John Ashcroft traveled to Cincinnati in April 2002 to sign the agreement with local leaders.

Other areas of the country look to Cincinnati on how police and residents can work together, Lynch said.

"We wanted to work with police and say, 'Let's all do better,'" Lynch said. "So that's why our message resonates across he nation. Because people say, well, maybe this is a good way to do it."

'African-Americans in the city were fed up'

Iris' husband, Jesse Roley speaks at "Black Men Stand for Iris" where many gathered at the steps of Cincinnati City Hall to defend City Consultant Iris Roley after the FOP called for her termination.

In 2000, Roley and her husband, Jesse Roley, were on the verge of opening an engraving shop in Bond Hill. As community discussions escalated over police conduct, Roley joined Black leaders meeting regularly at Lynch's New Prospect Baptist Church. These conversations led to the formation of the Cincinnati Black United Front.

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At the time, 14 Black people had died in encounters with Cincinnati Police over five years. Roger Owensby Jr., a 29-year-old Black man, died by asphyxiation after officers pinned him, face down, on the pavement outside a convenience store in Roselawn on Nov. 7, 2000. A day later, another Black man, Jeffrey Irons, was shot and killed by police. It became known in the community as the "2 in 24"as in, two deaths within 24 hours.

"The spirit was to stand up," Roley told The Enquirer in 2016. "African Americans in the city were fed up. We were fighting for the right to be respected as first-class citizens in our city, where our color would not automatically make us criminals."

Roley, as project manager for the Black United Front, helped collect stories of 3,500 Black residents who said they were victims of police brutality and misconduct. Of those, 400 of the residents were part of the class-action lawsuit.

In March 2001, the group filed the classaction lawsuit against the city, alleging decades of racial profiling. A month later, when Officer Stephen Roach shot and killed 19yearold Timothy Thomas while chasing him down an alley, the city erupted in unrest. The riots marked the worst racial violence in Cincinnati in 30 years. Then-Mayor Charlie Luken declared a citywide curfew on April 12 after two days of unrest. It restored calm by the time the curfew was lifted four days later.

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A year later, the settlement between the Cincinnati Black United Front, the American Civil Liberties Union, the police union and the city produced the Collaborative Agreement.

What is the biggest difference in the past 3 decades?

The agreement created new protocols for police conduct, including the Citizens Complaint Authority. For Bomani Tyehimba, the original plaintiff in the lawsuit, the biggest change was that residents finally had recourse.

Tyehimba, who is now an associate minister of Corinthian Baptist Church in Avondale, sued the city after he was ordered out of a car at gunpoint by Cincinnati Police.

"If you have a negative encounter with the police, you have ways to deal with that, to communicate what it was that you went through," Tyehimba said.

From critic to contract employee

Over time, Roley's activism made its way into City Hall in an official capacity.

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In 2022, the city hired her to help gather public input on hiring a new police chief and to monitor the Collaborative Agreements implementation. A memo from thenInterim City Manager John Curp called her a longtime city partner whose expertise and relationships were vital.

Her contract and compensation have expanded since then. After an uptick in violence at the Government Square transit center, the city tapped Roley to lead weekly outreach to youth who gather there. She and a group of activists distribute food, clothing and transportation assistance as part of a broader intervention strategy.

Police union wanted Roley fired

Roleys style can rub some as confrontational, which has sparked controversy over the years.

The two police body camera videos of Roley that surfaced over the summer caught the attention of Libs of TikTok and other conservative influencers and became an issue in the city's contentious council and mayoral races.

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They showed Roley approaching and questioning police officers while they are on duty. Roley questions the officers. In one, she explains she's trying to find solutions to a parking issue, but the initially calm confrontation escalates and Roley says, "I don't have to do anything you say."

In another video, she steps into a situation with an uncooperative man accused of drinking in public. She tells the man if the officer is actually mistreating him then he should file a complaint.

Scotty Johnson, Cincinnati City Councilman and Iris Roley, consultant to the city, attend the rally on Fountain Square in August 2025.

In response, Cincinnati's Fraternal Order of Police hosted an online petition calling for the city to terminate its contract with Roley. It garnered 3,500 signatures as of Aug. 11 but has since been taken down.

"Theres been several videos of her seen harassing officers for simply trying to do their jobs," said FOP President Ken Kober in August after starting the petition. "Thats not collaboration. Thats just being an agitator."

Kober did not respond to The Enquirer's message seeking comment. Interim Police Chief Adam Hennie referred all comments to the city manager who declined to comment.

Councilman Scotty Johnson, a former Cincinnati Police officer, said the FOP's opinion is not the opinion of all police officers. He said he's heard officers appreciate the work Roley has done.

"They appreciate the collaborative work," Johnson said. "It keeps them from even having to go and interact with citizens."

Support in Black neighborhoods

In many predominantly Black neighborhoods, Roley is deeply respected.

For years, Roley has walked the streets of OvertheRhine, the West End, and other neighborhoods observing police interactions, advocating for complainants before the Citizens Complaint Authority, where residents can file grievances against officers and distributing food and resources to teens downtown.

Some residents have criticized her tactics, but many say shes a fierce advocate for the underrepresented.

Richard Hughes, senior pastor of New Jerusalem Baptist Church, organized the "Black Men Stand for Iris" in support of Iris Roley.

In response to the FOP's call for her ouster, dozens of Black men stood on the steps of City Hall to show support for Roley.

Rev. Richard Hughes, a senior pastor at New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Carthage, organized the rally, called "Black Men Stand for Iris."

"This city should thank God we've got Iris Roley here," Hughes told The Enquirer. "She's keeping a lot of kids off the street, keeping them out of the morgue, out of cemeteries."

Galen Gordon, president of Cincinnati's West End neighborhood, said he frequently sees Roley walking around the neighborhood and interacting with people.

"I respect her work," Gordon said. "I would say some people do not necessarily appreciate the tactics that folks use sometimes. As a resident, I think shes been great for underrepresented folks in our city."

What are the taxpayers paying Roley?

According to data provided by the city to Ohio Checkbook, the city paid Roley's firm $25,000 in 2022. The pay has steadily increased every year since, to $76,250 in 2023, $78,000 in 2024 and $329,000 in 2025. That jump appears to coincide with the firm tackling additional outreach programs, including Government Square.

In April 2025, the city and Roley signed an amended contract worth up to $570,000 and lasting through April 2027. In November, the contract was amended again to raise the pay to $664,330, according to contract details obtained by The Enquirer through an open records request.

The money doesn't all go to Roley, but also to expenses and other people she's contracted with. She gets a $105,000 annual fee as part of the latest contract.

Among the people she's hired for counseling work on Government Square is Rechah Showes, whom WCPO in a story identified as her son. Receipts obtained by The Enquirer show Roley submitted receipts showing Showes got paid at least $13,400 as one of four workers on the Government Square initiative between October 2024 and May 2025.

Expense reports show purchases for food, bus passes, and hundreds of dollars in Tshirts and hoodies for volunteers. Roley in March 2025 submitted an invoice for hoodies and T-shirts for volunteers at a cost of $1,300 to BLG Accessories and Apparel, which has the same Pleasant Ridge address as Roley's consulting company.

The receipt says, "Thank you for choosing RoSho Awards and Graphics!" RoSho is a company registered to Jesse Roley, according to the Ohio Secretary of State's business records.

A Jan. 2025 invoice showed $500 worth of Chipotle gift cards distributed at Government Square. Roley, in a report attached to the invoice, said she received a request to feed more than 150 students with $10 Chipotle gift cards.

Contract under a microscope

The city did not put the contract out to bid, a point of concern for critics such as Todd Zinser, a former federal inspector general who runs the Citizen Watchdog blog. Zinser says the city should have solicited proposals, especially after Roleys duties expanded to include Government Square work.

"The reason that it's increased in value the way it has, I believe, is because they've added on this Government Square initiative," Zinser said. "That should have been bid out. The core of the issue, I believe, is the fact that these are noncompetitive."

Strong support inside City Hall

Inside City Hall, Roley remains a popular figure. On one afternoon in February, City Hall staffers, lobbyists and activists greeted Roley with smiles and hugs as she walked the corridors of City Hall. They bring her news or questions about situations they've heard, issues at schools, or anything they want her to follow up on.

Councilman Seth Walsh said her presence at Government Square was transformative.

"She shows up at government square, and she gets to know the kids," Walsh said. "You can see what happens when there wasnt an Iris there. Iris showing up has had a positive impact."

Other council members agreed Roley has been indispensable in improving relationships between the police, city and residents.

"I think she has done great work with the city," said Councilman Mark Jeffreys. "I think she, the city manager, has used her to help address a lot of these issues, including the Government Square, which I think has been very, very effective."

What does the future hold?

With her contract running through 2027, Roley is expected to continue playing a central role in Cincinnatis approach to police accountability. Lynch and others hope the next generation of civic leaders learns from her persistence.

"The Collaborative Agreement is not the Bible," Lynch said. "It's not flawless, and police and community actions and reactions don't always follow the agreement. But we do have to keep trying."

800

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Iris Roley's impact on Cincinnati police reform
Israel's military said it again attacked targets of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia in the Lebanese capital Beirut on Sunday, with witnesses reporting five heavy bombardments in the southern suburbs of Dahiyeh.

Lebanon's Health Ministry reported four dead and dozens injured. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) and eyewitnesses said a three-storey building was hit.

The first wave of attacks began shortly after midnight (2100 GMT Saturday), according to eyewitnesses. Plumes of smoke were repeatedly seen rising in the area.

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The wounded were being carried out with blankets as no stretchers were available, according to a dpa witness at the scene of one attack on the Shiite neighbourhood of Jnah near Rafik al-Hariri Hospital.

The area is considered a Hezbollah stronghold but is also a densely populated residential district. Israel's military has repeatedly called on residents there to flee.

Elsewhere, six people were reported killed in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, NNA reported earlier Sunday.

NNA reported the deaths in the town of Kfar Hatta, saying they were members of a displaced family.

The Lebanese army later said that a soldier had been killed in an Israeli airstrike.

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In another airstrike, also in southern Lebanon, at least three people were killed and others injured early on Sunday morning, the news agency reported separately.

The information could not be independently verified.

Israel's military initially did not comment on the reports when asked.

Besides attacking Lebanon from the air, it is also conducting ground operations against Hezbollah in neighbouring Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah again fired projectiles at northern Israel. In an area in Galilee, there were repeated rocket alerts early Sunday afternoon. Warning sirens also sounded in other parts of the north of the country after shelling by the Lebanese militia.

Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service said it treated six people with minor injuries and several others for anxiety in the Arab town of Deir al-Asad, where Israeli media reported that a Hezbollah rocket fell into open ground and exploded.
The Israeli military said on Sunday it has killed a senior commander of the Oil Headquarters of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Mohammad Reza Ashrafi Kahi, the head of commerce within the Oil Headquarters, was killed on Friday during airstrikes in the Tehran area, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.

It said the Oil Headquarters supports the elite IRGC's activities and military build-up, as well as those of its regional allies Hezbollah and the Houthis, through profits from oil sales.

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A few days ago, Israel's military said it killed the commander of the Oil Headquarters of Iran's armed forces, which serves a similar purpose to the IRGC headquarters for the regular military.

The Israeli military described Kahi's death as "an additional significant blow to the economic foundations of Iran's security apparatus."
Special Judge Lisa Swaim, who also oversees Cass County Superior Court 2, will soon decide whether special prosecutors are needed in a case related to the shooting of Tippecanoe Judge Steven Meyer.

Attorneys for Thomas Moss, who is accused of playing a key role in orchestrating the shooting, argued Tuesday that the Tippecanoe County Prosecutors Office should excuse itself from the case.

The two defense attorneys pointed to past cases where prosecutors excused themselves from cases where the alleged victim was a court employee. A few of the cases they used as examples were from Tippecanoe County.

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In the examples provided by the defense attorneys, the prosecutors excused themselves to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.

Judge Lisa Swaim, who was appointed special judge for the case and also oversees Cass County Superior Court 2, asked why those cases were relevant when the prosecutors hadnt excused themselves in the case at hand.

The defense argued that the filings recognized an implicit conflict when prosecutors worked cases where a member of court staff is a victim. More specific to Mosss case, they argued that Tippecanoes prosecutors could be too focused on what Judge Meyer might want from the case and how their actions could affect other proceedings.

You want to do your job, and you want to do their job, the judge asked, again pointing out the prosecutors hadnt asked for special prosecutors to replace them.

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The Tippecanoe prosecutors argued against the points made by the defense team.

Theyve accused the state and the judge of being unable to uphold their oaths with no evidence, said deputy prosecutor Cassidy Laux, adding the defense team was cherry picking cases in Tippecanoe County and that the defenses argument could apply to the defense attorneys as well.

Judge Swaim allowed the examples of past cases to be added to the record  a request from the defense team, which explained it would likely try to return to the topic at an appellate court  and said she would take some time to consider the request before Moss appears in front of the court again on April 10.

Whether Moss will be allowed to speak with people outside of his legal team, and whether he will be allowed to interact with the jails general population will also be discussed at the next hearing.
More than a decade of federal oversight of special education in New Orleans charter schools has ended, following a March 31 decision by U.S. District Judge Jay Zainey to terminate a sweeping consent judgment, which went into effect in early 2015.

That consent judgment resulted from a class-action lawsuit filed by parents of charter school students against the Louisiana Department of Education. In the years after Hurricane Katrina, the state took over the majority of the citys schools, converting them from traditional, district-run schools to quasi-autonomous charters, whose day-to-day operations are managed by private, nonprofit groups. The Orleans Parish School Board, which has since taken over the regulation of nearly all of the citys schools, was later added as a co-defendant.

The 2010 suit alleged that the citys charter schools discriminated against special education students in their application processes and did not provide them appropriate educational services, as federal law requires. The consent judgment required intensive monitoring of both charter school operators and of the two regulatory bodies responsible for making sure charters comply with federal special education laws: the Department of Education and the NOLA Public Schools district, which is the administrative arm of the Orleans Parish School Board.

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After years of good marks from a court-appointed independent monitor, the Orleans Parish School Board and the Department of Education formally requested to be released from federal monitoring. But parents of students with disabilities and the Southern Poverty Law Center, which represents the plaintiffs, had asked the court to continue the consent judgement, saying the citys schools were not ready to come out from under federal oversight.

During an informal hearing before Zainey in November, called in order to hear parents concerns over the potential termination of the consent decree, dozens of people alleged that their children had been subjected to violations of federal special education law, despite federal monitoring. Plaintiffs said that the school district and state still lacked robust internal monitoring and oversight of New Orleans charters for the consent decree to end.

But Zainey disagreed. Though problems with special education persist at some schools, the consent decree was primarily intended to address systemic issues  and whether the state and district are catching problems and implementing plans to correct them  rather than individual students experiences.

Most if not all of the individual problems raised could not plausibly be traced to a systemic failure, and some problems, while causing palpable frustration to class members, did not necessarily constitute a violation of federal law, Zainey wrote in his ruling terminating the consent judgment this week.

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Zainey added that the state and district both addressed parent concerns following the hearing  even if it wasnt through contacting parents directly  by creating positions to investigate special education complaints, with an attorney and ombudsman, respectively.

Ted Beasley, a spokesman for the Louisiana Department of Education, wrote in an email to Verite News the department will continue to work with parents and school systems to make sure they are fulfilling their responsibilities under federal law.

This case began more than a decade ago with serious concerns about services for students with disabilities, Beasley wrote. We appreciate the courts decision and their acknowledgement of the years of work that led to this point.

Zainey noted that the independent monitors have found both the Orleans Parish School Board and Louisiana Department of Education to be in substantial compliance for eight consecutive years, well over the two years needed to end the consent decree. But the plaintiffs have long disagreed with the courts definition of substantial compliance, which relies on the parties compliance with provisions laid out in the consent decree. Attorneys with the SPLC argue that substantial compliance should instead be based on how well the defendants are actually following special education law.

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The plaintiffs opposition to the termination of the consent decree hinged on findings from a 2024 report by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor that found that the Louisiana Department of Education needed to improve monitoring systems to better follow federal special education law. The report said the department relied on districts self-reporting compliance, and that intensive on-site reviews took place mostly in Orleans Parish, which Zainey said could mean that the consent decree was taxing LDOEs limited resources.

Late last year, SPLC attorney Lauren Winkler argued that the state still lacks systems that would make it easy for parents to report violations of federal special education law, like an online complaint system. At the time, Winkler said her team was still seeing issues of students being subtly pushed out of schools due to their disabilities and being denied proper services.

Theyre not really looking at what actually the results are, Winkler said last year, saying the defendants had only managed to achieve paper compliance.

Following this weeks ruling, another attorney on the case, Neil Ranu, said in a written statement that the SPLC was disappointed by the decision to terminate the consent decree.

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While we have seen some progress over the past 10 years, the school system still cannot guarantee that students with disabilities will receive the services they are entitled to under law, Ranu wrote. SPLC intends to vigorously support their efforts to see this federal right fulfilled for every student.

The NOLA Public Schools district celebrated the end of the consent decree, highlighting the changes it has made to better improve conditions for students with special needs, like resource guides and the creation of shared services, in a press release.

This is a proud day for our students, our families, our schools, and every member of our team who poured their heart into this work, said NOLA Public Schools Superintendent Fateama Fulmore. We set out to build something that would last, and the courts ruling confirms that we did exactly that. Our commitment to students with disabilities is not just about compliance. Its always about doing right by our children. Our work is not finished; it is ongoing and will continue to improve.

This article first appeared on Verite News New Orleans and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Kentucky environmental advocates are among a coalition suing to block President Donald Trump's administration from loosening regulations on harmful air emissions from power plants, including neurotoxic metals like mercury and lead.

The petition, filed March 30 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, was brought by an array of environmental groups in addition to health-focused organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Lung Association and American Public Health Association. The groups are also challenging a rollback in emissions monitoring requirements, and said the agency's reversal "abandons safeguards that protect communities living near coal plants and downwind of their pollution."

"This dangerous repeal of protections is a giveaway to coal plants, allowing them to emit more neurotoxic mercury into our air while keeping vulnerable communities in the dark about what pollution is coming from smokestacks," said Ashley Wilmes, executive director of the Kentucky Resources Council, in a statement. The group is represented in the filing by Earthjustice.

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in February said it would reverse strict emissions standards on power plants issued under President Joe Biden's administration, The Courier Journal previously reported. Those rules were projected to cut down on thousands of pounds of mercury and other metals, including carcinogens and neurotoxins, in addition to fine particulate matter, known colloquially as soot.

Instead, the Trump administration is returning to the original, Obama-era standards, which were less stringent but drove sharp a reduction in toxic emissions from coal plants in Kentucky and across the country more than a decade ago.

EPA second-in-command David Fotouhi announced the agency's action in February from the grounds of LG&E's towering coal-fired generating station, in southwest Jefferson County. He said the rollback would free the coal industry from what he described as overly burdensome environmental rules levied by the previous administration.

LG&E's coal-fired Mill Creek power plant in southwest Jefferson County. The EPA announced it would ease limits on toxic emissions from coal plants during a press conference at the plant. Feb. 20, 2026

Coal industry groups, including the Kentucky Coal Association and America's Power, supported the EPA's deregulatory action and were on hand for the February announcement along with Kentucky officials and representatives of LG&E and KU. U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, a Republican who is running for the seat of U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, said the repeal would lower costs of living for Americans and ensure enough firm power supply to "win the race for AI."

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A Biden EPA analysis found its new, more stringent standards would not have brought significant changes in electricity prices or forced coal-fired units to retire, an assessment that the Trump EPA has rejected.

"In keeping with a longstanding practice, EPA does not comment on current or pending litigation," the agency said in a statement to The Courier Journal.

Loosened protections against power plant emissions could impose disproportionate health risks in coal-reliant regions, including Kentucky  one of the last places in the country that still mines a significant amount of coal and still uses coal to generate a large portion of its electricity.

Nine Kentucky power plants reported mercury emissions in 2024, the most recent year of EPA data. More than 30,000 people live within three miles of those plants.

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Mercury exposure in humans, which can affect the brain, cardiovascular and nervous systems, often occurs through consumption of contaminated fish and shellfish. Emissions of mercury from coal-fired power plants can settle in rivers and streams, where it may accumulate in fish tissue.

When the Obama-era standards were first installed roughly a decade ago, research indicated Jefferson County likely saw reduced premature deaths due to reductions in particulate matter, in addition to fewer asthma exacerbations, emergency department visits and lost work days. The expanded, Biden-era protections were expected to improve upon those outcomes.

Tell us what you think. Submit your letter to the editor.

"The repeal of these protections will mean more asthma attacks, emergency room visits, and premature deaths," the petitioning groups said in a statement. The allowance of toxic emissions, and insufficient monitoring of those emissions, amounts to "a betrayal of the EPA's core mission," the groups said.

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The rollback in emissions standards comes after the Trump administration issued regulatory exemptions to coal-fired power plants across the country, including in Kentucky. Exempted Kentucky plants reported a 27% uptick in sulfur dioxide emissions last year, according to an analysis of EPA data by the Natural Resources Defense Council, which called the exemptions a "free pass to pollute."

Background: From Louisville, EPA eases limits on toxic emissions from coal plants

Connor Giffin is an environmental reporter for The Courier Journal. Reach him directly at cgiffin@courier-journal.com or on X @byconnorgiffin.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky group joins lawsuit over Trump EPA coal plant rules
Question: I heard they are going to start using the traffic cams to ticket expired registration stickers. Is this true? When will it start? I support this because if a cars registration is lapsed its insurance probably is too  thats a factor in the hit-and-runs. People with no registration and no insurance dont wait around.

Answer: A bill pending in the state Legislature would expand automated traffic surveillance and enforcement in Hawaii, including by authorizing the use of cameras to ticket vehicle owners for expired registration and safety inspections. The measure has yet to be approved, though, so there is no start date at this point.

Written testimony about the bill has been mainly supportive, although a few people have raised concerns about government overreach and privacy violations. You can read the bill (the latest version is HB2033 HD2 SD1), written testimony and associated committee reports at .

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Among other things, this bill would:

>> Expand the use of automated speed-enforcement cameras to any location on a state or county highway deemed high risk by the state Department of Transportation, rather than limiting their use to locations with red-light enforcement cameras, as state law now requires. Currently, 10 intersections in urban Honolulu have automated cameras enforcing both red-light running and speeding.

The bill also seeks to boost DOTs authority to implement this expansion, stating the department may consult the Judiciary (but doesnt have to) and that the Judiciary shall not control or delay the departments authority to determine camera locations or implementation timelines.

>> Authorize counties to use automatic license plate recognition systems to identify vehicles without current safety inspection or registration stickers, and mail a ticket to an offending vehicles registered owner. Under the bills current version, cameras for these purposes would be limited to locations with red-light cameras.

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>> Authorize the installation of cameras on school bus stop arms to document violations for passing or overtaking a stopped school bus.

>> Increase fines for street racing, street takeovers and excessive speeding.

>> Require anyone selling a car or truck to ensure the vehicle has a bracket or device to mount a front license plate before a new owner takes possession of the vehicle. Hawaii law already requires front and back license plates on such vehicles and would continue to do so. However, some popular models dont automatically come with a front-mounting bracket. Kokua Line receives frequent complaints about Teslas lacking front license plates, for example.

The bill passed second reading in the Senate last week and was referred to the Ways and Means and Judiciary committees.

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Q: Whats wrong at Manoa Public Library? The parking garage is gated, the elevator is out of service and the lobby is covered with cardboard boxes.

A: The library at 2716 Woodlawn Drive is still recovering from flooding that occurred March 23, when Manoa Stream overflowed during a last burst of heavy rain from the second of two Kona-low storms. As of Friday, the main part of the library, which is on the second level, was open during its regular hours, but the lower-level lobby needed more cleaning, the elevator was still out of service and the parking lot remained temporarily closed. Library patrons were asked to find street parking, according to the librarys website.

Mahalo

Last Monday I was at Harbor Square and couldnt start my car. The key would not switch on to start. A nice couple drove up and got the key to unlock. Much mahalo for their help.  Aloha, Carol

Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 2-200, Honolulu, HI 96813; call 808-529-4773; or email .
Investing.com -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran faces a deadline of 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning of potential escalation if the key global shipping route is not restored.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump further escalated his rhetoric on the Iran conflict, suggesting both a near-term diplomatic push and the risk of a sharp military escalation if talks fail.

Trump struck a more optimistic tone on diplomacy, saying he believes a deal with Iran could be reached as soon as tomorrow, according to Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst.

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However, he paired that with a stark warning. If Iran does not move quickly toward an agreement, Trump said he is considering a much more aggressive course of action, including blowing everything up and taking over the oil.

Yingst said Trump told him the U.S. had sent weapons to Iranian protesters via Kurdish channels earlier this year. He added that current Iranian negotiators have been granted limited amnesty, according to Fox News.

We sent a lot of guns I think the Kurds kept them.

His comments to Fox News came shortly after he warned in a Sunday social media post that the United States would target Irans power plants and bridges if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened.

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Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Trump wrote on Truth Social, referring to the key shipping route that has been largely shut since the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran more than a month ago.

He added a warning urging Tehran to reopen the Strait, saying it should do so or face severe consequences, and ended the post with Praise be to Allah.

The remarks highlight the increasingly binary path facing markets and policymakerseither a rapid de-escalation through negotiations or a significant intensification of the conflict, particularly around energy infrastructure.

Second pilot rescued

Trump had previously announced the successful rescue of a second U.S. crew member just after midnight on Easter Sunday. The rescue of the pilot, identified as a high-ranking Colonel, followed a "daring" operation in the Iranian mountains. The mission, involving dozens of aircraft, safely extracted the officer despite a close-range pursuit by enemy forces.

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"My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now SAFE and SOUND!" Trump said.

"This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, but was never truly alone because his Commander in Chief, Secretary of War, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and fellow Warfighters were monitoring his location 24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue."

The White House hailed the back-to-back rescues as a historic achievement and definitive proof of total U.S. air dominance. While the Colonel sustained non-life-threatening injuries, no American rescuers were wounded during the extraction. President Trump called on all Americans to unite behind this moment and celebrate it.

Earlier reports indicated that the rescue team had come under intense fire from the Iranians in their efforts to rescue the airman. There were also reports of significant bombing of the city of Dehdasht in Kohgiluyeh County, where the aircraft was downed two days ago.

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Trump offered more details of the rescue in a social-media post Sunday morning.

"We have rescued the seriously wounded, and really brave, F-15 Crew Member/Officer, from deep inside the mountains of Iran," he wrote.

"The Iranian Military was looking hard, in big numbers, and getting close....The second raid came after the first one, where we rescued the pilot in broad daylight, also unusual, spending seven hours over Iran."

The president added that he will hold a press conference "with the Military" at 1 p.m. on Monday.

U.S. blows up two MC-130J aircraft during high-risk Iran rescue

The United States destroyed two of its own Special Operations aircraft on the ground during the rescue mission, officials said. The MC-130J planes were involved in the operation that successfully recovered the second crew member of a U.S. F-15E shot down over Iran.

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The MC-130J, which costs more than $100 million per aircraft according to Air Force Special Operations Command, is designed to insert and extract troops in hostile environments. It can be refueled midair and is equipped with advanced sensors and defensive systems.

Earlier today, Irans Revolutionary Guards claimed the destruction of several "enemy flying objects" during Sundays U.S. search and rescue mission, according to the Tasnim news agency. The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters later clarified that the downed assets included a C-130 military transport plane and two Black Hawk helicopters.

U.S.-Israeli attacks kill 9 across Iran

A massive 24-hour aerial campaign by U.S. and Israeli forces struck 272 targets across 14 Iranian provinces on Saturday, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency.

The strikes resulted in at least nine civilian deaths and 184 total casualties, with the highest concentration of attacks hitting Tehran, Khuzestan, and Isfahan.

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The latest operation specifically targeted dual-use infrastructure, including petrochemical complexes, military garrisons, and several air bases. The continued bombardment of the energy-rich Khuzestan province is critical, as the destruction of the oil facilities threatens to further tighten global supply.

The regional energy crisis escalated sharply early Sunday as a targeted Iranian drone strike set fire to the headquarters of Kuwait Petroleum Corp. (KPC) in Kuwait City. The facility, which also houses Kuwaits Ministry of Oil, was evacuated as emergency crews battled the blaze.

Iranian drones also attacked two of Kuwaits power and desalination plants, triggering fires and causing untold damage. However, no injuries were reported at the two plants and the oil complex.

This latest assault marks a significant expansion of Tehrans "target list," shifting focus from coastal refineries to the administrative and political heart of the Gulfs energy leadership.

Systematic targeting of energy infrastructure

The strike on KPC headquarters follows a series of aerial bombardments over the past week targeting the Mina Al-Ahmadi and Mina Abdullah refineries, as well as the countrys primary international airport.

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KPC officials confirmed that the "oil sector leadership" is currently coordinating with security forces to assess the structural damage and ensure the safety of personnel.

The timing of the attack appears to be a direct retaliation for an Israeli Air Force strike on Irans Mahshahr petrochemical complex earlier on Saturday.

Hours before the drones reached Kuwait City, Irans semi-official Fars news agency published an updated "target list" that now includes critical civilian infrastructure, such as electrical, water, and steam plants, alongside previously targeted oil, gas, and chemical assets.

(Tanay Dhumal and Simon Mugo contributed to this article)

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At least 13 people were injured after an alleged drunk driver struck a crowd at the Louisiana Lao New Year Festival on Saturday, authorities said.

Louisiana State Police arrested the driver, 57-year-old Todd Landry of Jeanerette, Louisiana, following the incident. He was charged with 18 counts of first-degree negligent injuring, driving while impaired, careless operation and open container, police said.

Deputies with the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office said in a statement earlier Saturday they were investigating an incident involving a vehicle that struck multiple pedestrians during a parade. The driver showed signs of impairment, state police said, and he submitted a breath sample that showed a blood alcohol content of 0.137%.

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Acadian Ambulance said on X that it transported 11 patients by ground and two by air.

"Several individuals sustained injuries, some of which are believed to be serious," the sheriff's office said. The incident did not appear to be an intentional act based on a preliminary investigation, according to officials.

The incident occurred at a Louisiana Lao New Year event celebrating the Buddhist New Year.

In a statement on Facebook, the Louisiana Lao New Year Festival said festival music programs were canceled for Saturday night following the incident, but vendors remained open until 9 p.m.

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"We are profoundly saddened by the news of the incident near the festival grounds," the statement said. "We are awaiting additional details from authorities as they become available. All security resources have been redirected to the scene, and we currently do not have security personnel available due to the circumstances."

"Sharon and I are praying for all those affected, and are grateful for the first responders who have responded to the scene," Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said in a post on X.

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White House reacts to F-15E fighter jet downed over Iran

Early details on F-15E fighter jet downed in Iran
At least 15 people were injured after a driver plowed a car into a crowd during a parade in Louisiana on Saturday, April 4, according to authorities and multiple reports.

The Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post that deputies are investigating an incident involving a vehicle that struck pedestrians during a parade in New Iberia, a small Cajun town in southern Louisiana, about 30 minutes from Lafayette. As a result, "several individuals sustained injuries, some of which are believed to be serious," the sheriff's office added.

Louisiana State Police said they arrested the driver, a 57-year-old man, and charged him with driving while impaired, 18 counts of first-degree negligent injuring and careless operation, Reuters reported. Police said he is also accused of having an open container with an alcoholic beverage in the vehicle.

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The incident occurred during the Louisiana Lao New Year Festival, with its organizers on Facebook sending well wishes and announcing that its Saturday night music programs will be canceled, including live concerts and alcohol sales, "in the interest of public safety."

The festival typically occurs on Easter weekend and celebrates the Lao New Year, according to the organizers' Facebook page.

"We are profoundly saddened by the news of the incident near the festival grounds," the organizers' post reads. "We are awaiting additional details from authorities as they become available. All security resources have been redirected to the scene, and we currently do not have security personnel available due to the circumstances."

Organizers added, "We are praying for the victims and for their families during this difficult time."

Headlights become clouded or yellowed after years of use, creating a major safety concern for motorists. AAA finds that the average 11-year-old vehicle's headlights generate 20 percent of the illumination as new headlights. Headlights become clouded or yellowed after years of use, creating a major safety concern for motorists. AAA finds that the average 11-year-old vehicle's headlights generate 20 percent of the illumination as new headlights. Headlights become clouded or yellowed after years of use, creating a major safety concern for motorists. AAA finds that the average 11-year-old vehicle's headlights generate 20 percent of the illumination as new headlights. Headlights become clouded or yellowed after years of use, creating a major safety concern for motorists. AAA finds that the average 11-year-old vehicle's headlights generate 20 percent of the illumination as new headlights. Headlights become clouded or yellowed after years of use, creating a major safety concern for motorists. AAA finds that the average 11-year-old vehicle's headlights generate 20 percent of the illumination as new headlights. Headlights become clouded or yellowed after years of use, creating a major safety concern for motorists. AAA finds that the average 11-year-old vehicle's headlights generate 20 percent of the illumination as new headlights. Headlights become clouded or yellowed after years of use, creating a major safety concern for motorists. AAA finds that the average 11-year-old vehicle's headlights generate 20 percent of the illumination as new headlights. Headlights become clouded or yellowed after years of use, creating a major safety concern for motorists. AAA finds that the average 11-year-old vehicle's headlights generate 20 percent of the illumination as new headlights. Headlights become clouded or yellowed after years of use, creating a major safety concern for motorists. AAA finds that the average 11-year-old vehicle's headlights generate 20 percent of the illumination as new headlights. Headlights become clouded or yellowed after years of use, creating a major safety concern for motorists. AAA finds that the average 11-year-old vehicle's headlights generate 20 percent of the illumination as new headlights. Do-it-yourself restoration greatly improved the performance of this headlight. This headlight had become clouded after years of use. Cloudy headlights pose huge safety risk, AAA study finds 1 of 12 Headlights become clouded or yellowed after years of use, creating a major safety concern for motorists. AAA finds that the average 11-year-old vehicle's headlights generate 20 percent of the illumination as new headlights.

Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office confirms 15 people were injured

At least 15 were injured as a result of the incident, according to local TV station KATC News and The New York Times, both citing the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office.

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At the time of the incident, the crowd was gathered at a nearby intersection for the parade, KATC reported.

In a post on social media, Acadian Ambulance said that it transported 13 people to the hospital. Two of them were airlifted, the ambulance service wrote on X, Reuters reported.

In a statement provided to USA TODAY, a local hospital spokesperson said, "We are actively caring for patients who were transported to our facility, Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center, following the incident in New Iberia."

The hospital added, "Our teams are focused on providing the highest level of care. Due to patient privacy, we're unable to share specific details about individuals." The hospital did not say how many of the injured individuals it was treating or their conditions, calling the situation "dynamic."

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USA TODAY contacted the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office on April 4 for information on the number of victims but has not received a response.

Louisiana governor 'praying for all those affected'

In a Facebook post on April 4, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said he and his wife, Sharon, "are praying for all those affected, and are grateful for the first responders who have responded to the scene."

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill also issued a statement on Facebook, saying, "Im praying for all those injured and impacted by this terrible tragedy and will be following up with responding law enforcement agencies to offer support."

Contributing: Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: At least 15 injured after car is plowed into Louisiana parade crowd
Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi on Sunday attacked Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over the party's allegations against him and passport-related allegations against his wife and said the BJP leader has become "an embarrassment for Assam and India" and he "will have to answer the questions and pay for his crime". Sarma hit back at the Congress over the allegations levelled by the party's Media and Publicity Department Chairman Pawan Khera and said the "press conference reflects the deep frustration and panic within the Congress party". Sarma rejected the allegations as "malicious, fabricated, and politically motivated lies" and said he and his wife will file criminal and civil defamation cases within the next 48 hours against Khera. The allegations came amid hectic electioneering in the state for the assembly polls slated for April 9. "Today's press conference by Pawan Khera reflects the deep frustration and panic within the Congress party. As Assam moves decisively towards a historic mandate, such desperate and baseless attacks only expose their sinking ground. I categorically reject every allegation made by him. These are malicious, fabricated, and politically motivated lies aimed at misleading the people of Assam," Sarma said. "My wife and I will be filing both criminal and civil defamation cases within the next 48 hours against Shri Pawan Khera. He will be held fully accountable for his reckless and defamatory statements. I have complete faith in the judiciary. Once the truth is established in a court of law, Shri Pawan Khera will face the consequences of his actions, and the law will take its due course," he added. Sarma said people of Assam will not be misled "by such propaganda". "We remain focused, determined, and confident of securing a decisive mandate of more than 100 seats from the people," he added. Gaurav Gogoi attacked Sarma after the Congress presser in the national capital. "Shocking allegations have come out related to Himanta Biswa Sarma. Holding multiple passports and failure to disclose properties is a grave and criminal offence. How much money have they sent from Assam to their bank accounts abroad ? More investigation is required. Himanta Biswa Sarma has become an embarrassment for the state of Assam and India. He will have to answer the questions and pay for his crime," he said in a post on X. Khera alleged at the press conference that Biswa Sarma's wife was "holding three passports from three different countries - the UAE, Egypt and Antigua and Barbuda". He alleged that Himanta's wife owns two properties in Dubai, which Sarma "had not mentioned in his election affidavit". Khera alleged that Himanta Biswa Sarma's "politics is based on hatred against Muslims" but his wife "holds passports from two Muslim countries". Assam will go to the polls on April 9 and votes will be counted on May 4. (ANI
Some local students are among a group that state officials recognized for their efforts to raise awareness about how litter harms the environment through an annual contest.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful honored students on Tuesday as part of the Litter Hawk Youth Award Program.

Every student that takes part in the Litter Hawk program knows that litter is bad, and they are encouraging their friends, their parents, their neighbors, and their communities to be good stewards and keep Pennsylvania beautiful and litter free, DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley said.

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This year, the programs theme is Celebrate America250  Keep It Beautiful! Over 500 students participated by submitting art, essays or videos showing how we can keep communities litter free for Americas 250th birthday.

Eight students from Western Pennsylvania won first or second-place awards.

The winning entries will be displayed in the East Wing Rotunda of the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building in Harrisburg through April 30. Artwork may also be showcased throughout the year at various state facilities.

Click here to view the winning entries.

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Amid a public bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery, President Donald Trump in December addressed a key asset of its media empire: CNN.

I think the people that have run CNN for the last long period of time are a disgrace, he said. I think its imperative that CNN be sold.

For more than a decade, Trump has railed against the cable network, making it a constant target in his attacks on mainstream news outlets that he argues are out to get him. He often calls it Fake News CNN.

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And in the weeks since Paramount Skydance prevailed over Netflix to buy the conglomerate - placing CNN under the oversight of Paramount executive David Ellison, the son of Oracle founder and Trump ally Larry Ellison, whose wealth backed the bid - Trumps criticism has not waned.

Two weeks after Paramount won its bid, the White House issued a press release arguing that CNN was lying about its coverage on the war with Iran in an effort to undermine the success of the administrations military operation. That same day, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth lambasted a CNN article on how the administration failed to anticipate the wars impact on the Strait of Hormuz, calling it fake news in a press briefing.

The sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better, Hegseth said.

The barrage from the Trump White House has taken on new meaning as Ellisons ownership looms, raising the stakes and fueling anxiety among the networks journalists. The younger Ellison has promised to respect the cable networks editorial independence, but its employees worry about political interference and large cuts to personnel, since it would share a corporate overlord with CBS News should shareholders and regulators approve the deal.

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Ellison and CNN Chairman and CEO Mark Thompson have emphasized in recent weeks that the network would not be swayed by political influence.

We stand by our journalism, Thompson wrote in response to the attacks. Politicians have an obvious motive for claiming that journalism which raises questions about their decisions is false. At CNN our only interest is in telling the truth to our audiences.

CNN is an incredible brand with an incredible team, Ellison said in an interview with CNBC, a week after Netflix dropped its bid. We absolutely believe in the independence that needs to be maintained, obviously, for those incredible journalists, and we want to support that going forward.

White House senior deputy press secretary Kush Desai said in an email that the president was not trying to influence the deal.

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President Trump is not involved in the independent DoJ review process for either this or any other transaction, Desai said. Both he and the administration remained totally neutral throughout it.

However, several CNN staffers, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, expressed a degree of dread about the sale.

While White House attacks are the same old, same old, theres an added big asterisk, one CNN staff member said, referring to the uncertainty of Ellisons approaching ownership.

The Justice Department did not respond to a request for comment on the merger, while a Defense Department spokeswoman declined to comment beyond Hegseths remarks.

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Paramount Skydance and CBS did not respond to a request for comment for this story. Representatives for CNN and Warner Bros. declined to comment on staffers anxieties about the pending deal.

Despite Ellisons assurances, questions are swirling among some staffers about how long promises of editorial independence will hold. Right now, CNN fires back when attacked, the CNN staffer said, but now theres the question in the back of my mind - would we be sending the same statement in eight months or whenever this closes?

The staffer added that the pending merger has actually accelerated work inside the newsroom, with leadership pushing to get long-term digital projects across the finish line before the deal closes. Nobody wants their creation to be another CNN+, the staffer said, referring to a short-lived streaming service from CNN.

Some employees said they are concerned about job losses and hoping the deal takes as long as possible to close. At the end of the day, people really care about whether theyll have a job and be able to afford their mortgage while [David] Zaslav makes his next $800 million, one staffer said, referring to the Warner Bros. Discovery CEO. Based on securities filings, Zaslav is expected to receive about $667 million from the deal, with potential tax reimbursements that could push the total higher.

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Another CNN staffer said they were more concerned about mismanagement should a new guard - or CBS Newss current leadership - take control. Trump has praised Bari Weiss, the former New York Times opinion writer and critic of wokeness who Ellison installed as editor in chief of CBS News. She has clashed with the news network as she attempts to remake the organization in her first six months in charge.

People at CNN have concerns about competence, even more so than editorial interference, the staffer said.

Current and former CNN staffers said they trace Trumps animus toward the network in part to Jeff Zucker, who was president of CNN Worldwide from 2013 to 2022. Zucker, as an executive at NBC in the early 2000s, green-lit Trumps reality show The Apprentice, which debuted in 2004. But by the time Trump took political office, their relationship had soured. Zucker failed @NBC and he is now failing @CNN, Trump wrote in a 2016 social media post.

Since 2015, the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker has documented more than 3,500 anti-press social media posts from Trump. Hundreds of them specifically mention CNN.

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The cable news network is currently run by the British-born Thompson, the former chief executive at the New York Times who took the helm in 2023 after Chris Lichts tumultuous turn. Staffers generally expressed faith in Thompson, who has emphasized building a consumer subscription business without repeating the mistakes of CNN+ or scaling back the existing cable offering.

Thompson has signaled that he wants to stay at the helm of CNN. As Ive said, Im really committed to CNN, he told staffers in a London town hall recently. Im in the middle of something exciting and interesting with all of you, and Id like to continue it.

The United States launched attacks against Iran one day after Paramount was confirmed as the winning bidder. One CNN journalist said staffers are trying to focus on reporting.

Everyone had 24 hours to worry about Paramount, but then all hell broke loose, the reporter said, adding that the fact that CNNs war reporting would be visible was a good, reassuring thing, given the ownership question mark.

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Trumps hostility to CNN was evident during his first presidential term, when he clashed publicly with reporters such as Jim Acosta.

One former CNN journalist, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized by their current employer to comment, noted that in morning editorial meetings at the time, Zucker urged them to be tough. Often, he would spend the first 10 to 15, maybe even 20 minutes, rallying the troops, talking about how important it was that we investigate things Trump was doing, that we not let up, that we not let things slide, the reporter said.

Zucker did not respond to a request for comment.

Verbal attacks against journalists became common. You werent covering the White House until somebody there came after you, said another former CNN reporter. These reporters added that Trump appeared to hold particular disdain for the network.

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That came to a head in 2018, when the White House temporarily suspended the press credentials of Acosta, CNNs chief White House correspondent at the time. The revocation followed a White House news conference in which Trump called Acosta a rude, terrible person. CNN sued, and a federal judge eventually ordered the White House to restore Acostas credentials. Acosta, who left CNN in early 2025, declined to comment for this article.

Meanwhile, Trumps acrimonious relationship with CNNs current chief White House correspondent, Kaitlan Collins, has only worsened throughout his second term. In December, Trump attacked her in a Truth Social post, writing: Caitlin Collins of Fake News CNN, always Stupid and Nasty.

In the Oval Office in February, Trump called Collins the worst reporter when she tried to ask about files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Shes a young woman - I dont think Ive ever seen you smile, Trump said. Ive known you for 10 years. I dont think Ive ever seen a smile on your face.

In an email, a CNN spokeswoman said Kaitlan Collins is an exceptional journalist, reporting every day from the White House and the field with real depth and tenacity.

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On March 14, the day after the White House press release and Hegseths derisive comments about CNN, Trump shared a graphic on Truth Social touting a list of perceived accomplishments in reshaping the media.

Among them were Acostas departure from the network and another victory at CNN: its new ownership.

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The suspect was arrested shortly after committing the crimes; he was indicted for trespassing, theft, breaking and entering, and using a vehicle to commit a crime.

Israel Police filed an indictment on Tuesday against a man who allegedly dressed as an emergency worker and looted abandoned houses in Dimona the week before, following a highly destructive missile barrage.

The suspect, per the police report, arrived at the scene in a commercial vehicle, wearing a helmet in order to look more like an emergency response worker. He entered the homes of citizens who had been evacuated from the area, and loaded a large amount of valuables into his vehicle, including three air conditioner compressors, copper pipes and cables, and an electric motor.

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He was arrested shortly thereafter, and on Tuesday was indicted for trespassing, theft, breaking and entering, and using a vehicle to commit a crime.

Over 100 wounded in Arad, Dimona, and North in direct hits amid barrage from Iran, Lebanon

Over 100 people were wounded throughout the day on March 21 after Iranian ballistic missilesdirectly struck residential buildings across southern Israel as Hezbollah pummeled northern Israeli border towns with rockets.

At least 47 were injured in Dimona after a building, reportedly a school, collapsed as a result of an impact from an Iranian munition, Magen David Adom said, including a 10-year-old boy in serious condition. A woman in her 30s was moderately wounded by glass shards in the impact, it added.

The scene where a missile fired from Iran toward southern Israel impacted in the southern city of Dimona, March 21, 2026. (credit: Adiel Algi/Flash90)

Some 31 others were lightly wounded, including those wounded in at least 12 separate shrapnel impact sites across the southern Israeli city.

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Later on Sunday, scores were wounded after a direct strike on the city of Arad, including seven in serious condition.

IDF sources confirmed that it failed to intercept missiles in both Dimona and Arad, adding that the military was investigating the incidents. The sources added that the missiles were of the kind that Israel has intercepted in the past.

Corinne Baum, Tobias Siegal, and Goldie Katz contributed to this report.
With little fanfare last week, the Appropriations Committee reported out a $207.5 million bond package that contained no fewer than eight bond issues, quite a novelty. In Gov. Millss second term, voter-approved borrowing measures have been scarcer than hens teeth.

It wasnt always this way. Since the 1950s, Maine has used traditional bonding to make major investments in infrastructure expected to last for decades without overtaxing operating budgets. The state constitution requires a two-thirds vote of House and Senate, and majority referendum approval, to pledge the full faith and credit of the state for any bond exceeding $2 million.

Over the decades, bonds have supported a wide array of projects, including highways, bridges, railroads, ports and ferries, airports, drinking water and pollution control projects, school construction, university and community college campuses, Indian tribes, farms, working waterfront, school buses, institutions for the mentally ill and disabled  the list goes on and on.

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Because of the need for two-thirds votes, the process necessitates cooperation between Republicans and Democrats. In the olden days  not that long ago, actually  the Appropriations Committee would report out a biennial budget unanimously, then get to work on the bond package. And because voters had the final say, the results truly reflected the peoples will.

Now, lawmakers cant even agree on the two-year budget. Last year, hospitals had to wait months for $118 million in MaineCare payments because Democrats and Republicans couldnt agree, as the budget process morphed from disagreement to dysfunction.

Increasingly, voters have no direct say over spending. Through Democratic, Republican and independent administrations, bond issues once appeared on the ballot like clockwork. With bipartisan support, Ken Curtis set the record, with 52 voted on during eight years in office, but Angus King had 32 and John Baldacci 23.

Even Paul LePage, who objected to borrowing on principle and tried to block bonds already approved by the voters, yielded to legislative priorities and there were 24 new bonds during his two terms, all approved, generally by wide margins.

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With Janet Mills, its been quite different. The administration has proposed just four bond issues in eight years, all in the first term, with three devoted primarily to roads and bridges. The three-bond mini-package in 2024 was entirely a legislative initiative.

Governor Janet Mills chats with students as they discuss their experiences at York County Community College in Wells, Maine, on March 18, 2026.

Mills decided to do without highway bonds by diverting some $100-million-plus annually from the general and liquor funds, not raised for that purpose and which many legislators would prefer to go toward its intended use, though few say so aloud.

Gov. Curtis set the tone for decades of bipartisan work when he said, Bonds were perhaps the principal means by which we introduced new programs. We couldnt have done what we did without them. Now, new programs need not apply. Patch-and-fill is the order of the day.

The Appropriations package points up the priorities we havent been meeting since bonding fell out of favor. It includes more for transportation ($65 million), but also farms and forests ($45 million), University of Maine System ($18.5), water system and wastewater treatment ($40 million in two bonds), resilience culverts, and a new priority, housing subsidies. Oh yes, theres $4 million for a courthouse in Newport; the old one was closed by mold.

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Theres a notable exclusion. The Land for Maines Future Fund was among the most popular bond programs from the 1980s onward, with hundreds of thousands of acres of forest, farms, parks and working waterfronts protected. Mills shifted funding by allocating $40 million from the biennial budget in 2021, but the money has been spent, and theres no more in prospect.

Unfortunately, the Appropriations bond package wont clear the Legislature, at least not in this form. It received only an 8-5 endorsement along party lines. Still, in the final year of the Mills administration, Democratic lawmakers may be laying down a marker for future sessions.

A state that fails to invest in its future is a state that will cease to grow. Theres still plenty of borrowing going on  by the Maine Turnpike Authority, Maine Housing, Finance Authority of Maine, Government Facilities Authority and other guaranty agencies. But none of it has the full faith and credit of the state, and none of it has been approved by voters.

As a result, we can more readily build superhighways, courthouses and prisons than public schools, or ensure that community water systems dont fail and rack up enormous rate increases when they do. Maines fiscal policies are out of kilter.

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The Mills administration has presided over eight consecutive years of budget growth. Its too bad we dont have more to show for it.

Douglas Rooks

Douglas Rooks has been a Maine editor, columnist and reporter for 40 years. The author of four books, his new study of the Ken Curtis administration is due in the spring. He welcomes comment at drooks@tds.net

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Maines fiscal policies are out of kilter under Gov. Mills: Rooks
GREEN TOWNSHIP, OH  A game of "ding-dong-ditch" almost became deadly after a man grabbed a gun and fired several rounds at four minors as they sped away from his home in Green Township east of Cincinnati, court documents show.

The minors told Green Township police officers that they "banged on the front door of the residence" on the 6000 block of Starvue Drive April 4. Then, they ran back to their car.

Court documents state Yarvis Lewis Godfrey, 33, grabbed a gun and fired multiple shots at the minors as they drove past his house. No injuries were noted in the documents.

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Officers who responded to the shooting found a bullet hole in the trunk of the kids' black Kia Rio and in the siding of two nearby, occupied homes, court documents state. Officers also said they found a .45 caliber shell casing in the roadway by the scene.

Police then got a warrant to search Godfrey's home and found a .45 caliber black semi-automatic pistol with a green laser on the front sight of the firearm, the documents state. The search warrant was signed by Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Michael Peck.

Godfrey was taken into custody by the Green Township Police April 4. He allegedly told police he was trying to shoot at the vehicle's tires.

Godfrey is charged with felonies for assault and two counts of improperly discharging a firearm at or into a habitation.

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He was not listed as being in custody at the Hamilton County Jail as of about noon April 5.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Man shoots at kids play 'ding-dong-ditch' near Cincinnati, police say
An Oklahoma County jury has awarded nearly $8 million to a man injured in a 2024 collision with a semi-truck driver in southwest Oklahoma City.

The case involved Wilayat Hussain, 32, driving for a California-based company called Chandi 209 Trucking, Inc. Jurors found Hussain failed to yield the right of way before he crashed into a pickup truck driven by Aldin Lewis.

Lewis' lawsuit against Hussain unfolded as officials with President Donald Trump's administration began enacting tougher regulations on the trucking industry, particularly foreign-born truck drivers and the companies that hire them.

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Republican lawmakers in Oklahoma and other states have pushed legislation to curb commercial driver's licenses from being issued to immigrants lacking documentation and English-language proficiency. Opponents have said the laws are part of a broader campaign to detain and deport millions of immigrants, a top priority for Trump. Supporters contend the restrictions make roads safer for drivers, pointing to crashes like the one that injured Lewis.

More: Jury awards $126M for Oklahoma traffic fatality caused by speeding off-duty cop

William J. Holloway Jr. United States Courthouse (Federal Courthouse), 200 NW 4th, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.

The collision occurred shortly after midnight on March 3, 2024, near the intersection of W. Reno Ave and Frontier Drive. Hussain pulled his commercial truck out from a private driveway into a public roadway "without adequate warning," according to filings in Oklahoma City federal court.

Hussain allegedly failed to stop at a stop sign as he was turning his semi-truck, and the trailer blocked both of the eastbound lanes of Reno Avenue. Lewis, 31, was driving east on Reno Avenue at about 50 mph at the time. He said he could not see Hussain's semi and was unable to stop, striking the rear of the semi.

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The pickup Lewis was driving  a 1985 Chevrolet K10 that had been passed down to him by his father  was totaled in the wreck. Medical records submitted in the case say Lewis suffered serious injuries to his neck, head and other parts of his body. Doctors have recommended he undergo surgery on his neck.

The jury's verdict March 26 in Oklahoma City federal district court awarded Lewis nearly $4.3 million in actual damages and $3.5 million in punitive damages.

"It was a great result and were super happy with it," said Travis Leverett, one of Lewis' attorneys with the Parrish DeVaughn law firm in OKC. "And I think it sends a really strong message to the trucking company that you really need to be careful about who youre putting behind the wheel of a semi."

More have died in large truck crashes in previous years

The judgment comes amid an ongoing crackdown by the U.S. Department of Transportation against lax regulations that have allowed unqualified drivers to flood American highways.

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The crisis stems from a fundamental flaw in how the federal government implemented entry-level training regulations in 2022. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration allowed CDL issuers to self-certify their compliance.

Results have been deadly. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported 4,354 people died in large truck crashes in 2023. That amount of people dying in large truck accidents was 38% higher in 2023 than in 2009, when the reported total was the lowest it had been since agencies started collecting data on the issue in 1975.

More: OHP cautions public after investigating 13 fatalities in one 'heartbreaking' weekend

Lewis' lawyers argued that Chandi 209 Trucking had been grossly negligent in its hiring and training of Hussain. According to Leverett, Hussain was a cross-country trucker living in Pennsylvania who had recently immigrated from Pakistan and struggled with the English language.

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Seth Caywood and Maurice Woods, attorneys representing Hussain and the Chandi 209 Trucking company, did not return requests for comment.

American Truck Training, Friday, March 6, 2026. American Truck Training, Friday, March 6, 2026. American Truck Training, Friday, March 6, 2026. American Truck Training, Friday, March 6, 2026. American Truck Training, Friday, March 6, 2026. American Truck Training, Friday, March 6, 2026. A look at OKC's American Truck Training amid crackdown on CDL schools 1 of 6 American Truck Training, Friday, March 6, 2026.

In motions filed by Caywood, the trucking company denied allegations of negligence and liability for damages. Caywood said Hussain was turning his tractor trailer while in the course and scope of his employment but argued that Lewis was the one who failed to yield to the presence of Hussains truck in the roadway, according to court records.

He also argued that Lewis was not injured as severely as alleged. He also contended that punitive damages based on vague and undefined standards of liability would violate due process under both the Oklahoma and U.S. constitutions.

More: CDL issuers and non-domiciled licensing under federal fire in Oklahoma

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Lewis' lawyers said they hope the nearly $8 million verdict will signal to the trucking industry to take their hiring and training practices more seriously.

"I want (these businesses) to take away that, while it may seem like a good thing in the short term to hire drivers on the cheap, its really better in the long run  and will probably save them money in the long run  if they hired qualified professional drivers," Leverett said.

Regulations ramping up

More aggressive enforcement and regulations are ramping up. Passed into law in May 2025 with an emergency clause, the Oklahoma Secure Roads and Safe Trucking Act restored strict requirements for commercial driver's licenses, including valid work visas, documents demonstrating proof of citizenship, and sufficient English proficiency.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol also has been working with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to detain undocumented immigrants at highway checkpoints. Many arrests have been of truck drivers with CDLs issued from what law officials have often described as "sanctuary states" like New York and California.

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More: Thousands of truckers, targeted by Trump, could lose licenses

When asked if Chandi 209 Trucking would appeal the jury's verdict, Lewis' lawyers said they were uncertain. The trucking company's attorneys had not filed a notice of appeal as of Friday afternoon.

The Oklahoman attempted to reach out to Lewis directly but didn't hear back. His attorneys say he's working to support his family, including a baby on the way.

"Lifes probably not going to look like how it was going to look before, but hes a happy guy," Leverett said.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: $7.8 million verdict for victim in OKC crash with semi-truck driver
A man was killed and a woman was injured after Anderson police say someone shot them while they were inside a vehicle Sunday morning.

According to a release from the Anderson Police Department, around 2:43 a.m. on April 5, officers were called to the 800 block of East 53rd Street on a report that people had been shot inside a vehicle.

When officers arrived on scene, they found an adult male inside a vehicle suffering from "multiple" gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead by medics.

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An adult female was also found shot inside the vehicle, but she was said to have non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Police say there were other people inside the vehicle at the time of the shooting, but they were uninjured.

A preliminary investigation has led police to believe "multiple" rounds were fired into the vehicle from the outside, striking the driver. Evidence was collected from the scene and detectives from APD's Criminal Investigations Division are following up on potential leads.

Police say the investigation remains ongoing, but that they will provide additional information as soon as it becomes available.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Detective Nolan Schaefer at 765-648-6714 or contact Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-TIPS (8477) to remain anonymous.
Chicago police are investigating a deadly stabbing on the city's South Side.

Police responded to the call of a stabbing in the 9200 block of S. Green Street at about 12:50 a.m.

Chicago police are investigating a deadly stabbing on the city's South Side.

A 30-year-old man was in a fight with a known man inside the house.

The man then stabbed the 30-year-old with a knife and ran away.

The 30-year-old was rushed to Christ Hospital, where he died.

CPD said the suspect drove off in a white sedan and they recovered a knife at the scene.

SEE ALSO | Five 'teen takeovers' planned in Chicago this weekend, city leaders say

INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood
Easter Sunday, April 5, is the last day to vote early in Wisconsin's upcoming Supreme Court race.

As of April 3, the most recent data available, 280,732 Wisconsin voters cast their ballots early either in-person or by mail, according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission. That represents about 70% of those who requested an absentee ballot, WEC data shows. The final voter turnout in the race will include how many people cast their ballots at the polls on Election Day.

The turnout for this Supreme Court election so far is lower compared to the two previous state Supreme Court races. However, experts previously told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the turnout in this election is typical of an average election. The previous two elections, they say, were highly contentious.

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While the state Supreme Court race is among the most-watched contests in the April 7 election, several other local offices will also be on the ballot.

More: Why is April 7 early voting lagging recent Supreme Court elections?

Among all counties, Milwaukee, Dane, and Waukesha counties have cast the most absentee ballots so far. Milwaukee County has received 46,416 absentee ballots. Dane County received just over 40,000, and Waukesha County just below 35,000. These are also the three most populous counties in Wisconsin.

Voters still looking to cast their ballots early can call their clerk's office for in-person drop-off instructions. Otherwise, voters can cast their ballots on Election Day, April 7, by 8 p.m.

How and where to vote early in Wisconsin's April 7 election

Check for early voting information on myvote.wi.gov. If you don't see anything there, check your local clerk's website or call their office.

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For those in Milwaukee, there are a number of early voting sites. Residents can vote early at any of the following sites. Check the PDF schedule with available hours from the Milwaukee Election Commission website.

Locations include:

Good Hope Library , 7715 W. Good Hope Road

Midtown Voting Center , 4170 N. 56th St.

Tippecanoe Library , 3912 S. Howell Ave.

UWM Zelazo Center , 2419 E. Kenwood Blvd.

Washington Park Senior Center , 4420 W. Vliet St.

Zablocki Library , 3501 W. Oklahoma Ave.

Zeidler Municipal Building, 841 N. Broadway

What do bring to vote early in Wisconsin?

Bring a photo ID to vote early. Acceptable photo IDs include:

Wisconsin driver's license

State ID card issued by the DMV

Military or veteran's ID card

Tribal ID card

U.S. passport

Certificate of naturalization

College ID card, if it includes the date it was issued, student's signature and expires no later than two years after it was issued. Some universities issue separate ID cards that fit the requirements.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What is the early voting turnout for 2026 Wisconsin spring election?
Friday, April 5, 1968  58 Years Ago

Local reaction to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis the night before leads the front page of the Asbury Park Press. Alongside local voices, wire reports from the Associated Press detail the civil rights leaders murder, the hunt for his killer, and the burgeoning civil unrest erupting across the country.

At the Shore, on what would become one of the most consequential nights in American history  but before the tragic news broke from Tennessee  Brick Township debated whether to expand its oceanfront and Lakehurst approved raises for its municipal employees.

Slaying Shocks Shores Leaders

Shock at a senseless murder was the general reaction of Shore area civic leaders last night after the assassination of Civil Rights Leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Martin Luther King Jr. at a Memphis motel.

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At the same time there was an expression by some that a new unity would emerge from the tragedy but there was more anxiety that the slaying was a symbol of America on the brink of crisis.

It was a tragic and senseless murder, said U.S. Sen. Clifford Case, R-N.J. Dr. King personified the convictions that nonviolence could bring effective redress of ancient wrongs and present grievances.

It is a bitter thing for all Americans that his dreams of America should be shattered by a cowards bullet, Mr. Case said.

U.S. Rep. James J. Howard, D-N.J., whose Third Congressional District includes the Shore, said he was appalled at this outrageous act.

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I feel that, as some people have said, this is symptomatic of a sickness in our nation that is not wholly confined to the (American) South, Mr. Howard said. Im aware from some mail that I receive in my office that, as incredible as it may be, there are probably many people in our area who are actually happy that this tragic event has occurred.

The congressman continued: I believe we are certainly at a point where all Americans are going to have to agree that we are going to get along with each other, or we will have to be concerned about the future of our nation and all that it stands for.

Every swingin young man needs an Easter suit, as advertised here in 1968 and in this case is a bright, bold sport jacket in polyester with wool slacks. Available 58 years ago this weekend at The Fair University Shop in Asbury Park. Easter fell on April 14 in 1968.

Brick Bathing Beach Proposition Is Given Scant Attention

BRICK  Anyone interested in official plans to acquire an oceanfront bathing beach got little information from the Township Council last night.

The beach issue was raised by Philip Bertrand, former member of the Board of Health for nine years. He said longtime plans by the township to purchase another section of beachfront had not materialized and that available beachfront was being bought up by commercial interests.

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Mayor John McGuckin Jr. said he was considering a referendum to decide if residents wanted a second township-owned beach.

Councilman Walter McGee noted that one beach that had been previously considered for purchase by the township was no longer on the market with plans by a private real estate developer to build a motel on the site.

The township owns one beach with a 200-foot frontage on the ocean. The council approved a $10 rate for a pair of beach badges for residents. Guests of residents will be charged $1 per day.

Lakehurst Hikes Employees Wages

LAKEHURST  An ordinance to increase the annual salaries of borough employees was introduced last night by the Borough Council.

A luxury station wagon? The new Mercury Colony Park comes complete with faux-wood side exterior paneling, wall-to-wall carpeting and a powered-operated rear window. Ready for a test drive this weekend in 1968 at your Ford Lincoln-Mercury dealer.

Under the proposed measure, the borough superintendent would receive $6,600; Municipal Court judge, $1,280; court clerk, $880; chief of police, $5,960; police sergeant, $5,840; patrolmen, $5,240; new patrolmen, $4,860; water meter clerk, $1,700. The public hearing will be April 18.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Today in history: Asbury Park Press NJ archives for April 5
In his letter, the Kerala CM wrote, "Dear Siddaramaiah Avare, I write this letter to you to share our anxiety on the missing of the young I.T professional from Kerala, G.S. Sharanya, while on a trekking in the hills of Kodagu (Thadiyandamol hills as reported) on April 2, 2026."

He further acknowledged ongoing search efforts and urged prompt action, adding, "It is understood that a search is being conducted to trace her. I request your kind personal intervention in the matter. Directions may be issued to augment the strength of the search teams so that Saranya is traced at the earliest and brought home safely."

Authorities in Kodagu have been conducting extensive search operations since her disappearance, involving forest officials and local volunteers.

A team of 60 personnel, including women police and forest department staff, was carrying out a search operation inside the forest but she was not yet traced as her mobile phone was switched off.

Further investigation is still underway. (ANI)
A Holy Week event in Manvel turned the night sky into a visual retelling of the Easter story, using thousands of drones to depict scenes including Jesus on the cross, mourning after the crucifixion, and other Christian imagery ahead of Easter Sunday. Local coverage identified the gathering as Jesus Jesus Jesus, a free multi-night worship event held in Manvel during Holy Week.

Posts circulating on X showed multiple scenes from the display, with some of the most widely shared images capturing Jesus on the cross and other moments from the Easter story. The show quickly drew attention beyond Manvel as Easter approached.

In his final moments on the cross, Jesus turned to a broken man beside Him and offered grace, not condemnation, saying, Today you will be with me in paradise. Even at the end, its never too late for mercy. Impressive drone show in Manvel, Texas! pic.twitter.com/HRMAj3FIgL  Mayor Dan Davis (@Mayor_Dan_Davis) April 4, 2026

Manvel Mayor Dan Davis highlighted the display in a post, writing, In his final moments on the cross, Jesus turned to a broken man beside Him and offered grace, not condemnation, saying, Today you will be with me in paradise. Even at the end, its never too late for mercy. He added, Impressive drone show in Manvel, Texas!

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Aerial Illuminations Drone Light Shows produced the Manvel drone show series, which its event page says began with 5,000 drones and built toward a 10,000-drone finale.

A separate post shared a closer view of the crucifixion scene, offering a more detailed look at one of the nights most striking images.

The broader show appears to have been produced by Aerial Illuminations Drone Light Shows, which describes itself as a four-time Guinness World Record holder. Other posts from the event showed that the program included multiple scenes from the Christian story, including the Last Supper and other Easter-related imagery.

Local coverage said organizers used more than 5,000 drones on most nights and planned a 10,000-drone finale over Easter weekend. Gov. Greg Abbott also highlighted the display, writing, In Texas we gratefully celebrate the sacrifice by Christ.
An investigation is ongoing after a Russian military plane crashed into a cliff Tuesday, killing everyone aboard. The An-26 military transport plane disappeared Tuesday night while flying over the Crimean Peninsula, according to the Associated Press.

The following day, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the plane crashed and that an initial investigation determined it was caused by a technical malfunction, killing six crewmembers and 23 passengers.. However, Russias Investigative Committee reported different numbers: seven crew and 22 passengers.

Officials have not explained why the two agencies reported conflicting casualty figures.

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The crash is the latest involving Russian planes crashing since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. In December 2025, seven crew members of an An-22 military transport plane were killed in a crash in Russias Ivanovo region. Two months prior, a MiG-31 fighter jet crashed in the Lipetsk region. In April 2025, a Tu-22M3 bomber crashed in Irkutsk, according to the AP.

Read the original article on mlive.com. Add mlive.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
NEED TO KNOW

Authorities are sharing new details about Christina Plante, a missing Arizona teenager who was recently found safe and alive after more than three decades

Gila County Capt. Jamie Garrett says that Plante left home on purpose, with the help of relatives

Garrett spoke with Plante by phone, where she opened up a bit about her decision

New details are emerging after authorities announced earlier this week that an Arizona woman had been found alive more than 30 years after she was reported missing as a young teen.

In an interview on NewsNation's Jesse Weber Live on Thursday, April 2, Capt. Jamie Garrett of the Gila County Sheriffs Office said that Christina Marie Plante left her home on purpose, with the help of relatives.

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While some key details have not been shared publicly, Garrett said, I guess she [Plante] wasnt happy with where she was living and who she was living with, and she ran away.

I was dumbfounded, the cold case investigator said on Jesse Weber Live. I was like, Oh, my gosh. Okay, so you ran away. I told her  You know, we were under the impression that somebody kidnapped you? It was deemed a criminal offense. 

According to authorities, Plante was last seen on May 15, 1994, when she left her home to walk to a stable where her horse was and then "vanished without a trace from her community."

Her disappearance from Star Valley was initially classified as endangered and under suspicious circumstances.

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On Wednesday, April 1, the sheriff's office announced that there had been a "successful resolution" in Plante's case following a "breakthrough" that they credited to the work of a cold case unit, new leads, new technology and other techniques.

When she went missing, the sheriff's office said, "Extensive search efforts were conducted involving local law enforcement, volunteers, and regional resources."

Plante was listed in national missing children databases, but her case eventually went cold.

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.

Garrett said on NewsNation that she was able to track down Plante and call her. The now-grown woman, who lives under a different name, confirmed her identity but shared few other details.

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She said that was a long time ago, that was an old life, Garrett told the outlet. Shes in her adult life. She has her family now. Thats not something she even thinks about."

The sheriff's office said this week that answers in Plante's case show their commitment to solving enduring mysteries and bringing long-awaited answers to families and communities.

After thanking investigators, researchers and others who contributed to locating Plante, the sheriffs office said that out of respect for her "privacy and well-being," additional details would not be released.

"The Gila County Sheriff's Office remains committed to pursuing all unresolved cases and encourages anyone with information regarding other cold cases to come forward," officials said.



Read the original article on People
A U.S. crew member who went missing when an F-15E fighter jet was shot down over a remote area of Iran was rescued by U.S. forces early Sunday morning local time, multiple U.S. officials told CBS News. The jet's pilot was rescued on Friday.

"We have rescued the seriously wounded, and really brave, F-15 Crew Member/Officer, from deep inside the mountains of Iran," President Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Sunday, calling him "a highly respected Colonel."

Mr. Trump said the pilot was rescued "in broad daylight" after U.S. forces spent "seven hours over Iran." He plans to share more about the operation at a news conference on Monday, according to the post.

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The president originally confirmed the crew member's rescue in a Truth Social post overnight.

"WE GOT HIM!" he wrote in the post. "My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now SAFE and SOUND!"

Mr. Trump said that the rescued officer had "sustained injuries, but he will be just fine."

Of the rescue operation, the president said that "at my direction, the U.S. Military sent dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him."

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U.S. officials had previously told CBS News the jet was carrying a two-person crew when it was downed by Iranian forces Friday.

Iranian Revolutionary Guards took credit for the strike, alleging the jet was brought down in southwestern Iran Friday morning. Photos of debris that Iranian media said showed the wreckage of the downed U.S. fighter jet appeared consistent with an American F-15, two weapons experts told CBS News.

The pilot of the F-15E had safely ejected and was rescued by two military helicopters, U.S. officials earlier said, but the second crew member, a weapons system officer, had remained missing.

During Friday's recovery efforts, a U.S. chopper carrying the rescued pilot was struck by small arms fire, wounding crew members on board, U.S. officials said, but the helicopter landed safely.

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An A-10 Thunderbolt that was part of Friday's search mission took fire and was damaged. The Warthog's pilot ejected over the Persian Gulf and was successfully recovered, U.S. officials said.

Mr. Trump on Friday put some other operations on pause in Iran to prioritize the search and rescue, directing hundreds of special operations forces to the effort, zeroing in on the stranded crew member's beacon.

A U.S. official and a White House official confirmed to CBS News that U.S. commandos recovered the missing crew member in a complex operation that involved dozens of special forces personnel, and several dozen warplanes and helicopters. The news was first reported by the New York Times.

The rescued officer was flown to Kuwait to receive treatment for his injuries, the two officials said.

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The harrowing military operation utilized bombs and weapons fire to keep Iranian troops away from where the missing officer was believed to be hiding, the two officials said. While stranded, he had only a handgun to defend himself, the two officials disclosed.

Two transport planes tasked with flying out rescue crews were unable to take off from a remote base in Iran. Those planes were demolished to keep them from being captured by the enemy, the officials said, and the commandos flew out on three extra aircraft that were sent in to fetch them.

The three rescue planes flew out of Iran to Kuwait, each just a short distance behind each other, the officials disclosed. The mission was completed just before midnight, with all U.S. forces out of enemy airspace.

The CIA was deeply involved in the rescue mission, a senior Trump administration official told CBS News on Sunday.

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Before locating the airman, the CIA launched a deception campaign, spreading word inside Iran that U.S. forces had already found him and were moving him on the ground for exfiltration out of the country.

While the deception operation was ongoing, the agency used its capabilities to track the crew member in a mountain crevice, the official said.

The CIA shared the crew member's exact location with the Pentagon and the White House, the official said. The president ordered an immediate rescue mission, with the CIA continuing to provide real-time information.

The downing of the F-15E fighter jet marks the first time a U.S. fighter jet has been shot down in combat in over 20 years, retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Houston Cantwell, a former F-16 fighter pilot, told The Associated Press.

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At least four U.S. fighter jets have been shot down since the Iran war began on Feb. 28, but three of those were in a friendly-fire incident, the Pentagon said. On March 1, three American F-15s were "mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses," U.S. Central Command said at the time, and there were no casualties from that incident.

Until Sunday's announcement, Mr. Trump had been mostly silent on the subject of the search, telling The Independent in a phone interview Friday that he couldn't comment on what he might do if the crew member were captured by Iran.

"Well, I can't comment on it because  we hope that's not going to happen," Mr. Trump said.

In his social media post Sunday, Mr. Trump said the White House's silence was to protect the missing officer, saying the U.S. military "did not confirm" Friday's rescue of the F-15E's pilot "because we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation."

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Mr. Trump on Saturday also issued another warning to Iran regarding its control over the Strait of Hormuz, telling the Iranian regime it had 48 hours to reopen the crucial waterway or "all Hell will reign [sic] down on them."

Since the war began, the virtual closure of the strait  which sees about 20% of all global oil traffic  has caused fuel prices to skyrocket worldwide.

Lawmakers react to White House's massive defense spending proposal

Military archbishop says Iran war is "compensating for a threat" before the threat is realized

Signs of compassion from a deaf first-grader's classmates
At least 15 people were injured on Saturday after an alleged drunk driver ploughed into pedestrians at a Louisiana parade celebrating the Lao New Year. Some of the injuries are believed to be serious, authorities said.

Louisiana state police said a man had been charged with driving while impaired, careless operation and 18 counts of first-degree negligent injuring after the incident in New Iberia.

He is also accused of having an open container with an alcoholic beverage in the vehicle.

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Acadian Ambulance posted on social media that it transported 13 people to hospital. Two of them were airlifted, the ambulance service wrote on X.

Videos posted to social media showed a chaotic scene with several people on the ground near a blue vehicle.

On X, Louisiana governor Jeff Landry wrote that he and his wife were praying for all those affected. He also expressed gratitude for the first responders.

Organizers of the Louisiana Lao New Year festival said on Facebook they were cancelling Saturday nights music concerts, as well as alcohol sales.

We are profoundly saddened by the news of the incident near the festival grounds, the organizers said on Facebook. We are praying for the victims and for their families during this difficult time.

The three-day festival held every Easter weekend includes live music, parades and other activities celebrating the Lao New Year.
Former GOP congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene led the furious backlash to President Donald Trumps foul-mouthed Easter Sunday threat to Iran, writing on social media: He has gone insane.

The 79-year-old president raged on his Truth Social platform just after 8 a.m. Sunday morning, writing: Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F***in Strait, you crazy b*****ds, or youll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH!

He finished the message, posted early on Easter Sunday: Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP.

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Greene, who was once a Trump loyalist, said Sunday that everyone in Trumps administration who claims to be Christian needs to fall on their knees and beg forgiveness from God, and intervene in Trumps madness.

I know all of you and him and he has gone insane, and all of you are complicit, Greene wrote on X.

Former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene led the outrage over President Donald Trumps foul-mouthed Easter message (Getty Images)

Greene slammed Trumps threats as a move that would ultimately hurt the Iranian people, the very people Trump claimed he was freeing.

On Easter, of all days, we as Christians should be reminded that the son of God died and rose from the grave so that we can be forgiven once and for all of our sins. Jesus commanded us to love one another and forgive one another. Even our enemies, Greene wrote.

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Our President is not a Christian, and his words and actions should not be supported by Christians, she continued, noting that Trump officials should be working toward peace, not escalating war that is hurting people.

This [is] NOT what we promised the American people when they overwhelmingly voted in 2024, I know, I was there more than most. This is not making America great again, this is evil, Greene concluded.

Sen. Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, called the Easter message completely, utterly unhinged, and said if he were in Trumps Cabinet, he would be calling constitutional lawyers about the 25th Amendment. The 25th Amendment provides for the temporary transfer of the presidents powers to the vice president.

Hes already killed thousands. Hes going to kill thousands more, Murphy wrote on X.

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Anthony Scaramucci, who briefly served as White House communications director in Trumps first term but who has since become a fierce critic of the president, tweeted: It was at this point that our Founders thought the best thing to do would be to remove a mad man who has the executive office. It became more formalized with the 25th amendment, but more people now should be calling for this mans removal.

Several journalists marveled at the bizarre Easter message, reposting a screenshot of Trumps Truth Social post on X. CNNs Jake Tapper even cautioned viewers: If your children are watching, be warnedthe president did not use polite language.

Trump has vowed more aggressive action in Iran should the Strait of Hormuz remain closed (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

One social media user noted: We were so innocent once, comparing the Easter threats to Iran to Trumps 2015 Easter message, in which he wished everyone, including the haters and losers, a very happy Easter.

Trumps threatening message on Sunday comes as U.S. forces continue to conduct strikes within Iranian airspace following the start of the war in late February.

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The president has vowed there will be more aggressive attacks if the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway that serves as a passage for a large portion of the worlds oil, remains closed. The passageways closure has caused global oil prices to soar past $100 a barrel.

However, there has been no indication that Trumps threats have been effective, and Iranian officials maintain that peace talks are not happening in any meaningful sense.

Much of the worlds oil goes through the Strait of Hormuz (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Trump, who early in the war stated it would likely last only a matter of weeks, has grown incensed by the lack of progress. Similar to other messages he has recently put on Truth Social, the presidents Easter message indicates that he is thinking about targeting Iranian civilian infrastructure, which could lead to the U.S. military violating international law.

The president also announced early Sunday that the U.S. airman who had been missing since Friday after a U.S. fighter jet was shot down over Iran, had been rescued.

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A second crew member had already been rescued.

Trump wrote just after midnight that the service member was injured but will be just fine.

The fighter jet was the first U.S. aircraft to have crashed in Iranian territory since the conflict began.
Ever since Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders captured Earthrise in 1968  Earth hanging in the black void above the lunar surface  the image of our planet from deep space has carried a weight that no other photograph can replicate. It is the perspective that puts everything in its place. It makes the world simultaneously enormous and impossibly small.

On Saturday, April 4, NASA astronaut Christina Koch looked out one of the Orion spacecraft's main cabin windows on her way to the Moon and took another one.

Koch is one of four astronauts aboard NASA's Artemis II mission, the first crewed test flight of the agency's Artemis program. She, along with commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, lifted off April 1 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida and are currently making a roughly 10-day journey around the Moon and back. They are traveling deeper into space than almost any humans in history  and on Monday, they will officially break the record, surpassing the Apollo 13 crew's 1970 mark for the farthest humans have ever traveled from Earth.

The Overview Effect

The whole-Earth photograph has a name among scientists and philosophers  the Overview Effect. Astronauts who have seen Earth from deep space consistently describe a profound shift in perspective, a visceral understanding of how fragile and isolated our planet is against the scale of space. Edgar Mitchell, who walked on the Moon during Apollo 14, called it an instant global consciousness.

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Koch knows the feeling better than almost anyone. Before Artemis II, she completed a record-breaking 328-day stay aboard the International Space Station. She has looked down at Earth more than most humans alive. And yet here, from a distance orders of magnitude farther than the ISS, the view is different. Earth isn't below you. It's behind you.

How to Follow the Artemis II Mission

Artemis II is scheduled to splashdown off the coast of San Diego at approximately 8:07 p.m. ET on Friday, April 10. NASA is providing real-time coverage throughout the mission on its YouTube channel, along with a separate live stream of views from the Orion spacecraft as bandwidth allows. You can track Orion's exact position in space at nasa.gov/trackartemis.

Monday, April 6 is the mission's most dramatic day  a lunar flyby during which the crew will break the all-time distance record and temporarily lose contact with Mission Control as Orion passes behind the Moon.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Apr 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
New images have emerged that appear to show the destroyed special operations C-130s (MC-130Js Commando IIs) at the forward improvised airfield in Iran. The austere operating location acted as a hub (and forward arming and refueling point or FARP) for the rescue mission of the downed F-15E Weapon System Officer. You can read our latest coverage on the rescue here. It has been reported that the two C-130s were demolished in place as they were incapable of departing, with three more aircraft coming in and extracting the special operations force. Amongst this wreckage appears to be two burned-out wrecks of MH-6/AH-6 Little Birds of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, better known as the Night Stalkers.

As is typically the case, the images of the crash site look authentic after a cursory examination, but that could change in the future.

Here we see a destroyed Little Bird on the right, with the hulk of a C-130 to the left.

A closer look at the destroyed H-6.

The burned-out C-130 is seen in the background with a rotor mast of an H-6 in the foreground.

The debris field appears quite large.

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These helicopters, if in AH-6 configuration, were likely delivered to the landing site to provide close air support and force protection for the larger force deployed there. Reports now state that there may not have been a major firefight on the ground as originally reported, but Iranians were fired upon from the air when trying to approach the base. Video supposedly showing one of these engagements does look like the firing aircraft could be an AH-6.

A U.S. Army AH-6 Little Bird in support of Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) fires rockets at designated targets during an offensive air support exercise at Mt. Barrow, Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range, Calif., April 5, 2016. (U.S. Marine Corps photograph by SSgt. Artur Shvartsberg, MAWTS-1 COMCAM/Released) Gunnery Sgt. Artur Shvartsberg

Heavy clashes have been reported in Dehdasht, a city in the Central District of Kohgiluyeh County, where the second American pilot was reportedly spotted. pic.twitter.com/DDleOptrfD  Afshin Ismaeli (@Afshin_Ismaeli) April 5, 2026

The Little Birds could have also been used to help find and support the extraction of the pilot if in MH-6 configuration. Little Birds can be configured in the AH-6 attack and MH-6 assault configurations.

123rd Special Tactics Squadron operators load onto an MH-6 Little Bird during Exercise Agile Chariot, May 2, 2023, honing capabilities linked to Agile Combat Employment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Carly Kavish) Tech. Sgt. Carly Feliciano

The force protection role for exactly this kind of mission is a key one for the AH-6. Night Stalker AH-6 crews train heavily for it. The Little Birds can be rapidly delivered to forward locations aboard aircraft as small as a C-130, but its their ability to be rolled out and flying in mere minutes that suits them so well for this mission set. The MC-130 can act as transport, weapons hauler and a gas station on the ground for the Little Birds.

You can read all about the Little Birds ability to be rapidly deployed virtually anywhere in our past feature linked here.

An AH-6 is rolled off an MC-130. These aircraft can be in the air in minutes, not hours, after leaving the cargo hold of transport aircraft. (DoW) Airman 1st Class Joseph Pick

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The Little Birds could possibly have flown directly to the site, and then refueled from the MC-130J on the ground and operated out of the makeshift base, although the range on these aircraft is limited, even with auxiliary fuel tanks. Even flying from Kuwait or a commercial ship in the northern Persian Gulf, a direct flight over Iranian airspace would have been very risky and required much of the Little Birds range. Overall, this option seems very likely.

Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guards 123rd Special Tactics Squadron prepare to conduct combat search-and-rescue from an MH-6M Little Bird that was offloaded from a MC-130J Commando II during Exercise Agile Chariot near Riverton, Wyoming, May 2, 2023. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck) Philip Speck

As to why the Little Birds were destroyed in place, that isnt clear. Extracting the force was likely done in a big hurry, especially due to the immobilization of two C-130s. If the Little Birds flew in aboard them, there may have been no time (or room) to load them onto the replacement aircraft. They could have also been damaged by enemy fire. If they flew in directly themselves, the mission may not have gone as planned and they could not be fueled while on the ground by the stricken MC-130s. There are many possibilities.

Destroying stranded special operations aircraft is absolutely critical as they are packed with sensitive sensors, communications, defensive systems and more.

Regardless, the inclusion of the Little Birds is another indication of just how complex this mission, which was thrown together in just a matter of hours, was. Its also a reminder of just how versatile and forward deployable the MH/AH-6s truly are.

UPDATE: 6:02 AM PDT

The landing zone has been geolocated to just south of Isfahan. This puts it about 200 miles from the Iranian coastline and roughly 230 miles from a land border. It is very unlikely the Little Birds made this trip on their own (can rule it out almost entirely) beyond the tactical issues with doing so.

Location of the USAF forward base set up deep within Iran for the F-15 crew rescue mission.



The base was set up just outside of Isfahan, a critical Iranian strategic hub with missile and army bases, nuclear facilities, and the airbase home to Irans F-14 fleet. pic.twitter.com/ax0NIIlbKs  OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) April 5, 2026

Estimated location of 2 hc/mc130 and 2 little birds south of Isfahan.



est C: 32.258394, 51.901927

S:https://t.co/1bgXkv3DKd



h/t @acceladealer for the stitching and help with the geo@GeoConfirmed @FaytuksNetwork pic.twitter.com/fxN3Rckzjc  Andy (@andynovy) April 5, 2026

Contact the author: Tyler@twz.com
Several Wisconsin counties are under a flood warning Sunday, April 5 following a round of severe thunderstorms.

The National Weather Service issued the warnings throughout the weekend. The warnings apply to parts of Racine, Vernon, Shawano, Waupaca, Richland, Sauk, Columbia, Crawford, Jackson and Wood counties.

The severity of the flooding ranges from minor to moderate and the warnings extend from Sunday night through Wednesday, April 8. In Shawano and Waupaca counties, the flood warning remains in effect "until further notice," the NWS said.

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Several rivers across the state are affected by the flooding, the warnings said, including the Yellow and Black rivers, Little Wolf River, the Kickapoo River, the Baraboo River, the Lower Fox River and the Root River.

The NWS warns motorists not to attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov.

More: Stay up to date on Wisconsin's winter weather with USA TODAY Network text message updates

See weather radar for Wisconsin

What to do during a flood warning

If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.

Use a battery-operated radio or television to get the latest emergency information.

Do not walk through floodwater. Just six inches of floodwater can sweep you off your feet if it is moving swiftly.

Turn around, don't drown; do not drive into a flooded street. Cars can be swept away by two feet of moving water or there may be unseen damage to the road. If you come to a flooded area turn around and go another way. Most flood-related deaths are caused by people driving through water.

Watch out for fire hazards.

Move to higher ground.

Stay alert, turn weather notifications on.

Do not allow children to play in flowing water. Waters can hide rocks, trees and debris.

This weather report was generated automatically using information from the National Weather Service and a story written and reviewed by an editor.

See the latest weather alerts and forecasts here

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: NWS issues flood warnings for several Wisconsin counties
The most powerful out transgender official in the New York City government is stepping into a new role with a dual mandate: respond to escalating political attacks on transgender people while dismantling long-standing inequality.

Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ+ news and politics. Sign up for The Advocate's email newsletter.

Taylor Brown, a civil rights attorney appointed by Democratic Mayor Zohran Mamdani to lead the city's newly created Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs, says the work is both urgent and structural, and for her, deeply personal.

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"When you think about the history of trans people, especially here in New York City, the birth of the modern LGBTQ civil rights movement, trans women have been leading that," Brown told WNYCs Morning Edition. "So I'm extremely proud, I'm honored."

Her appointment in March makes her the first out transgender person to lead a New York City agency.

Related: Mayor Mamdani appoints trans woman to run first-ever NYC Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs

Related: Here is New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's LGBTQ+ rights record

Brown said the office must first "meet the moment" as transgender people face mounting attacks at the federal level. "The transgender community across the country is under attack by various entities, including the federal government," she said. "We have to pay special attention to those needs as they are critical, vital, and urgent."

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But she was clear that the work extends beyond immediate policy fights. The office's second, equally important mandate, she said, is confronting "long-standing inequities that have arisen from the historical treatment of LGBTQ people. Those include inequities that span employment, housing, education, and law enforcement, and fall hardest on transgender people and LGBTQ+ people of color, she said.

Among her top priorities is protecting access to gender-affirming care, which she described in personal terms. "Gender-affirming care is lifesaving care for transgender people," Brown said. "It's something that saved my life."

Related: Zohran Mamdani will continue 'standing up' for transgender people as New York City mayor

Related: Zohran Mamdani, LGBTQ+ ally, wins New York City mayoral election and makes history

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She also pointed to enforcement as a central tool, saying the office will work to ensure city agencies comply with anti-discrimination laws and to design programs that specifically address LGBTQ+ needs. "Programs created and funded by taxpayer money are addressing the unique needs of individuals and individual communities," she said.

For Brown, the moment carries both historical weight and historical urgency. These are not things that happened overnight," she said. "But I look at this office as a firm commitment by the mayor to really dig in and tackle these entrenched disparities."

This article originally appeared on Advocate: NYCs most powerful transgender official is fighting intensifying anti-LGBTQ+ federal pressure

RELATED
In a relief move for migrant workers, students and daily-wage earners, the government has allowed the sale of 5-kilogram Free Trade LPG (FTL) cylinders without requiring address proof. People can now get these cylinders from authorised distributors by showing only a valid ID card. Chandra Prakash, President of the All India LPG Distributors Federation, welcomed the decision and called it "a good gesture" for vulnerable sections. "FTL connections can be given to needy and migrant workers who are not able to avail a domestic new connection," he said, adding that "migrant maids, daily-wage labourers, students, and professionals who lack a permanent address can now access cooking fuel without bureaucratic hurdles." He said migrants who face difficulty in cooking for themselves or their families can visit the nearest LPG distributor with a valid ID and a self-declaration letter. The letter should state that they live in the area and will use the cylinder only for cooking purposes. The facility is also available for migrant students and professionals who do not have an existing LPG connection. Prakash made it clear that the scheme is only for household use. "These FTL cylinders are not meant for commercial customers," he said. The response to the move has been strong. According to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, more than 90,000 five-kilogram FTL cylinders were sold in a single day. Since March 23, 2026, around 6.6 lakh cylinders have been sold across the country. The Ministry has described the move as part of a broader effort to ensure the uninterrupted availability of petroleum products and LPG across the country, particularly amid the evolving conflict in West Asia. The government has also urged citizens not to panic-buy or make unnecessary LPG bookings, and has advised the public to rely only on official sources for information. (ANI)
Beaufort, South Carolina, is getting serious about single-use plastic waste. The city is going above and beyond tightening up a 2018 plastic bag ban with new rules to take on more types of plastic litter.

The Island Packet reported on the expanded city rules that could make a major dent in the amount of waste that ends up in the local environment. First on the docket were stricter rules for bags.

Stores went away from conventional plastic bags. However, through a clever reading of the rule, retailers, including Walmart, substituted in thicker plastic bags. Advocates noted that these bags were no different in impact, even if they were branded as "reusable."

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They asserted that consumer behavior was the same when discarding them. They continued to pollute the environment, including the low-lying marshes and waterways that are crucial to local wildlife and community health. The proposed new rule would mandate that bags be made of cloth with stitched handles.

Another rule is to ban businesses from offering single-use food service items and polystyrene foam (aka Styrofoam) products. Lastly, a rule suggests that while plastic straws and utensils aren't forbidden, they would only be available to customers via request or through self-service stations.

Community support for the ordinance was notable. Before deciding to propose the rules, a survey of over 6,000 residents and 1,000 businesses found major support for banning plastic bags and all uses of foam.

Support was lower for complete bans of plastic straws and utensils, which likely explains the compromises on those items.

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As far as enforcement, businesses would face a written warning before escalating to fines starting at $100, with revoked business licenses on the table for repeat offenders. If passed, businesses would have eight months to adapt to the new rules before any punishments.

Organizations such as the Port Royal Sound Foundation and the Coastal Conservation League applauded the move to safeguard the local environment.

"We do need to get plastic out of Beaufort, especially with our beautiful waterways, where it happens too often," Patricia Jaudon, a participant in the 2018 ordinance, told The Island Packet.

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices  and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.
Eight countries forming the core of the OPEC+ group of oil producers on Sunday voiced concern over Iran's attacks on energy infrastructure as oil shortages persist amid the war in the Middle East.

"Restoring damaged energy assets to full capacity is both costly and takes a long time, thereby affecting overall supply availability," the countries said in a joint statement after an online meeting.

They also highlighted the "critical importance of safeguarding international maritime routes to ensure the uninterrupted flow of energy" - a reference to the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively blocked in reaction to US-Israeli attacks.

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The group - consisting of Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman - said they would increase oil production in May by 206,000 barrels per day.

Given the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of global oil trade passes, the move is more symbolic than practical, as the oil market faces a supply problem rather than a production shortage.

Much of the available oil supply is currently going to Asia, namely China, Japan and South Korea, according to Carsten Fritsch, an analyst at Germany's Commerzbank. "Asia is currently sucking everything up like a vacuum cleaner," he said.

US President Donald Trump has urged countries facing shortages to source oil from the United States. However, the impact of this on global prices remains uncertain, as they are determined by global supply, which has been restricted due to the war.

According to figures from the International Energy Agency in March, countries in the Gulf region have reduced their daily oil production by at least 10 million barrels, or nearly 10% of global demand, citing limited storage capacity for oil that cannot pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
CHICAGO (WGN)  More than 120 Black-owned businesses lined the 75th Street corridor in the citys Chatham neighborhood Saturday for the second annual Spend in the Black event.

Shavon Francis, founder and CEO of Flourish Chicago, brought her flowers and bouquets back for a second year, this time after having opened a brick-and-mortar.

Were so excited. Spend in the Black has been so amazing for us. We look at our tent last year, it was so small and now were busting out of the seems so its been great, Francis said. I think the biggest thing from festivals like this is to network, whether youre meeting people in your industry or just other people who can connect you with endless possibilities. I think Chicago is a city of connections.

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LAST YEARS EVENT: Spend in the Black event boosts investment in Black-owned businesses

That sentiment was echoed by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.

We are lifting up the value of spending in Black and this annual event is an opportunity for us to come together to highlight the work that is happening along this business corridor. Its a remarkable testament to what were building across the city, Johnson said.

Spend in the Black was started last year by local faith leaders and has since gained the support of state and local officials.

We know that supporting our Black-owned businesses is one of the ways that we fuel the local economy. We create jobs and we make sure that we build generational wealth, Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said.

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Pop-up tents included beauty, fashion, jewelry and family fun.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Last year alone, more than $1 million was spent on goods and services during the event.

The mayor recognized the achievements with a proclamation to founders Ald. William Hall (6th Ward) and Pastor Charlie Dates of Progressive Baptist Church.

This is not just for one moment, but this is for the entire city of Chicago, and this moment will live throughout the next generation, Johnson said.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  A North Carolina mother and her boyfriend are facing child abuse charges after a Friday afternoon report that a little girl was held upside down with her face under the surf beneath a Sunset Beach pier along the Brunswick County coast, police said.

The incident was reported just after 6:30 p.m. Friday along the beach under the Sunset Beach Pier, according to a Saturday evening news release from the Sunset Beach Police Department.

Police on the North Carolina island, located at the South Carolina line, said there were social media posts and videos of the ocean incident near the fishing pier.

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VIDEO: Waterspout forms off Sunset Beach, moves ashore

The safety and well-being of every child in our community remains our highest priority, police said. Police added that they were seeking witnesses in the case or anyone who has additional information.

Sunset Beach and the fishing pier. Photo courtesy: Sunset Beach Police Department

The charges stem from a 911 call reporting that a male was intentionally holding a child upside down by her legs, with her face submerged in the water against her will while she was screaming and crying, the news release said.

CRIME TRACKER  Sign up for CBS 17s newsletter with the latest in local crime

Christopher Maurice Lee, 38, of Arcadia at Grande Dunes near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Lesley Suzanne McClam, 26, of nearby Calabash, were each charged with a count of misdemeanor child abuse on Saturday, according to an arrest warrant, a citation, and the news release.

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A warrant and news release said Lee was the primary suspect and that he is dating the girls mother.

Sunset Beach, NC coast dig out from 10 to 17 inches of snow  get snowfall totals

The arrest warrant for Lee said he was repeatedly placing (the) childs head under water/attempting to while (the) child screamed and stated stop. Did so again once (the) child was out of water.

McClam was cited in the incident, which involved her 7-year-old daughter, the citation said.

McClams citation said she was cited for not stopping a substantial risk of physical injury to her daughter during which a man proceeded to repeatedly dunk the childs head under waves in the ocean while she yelled stop.

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Sunset Beach new parking plans spur feedback, outrage: How are we supposed to get to the beach?

The citation added the incident was punishment and out of anger.

An alligator was captured along the beach at Sunset Beach , N.C., on June 19, 2025. Photo courtesy: Sunset Beach Police

Police said the charge is the most serious level of misdemeanor offenses.

Lee was released on a $1,000 secured bond. McClam was not taken into custody.

The North Carolina Department of Social Services has been notified and is conducting an investigation in coordination with the Sunset Beach Police Department, officers said.

Officials warn of Sunset Beach Portuguese man o war swarm

Police said that anyone with information should contact Sunset Beach Police Detective Sergeant Miloszar at (910) 880-8512.

Photo courtesy: Sunset Beach Police Department

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com.
A pedestrian was hit by a vehicle on Interstate 10 in a collision that caused traffic delays in the Spaghetti Bowl area in Central El Paso.

The collision occurred at 11:52 a.m. on Easter Sunday, April 5, on I-10 East near Paisano Drive, Detective Judy Oviedo, a police spokeswoman, said in a media message.

Traffic-related deaths: El Paso fatal crash tracker 2026

Texas Department of Transportation highway cameras showed the eastbound lanes of I-10 closed and traffic being detoured at the Paisano/Chelsea Street Exit 23B.

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Traffic was backed up on I-10 East up and on Spaghetti Bowl bridges connecting to I-10 East. Drivers were advised to seek alternate routes

Traffic exits the closed eastbound lanes of Interstate 10 near Chelsea Street as El Paso police investigate a pedestrian collision on I-10 East near Paisano Drive in Central El Paso on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026.

The scene was cleared by 3:15 p.m. Sunday, TxDOT said via X.

Further details on the traffic collision were not immediately available.

The police Special Traffic Investigations Unit is investigating a separate pedestrian traffic collision earlier Sunday morning in Downtown El Paso.

Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com and @BorundaDaniel on X.

March 23, 1986: Thom Kennedy and Daniel Rivera steady a 37,000 pound trolley as a military flatbed truck rolls into position for loading. Members of the El Paso Historic Streetcar Preservation Society, Jordan & Nobles Construction Co. and Fort Bliss soldiers joined Saturday to move nine trolleys from storage at the city's trolley barn to a parking lot at Sixth and Oregon in South El Paso. The society plans to renovate the streetcars and put one back in operation on tracks on El Paso Street. April 18, 1986: Funeral of Bishop Metzger. April 18, 1986 - John Eby, at left, leads a number during a Border Chorders rehearsal at the Armed Services YMCA. April 18, 1986 - The quartet "The Crowning Touch" includes, from left, John Eby, Artie Dolt, Mike Johnson and Bob Calderon. All are members of the Border Chorders. April 26, 1986 - Enrique Rodriguez, a 5-year employee of Tony Lama, was hard at work late Friday afternoon putting heel sets on boots. May 11, 1986: Larry Otten, left, brands a cow inside a cage trap with the help of cowhands Jack Yanez, center, and Rene Robledo. May 15, 1986 - A propane burner on the basket forces hot air into a balloon. May 16, 1986 - Black El Paso Democrats spokesman Chester Bryant, right, speaks to supporters and El Paso Sun employees. Listening, from left, are Sun Sales Manager Bert Brymer, left, office clerk Stephanie Cantrell and Editor Leo Cox. May 25, 1986: The El Paso Natural Gas Co flame has communicated weather forecasts for many years by changing color to indicated weather conditions. June 30, 1986 - Rafael Gil executes a pass on the bull that later gored him. July 5, 1986 - Ted Wood, 85 of Las Cruces waits for some customers. Aug. 20, - Karen Roberts, left and Jean Roberts show memorabilia in their British specialty store. Oct. 12, 1986 - Bel Air High School drum major Agustin Cuevas might have delivered a snappy salute at Saturday's District 22 marching band contest at the Sun Bowl, but it wasn't enough to send his band on to regional competition later in the year. That honor went to the Eastwood High band. Six schools from Ysleta Independent School District, plus Canutillo and Clint High schools, competed. The Eastwood and Hanks High bands received I ratings, as did Bel Air's pipe band. Clint, Ysleta, Bel Air and Riverside high school bands received II ratings, as did Ysleta High's drum corps. Parkland High received a III rating and Canutillo got a IV. Oct. 18, 1986 - Brothers Edward, left, and Phil Azar show products of Azar Nuts, the nation's third largest nut-processing company. The company was sold Friday. Nov. 17, 1986: R.L. Thomas, a volunteer for the Del Norte Streetcar Preservation Society, leaped over the roof of two trolley cars as he inspected them for damage from recent rains and cold weather. Nov. 29, 1986 - Members of Coronado High School's band and orchestra couldn't contain themselves Friday after they were named Grand Champion of the John Hancock Sun Bowl band competition at Bowie High School. The band, with elements of the school's orchestra, won awards for best horn line, best percussion, best field show and best Sun Bowl Parade band. Andress High School of El Paso came in second. Eleven bands, nine from the El Paso area and two from Tucson, Ariz., competed. Dec. 27, 1986 - The Asarco smokestack has been a landmark for pilots since it was completed in 1966. It is the tallest smokestack in Texas. On Dec. 5, 1986: Jay J. Armes announced his candidacy for the Lower Valley representative seat from his home. December 9, 1986 - Art teacher Barbara Antebi, foreground, poses with her Lincoln Junior High School 9th-grade students. Dec. 29, 1986 - Slice of life -- Members of the ground crew guided a 194-foot-long airship -- all 6 1/2 tons of it -- advertising a soft drink to a landing Saturday at El Paso International Airport. The ship made a brief stop on its way to the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, Calif. The Kentucky Club in Juarez, shown in 1986, is hardly more than a stone's throw across the river from El Paso. Dec. 31, 1986: The Kentucky Club. Dec. 31, 1986: Lorenzo Hernandez serves a couple of Margaritas. The bartender has been working at the Kentucky Club for 36 years. Vintage El Paso: 1986 in photos 1 of 23 March 23, 1986: Thom Kennedy and Daniel Rivera steady a 37,000 pound trolley as a military flatbed truck rolls into position for loading. Members of the El Paso Historic Streetcar Preservation Society, Jordan & Nobles Construction Co. and Fort Bliss soldiers joined Saturday to move nine trolleys from storage at the city's trolley barn to a parking lot at Sixth and Oregon in South El Paso. The society plans to renovate the streetcars and put one back in operation on tracks on El Paso Street.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso I-10 closed after pedestrian hit on freeway
WEISENBERG TOWNSHIP, Pa. - A small plane made an emergency landing on Interstate 78 Saturday morning, stunning drivers who watched the aircraft touch down across two eastbound lanes in Lehigh County.

"It was an Easter miracle," said Victor Machese of Skippack, who witnessed the landing just before 9:30 a.m.

Pennsylvania State Police said the pilot and a passenger had departed Solberg, New Jersey, en route to Indiana when the pilot reported engine trouble over Pennsylvania. Radio transmissions captured the pilot expressing reluctance to land on the highway, but that was the best option.

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The 65yearold pilot from Michigan brought the plane down safely, according to police. Drivers recorded video as the aircraft descended and rolled to a stop.

Machese praised the pilots skills. "He landed in 2 lanes. His wings were literally from almost the center median to the grass on the other side, and like I said, he didn't look like he was freaking out, he was just looking straight ahead," he said.

Another witness, Chase Galanti of New Tripoli, said seeing the landing unfold was impressive. "You hear about things like that, but not too often do you get to see it first person," he said. "He must have done the right things and kept his cool to be able to safely land the plane."

State Police said neither the pilot, the 34yearold passenger from New Jersey, nor any drivers on the interstate were injured.

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Weisenberg Volunteer Fire Chief Justin Oswald said several agencies responded to assist. "This is probably the best possible outcome for this type of incident we could see," he said. Crews helped tow the plane to an airport in Allentown, with some vehicles escorting the aircraft and others blocking exits.

"It's one of those things that you don't necessarily train for. You don't anticipate an aircraft landing on your highway," Oswald said. He added that responders coordinated smoothly. "Everybody worked together very well to do something we don't run into every day."

The eastbound lanes of I78 fully reopened by 1 p.m.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident.
Robin Ferruggia hasnt had a drink of water from her tap for several years.

Shes lived in the small, mountain community of Pinewood Springs for over three decades, and in the past year, her dog, ZsaZsa, has even switched to bottled water.

The water that comes out of her tap is discolored and sometimes leaves behind a nasty sludge, she said. A few years ago, she started feeling sick, and she hasnt consumed the water since.

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Im concerned for my health. Im concerned for (ZsaZsa), Ferruggia said.

Ferruggia isnt alone. Other residents dont drink the water, or they spend hundreds to put in whole-house water filtration systems, which filter water at the point it enters their home.

The community, home to roughly 750 people, a pie shop and a Polish restaurant, has dealt with aging, brittle pipes for decades. Millions of gallons of treated water are lost each year through leaks, and the system has frequently violated state water quality requirements. At times, residents have been urged to boil their water.

In August 2024, after the water had consistently exceeded safe levels of one type of contaminant, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment ordered the district to take action.

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Now, the district is staring down a series of projects  the first of which was set to resume construction in mid-April  to address its water quality violations. Those projects could take around two years and about $8.7 million to complete, according to documents submitted to CDPHE in February.

To afford the projects, the water board that runs the district raised rates for residents, who already pay more than many in the Front Range. Still, board members say, funding is a big concern.

The combination of deferred maintenance, required upgrades, and tightened regulatory standards means it will take significant investment to bring this system up to current requirements, Jim Easter, the boards president, said in a March statement.

A sign for Pinewood Springs is seen at the corner of U.S. 36 and Kiowa Road on Thursday, March 26, 2026. (Matthew Jonas/Staff Photographer)

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Always digging holes

The Pinewood Springs Water District, established by the 1970s, relied on wells until the early 2000s, when high levels of uranium were detected in the water. The wells were shuttered permanently, and the district now relies on a reservoir and the creek-like Little Thompson River that winds through the northern part of the community.

Over the years, the community, which sits along U.S. 36 between Lyons and Estes Park, has frequently been forced to haul water from nearby towns when the river runs dry.

Leaky pipes have been a problem since at least 2000, when an engineering report shared with the state health department stated that about 37% of treated water was lost through leaks in the districts distribution system. At the time, the report said the district was striving to correct this with an aggressive program of continually searching for, and repairing, such leaks.

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In recent years, that figure has jumped to an average of 50% to 60%, with 8 million to 13 million gallons of treated water lost per year, according to the February engineering report. In 2024, a water main leak caused the system to lose pressure, and CDPHE issued a boil-water advisory.

The spillway on a reservoir is seen in the Pinewood Springs area on Thursday, March 26, 2026. (Matthew Jonas/Staff Photographer)

Martha McCarver, who lived in Pinewood Springs from 2009 to 2023 with her husband, recalls the water often being turned off because of the leaks.

It was a constant battle and still is to this day just to keep everybody with water all at the same time, McCarver said. There were frequently sections of Pinewood that had no water because there was a leak in the system.

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She remembers watching crew members working on the water system dig holes and replace pipes year after year.

They were always digging holes instead of maintaining the system and replacing the whole thing or doing whatever needed to be done. They would just put Band-Aids on it, she said.

Doug Mann and his wife have lived in Pinewood Springs for about 10 years. The area where they live off Button Rock Road, east of U.S. 36, was identified as one of the areas with the leakiest pipes, according to the February engineering report. Mann recalls walking down the road and seeing water bubble up from the road where pipes had burst.

Mann said he felt previous water boards kicked the can down the road in terms of maintenance.

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Current water board members said they couldnt speak to decisions made before they were on the board, but said the system is suffering from aging infrastructure and deferred maintenance.

We have a pretty long history of not doing the maintenance that we plan to do, and thats not served us well, Martijn Bolster, the boards treasurer, said in a March 25 board meeting. So Id like to do the things that we plan to do this year, because by golly, we need to.

Easter says much of the infrastructure was installed under different requirements, and that state water quality and infrastructure standards have evolved over the decades.

Many of the challenges we face today reflect a combination of aging infrastructure and those tightening standards  issues that small, rural water systems across Colorado are grappling with, Easter said in the statement. We are now focused entirely on addressing them.

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Cant risk it

In January 2025, the district stopped using water from its reservoir after a test found high levels of manganese, a mineral that occurs naturally in Colorado, in the water.

While Colorado doesnt regulate manganese in drinking water, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said that healthy adults and children older than 6 months should not drink water with manganese concentrations higher than 1 milligram per liter for more than 10 days per year, according to a state document. Infants shouldnt be given water with manganese concentrations greater than 0.3 mg/L.

In August, manganese concentrations in the districts water were as high as 1.8 mg/L.

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Many years of exposure to high levels of manganese can harm a persons nervous system, according to the state health department.

Disinfecting the water using chlorine has resulted in a high level of disinfection byproducts  compounds that form when chlorine interacts with organic material, such as decaying leaves or plants. The compounds are more likely to form the longer the treated water sits in the distribution system, which, in small Pinewood Springs, can be quite long. The districts treated water tanks can hold 1.22 million gallons, or roughly 61 days worth of water. On average, residents use just 27 gallons per day.

The system has exceeded the acceptable level of disinfection byproducts periodically in the span of at least 20 years. In the past three years, its been nearly every quarter.

Notices of drinking water irregularities given to residents by Pinewood Springs water district are seen at the home of Robin Ferruggia on Thursday, March 26, 2026. (Matthew Jonas/Staff Photographer)

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People who drink water with an excess of these compounds over many years can experience problems with their liver, kidneys and/or central nervous system, according to CDPHE. It can also increase a persons risk of getting cancer, the department said.

In the three decades shes lived in Pinewood Springs, Ferruggia has lost friends, two dogs and two cats to cancer, she said.

You wonder, how many of these cancers over the years were caused by this water and us not knowing about it? And how many more of us are going to die from this? Ferruggia said.

A few years ago, Ferruggia had stomach pains that wouldnt go away, and when she went to the doctor, they told her it was likely the water making her sick, she said. Shes been drinking bottled water ever since, and about a year ago, she started giving her dog bottled water, too.

I just cant risk it for her, Ferruggia said in late March, standing outside her home while ZsaZsa, a lively Australian shepherd, played with empty plastic water jugs nearby.

When McCarver lived in Pinewood Springs, she and her husband drank bottled water and installed a whole-house water filtration system. In the spring, when the water turned brown, she would drive to Longmont to do laundry and to Estes Park to shower.

When you fill the bathtub and the water is brown and muddy or red, youre like, Im not drinking that, she said.

Mann, too, has a whole-house water filtration system. It cost his family about $1,500, but they decided it was worth it. Recently, he said, each monthly bill has come with another water quality warning.

We just couldnt do this anymore. We cant really question whether we can drink this or not drink this, Mann said.

Financial woes

With decades of problems built up, the district finds itself in a tough spot.

It is constantly finding new leaks and doing spot repairs, which has consumed the districts budget and reserves. Three months into the year, the district has already spent a third of its $90,000 budget for maintenance. Last year, the district spent about $145,000 on repairs and maintenance through Dec. 1, according to its budget document. The budget estimates the districts expenses will total nearly $1.2 million in 2026.

In August 2024, the state health department issued an enforcement order, mandating the district to make changes to its system to comply with regulations.

The district contracted with an engineering firm, which identified a list of improvements that need to be made to meet the states requirements  starting with replacing about 25%, or 14,500 feet, of the districts pipes.

The pipe project is expected to cost the district about $4.2 million, according to the February engineering report. The rest of the improvements would bring the total to about $8.7 million, according to a funding plan submitted to CDPHE.

Funding has long been a challenge for the small district, which gets the majority of its income from property taxes and monthly water bills.

In February 2025, the district secured a $1.8 million loan from the states Drinking Water Revolving Fund and a $1 million grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs  together expected to fund the first four sections of the pipe replacement project.

A drop box for the Pinewood Springs water district is seen next to the mailboxes on Thursday, March 26, 2026. (Matthew Jonas/Staff Photographer)

The fifth section, near where Ferruggia lives, is the longest and could cost $1.6 million. Dealing with large amounts of rock increased the construction cost for the first segment, so construction on the fifth section has been put on hold until the district can find the money to fund it. The district plans to apply for an additional roughly $6 million in state loans, which, if approved, would be awarded next year.

Ferruggia was under the impression that the section would be repaired sooner, and now shes frustrated.

Now its like, Well, actually were not doing that. We dont have to. We dont have the money, but you gotta pay this extra (cost each) month,  Ferruggia said.

To meet financial demands, the board, which consists of five voting members and two special advisers, has repeatedly raised water rates for residents.

In 2025, fixed monthly rates  the part of the bill not based on the amount of water a resident uses each month  went up from $107 to $194. In March, the district voted to raise rates again, to about $226. On top of that, residents pay 90 cents per 100 gallons up to 3,000 gallons  or $1.90 per 100 gallons for between 3,000 and 6,000 gallons per month. Residents who use more than 6,000 gallons pay $9 per 100 gallons and may be fined or have their water turned off.

That means even residents who dont use a drop of water are paying more than $226 each month.

Ferruggia, who relies in part on Social Security, said she can handle the increase this time, but shes concerned about future increases.

Ten years from now, were going to have a lot more seniors in this community, and people are not going to be able to pay for this, she said.

Easter, the president, said the board is constantly weighing the need to provide safe, quality drinking water against the cost of doing so. Board members pay the same rates, he added.

I completely agree with you guys that this is a high number, but we dont see another path given the burden of construction thats ahead of us, Bolster said in a February board meeting.

Claude Strait, executive director of the Colorado Rural Water Association, said its common for small, rural water systems to struggle with finding enough funding.

When you have to put in millions of dollars to fix your treatment process, that puts a huge burden on the clientele, he said. Finding that balance of what can we charge for rates versus what can we get in grants versus loans  thats a fine line and a fine balance that I think is unique to each community.

As the district pays off debt and gets a handle on capital expenses, the board hopes to eventually be able to start ramping down on water bills, Easter said.

Were not there yet, and we will not be there next year, he said in the March meeting. I hope we can consider being there in another two to five years.

Community frustration

Another common issue in small systems, Strait said, is board members who lack experience or time to tackle complex water issues.

Not having the workforce that a larger city has, theyre pulled so many ways, so I dont think sometimes they have the technical experience on how to respond to the state on how to resolve some issues, he said.

The district has at times struggled to keep a water operator, the person who is responsible for running the system and deciding what it needs. In 2024, it started contracting that work out to Wolf Compliance Consulting LLC. The district has one employee who works under the direction of the consulting company.

In January, the districts administrative clerk, who said she had been with the district for 24 years, retired  and a replacement lasted just six days. Now, the district is contracting the work out to Community Resource Services, a consulting company based in the Denver area that manages special districts, such as water districts.

While the transition to Community Resource Services could be more costly, the boards treasurer said its needed to help the district transfer to an online accounting system.

They have a staff of over 55 people, so they can address things that right now fell through the cracks, Bolster said in a February board meeting.

The district has, at times, violated the state health departments public notification requirements.

Mailboxes and newspaper boxes are seen in the Pinewood Springs area on Thursday, March 26, 2026. (Matthew Jonas/Staff Photographer)

Mann said he thinks the community has suffered from not having professionals who could step in.

I really do think that the board is trying their best to change things, Mann said. I think things have been bad for a really, really long time.

Still, he said, the board has dropped the ball in some cases.

Mann was one of the residents who went without water for days in December when a temporary water line, in place amid construction on a new water main, froze.

It shouldnt have gotten that far. There should have been oversight from the water district in regards to making sure that the construction company was prepared for the cold weather, he said in February.

The first new pipe segment provided valuable lessons, and the board has made changes to how projects of this scale are planned, resourced and overseen, Easter said. There will be greater active oversight, and board members have spoken with construction leadership to ensure crews will have more people working on the project, according to Easter.

We are committed to giving these projects the attention they require, Easter said.

Work is set to resume on the water main replacement project in mid-April, and the board expects the first four sections to be completed by late 2026. Work on other improvements could stretch into late 2027.

The board is hopeful the improvements will mean fewer leaks and less money spent on constant repairs.

I think that it is nearer to us that we will reach the point where we will never have another health advisory again  at least thats my hope, Easter said at a February board meeting. Ive been disappointed before, but I think the trends are very good.
A Russian military transport plane crashed into a cliff in Crimea on Tuesday, killing all 29 people aboard in what officials suspect was a technical malfunction, according to the Associated Press.

The An-26 aircraft struck a cliffside while flying over the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, according to state news agency TASS.

Russian authorities announced the crash Wednesday.

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The Russian Defense Ministry and the countrys Investigative Committee provided differing accounts of how many people were on board.

The Defense Ministry reported 23 passengers and six crew members were killed, while the Investigative Committee said the aircraft carried 22 passengers and seven crew members. Officials did not explain the discrepancy.

Preliminary information points to a technical malfunction as the likely cause, according to the Defense Ministry.

The crash adds to a series of Russian military aircraft accidents since the Kremlins invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

In December 2025, an An-22 military transport plane crashed in Russias Ivanovo region, killing seven crew members. A MiG-31 fighter jet crashed in the Lipetsk region in October 2025, and a Tu-22M3 bomber went down in the Irkutsk region in April 2025.

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In October 2022, a Su-34 bomber crashed into a residential area in Yeysk, sparking a fire that killed 15 people.

Read the original article on cleveland.com. Add cleveland.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Somersworth Police Department in New Hampshire is searching for three people involved in a Saturday morning shooting.

Those suspects fled the scene and are possibly headed to Maine, police said in a social media post.

According to police, several callers reported gunshots around 1:21 a.m. near Depot Street.

Officers found shell casings and live rounds near a home where a fight is believed to have taken place, police said. Officers also discovered a vehicle and a separate home hit by gunfire. No injuries were reported.

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Police arrested Robert Stiffler, 48, of Somersworth, N.H., and charged him with reckless conduct and criminal threatening, both involving a deadly weapon. His arraignment is on April 6.

Several guns were also found during the investigation, according to officials.

Police asked anyone near Depot and Union streets to check their security cameras for possible footage of the incident and report it to investigators.

The incident appears to be isolated to the specific home and people involved, police said.

The investigation remains active. Police encourage anyone with information regarding the incident to contact them at 603-692-3131, or leave an anonymous tip at 603-692-9111 or online.

For the latest breaking news, weather, and traffic alerts, download the NEWS CENTER Maine mobile app.
In a glass case on the ground floor of the Kansas Statehouse is a 3-foot plaster model of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture. The model is the work of sculptor J.H. Mahoney, who in 1891 won a design contest to translate the spirit of the state into art.

The model is Mahoneys vision, in miniature, of a 15-foot tall bronze meant to perch atop the Capitols copper dome, then under construction. Held aloft in Ceres right hand is a torch. By her left side is a shock of wheat. She looks down, as if from her intended elevation of 304 feet, with a gaze both wise and benevolent.

Mahoney, an Indiana artist, dreamed for Kansas in vain.

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His Ceres never topped the Capitol dome because the project was soon abandoned by the Legislature. There were objections to the cost of the 4,000-lb bronze and concerns the statue wouldnt be recognizable from the ground. There was also downright hostility when lawmakers realized Ceres wasnt just a symbol of agriculture but was also a pagan goddess. Ceres and her Greek counterpart, Demeter, are associated with fertility, marriage, and the underworld.

During a recent visit to the Statehouse, I passed by the glass case that holds the statue of Ceres, a curiosity on display like Barnums Feejee Mermaid. I began to ponder the relationship between public buildings and the present moment. Many of our public spaces capture the mood of a time like poetry in stone.

Nothing expresses the horror of war like the massive sphinxes, their wings folded over their eyes, at the 1926 Liberty Memorial at Kansas City. The 1930s federal courthouse in downtown Wichita, with its mix of Art Deco and classical elements, is a testament to the power of government. The Gateway Arch at St. Louis, completed in 1965, is a vertigo-inducing monument to westward expansion.

Other public spaces, many located at the nations capital, have through time and memory come to evoke specific reactions in Americans. The Lincoln Memorial, dedicated in 1922, has scant mention of slavery in its inscriptions but over the decades has come to be identified with equality and free speech, because of the Civil Rights Movement and the anti-war protests of the Vietnam era.

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Other monuments have soured with time.

Statues of dead Confederates, mostly erected as expressions of white supremacy decades after the Civil War ended, began to come down across the country in the wake of protests after George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis in 2020. That year in Washington, D.C., an 11-foot statue of Albert Pike, a Confederate general, was toppled and set on fire by Black Lives Matter protestors. The statue was restored in October 2025 by the Trump administration, as part of its effort to return Confederate symbols to public spaces. The campaign is described by executive order as part of restoring truth and sanity to American history, but in practice it promotes racist ideology by purging discomfiting facts from the official narrative. It also disenfranchises Black people and other minorities by erasing their history from our public spaces.

President Donald Trumps efforts to reshape America in his white, privileged image has not been confined to an assault on truth.

He also started tearing stuff down.

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On Oct. 20, 2025, without prior notice or oversight, demolition began on the East Wing of the White House. Although Trump had earlier promised the wing would be untouched by construction of a new ballroom, the project had grown in scale. Its size, if completed as Trump envisions, would dwarf the existing White House  and block Pennsylvania Avenue, creating a physical barrier between two of the three branches of government. The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed suit in federal court to stop the project.

In a year that was filled with distressing news, the October 2025 photos of heavy machinery chewing away at the East Wing were a gut punch. The symbolism of Trump tearing down one wing of the White House to create a Versailles-like structure was inescapable. Another line on the way to authoritarianism had been crossed. He was treating the White House  and by extension, the nation  as if it were his own private property.

Our grip on democracy was loosening.

Fast forward five months, and our palms are even sweatier. The guy who knocked down the East Wing has now damaged Americas standing as the leader of the free world by picking an unprovoked war in the Middle East. Now it becomes clear that the White House demolition wasnt about a ballroom at all, but about what would be hidden beneath.

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On March 31, a federal judge granted the National Trusts request for a preliminary injunction to stop construction of the White House ballroom. Trump, wrote District Judge Richard J. Leon in a 35-page opinion, was a steward of the property for future generations of first families, and not the owner. He had to seek Congressional approval before proceeding.

After all, Leon wrote, the White House does not belong to any one man  not even a President!

The administration had argued that any delay would present a national security risk and expose the White House to damage, but the judge was unswayed.

While I take seriously the Governments concerns regarding the safety and security of the White House grounds and the President himself, Leon wrote, the existence of a large hole beside the White House is, of course, a problem of the Presidents own making!

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Leons emphatic opinion is likely to be only a temporary setback for Trumps ballroom. The GOP-controlled Congress, which failed to check him on the Iran war, is unlikely to raise so much as a speed bump for the $400 million project.

While Trump pitched the ballroom as necessary for hosting state dinners, his official reasoning has now changed to one of presidential security. The ballroom, he said, would have a drone-proof roof, bulletproof glass, biodefense systems, secure telecommunications, and major medical facilities. As reported by the New York Times, Trump referred to a massive underground complex beneath the structure and said the ballroom itself could be considered just a shed for whats under it.

What Trump appears to be building is a bunker, not a ballroom.

The Presidential Emergency Operations Center had been housed beneath the old East Wing. It was originally built for President Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II, was regularly updated, and on Sept. 11 was the secure location used by Vice President Dick Cheney and others. In 2020, Trump took shelter there during the first night of the George Floyd protests.

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But what Trump is building now appears to be far more elaborate than the PEOC that was demolished, along with the rest of the East Wing, in October 2025.

The military, Trump said March 28, is building a massive complex beneath the ballroom. It was supposed to be secret, the president said, but it became unsecret because of people that are really unpatriotic saying things.

What Trump seems to be describing is a presidential safe haven for a doomsday scenario. That would have been frightening enough during ordinary times  oh, remember those, Judge Leon!  but factor in an unstable president and an escalating war in the Middle East and its a Dr. Strangelove, DEFCON ONE freak show.

The buildings Trump cant tear down now display huge banners of his glowering face. In February, the Justice Department became one of the federal buildings projecting Trumps face into the public sphere, a chilling sign of the erosion of the traditional separation of the White House and the governments top prosecutors.

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There is apparently no limit to the public territory Trump wont deface with his brand. Even our money, a kind of pocket monument, is being transformed into propaganda. The longstanding prohibition against putting the face of a living president on our legal tenders is a political Rubicon that Trump has gleefully crossed.

Someday, a future historian (and if were lucky it will be a human historian, not something made of silicon chips or an alien species) will look back on our present moment and ponder why we didnt react with more alarm. All the signs were there. The turning point was when Trump began putting his signature on their money and his face on their gold coins. Flaunting tradition a time or two makes you a maverick. Violating every norm that has kept presidential power in check since the time of George Washington makes one a tyrant.

If civic spaces feel less safe now than they did on Jan. 19, 2025, its because they are. The government isnt supposed to be an agent of disruption. Yet, we have more to fear from the executive branch and its quislings in Congress than at any time in recent memory.

Just as Trump is transforming American democracy into something nearly unrecognizable, he is changing the nature of our public spaces. In Washington, hes disrupting the dignified geometry of Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. by turning it into a garish political theme park about himself. The ballroom-cum-bunker is just one of the blights. There are others, including a 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery to honor himself. These are not projects undertaken by a leader who has the best interests of American citizens at heart.

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Politicians, either from inclination or ignorance, seldom serve the best interests of their constituents. But at least they arent dead set on using them as cannon fodder, literally or metaphorically. And a government that moves with deliberate and sometimes hair-pulling slowness is preferable to one in a hurry to knock down norms and walls and fight it out in court later.

That brings me back to the story of the curiosity in the glass case on the ground floor of the Kansas Statehouse.

After the plan to place Ceres atop the Statehouse was abandoned, there wasnt anything up there save a lightbulb for the better part of 100 years. In 1980, the idea was revived by a committee that agreed something should be put on the dome, and perhaps it should be Ceres, but renamed as the Spirit of Kansas. The idea was doomed to fail because the original arguments over the Roman goddess resurfaced. Fred Weaver, a Democratic representative from Baxter Springs, summed it up when he said the people of Kansas would not suffer an idol to be placed atop their house of government.

A statue was eventually placed atop the dome, as even a casual student of Kansas history can tell you. It is Ad Astra, a 22-foot tall statue of a Kaw warrior with a drawn bow aiming at the North Star, sculpted by Salina artist Richard Bergen and installed in 2002.

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In 1984, the Kansas Legislature asked the state arts commission to coordinate a new effort for a Capitol dome sculpture. An initial phase allowed schoolchildren to choose the theme. Later, professional artists were asked to submit designs, and Bergens concept was chosen from a group of finalists.

The statue wasnt a bad choice. The drawn bow makes Ad Astra easily recognizable from the ground, and the name is taken from the state motto, to the stars through difficulty. Kansas is named after the Kaw nation. The statue is cheerful and even optimistic, if you can forget that we drove the Kaw out of Kansas in 1873.

Placing the finishing touch on the dome took more than a century, but thats not necessarily a bad thing. Yeah, it took a while. The choice may not have been the best, but it wasnt the wrong one, either. At least the process was transparent, if maddeningly glacial, and accompanied by robust public debate.

Our civic spaces are the stories we choose to tell about ourselves. History is written not just in books but in bronze and stone, and these monuments are the result of sometimes bitter disagreements about just who we are. The monuments that matter most arent about personalities, but ideals.

If Trump had been in charge of the Capitol dome, you know whose statue would be perched there. Like his ballroom, his coin, and his administration, it would stand for nothing.

Correction: This story has been updated with the correct spelling of Frederick Law Olmsteds name.

Max McCoy is an award-winning author and journalist. Through its opinion section, the Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday targeted the ruling Trinamool Congress over the Malda gherao incident, terming it "jungle raj sponsored by this ruthless government." Addressing a rally here for the assembly polls in the state, PM Modi said that when "judges and the constitutional process are not safe" how can there be expectation of the safety of the common people of Bengal. He said what happened in Malda is example of TMC's "maha jungle raj". "This ruthless government does not consider any constitutional institution as anything in front of itself. You have seen it just two or three days ago. The judges and citizens of the country were shocked by how judicial officers were held hostage in Malda. Think what kind of government is this? What kind of system is this? Where even the judges and the constitutional process are not safe," he asked. "How can we expect the safety of the common people of Bengal from these people? What happened in Malda was not just the insolence of TMC. This is the jungle raj sponsored by this ruthless government...," PM Modi alleged. The Prime Minister also slammed Trinamool Congress over its manifesto and said they are calling it "ishtehar". He said in 1905, religious forces issued the 'Red Ishtehar' in Bengal, after which Hindus were massacred. "In this game of appeasement, Bengal's great identity is being tarnished. You must have seen that TMC has just released its manifesto, but they didn't name it in the Bengali language; instead, they're calling it 'Ishtehar.' Just think about how they're changing Bengal's identity. You know, don't you, what 'Ishtehar' was used for in Bengal? In 1905, religious forces issued the 'Red Ishtehar' in Bengal, after which Hindus were massacred. TMC wants to remind us of that," PM Modi alleged . "You must not forget that this ruthless government is openly issuing threats... Such a disgusting game of appeasement, such a conspiracy to erase Bengal's honour and Bengal's culture. But now, enough is enough. Bengal has now decided to bid farewell to those who seek to change its identity...," he added. A major political storm had erupted in West Bengal as seven judicial officers, including three women, were gheraoed in Malda district on Wednesday. A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team on Saturday visited the office of the Malda Superintendent of Police (SP) and later investigated the Block Development Officer's (BDO) office in Kaliachowk, Malda in relation to the gherao incident. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee earlier accused the BJP of attempting to instigate unrest in Malda, alleging that outsiders were brought in to provoke violence. Banerjee alleged that the BJP plans to "cancel the elections and capture Bengal forcefully". The 294-member West Bengal Assembly will go to polls in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4. (ANI)
April 4 (UPI) -- ICE agents took the niece and grandniece of an Iranian general who was killed in 2020 in an airstrike during the first Trump administration into custody on Saturday.

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter were taken into custody after Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked their lawful permanent resident status earlier this week.

The State Department said in a press release that they were arrested based on Soleimani Afshar's promotion of Iranian regime propaganda, support for Iranian-linked terror organizations and celebration of attacks against American soldiers and military assets in the Middle East.

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"Until recently, Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter were green card holders living lavishly in the United States," Rubio said in a post on X.

"Afshar is the neice of Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani," he said. "She is also an outspoken supporter of the Iranian regime who celebrated attacks on Americans and referred to our country as the 'Great Satan.'"

Qassem Soleimani was killed on Jan. 3, 2020, in a U.S. military airstrike on his motorcade near the Baghdad airport during the first Trump administration, which Trump had ordered in retaliation for protesters storming the U.S. embassy in Baghdad days earlier.

Iran and its allies responded furiously at the death of one of its top generals, which included issuing arrest warrants to Trump and other members of his administration on charges of crimes punishable by death.

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The State Department said in its release that Soleimani Afshar, whose husband also has been barred from entering the United States, was an outspoken supporter of the Iranian region who promoted the dictatorship alongside posts of her "lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles."

Earlier this month, Rubio also terminated the legal U.S. status of Fatemeh Argeshir-Larijani, the daughter of former Secretary of the Supreme National Council of Iran Ali Larijani, and her husband Seyed Kanatar Motamedi, both of which the State Department said are not in the United States and have been barred from coming back.

Ali Larijani, who was one seniority level below the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike minutes after two Iranian state-run news agencies said he was about to release a statement about the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran.
Four decades after the case went cold, investigators have now identified a woman whose body was found in a remote Southern California ravine.

On Feb. 18, 1980, drivers spotted the womans body about 35 feet down a ravine off Highway 74, just south of Cahuilla in an unincorporated area near Palm Desert.

At the time, investigators described her as a white woman between 20-25 years old. She had hazel eyes, brown hair, stood 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighed about 115 pounds.

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Despite extensive efforts, including fingerprint and dental record comparisons, investigators were unable to identify the victim, the Riverside County District Attorneys Office said.

Victoria Jean Hargrove, 29, had gone missing on Jan. 28, 1980, from her home in Opelika, Alabama. Her body was found in a ravine in a remote area near Palm Desert, Riverside County on Feb. 18, 1980. (Riverside County District Attorneys Office) Victoria Jean Hargrove, 29, had gone missing on Jan. 28, 1980, from her home in Opelika, Alabama. Her body was found in a ravine in a remote area near Palm Desert, Riverside County on Feb. 18, 1980. (Riverside County District Attorneys Office)

Detectives asked the public for help, but no viable tips were received and the case eventually went cold. The womans cause of death could not be determined, but the case was investigated as a homicide.

In 2024, the Riverside County Coroners Office, with help from the Regional Cold Case Homicide Team, re-examined the case using new information and advances in forensic science, including forensic investigative genealogy.

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On Dec. 4, 2024, the womans remains were exhumed so that bone and tissue samples could be collected. The samples were sent to OTHRAM Labs, a private forensic laboratory, for DNA analysis.

In January 2026, a DNA profile was developed and uploaded to an ancestry database. A genealogist later identified a potential match to a close relative in Alabama. The family members were contacted and they agreed to provide DNA samples for comparison.

The family confirmed that a relative, Victoria Jean Hargrove, 29, had gone missing on Jan. 28, 1980, from her home in Opelika, Alabama. Her case was reported to local law enforcement at that time, but she was never seen again.

On March 20, 2026, the California Department of Justice Crime Laboratory successfully confirmed Hargrove as the womans identity. She had been reported missing just three weeks before she was found dead in California.

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Though her identity has been confirmed, the circumstances surrounding her death remain unclear. Investigators are seeking more information about her story, including what inspired her to travel to California that year.

Identifying Victoria Hargrove is just the next step in determining what happened to her and helping to get answers for her family, said Kristen Mittelman, Chief Development Officer at Othram.

Any leads, no matter how insignificant they may seem, can be reported, investigators said.

Investigators encourage individuals to consider submitting their DNA to reputable ancestry databases, as it can play a vital role in identifying unknown victims and advancing cold case investigations, the DAs office said. Voluntary DNA submissions help establish familial connections and bring long-awaited answers to families.

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Anyone with information about Hargrove or her death is urged to call Supervising Investigator Billy Hester at 951-955-0070 or email coldcaseunit@rivcoda.org.

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Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) posted a family photo from Disney World on Saturday  despite previously vowing in the press to boycott Disney for its woke policies.

In the post, Scott pre-empted gossip site TMZ, writing, Hey TMZ. Yes, Im at Disney with my grandkids. Should we be in DC? Yes! But I dont get to make that decision.

The post included a photo of Scott, his wife Ann, and their granddaughter.

Hey TMZ. Yes, Im at Disney with my grandkids. Should we be in DC? Yes! But I don't get to make that decision. pic.twitter.com/zUb7xOrFcd  Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) April 4, 2026

TMZ covered the story with the headline, In Your Face, TMZ!!! Im at Disney World and Proud of It!!! and called Scotts move a pretty good c**k block.

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Unclear what changed  but it seems the senator came to an understanding with Mickey and decided he wanted to be part of his world again, the article said.

It added, True, the leadership told members to skedaddle out of D.C., but what about the last 2 months, when NO ONE would bend, no one would compromise, and the victims were the people who hadnt gotten a paycheck in 6 weeks?

Scott wrote an op-ed in the conservative Washington Examiner in 2022 titled, No one wants a woke mouse in their house.

In it, he wrote, Disney used to be the happiest place on Earth, now its just woke central. He argued, Disney is mad that Florida will not allow teachers to talk to 5-year-olds about sex.

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Ive enjoyed taking my children and grandchildren to Disney World, and I really had no problems with Disney in my eight years as Floridas governor. But now, just like many huge corporations in America, its going woke. Its really a shame, Scott wrote.

He added, Maybe we should thank Disney for showing us who it really is. Ill tell you one thing  I wont be going back or watching Disney+ anytime soon, and I bet a lot more parents and grandparents are making that same choice.

In 2022 Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) signed the Parental Rights in Education Act, also known as the Dont Say Gay law. The Walt Disney Company came out against the legislation that limited discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools.

Scotts media tour at the time included Fox News, where he told Maria Bartiromo, I got rid of my Disney+, Im not planning on going back to the park. But these companies, it doesnt make any sense. They sit here and criticize us in America, but then theyll go to China, and its Okay that China puts a million people in prison for religion, takes away the basic rights of Hong Kong citizensbut then they want to criticize us for doing logical things.

The post Republican Senator Outs Himself in Disney Photo After Vowing to Boycott Woke Park first appeared on Mediaite.
Heritage campaigners are hoping to restore a church mosaic of Jesus on the cross by a Jewish refugee after it was partly painted over by "a well-meaning priest" in the 1980s.

The mural, which was listed Grade II in 2022, was created at Holy Rosary Church in Oldham by Hungarian artist George Mayer-Marton in 1955.

Nearly 20 years after he fled Austria before World War Two, he was commissioned by the Roman Catholic Church to design art for churches in north-west England, including one of the Pentecost at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Liverpool.

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Those responsible for the church in Oldam said the mural's restoration would put the town on the map.

Mayer-Marton used a rare combination of mosaic and fresco to portray the crucifixion, with Jesus flanked by his mother Mary and St John.

A spokesperson for the Save Britain's Heritage charity said: "Sadly the mural was partly painted over by a well-meaning priest in the 1980s and the church was shut in 2017 and targeted by vandals."

The exhibit is "a remarkable example of post-war mural art and the revival of the mosaic in Britain", according to the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The mural was partly painted over in the 1980s [Oldham Mural & Cultural Heritage Trust]

Ottilia Ordog, a director of the Manchester cultural organisation Beat Bazaar who is of Hungarian origin, described the mural as "very moving and very dazzling and sparkly".

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"It would definitely draw an international audience, so it would put Oldham on the map," she said.

"Not many people know about Hungarians and I think this is something that we are all very proud of."

A new trust has been set up to transform the former church, which was shut after the congregation declined, into a cultural centre focused on helping younger people.

Ms Ordog said: "We need to raise at least 2m in order to fix the roof, repair the building and make it usable, but we're going to be doing that in small steps."
Since before modern humans existed Rices whales have been diving to the depths of the ocean to gorge on fat-rich fish while growing to leviathan proportions, their bodies spanning the length of a bus and weighing as much as as six elephants.

Unfortunately for these grand creatures, their only home became a patch of the Gulf of Mexico that the oil and gas industry, much later, became highly interested in for drilling. Only about 50 of these baleen whales still exist on Earth, surrounded by clanging aquatic highways of boats and shifting drilling infrastructure.

Last week, unbeknown to the cetaceans, an existential moment arrived when the Trump administration made the extraordinary decision to scrap all protections for the Rices whale, along with other endangered marine life in the gulf, in service of an industry that has facilitated the overheating of our oceans and our atmosphere. It may result in the first extinction of a whale species in North American waters in 300 years.

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Nothing surprises me with this administration but if I was still capable of shock, this would do it, said Pat Parenteau, an environmental law expert at the Vermont Law School.

Unprecedented is too mild a term for it  its beyond belief. Donald Trump likes being first and if this is upheld he will be the first president to make the conscious decision to make a whale extinct. It will happen before our very eyes. What a black mark on our legacy that would be.

At a closed-door meeting at the Department of Interior that lasted barely 15 minutes, six Trump administration officials on Tuesday agreed to exempt the oil and gas industry from complying with endangered species laws in the Gulf of Mexico.

The panel formed under a rare gathering called the Endangered Species Committee, more informally named the God Squad because it essentially holds the power to decide whether a species lives or dies. It has only been convened three times, and not since 1992, when logging was allowed in the Oregon habitat of the northern spotted owl.

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Usually, a complaint from a state or business triggers lengthy reviews before a God Squad hearing. But in this case, the fate of imperiled whales, sea turtles and other at-risk species was in the hands of Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defense, who invoked national security for the exemption, the first such rationale given since the 1973 passage of the Endangered Species Act.

When development in the gulf is chilled, we are prevented from producing the energy we need as a country, Hegseth said at the meeting. Recent hostile action by the Iranian terror regime highlights yet again why robust domestic oil production is a national security imperative.

The US is the worlds leading oil and gas producer and the Endangered Species Act, which prevents harassment and harm to threatened species, has never stopped a drilling project in the gulf. Regardless, energy streams in the Gulf of America must not be disrupted or held hostage by ongoing litigation, according to Doug Burgum, the interior secretary.

In practice, this means that the Rices whale, listed as endangered in the US and critically endangered internationally, will be stripped of the modest safeguards oil and gas companies are required to observe, such as slowing boats in whale habitat and monitoring for the creatures when undertaking exploratory and drilling work.

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All of the major threats to the Rices whale, the only whale that spends almost all its time in US waters, stem from the oil and gas industry. The busy ship traffic in the northern Gulf of Mexico results in deadly vessel strikes upon the whales, which rest at the surface of the sea at night. The noise of seismic surveys, pipelines, cables and drilling also interferes with the whales communicative vocalizations, which include long moaning noises.

The catastrophic 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster, meanwhile, killed off about a fifth of all known Rices whales. Our industry has a long track record of protecting wildlife while developing offshore energy responsibly, claimed Andrea Woods, spokesperson for the American Petroleum Institute, which includes BP, responsible for the Deepwater disaster, in its membership.

Related: God squad waives endangered species law to allow US drilling in Gulf of Mexico

Despite not asking for the endangered species exemption, the oil and gas industry has welcomed the move. Over the long term, American energy leadership depends on getting that balance right through reasonable, science-based protections while meeting growing energy demand, Woods added.

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The Rices whale (Balaenoptera ricei), named after the late cetacean researcher Dale Rice, was only deemed a separate species in 2021 after federal scientists realized it was distinct from the similar Brydes whale (the two species differ genetically and in the shape of their enormous skulls).

It became immediately clear that the Rices whale was in a precarious position  it has a tiny population restricted to a small, busy slice of the gulf. It is also a bougie eater as Jeremy Kiszka, a biologist and marine mammal expert at Florida International University, puts it, preferring to feast only on fatty fish found at depths of several hundred meters.

Theres a lot of elements that make this species really vulnerable, Kiszka said. It is a species living on the edge. The more were going to drill, the more we are going to industrialize the gulf, the more likely we are to lose a species that is solely or primarily found in US waters. We can still save these animals, but the situation is dire.

The idea that a whale species could be completely snuffed out can appear anachronistic. Not since the North Atlantic population of gray whales were wiped out in the 1700s has a cetacean species been lost near the continent. Since the 1980s, when the end of whaling was declared, worldwide whale populations have rebounded strongly. The cessation of commercial whaling is one of the biggest conservation successes on Earth, said Kiszka.

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Still, many cetaceans  a group that also includes dolphins and porpoises  are menaced by global heating, marine pollution and stray fishing gear, with just a handful of vaquita, a type of porpoise, left in the Gulf of California and 384 remaining North Atlantic right whales, which get tangled in fishing ropes and nets.

But Rices whales are perhaps the most at-risk species of all, Kiszka said. They cant go anywhere, they dont have anywhere else, he said. You never know what you lose until theyre lost. I dont want to think that these animals are going to be gone anytime soon, really. Because if you do that, youre already grieving.

Trump has previously spoken of his distress at whales washing up dead on beaches but has, erroneously, blamed this upon the offshore wind turbines that he has sought to halt. The windmills are driving the whales crazy, the president has said, despite scientists pointing to other factors as the primary threats to whales.

Whales have another ostensible ally in cabinet  Robert F Kennedy Jr, the US health secretary, previously advocated for whales as an environmental lawyer and two decades ago sawed the head off a dead beached whale and strapped it to the roof of his car. Kennedy has, like Trump, claimed offshore wind turbines harm whales.

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The National Marine Fisheries Service, responsible for US stewardship of the oceans, did not answer questions on whether it now considers wind turbines a greater threat to whales than oil drilling, with a spokesperson stating that the committee voted in favor of the national security exemption, acknowledging the critical risks involved in restricting oil and gas activities in the Gulf of America [Trumps preferred name for the area of sea].

Related: Its nonstop: how noise pollution threatens the return of Norways whales

A host of environmental groups have sued to reverse the God Squads ruling, arguing it is illegal. You cant just wave a national security wand with no process and decide to make something extinct, said Parenteau. I dont think the courts will buy it. If somehow they do buy it, we may see national security used to justify anything, from timber sales to new datacenters for AI to more drilling.

This does all show how addicted they are to fossil fuels, even when it doesnt make any sense, he added of the administration. They are fossil addicts.

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Should the decision survive legal challenge and the Rices whale dwindles and dies off after a long tenure on Earth, it will mean the government had voted to knowingly eradicate every member of an entire whale species from our planet, said Dan Snyder, director of the Environmental Enforcement Project.

And for what benefit? our children will ask. So that large oil and gas tanker ships can travel just a little bit faster.
Its a straightforward part of the Easter story: The Roman governor Pontius Pilate had Jesus of Nazareth killed by his soldiers. He imposed a sentence that Roman judges often inflicted on social subversives  crucifixion.

The New Testament Gospels say so. The Nicene Creed, one of Christianitys key statements of faith, says Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate. The testimony of Paul, the first person whose preaching in the name of Jesus Christ is preserved in the New Testament, refers to the crucifixion.

But over the past 2,000 years, it was common for some Christians to deem Pilate almost blameless for Jesus death and treat Jews as responsible  a belief that has shaped the global history of antisemitism.

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Throughout medieval times, Easter was often a dangerous time for Jewish communities, whom Christians targeted as Christ-killers. This perception was integral to the hate that motivated mass violence in Europe as late as the 19th and 20th centuries, including pogroms in Russia and even Nazi genocide.

Why did Christian teachings practically let Pilate off the hook? Why did many Christians allege Jews were to blame?

The Gospels story

In the Gospels, the first four books of the New Testament, Pilate believes Jesus innocent of any crime. In some of them, he even proclaims so in public.

But the chief priests of the ancient Jewish temple at Jerusalem see Jesus as a charismatic and popular Jewish preacher who challenges their authority. They have Jesus arrested and tried before Pilate during the week of Passover.

Pilate schemes for Jesus release, but a riotous crowd clamors for his death. Pilate caves and decides to crucify Jesus, whom Christians believe rose from the dead three days later.

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Any reader of the Gospels knows the sequence, though it varies somewhat in each of them. The earliest Gospels, composed at least a generation after Jesus death, blamed the chief priests and attending crowd for persuading Pilate to have Jesus crucified. The Gospel of John, written some decades after the other three, portrayed Jews in general as responsible, and so did much of early Christian literature.

One account, written in the mid-second century or later, and not included in the New Testament, even claimed that Jesus crucifixion was not ordered by Pilate. Instead, it blamed Herod Antipas, the Jewish ruler of Galilee  the region where Jesus grew up. Other texts from after the first few centuries A.D. said that Pilate became a Christian.

Roman history

Scholars have long debated the historical facts of Jesus trial. In my 2025 book, Killing the Messiah, I do too.

The Gospel testimonies capture the basics of criminal trials before Roman judges, which were held in public. Judges posed questions to prosecutors and defendants, and had ample power to decide whether a person was innocent or guilty and impose a punishment.

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Writers who lived in the Roman Empire portrayed judges as capricious, unaccountable or swayed by menacing crowds. The Gospels reflect this attitude by making Pilate appear bullied into condemning an innocent man.

An illustration from the 14th century shows Pontius Pilate washing his hands to absolve himself as Christ is beaten before crucifixion. Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images

But from a historians viewpoint, there is a crucial problem with the Gospels description. Roman judges could and sometimes did face removal from office, property confiscation, exile or even death for executing clearly innocent people. In other words, it seems unlikely that Pilate would have proclaimed Jesus guiltless, but then conceded to pressure and condemned him anyway.

Other ancient writers describe Pilate as someone who was not above offending the Jews of Judaea. According to the first-century Jewish philosopher Philo and the historian Josephus, Pilate had his soldiers carry objects that honored Roman emperors into Jerusalem, which Jewish residents saw as sacrilegious. When crowds protested, he sometimes backed down. But his soldiers attacked an agitated crowd that opposed Pilates use of Temple money to build an aqueduct. They also massacred an insurrection of Samaritans  people who also claimed descent from Israelites.

Pilate did not cave to hostile crowds indiscriminately, or do whatever the chief priests wanted. Since Roman prefects like him had to coordinate with Jewish priests to govern Jerusalem, he likely viewed people who incited social disturbance against them as subversive. Jesus would have fit in that category, but neither Philo nor Josephus provides examples of Pilate killing people after acquitting them.

Growing divide

Why, then, did Pilate have Jesus crucified? As many scholars have argued, the simple answer would be that he believed Jesus committed some sort of sedition  not that the crowd simply pressured Pilate into doing so.

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Yet, when the Gospels were composed a generation after the crucifixion, they portrayed Pilate as convinced of Jesus innocence. As more time passed, other works of ancient Christian literature shifted accountability from Pilate to Jews.

CC BY-SA A mosaic showing St. Paul, one of the earliest apostles who preached after Jesus death, in the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy. Reserveacc/Wikimedia Commons

The experiences of Jesus early followers help explain this shift. They, like Jesus himself, were Jewish, and they considered him a heaven-sent Messiah. But over the course of the first and second centuries, they increasingly separated themselves from other Jews, until they began to see themselves as members of a non-Jewish movement: Christianity.

In Roman authorities eyes, the Christians were troublesome, and they sometimes faced prosecution and capital punishment. In addition, Rome had inflicted atrocities and punitive measures upon Jews after insurgencies  further motivating Jesus followers to distance themselves. Their literature became increasingly hostile toward Jews.

Historians and biblical scholars continue to debate why Pilate condemned Jesus. Was it for suggesting that he was the Messiah, or, in Pilates wording, King of the Jews? Did Jesus incite a crowd disturbance at the Temple during Passover  or were officials worried he could, even inadvertently? Were Jesus and his followers engaged in armed insurrection?

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But regardless of the answer, as I argue in my book, responsibility for the crucifixion lies with Pilate  not the chief priests and the Jewish crowd at Jerusalem.

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: Nathanael Andrade, Binghamton University, State University of New York

Read more:



Nathanael Andrade has received fellowship funding from the Andrew Mellon Foundation/the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton, the Institute for Research in the Humanities at the University of Wisconsin, and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked the lawful permanent resident status of Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter, the State Department announced Saturday. The department said federal agents arrested both women and that they are now in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.

The State Department identified Afshar as the niece of deceased Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani and her daughter as his grandniece. It said Afshar supported the Iranian regime while living in the United States and promoted pro-regime propaganda from inside the country.

The department said Afshar promoted Iranian regime propaganda, celebrated attacks against American soldiers and military facilities in the Middle East, praised the new Iranian Supreme Leader, denounced America as the Great Satan, and voiced her unflinching support for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

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U.S. officials have repeatedly accused Iran and its proxies of using regional financial networks to fund Hezbollah and other terrorist operations.

In a Saturday post on X, Rubio said Afshar and her daughter had been green card holders living lavishly in the United States. He added that Afshar is also an outspoken supporter of the Iranian regime who celebrated attacks on Americans and referred to our country as the Great Satan.

Until recently, Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter were green card holders living lavishly in the United States. Afshar is the niece of deceased Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani. She is also an outspoken supporter of the Iranian regime who celebrated attacks on  Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) April 4, 2026

Rubio wrote, This week, I terminated both Afshar and her daughters legal status and they are now in ICE custody, pending removal from the United States.

The State Department also said Afshars husband has been barred from entering the United States. Earlier this month, Rubio terminated the legal status of Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, daughter of former Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Larijani, and her husband Seyed Kalantar Motamedi. The department said both are no longer in the United States and are barred from future entry.

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Ali Larijani has previously surfaced in U.S. sanctions actions targeting senior Iranian officials and financial networks tied to regime repression and sanctions evasion.

As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the State Department revoked visas last year for foreign nationals accused of celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk, part of a broader effort to deny immigration benefits to foreign nationals accused of supporting violence against Americans.

The Trump Administration will not allow our country to become a home for foreign nationals who support anti-American terrorist regimes, the State Department said.
Federal officials have selected a second Black Hills mining proposal for an expedited permitting process.

The Bear Lodge Rare Earth Mining Project is on the Wyoming side of the Black Hills, and its expected to produce rare earth elements critical to alloy and magnet production.

It will be included in FAST-41, a federal process meant to improve coordination among permitting agencies and hold them accountable to deadlines. The 25-person federal Permitting Council says it can shave 18 months off a projects review time.

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The project has been stalled for several years by permitting, market saturation from China and challenges raising capital, according to reporting from the Cowboy State Daily. China processes a majority of the worlds rare earth elements.

Wyoming Republican U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis said the proposed mine will encourage American mineral independence.

The Bear Lodge Project in northeastern Wyoming is on track to become an important domestic source of critical elements like neodymium and praseodymium, which our defense systems and high-tech manufacturers depend on, Lummis said in a news release.

Rare earth elements have multiple uses, ranging from batteries and lasers to radiation shielding for nuclear reactions. A specific element identified for the Bear Lodge project would be used to make magnets for electric vehicle motors, wind turbines and other applications.

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The first fast-tracked Black Hills project  the long-lingering Dewey-Burdock uranium mining proposal in southwestern South Dakota  remains in progress on multiple permitting items, according to the federal infrastructure permitting dashboard.

The Dewey-Burdock project is named for rural locations near Edgemont along the southwestern edge of the Black Hills. It has been in the works for nearly two decades. It requires numerous federal, state and local permits, and has been mired in administrative and court appeals for years. The Black Hills Clean Water Alliance, NDN Collective and Oglala Sioux Tribe are among the projects opponents.

If the Dewey-Burdock permits are approved at the federal level, the state can begin its own permitting process. A spokeswoman with the company leading the project said she hopes it will begin development within the next couple of years.

The Bear Lodge Rare Earth project is proposed by Rare Element Resources, which would operate the mining and processing arms of the project. The company completed construction of a $60 million rare earth processing and demonstration plan in Upton, Wyoming, late last year.

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Rare Element Resources did not respond to requests for comment from South Dakota Searchlight.

The FAST-41 process was created by Title 41 of the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation Act, signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2015. It originally focused on transportation infrastructure. It was expanded to mining projects during the final days of Donald Trumps first presidential administration in 2021.

Trump signed an executive order last year directing federal officials to accelerate domestic critical mineral production, including copper, zinc, titanium and uranium. His administration is increasingly using FAST-41 to carry out the order.

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Several people, including a child, were seriously injured after a crash in south Phoenix on Saturday evening.

The crash happened at the intersection of Southern and 23rd avenues just after 6:30 p.m.

Two vehicles were involved. One person had to be extricated from a vehicle. In total, five people were transported to various hospitals in critical condition.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Coshocton County by the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh at 7:29 p.m. on Saturday, April 4.

Meteorologists warn of winds as strong as 60 mph.

The NWS warns: "Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds."

Coshocton County weather radar

What are NWS meteorologists saying?

At 7:29 p.m., the NWS issued a statement including the following information:

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"The National Weather Service in Pittsburgh has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for: Northwestern Coshocton County in east central Ohio, Until 8 p.m. EDT. At 7:29 p.m. EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 14 miles north of Frazeysburg, or 17 miles west of Coshocton, moving northeast at 55 mph.

HAZARD: 60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE: Radar indicated.

IMPACT: Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees. Locations impacted include: Warsaw, Nellie, Blissfield, Layland, Walhonding and New Guilford."

What is a severe thunderstorm warning?

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued when a storm is occurring or about to occur with winds of 58 mph or higher or hail one inch in diameter or larger, the National Weather Service says. These storms can also bring heavy rain and, in some cases, flooding or flash flooding.

Tips for staying safe during thunderstorms

Once inside a shelter, stay away from windows and avoid using electrical equipment or plumbing.

Keep a battery-powered weather radio nearby in case of power loss.

Secure loose objects outside, as they can become dangerous during high winds.

Bring pets inside, and if time allows, make sure fences are secure to prevent pets from escaping or running away.

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Also, remember lightning can travel several miles from a storm, so hearing thunder means you're within striking distance. The common advice from experts is "When thunder roars, go indoors."

How to stay safe around lightning

If indoors:

Stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that puts you in direct contact with electricity, according to the NWS.

Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths, faucets and even toilets, if you can.

Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.

Do not lie on concrere floors or lay against concrete walls.

If in a vehicle:

Ensure all windows are fully closed.

Refrain from touching radios, ignition systems, or any metal parts connected to the vehicle's exterior.

Stay inside the vehicle until at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder.

What to do if a vehicle is struck by lightning

Stay inside . Your car acts as a Faraday cage, directing the electricity around you and protecting you.

Keep hands on your lap and away from metal surfaces .

Do not touch the radio, dashboard, or any electrical components.

Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before exiting.

Ohio weather watches and warnings

Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text.

This weather report was generated automatically using information from the National Weather Service and a story written and reviewed by an editor.

See the latest weather alerts and forecasts here

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Coshocton County
BJP candidate from Mylapore Assembly constituency, Tamilisai Soundararajan, on Sunday, alleged that the Congress party is opposing the Women's Reservation Bill. Speaking to reporters, Soundararajan said that Congress is "blocking the way" and therefore stands against the Bill, adding that such opposition "cannot be excused." She emphasised that greater participation of women in politics would empower not only women but society as a whole. Praising the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said the country has witnessed significant progress globally under his guidance. "I stand here as a sister, as an elder in every one of your households. Piyush Goyal will not leave from here until Edappadi K. Palaniswami is made the Chief Minister. Please do not call me "Amma." I am not saying this because of my age--call me "Akka" (elder sister). In Tamil Nadu, there is only one "Amma," and that is J. Jayalalithaa. The thaali (sacred wedding thread) for my marriage was given by M. G. Ramachandran", she said. "The reason I resigned from the Governor's post and came here is that I do not want the throne of power; I want a place in the hearts of the people. I have not come here just to become an MLA from the Mylapore constituency. I have come to live as one among the people, as a member of their families. If every woman in Tamil Nadu is to feel safe, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government must be removed. M. K. Stalin says his competition is between Delhi and Tamil Nadu. He has no authority to speak about Narendra Modi," she said. "If Tamil Nadu is to hold its head high, then it must change--right now, Tamil Nadu is bowing its head. The true friend of the fishermen community is Prime Minister Modi. God has given me everything, but now He has allowed me to stand among the people and solve their day-to-day problems as one of them," she said. The Prime Minister installed the Sengol in Parliament. Similarly, when Edappadi Palaniswami becomes Chief Minister here, the Prime Minister will install the Sengol in the Tamil Nadu Assembly and deliver a strong political blow to the DMK, she added. The upcoming polls in Tamil Nadu will be held in a single phase on April 23, with counting scheduled for May 4. The election would cover a total of 234 constituencies.DMK is contesting on 164 seats, leading the Secular Progressive Alliance against the AIADMK-led NDA in Tamil Nadu. The main electoral contest in the State is expected between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), and the NDA led by AIADMK. However, actor-turned-politician Vijay will look to turn it into a three-way contest. (ANI)
Heres what youll learn when you read this story:

The Milwaukee sunk 137 years ago after colliding with another ship on Lake Michigan when a sudden fog engulfed the ships.

That wreck was discovered by the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association remarkably intact.

The team found the wreck after just a two-day search, thanks to sonar imaging.

When the steamship Milwaukee ran into a sudden fog on Lake Michigan in July of 1886, the ship also ran into something else: the C. Hickox. That collision was enough to sink the Milwaukee, even as the Hickox and the City of New York steamer worked to rig ropes to keep the ship afloat.

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Nothing worked, and two hours later, the Milwaukee hit the bottom of the lake40 miles from Holland, Michigan, in 360 feet of water. The ship wouldnt be seen again until the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association located it 137 years later in 2024.

News accounts of the accident, as well as the study of water currents, led us to the Milwaukee after only two days searching, Neel Zoss of the association said in a statement at the time. Within two days of sonar searching, the team located a wreck. And a few weeks later, the group piloted a remotely operated vehicle through excellent visibility and to find the remarkably intact Milwaukee.

We saw the forward mast still standing as the ROV headed down to the bottom, Jack van Heest, ROV pilot, said in a statement. The ship was resting upright on the bottom of lake, facing northeastjust as it was when it collided on that night in July of 1886.

The association has made it a mission to recover as many lost ships as possible in the lake. The Milwaukee marks the 19th shipwreck that the team has found off the shores of West Michigan.

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The fact that the Milwaukee was even out on Lake Michigan in 1886 was thanks to the Wall Street panic roughly 15 years prior. Commissioned in 1868 to join the Northern Transportation Company of Ohio (among the earliest steamship operators on the Great Lakes) the 135-foot-long Milwaukee had three deckstwo for freight and one for passengers. The dimensions of the ship were crafted to fit the Welland Canal locks, allowing the ship to easily maneuver between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie on its run between New York and Chicago.

The Milwaukee was a mainstay of the line, but with the 1873 Wall Street panic leading the country into a depression and the westward expansion of railroads, the Northern Transportation Company was forced to reorganize. Still a relatively young ship, the Milwaukee was purchased by W. W. Ellsworth and began a conversion in 1881 at Port Huron, Michiganturning the sleeping cabins into more space for wide cargo. Ellsworth then sold the ship, and by 1883, Lyman Gates Mason of Muskegon purchased the Milwaukee to move lumber from Michigan to Chicago.

The conversions made identifying the Milwaukee more difficult, Valerie van Heest said in a statement, adding that newspaper accounts of the sinking offered up some much-needed clues.

The Milwaukee had unloaded a cargo of lumber in Chicago and was headed to Muskegon to pick up another load. But the C. Hickox (a steamship the same size) was doing the equivalent in reverse, bringing lumber from Muskegon to Chicago. The ships were on identical headings on the calm lake, and at about midnight, the lookout on the Milwaukee spotted lights from the C. Hickox. Rules dictated that both ships were to slow down and turn right to avoid a collision, all while signaling their steam whistle.

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With clear visibility, neither captain slowed, according to the records. But then came a sudden thick fog. The Hickox captain tried to turn, but the chain on his steam whistle broke, not allowing him to signal the change. The Milwaukee captain didnt make a move. The fog momentarily parted, showing that even a final desperate turn was not enough for the fast-moving ships, as the Hickox smacked the side of the Milwaukee.

As all the crew escaped in lifeboats, the Hickox and the steamer (the City of New York, which was responding to a distress call) rigged ropes to keep the Milwaukee afloat. But two hours later, the ship was lost. Both captains suffered suspended licenses for failing to slow down in the situation.

With only historical accounts and a few pre-modified photos as reference, the association was excited to get a glimpse of the actual find. In studying the video, Craig Rich said in a statement, we realized that Lyman Gates Mason, who owned the Milwaukee, had made both the pilothouse and the aft cabin smaller in order to maximize the amount of lumber the ship could carry on each run.

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Police are investigating a shooting on the northeast side of San Antonio late Saturday night after a man reported being followed and shot at.

According to San Antonio police, officers responded around 11:45 p.m. to the 200 block of Goforth Street for a shooting in progress.

Investigators say a 37-year-old man was driving home when an unknown suspect began following him and then fired multiple rounds at his vehicle.

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The victim was able to call someone at his home to warn them.

When the victim arrived, police say his roommate came outside and fired a shot back at the suspects vehicle.

The suspect fled the scene and has not been located.

No injuries were reported.

Officers processed the scene and documented the incident. No arrests have been made.

The investigation remains ongoing.
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.

Is the famous "Shroud of Turin" a fake?. | Credit: Philippe Lissac via Getty Images

The Shroud of Turin, which some people claim is Jesus' burial cloth, contains the DNA of multiple people, along with a huge array of other species, including carrots, melons and red coral.

Some of the DNA traces suggest there's an influence from India, which could mean the cloth originated there, researchers argue in a new study.

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However, there was a notable absence of species traditionally associated with the Levant region and stories in the Bible. What's more, some of the plant species detected on the shroud did not arrive in the Old World until the 16th century, which suggests the shroud was contaminated centuries later, experts told Live Science.

Overall, the scientific evidence still firmly supports arguments that the Shroud of Turin is a medieval fake , they said.

Likely a fake

The famous shroud has moved around Europe for centuries, but the first documented mention of the shroud was in Lirey, a village in northern France in 1354, and even then, there were debates about whether it was an authentic relic from the crucifixion . The rectangular cloth measures 14.4 by 3.6 feet (4.4 by 1.1 meters) and bears the faint image of a man and numerous stains, some of which are claimed to be blood.

The most robust evidence for the shroud's age comes from a carbon-dating analysis carried out in 1989 , which placed the shroud's creation between 1260 and 1390, firmly in the medieval period. And last year, work revealed that the human image on the shroud probably resulted from the cloth being laid on a low-relief sculpture .

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Some Christian scholars still believe the shroud is genuine and dates back 2,000 years. Yet there is no evidence that the multishaft looms required to manufacture the type of cloth in the shroud existed in Europe, India or the Levant region 2,000 years ago.

"These structures need a loom with four shafts that was invented in the Middle Ages [in Europe]," Andrea Nicolotti , a historian at the University of Turin who wasn't involved in the work, told Live Science.

Analyzing the DNA

In 2015, Gianni Barcaccia , a professor of genetics and genomics at the University of Padova in Italy, and his colleagues suggested that the Shroud of Turin may have been made in India , based on a genetic analysis of samples collected from the shroud in 1978.

More powerful genomics techniques are available now, so Barcaccia and his colleagues did a new DNA and metagenomic analysis on the samples from 1978 to determine which species any traces of DNA came from. The research was posted to the preprint server bioRxiv March 22 and has not been peer-reviewed yet.

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The researchers found human DNA that seems to have come from multiple people, one of whom was the person who collected the samples in 1978. Bacterial species accounted for 10% to 31% of the DNA. Barcaccia's team noted the presence of DNA from Mediterranean red coral (Corallium rubrum), which suggests "Mediterranean origins or transit through Mediterranean regions."

Even if the coral came from a particular place, however, it doesn't mean the shroud was there, too, Nicolotti noted. "Red coral perhaps makes people think of the sea of Palestine," he said, adding that there was a much more likely scenario for how coral ended up on the shroud. "It makes me think of the coral crucifixes and rosaries, or reliquaries that we know were placed in contact with the cloth."

Barcaccia's team found that cats and dogs accounted for about 44% of the animal DNA, but there were also traces from chickens, cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, horses, deer and rabbits. In addition, there were slight traces of skin mites, ticks and an assortment of fish.

We are confident that this diversity of animal and plant species identified highlights the significant environmental contamination of the shroud that likely occurred in recent centuries, particularly following the voyages of Marco Polo and Christopher Columbus Gianni Barcaccia, professor of genetics and genomics at the University of Padova in Italy

Plants species were richly represented too. Carrot DNA provided about 31% of the plant DNA. But there was also DNA from wheat, maize, rye, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, melons or cucumbers, and peanuts, as well as traces of grasses, bananas, almonds, walnuts and oranges.

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Some of these plants may reflect typical agricultural practices in Europe and the Mediterranean, the study authors wrote, but some of those plants, such as bananas, potatoes, peppers and tomatoes, were introduced to Europe mainly from the Americas in the 16th century and later. And the carrot DNA is genetically similar to cultivars bred from orange carrots originally grown in Western Europe between the 15th and 16th centuries, which suggests relatively recent contamination, Barcaccia told Live Science via email.

"We are confident that this diversity of animal and plant species identified highlights the significant environmental contamination of the shroud that likely occurred in recent centuries, particularly following the voyages of Marco Polo and Christopher Columbus," he said.

Notably, some species historically associated with the Mediterranean region were lacking.

"The vast range of animal and plant material doesn't seem indicative of any particular environment, but I note the absence of olives, dates, pomegranates, camels and of course myrrh and aloes," Hugh Farey , an independent researcher who runs a blog called The Medieval Shroud and wasn't involved in the work, told Live Science via email.

I try to imagine how many people must have touched the shroud, all the instruments used by the American scholars in 1978, and even who may have touched and made the brushes that were used to dust the shroud periodically, Andrea Nicolotti, historian at the University of Turin

Human DNA can be transferred to an object with or without touch , and its the same with DNA from other animals and plants, so many traces may have ended up on the shroud due to its public displays in medieval cities. "All the vegetables make me think of the market that is 100 meters [330 feet] from the square where public exhibitions were held for centuries in Turin, or of the dust of Chambery when the Shroud used to be displayed along a tree-lined avenue," Nicolotti said.

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The researchers dated a couple of threads in the shroud, one to between 1451 and 1622 and the other to between 1642 and 1800. These dates align with when the shroud was repaired in 1534, not long after it was damaged by fire, and in further conservation work in 1694, the team noted.

Importantly, none of the new findings contradict the definitive carbon-dating analysis carried out in 1989, Nicolotti said.

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Reliquary of the Holy Crib: Remains of Jesus' manger from Bethlehem

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However, what's more controversial is Barcaccia and colleagues' interpretation that nearly 40% of the human DNA found on the shroud is from Indian lineages, suggesting "the possibility that the yarn was produced in India."

Nicolotti doesn't think the shroud is likely to have come from India and remains convinced it is a forgery originating in medieval Europe as the carbon dating from 1989 implies. He is also not surprised that a range of human DNA was found on the cloth.

"I try to imagine how many people must have touched the shroud, all the instruments used by the American scholars in 1978, and even who may have touched and made the brushes that were used to dust the shroud periodically," he said.
As a small business owner, I know how important it is for policymakers to stay connected to the people creating jobs on Main Street  especially as we navigate new technologies like artificial intelligence. A recent Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Voices survey found that 76% of small business owners already use AI, and 93% say its helping their business. The biggest gains are in efficiency: 84% say AI saves time, and 87% say it augments employees rather than replaces them.

Still, only 14% have fully integrated AI, often due to limited expertise or uncertainty about tools. Seventythree percent say they need more training and resources. The bipartisan AI for Main Street Act would empower the Small Business Administration and Small Business Development Centers to provide that support, and 85% of owners in the small business survey back it. I urge Senators Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters  and the full Senate  to act quickly.

Hana Abboud

This letter writer is the owner of Hana Abboud, a designer-led, semi-couture bridal studio in Dearborn.

Dittrich Furs closing

The closing of Dittrich Furs marks the end of a long chapter in Detroits retail history.

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It also reflects a broader shift already underway. Across the fashion world, consumers and designers are moving away from animals skins in favor of innovative, cruelty-free materials that align with modern values. Many major brands have already made this transition  and thrived.

On fur farms, animals are often confined to small cages before being killed, often by gassing or electrocution. In nature, traps can leave animals suffering for days. Labels like sustainably sourced or humane dont change that reality.

As legacy businesses retire, Detroit has an opportunity to look forward by supporting ethical, forward-thinking fashion. Progress is how cities  and industries  move forward.

Scott Miller

This letter writer from Norfolk, Virginia is a writer at the PETA Foundation.

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Norfolk, Virginia

Labor organizing is core to Michigans childcare crisis

Central to our states problem with childcare is that policymakers treat it as a private market to be optimized for profit, rather than essential public infrastructure for all.

As a Michigan resident, Im encouraged by early efforts to organize childcare workers here ("As Michigan's childcare costs rise, workers debate risks of unionizing," March 30). Many earn barely above minimum wage, and the tight margins make it impossible to raise wages without raising costs for parents.

Research from the Roosevelt Institute shows the success of organizing elsewhere. In California, providers won higher reimbursement rates, better benefits and more stable funding. In Connecticut, unionized providers gained wage increases and professional development funds.

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Equally important, organizing can build solidarity between providers and parents, creating a constituency capable of securing lasting public investment.

Organizing Michigans childcare workers could be the first domino in a chain that raises wages, lowers costs for families and strengthens our states economy.

Suzanne Kahn

Ann Arbor

Plug-in solar could drop utility bills

We're all dealing with skyrocketing utility bills. A great way to defray the rising costs of energy is to employ plug-in solar. A household will be able to cut their energy bill substantially, reduce the strain on the grid and cut climate pollution. Unfortunately, there are regulatory barriers to implementation of plug-in solar in most states, including Michigan. Only Utah currently has laws legalizing plug-in solar.

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State Rep. Will Snyder, D-Muskegon, recently introduced House Bill 5764, bipartisan legislation which would allow consumers to install a plug-in solar system with an output of up to 1,200 watts without the burdensome requirements associated with large rooftop solar systems, such as interconnection agreements.

Let's all get behind this legislation and make Michigan a leader in plug-in solar!

David Gurk

Ann Arbor
Residents and motorists in Putnam County are being warned of worsening smoky conditions as the Pace Court Fire continues, prompting the Florida Forest Service to issue an updated advisory for the Interlachen area.

Smoke warning signs have been posted at two intersections  State Road 20 at Keuka Road and State Road 20 at Royal Way  as crews press forward with mop-up operations targeting remaining hot spots.

Those traveling through the Interlachen area should anticipate intermittent smoke, and at times combined smoke and fog, particularly near Keuka Road, south State Road 21 and State Road 20A.

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According to the Forest Service, these hazardous visibility conditions are expected to persist until the region receives substantial, saturating rainfall.

Residents and commuters can expect smoke, and at times smoke and fog conditions, near the fire area in Interlachen ... off and on for the foreseeable future until the area receives substantial saturating rainfall, states the Florida Forest Service.

Officials also explained that unburned vegetation remains inside the established containment lines, posing a continued risk of renewed fire activity. Of particular concern is needle cast, which are pine needles scorched during the fire that fall to a still-hot forest floor and provide fresh fuel, which can reignite smoldering material and contribute to ongoing smoke.

The Florida Forest Service is urging anyone traveling through the area to exercise caution due to reduced visibility.

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>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
SOMA West Neighborhood Association accuses city of extreme poverty containment

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  The SOMA West Neighborhood Association (SWNA) has filed a civil rights complaint against the City and County of San Francisco over its allegedly creating a containment zone to concentrate extreme poverty to the SOMA neighborhood.

In the 47-page complaint, SWNA claims that the city has violated its housing policies, which states that the City must make efforts to spread the unhoused population evenly throughout San Francisco, and systematically forced the majority of the unhoused population to SOMA while shielding more affluent West Side neighborhoods.

SOMA is proud to do our part to support the Citys most vulnerable, and we are proudly pro-housing, Leah Edwards, SWNA Board Member, said in a news release. But being pro-housing does not mean consenting to an illegal containment zone.

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Edwards said the SOMA neighborhood holds 28 percent of San Franciscos shelter beds while only holding 11 percent of the citys unhoused population, while one-third of the housing in the neighborhood is restricted affordable housing.

The SWNA describes a containment zone as an area where a municipality concentrates vulnerable populations into one space and then reduces basic services. The complaint claims that SOMA residents wait significantly longer for police response compared to the Citywide median and has deliberately been starved of green infrastructure, leaving the neighborhood with a mere 2.7 percent tree canopy compared to the Citywide average of 12.8 percent.

We are simply asking the City to follow the law, equitably distribute these services, and say yes in your backyard too,' Edwards said.

For more details, read the full 47-page complaint and SWNAs blog post

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.




The secret is out: A new hiking destination along the Sonoma Coast allows visitors to walk down to a beautiful beach that was all but off-limits to the public for more than a century.

Visitation there has surged - and the question is, what to do about it.

Perched on the grassy hills of Bodega Bay overlooking the ocean, the Estero Americano Coast Preserve opened to daily visitors earlier this year. A wave of media attention celebrating the site's fresh hiking trails and access to a wide sun-soaked beach ensued, and the resulting spike in sightseers caught nearby neighbors off-guard.

Scenes from the new Estero American Coast Preserve in Bodega Bay. The preserve has seen surges of visitors since opening in early 2026, prompting conversations about how to manage crowds and congestion. (Gregory Thomas / S.F. Chronicle)





Planners had anticipated that the preserve would be an attraction and that visitation would tick up during the sunny summer season. But on a warm Sunday in January, trail counters at the preserve registered about 1,200 hikers.

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The preserve's entrance is located along a narrow street at the edge of a quiet subdivision. There is no parking area on the preserve land - and at certain times during the first weeks after the preserve fully opened, cars jammed up side streets around the site's sole trailhead.

"It has completely paralyzed the neighborhoods," John Loughlin, whose home is near the preserve entrance, told the Chronicle at the time. "We're delighted to have access to this beautiful place and we think it's important for visitors to come and enjoy it, but this is a problem of overuse.

"It's a challenging question," he continued. "What's an appropriate level of use for a preserve near a quiet residential community?"

Uproar from local homeowners, coupled with concerns from the local fire district about emergency access, prompted a quick vote from the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors to red-zone curbs along the residential sides of the main roads to the preserve. Dozens of No Parking posts were installed last month.

Scenes from the new Estero American Coast Preserve in Bodega Bay. The preserve has seen surges of visitors since opening in early 2026, prompting conversations about how to manage crowds and congestion. (Gregory Thomas / S.F. Chronicle)





The early swell of activity has subsided into a more manageable drumbeat of visitors, according to the Wildlands Conservancy, which owns and manages the preserve.

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At the trailhead on a recent balmy Friday afternoon, three women from the North Bay wearing ball caps and sunshirts applied sunscreen before setting out into the preserve. When asked what inspired them to explore this remote corner of the Sonoma Coast, one of the hikers, Brenna Schlagenhauf, cheerfully replied, "The controversy!" They all chuckled.

Another one of the hikers, Cat Cowles, of Inverness, said she empathized with homeowners near the preserve. "We have a lot of tourists coming through our town, too, so we understand their pain."

"I'm surprised they were allowed to open to the public without parking," said the third hiker, Annie O'Hare.

Scenes from the new Estero American Coast Preserve in Bodega Bay. The preserve has seen surges of visitors since opening in early 2026, prompting conversations about how to manage crowds and congestion. (Gregory Thomas / S.F. Chronicle)





County leaders, residents and the conservancy agree that more preparations needs to be made to temper the impacts of peak visitor days.

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Sonoma County Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, who oversees the county's vast, rural west side, suggests launching a shuttle service on the coastal highways around Bodega Bay. It could function similarly to a nascent shuttle operation at the nearby Russian River that carries summer tourists and river floaters along the narrow highway east of Guerneville, she said.

"It doesn't solve for everything, but it would take that pressure off," Hopkins said. "The more we can get folks out of their single-transit vehicles and into some sort of shuttle, the less congestion we'll see."

Hopkins said there aren't specifics for a shuttle route around the Estero preserve yet, but a working group will convene in May to discuss permanent, long-term management strategies at the preserve.

Another proposal is to add a parking lot on the preserve property. While a project like that would likely require approval from the California Coastal Commission and take months, if not years, to come to fruition, that's the preferred option among many local residents, according to Tracy Amiral, president of the board at the Bodega Harbour Homeowners Association, which represents residents in the adjacent subdivision. The HOA commissioned an informational website that seeks to organize the perspectives of the various stakeholders and outlines several potential parking lot layouts.

Scenes from the new Estero American Coast Preserve in Bodega Bay. The preserve has seen surges of visitors since opening in early 2026, prompting conversations about how to manage crowds and congestion. (Gregory Thomas / S.F. Chronicle)





"We're not married to any one (parking proposal)," Amiral said. "We're happy to talk about what works best for the community. Let's winnow these down and see if we can all agree on one."

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In a statement, the Wildlands Conservancy attributed the spike in the visitation to the wave of media attention early this year and indicated its intention to participate in the upcoming working group meetings to flesh out long-term measures of managing visitors. "We will continue to work closely with our partners and neighbors to monitor visitation and find appropriate solutions."

This article originally published at A stunning new California beach preserve has drawn hordes of visitors. Where should they park?.
In the spring of 2015, on a sunny California day, I sat chatting with my nephew, Isaiah.

My therapist said faith can straighten what nature bent, he leaned in and told me.

Also Read: I Am On The Verge Of Receiving The Highest Honor Of My Career. I Have To Face ICE To Get It.

As a trauma therapist, I found his treatment in the therapy room deeply troubling.

This week, the United States Supreme Court ruled against a Colorado state law barring the practice of conversion therapy and sent the case back to a lower court for a stricter review. In an 8-1 decision, the justices found that these bans violated the First Amendment. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, reading, it threatens to impair States ability to regulate the provision of medical care in any respect. The treatment does medical harm  First Amendment rights are not the issue here.

As the Supreme Court delivers decisions that will irrevocably alter our democracy, independent journalism is more vital than ever. Your support helps HuffPost hold power to account and keep you informed at this critical moment. Stand with the free press. Become a member today.

Conversion therapy attempts to change a clients ****** orientation, gender identity or gender expression. It tries to make LGBTQ+ individuals heterosexual or cisgender. It is a fraudulent practice that does not work, and whats more, it is capable of doing profound  even deadly  harm.

Politics: Supreme Court Rules Against Law Banning Conversion Therapy For Minors

As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I have witnessed firsthand the deep damage this type of therapy inflicts, including clients who experience trauma, shame, depression and suicidality because of it. I had advised against it for my nephew and explained that this supposed cure for homosexuality is considered abusive and unacceptable in the professional community, as it threatens the lives of countless LGBTQ+ youth.

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Major medical organizations, among them theAmerican Psychological Association, declared ****** orientation change efforts harmful. The practice is rejected by every major medical and mental health organization because it has been proven to cause measurable psychological damage.

Experts agree that the approach is an extremely dangerous practice, and it was abandoned by the American Medical Association in 1994. A 2020 report by the Williams Institute found that LGB people who have undergone conversion therapy [are] almost twice as likely to attempt suicide as those who have not. This is on top of the already alarming rates of attempted suicide (12%) or suicidal ideation (39%) that LGBTQ+ youth said they experience.

My fears proved well-founded. The treatment scarred Isaiah, and when he recently came to me and shared what he had endured, he told me, It was so scary. They didnt allow parents. I had to go in there alone and sit in front of a man I didnt know. He added, his questions came rapid fire and full of judgment. I dont remember all the details.

Politics: Supreme Court Prepares To Decide If Therapists Can Practice Conversion Therapy

I wasnt surprised when he apologized for not remembering. Isolation and disassociation are common side effects of conversion therapy. When a child endures a distressing experience, the brain and nervous system respond by pulling away from the self. The bodys fight or flight system creates a numbing distance from thoughts and feelings as a way to survive the pain.

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While he has experienced memory gaps, Isaiah does recall important sobering truths. He remembers the therapist sitting across from him and asking, Do you have thoughts of a ****** nature toward men? Isaiah was confused about how to answer. Should he tell the truth or lie? When he told the truth, his homework was punishing, and the shame spiral was intense. When he began to lie, the pressure let up and so did the homework. He quickly learned to lie.

The therapist tried to fix me and make me normal, Isaiah explained. For example, he said I was sitting too girly  not manly enough. This created a core wound for him. Being told that the way you sit is defective may sound trivial to some people, but it strikes at something profound. It told him that his most natural, unguarded self is somehow inherently wrong  not what he did but simply how he exists in a moment of rest. That is a violation of a client who is in a vulnerable position. It goes against everything therapy strives to be.

As therapists, our training requires us to do no harm and the majority of therapists consider conversion therapy to be destructive  both psychologically and emotionally. Thebasis of conversion therapy is that homosexuality is a sin, and its the therapists job to convert the child and make them normal. Its akin to telling a person they are fundamentally broken and need to be fixed, or that they have a disease when no disease exists.

Also Read: A Letter Of Forgiveness To My Neighbor, Who Went On TV To Mock My Faith

Like many children forced to undergo this kind of treatment, when the interventions did not work, Isaiah internalized the failure.

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It made me feel bad about who I am, he explained, admitting that the shame ruined his ability to have healthy relationships. Trust became a big issue. It will always be something Im working on.

It affected my identity, he added. I wanted to come out sooner, but I was scared. It stifled my growth. Their biggest tool is shame. I became ashamed of who I was.

The choice to place Isaiah in conversion therapy came at a steep price. The words caught in his throat when he told me that suicide was a real consideration at that time.Dark thoughts crept in during quiet moments.

Also Read: I Just Learned About 'Potted Plant' Parenting  And Let Me Just Say, No Thanks!

From the outset, the odds were stacked against Isaiah. In the small Christian community he called home, he was already feeling isolated and alone. Isaiah ended up in a deep depression as he repressed his sexuality and hid his young life from view. He experienced overwhelming feelings of worthlessness, guilt, and sadness at an age thats already difficult for almost every young person.

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Conversion therapy tried to change me, Isaiah told me. Indeed, my sweet, happy, talented nephew did change, but it was not in the way his church had hoped. Instead of becoming straight, he learned to lie and keep secrets. He realized the only way out of the treatment was to say, Im healed. I dont have those thoughts anymore. And thats how he got out of it. He receded deeper into the closet, pretending to be the way they wanted him to be, and he didnt come out until years later.

The following year, Isaiah found drama club and acting and starred in every play his performance troupe put on for the entirety of high school. He then went on to a renowned drama conservatory.

College was a transformative moment for me, he revealed. I saw gay men living openly, and I think it clicked something in my brain and changed everything. This is what it feels like to be free of the shame thats holding me back.

As a result of that acceptance from the LGBTQ+ community, he found the courage to come out at 19, but the psychological damage hed suffered didnt fade.

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Truly, I dont think I will ever be over it, he said. You know its always gonna be something where Im working to be better  to deconstruct all that stuff.

Despite the scars, Isaiah now lives in New York City, where hes enjoying his best gay life running a high-end interior architecture gallery.

People need to know that conversion therapy is not helpful for anyone, he explained. They need to be educated about how terrible it is.

This ban was extremely important because it protected a vulnerable population from coercion disguised as treatment. Now, with the Supreme Courts ruling, countless young LGBTQ+ kids could be at risk and some will choose to end their lives after experiencing the torture of conversion therapy. Their blood will be on the hands of these justices.

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Looking back, I realize now my nephew was lucky to have survived such a traumatic experience. As both a therapist and a mother figure in his life, Im grateful hes still with us. When I asked Isaiah what he wanted people to understand about conversion therapy, he said, Its the most damaging thing you can do to a young person. Youre abusing them. Its mental abuse.

Note: This essay has been updated to clarify and more accurately describe the Supreme Courts decision.

If you are in crisis, here are a few resources that could help:

The Trevor Projectis the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people, providing information and support 24/7, 365 days a year.

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988 Lifeline: Call, text, or chat with the 988 Lifeline for 24/7, free, and confidential support in a crisis.

911: If a youth is in immediate danger, call 911 and inform the operator that it is a mental health emergency. You can request aCrisis Intervention Trained (CIT) officer in your state.

Melissa Garner Lee is a novelist and marriage and family therapist whose writing and clinical work explore trauma healing. Her debut novel The Gleaner examines womens rights through the lens of 1960s California. Her therapy practice specializes in womens trauma recovery, while her essays examine contemporary issues through the lens of mindfulness and psychological resilience.

Do you have a compelling personal story youd like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what were looking for here and send us a pitch at pitch@huffpost.com.

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Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost.

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Joseph Buxbaum was initially unconvinced. When early hints of a connection between autism and Alzheimers began to appear in the medical literature a few years ago, they struck him as implausible - one a condition of early brain development, the other driving decline in old age.

But the signals kept accumulating, and over time, his skepticism gave way to a new line of inquiry that could transform scientists understanding of the two diseases.

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I came to this kicking and screaming. I didnt want to believe it, said Buxbaum, a professor of psychiatry, neuroscience and genetics/genomic sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Autism has long been treated almost exclusively as a childhood condition, with little attention paid to how it evolves with age. First formally recognized as a distinct diagnosis in 1980, it went largely unidentified in older generations. Only recently - as awareness grew and the first large diagnosed cohort reaches middle age - have researchers begun to study autistic adults in later life.

The data remains sparse: An analysis published last year found that just a tiny fraction of the more than 40,000 autism papers published between 1980 and 2021 included people over 50. But the number of studies about aging with autism is growing rapidly. Advances in brain imaging, DNA sequencing and molecular biology are revealing remarkable overlaps between autism and Alzheimers, scientists say - in genes, in neural circuitry, even in patterns of disease.

The idea that two conditions at opposite ends of life might be biologically linked is beginning to upend long-standing assumptions in brain science, blurring a divide that has shaped the field for decades. Now, some researchers have begun to see the two as intertwined: that understanding Alzheimers may require looking back to how the brain develops, and that insights into autism might, in turn, reshape how we understand Alzheimers itself.

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Much of the research is still early, and in some cases conflicting and speculative, and it does not yet show that autism and Alzheimers are part of a single biological continuum. But the implications are profound: Both conditions remain mysterious and difficult to treat, and studying them together may open new paths for intervention.

There are strong indications that something is going on - that the traditional differences demarcate neurodevelopment versus neurodegeneration may be fairly artificial when it comes to biology, said Andy Shih, chief science officer of Autism Speaks, an advocacy group that funds research and is increasingly focused on this emerging area.

Unexpected risk

Separated by decades, both autism and Alzheimers take root in the same living circuitry - the human brain - a network of billions of neurons and trillions of synapses, constantly wiring and rewiring itself over a lifetime. In one, those connections form differently; in the other, they slowly come undone.

The connection first drew attention in the late 1990s to early 2000s, with unsettling findings: case reports of autistic adults developing dementia at a young age, followed more recently by larger, population-level studies suggesting elevated risk for this group.

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Hard numbers are elusive. Many people now over 65 were never identified, making it difficult to estimate how many are on the spectrum. But if prevalence mirrors that seen in children - roughly 1 in 31 - researchers say the number could be as high as 1.97 million. And with 1 out of 9 Americans that age with Alzheimers, the overlap could be roughly 220,000 people.

Brian Lee, an epidemiologist at Drexel University, pointed to a 2021 analysis of Medicaid records published in Autism Research which found that people with autism were about 2.6 times more likely to be diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimers and related dementias compared with the general population. (The work was replicated in 2025 in a JAMA research letter that reached similar findings using Medicaid and Medicare data.)

Autisms links to other brain disorders may extend beyond Alzheimers, with some studies pointing to a higher risk of Parkinsons disease - a neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement, causing tremors, stiffness and slowed motion.

That work has led to a cascade of questions. Some are more practical, focused on individuals health over a lifetime. Do communication barriers make it harder to receive adequate medical attention? Are routines around exercise different? What are the long-term effects of medication? And could coordination challenges lead to more head injuries? Alongside all of this is another factor: higher lifetime stress.

The idea is that autism as a condition leads to lifestyle changes that might predispose neurodegeneration. Brian Lee

The idea is that autism as a condition leads to lifestyle changes that might predispose neurodegeneration, Lee said.

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But health habits and environment alone do not seem to explain the pattern. Increasingly, researchers are finding that the overlap runs deeper - into the biology itself.

Faltering synapses

Nowhere is the overlap between autism and Alzheimers more apparent - nor more concrete - than in the growing list of shared genes. A 2025 review published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences identified at least 148 genes in common, many of them tied to the same fundamental processes that shape and sustain the brain over time.

The list of shared genes is long - and still growing. MECP2, ADNP, GRIN2B, SCN2A, NLGN, CNTNAP2: Many of them are deeply involved in how brain cells connect, signal and adapt over time.

Not all of their functions are fully understood, but taken together, they point to a common thread: Changes in the number, quality and placement of synapses - the junctions where neurons communicate - may shape how minds take form and, later, unravel.

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Among the common genes is SHANK3, one of the most well-known in autism.

In autism, mutations in SHANK3 - which encodes a protein of the same name that acts as a kind of structural framework at synapses, helping neurons communicate - can disrupt those connections early in development, altering how neural circuits are built. In Alzheimers, levels of the same protein have been found to decline as the disease progresses, a shift that is associated with the gradual loss of connections.

Buxbaum, who has spent decades studying Alzheimers, is probing this overlap directly.

In his lab, mice engineered with SHANK3 mutations and autism-like characteristics are trained to navigate mazes - first to learn a location, then to relearn it after the rules change. As they age, the mice struggle to adapt, taking longer to relearn the task. The deficits echo a hallmark of Alzheimers: impaired cognitive flexibility.

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Yet the mice present a paradox. Despite these impairments, they are unusually resistant to developing full-blown dementia-like pathology. So you have to double or triple down in introducing bad things into the mouse brain to even get something that looks like Alzheimers in a mouse, Buxbaum said.

While mouse brains are commonly studied in neuroscience, they still are critically different from human brains in a way that limits how experiments translate to people. But that resistance in mice may offer important clues. If researchers can understand what protects mouse brains, they may uncover mechanisms that could one day be harnessed for humans.

Cellular housekeeping

Even at rest, the brain is busy - and messy. Packed with roughly 170 billion cells, it is constantly generating waste that must be cleared away to keep its circuits running. Many of the shared genes between autism and Alzheimers point to a single system: cellular housekeeping.

Roughly half are linked to the mTOR pathway, which controls autophagy - the process by which cells clear debris, recycle components and remove toxic proteins.

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When that system falters, the profound consequences unfold slowly. Waste accumulates. Proteins misfold. Communication between neurons begins to break down. Over time, researchers theorize, these disruptions could both help alter brain development and lead to the kind of degeneration seen in Alzheimers.

In a largely interpretive paper published in January in Frontiers in Neuroscience, researchers described possible commonalities in MRI findings between autism and Alzheimers, particularly involving the glymphatic system - a brain-wide network that helps clear metabolic waste, especially during sleep.

Patterns such as enlarged spaces around blood vessels and increased fluid around the brain were reported in both conditions, though these findings are preliminary. The work remains largely hypothesis-generating; while it may point to shared biological pathways, it does not establish a direct link between the two conditions.

William Phillips, a nuclear medicine physician at UT Health San Antonio who is an author of the study, said the findings caught his attention because the brains cleanup system is closely linked to smell. In Alzheimers, people often lose their sense of smell before memory problems begin - and although smell issues have been reported in autism, they have largely been dismissed as a sensory quirk rather than as a possible clue to brain health.

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By concentrating on these mechanisms, the authors wrote, scientists might be able to develop integrated treatment strategies that address both disorders simultaneously, ultimately improving the quality of life for affected individuals.

Brain architectures

With the rise of brain imaging, researchers can now watch these conditions unfold in living brains - and the patterns are beginning to look unexpectedly similar.

For years, research in both autism and Alzheimers focused on individual regions: which parts were larger or smaller, more or less active. Scientists were intrigued, for example, that Alzheimers is associated with the shrinking of a brain region known as the amygdala, a structure involved in emotion, fear and social processing; in autism, the amygdala is often enlarged, although the findings have varied by age and study design.

Increasingly, though, attention has shifted to the connections between those regions - the networks that allow the brain to function as an integrated whole.

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In two fields that have long operated separately, researchers have, in effect, converged on the same idea.

In autism, findings presented last year at the American Neuropsychiatric Associations annual conference suggest that the density and strength of synaptic connections may correlate with functioning; in some cases, more robust connectivity is associated with better functioning in daily life. In Alzheimers, by contrast, the loss of those same connections correlates very strongly with cognitive decline, and some believe it may be a better anatomical correlate than the buildup of amyloid plaques or tangles of a protein known as tau, long considered the diseases defining indicators.

How those brain connections evolve over time - and what that might reveal about aging in autism and its potential links to Alzheimers - is now becoming a central question, one that researchers like B. Blair Braden have begun to explore.

Braden directs the Autism and Brain Aging Laboratory at Arizona State University and has spent more than a decade recruiting dozens of adults with autism from the greater Phoenix area, asking them to return again and again for brain scans.

Her first major paper on the subject, published in 2022, pointed to changes in the hippocampus, a region critical for memory that shrinks with age in both autistic and non-autistic adults, but to a more severe extent and earlier for those with autism.

Braden has been struck by how the brain scans seemed to tell a similar story to the genetic and molecular work: Its kind of amazing to see how the results are coming together.

New hope

Whats emerging from this and other research labs is not just a shift in thinking, but the early outlines of new treatments.

Bradens work, along with findings from other labs, points to a reorientation for Alzheimers treatments: away from amyloid and tau alone and toward synapses and connectivity as potential targets.

Meanwhile, a separate line of research points back the other way: tau, a hallmark of Alzheimers, may also play a role in autism.

In San Francisco, scientists at the Gladstone Institutes reported in the journal Neuron in 2020 they were able to prevent core autism symptoms in mice that model some of the more severe presentations of the condition by decreasing levels of tau by 50 percent. Follow-up studies that will be published shortly showed that this effect was not temporary but lasted for a lifetime, said Lennart Mucke, the lead author of the study and a neuroscience professor at the University of California at San Francisco.

In the brain, tau acts as a kind of regulator of what Mucke called brain cell excitability. Reducing it, he said, may help the brain cool off or suppress a pathway that is overactive and creates abnormal brain connections.

Imagine an orchestra.  You want everyone to play in harmony, said Mucke, director of the Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease. If the conductor fails, theres dysregulation.

The work ahead in both autism and Alzheimers, he said, is learning how to bring that harmony back.

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It was T-minus three minutes to launch, and Jeremiah Hall had just enough time to dash outside the Kennedy Space Center to see the rocket launch.

He and fellow aerospace engineers stood in the centers parking lot in Cape Canaveral, Florida, about 8 miles from the launchpad, as Artemis II began its ascent on April 1. For the first time in 53 years, four astronauts were headed to the moon.

Large clouds of exhaust billowed from the 5.75-million-pound rocket. Twin solid rocket boosters ignited first, providing 75% of the thrust, before four RS-25 engines flamed to life, generating 8.8 million pounds of force.

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After a seconds delay, Hall felt a low rumble build into a dull continuous thunder. As the rocket climbed higher, there came rapid popping noises, like a string of firecrackers going off. His chest hummed with vibrations.

Hall didnt realize his hands were covering his face, as his eyes welled up with tears.

I dont normally get emotional, Hall said. But it was  it was pretty intense.

Hall, 45, is one of two aerospace engineers from the Flathead Valley contracted by NASA, or the National Aeronautics Space Administration, to work on the Artemis project, a multi-part series to return humans to the moons surface and, eventually, Mars.

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Astronauts on Artemis II will fly on a 10-day mission 5,000 miles past the moon before returning to Earth. Christina Koch, the first female astronaut to join a lunar mission, is a former Montana resident.

Im very proud to be sending the first woman to the moon, said Systems Engineering Manager Daniel Baca, 47, who grew up in Kalispell. And I absolutely want to bring her back.

He and his wife, Melissa Bauer, witnessed the historic launch from the NASA Causeway Bridge, a structure that spans the Indian River Lagoon. When he looked over, his wife was in tears. He found himself lucky to share this moment with his partner.

It was surreal, Baca said.

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LUCK IS how both Flathead Valley natives described their journey into aerospace engineering. Baca had lived in Kalispell since he was 5 years old, and Hall hails from Olney, attending junior high and high school in Whitefish.

As a kid, Baca paid more attention to skateboarding than his studies.

I was a horrible student in high school, Baca said. I still surprise my teachers that Im working with NASA.

He always knew he wanted to do something in space. Baca and his older brother would venture out on starry nights, as his sibling recalled the Greek mythologies behind each constellation.

I loved the night sky and learning about the planets and all the cool stuff up there, he said.

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A National Geographic poster of Astronaut Bruce McCandless, the first person to spacewalk untethered in 1984, hung in his childhood bedroom. Lockheed Martin, Bacas future employer, designed the Manned Maneuvering Unit the astronaut wore on his back.

Its an iconic photo, Baca said.

He took a more serious approach to his studies when he attended Flathead Valley Community College. Its different when you have to pay your way through college, Baca said. He earned a scholarship to the University of Montana, where he graduated in 2003 with a bachelors degree in math and astrophysics, and a minor in computer science.

Three months before graduation, however, the space shuttle Columbia broke apart over Texas as it reentered the atmosphere, killing all seven astronauts on board.

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That shut down the whole space program, Baca said. No jobs.

He worked at an Ace Hardware store in Missoula for two years, before he pursued a masters degree at the University of Colorado Boulder. Thats where he met Hall.

When I found out Daniel was from Montana, I was like Oh, wow, thats surprising, Hall said.

Halls love for flight technology was inspired by his grandfather, who showed him models of the airplanes he worked on as a mechanical engineer in World War II.

The idea of flight, it was amazing to me, Hall said. It blew my mind.

He aspired to follow his grandfathers footsteps as a fighter pilot. But plans changed after he was rejected from the U.S. Air Force Academy.

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Hall diverted to study mechanical engineering at Montana State University, where he found a love for fluid mechanics.

When I finished, I knew that I still wanted to be in the aerospace industry, Hall said.

That was how he ended up in Colorado, where he and Baca graduated with a masters degree in aerospace engineering. Hall specialized in computational fluid dynamics, and Baca studied bioastronautics, the study and support of life in space.

THEY WERE both hired by Lockheed Martin in June 2007, a renowned aerospace and defense company based in Denver. Lockheed had just won a contract with NASA that year to develop the Orion Spacecraft.

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It was a huge contract, Baca said. And theyre like, Oh wow, were gonna need a lot more people.

Baca was hired as a systems engineer, and Hall worked on computational fluid dynamics. Their first major assignment was Artemis I, an uncrewed test flight that launched in 2022.

Coming off of that mission, it was a huge motivation, Hall said. We had just demonstrated this system that was gonna bring humans back to the moon.

For Artemis II, Baca rose through the ranks to systems engineering manager, but his official title is European service module missioner architecture and integration manager, which will never fit on a business card, he joked.

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He oversaw a variety of systems engineering tasks. This included mass management (making sure the rocket isnt too heavy to lift off the ground) and designing an HVAC-like system to control temperature and volume pressure inside the cabin.

So, literally me trying to keep people alive in space, Baca said.

Halls primary role on the Artemis mission is purge, vent and drainage analysis. Purge is essentially pre-launch conditioning, he said. Dry nitrogen and air are pumped into the Orion Spacecraft to keep out humidity and contamination.

IN THE two days leading up to the launch, Hall worked in the console room to ensure all systems were running smoothly. Baca was in and out of meetings to plan for Artemis III and IV.

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The aerospace engineers were cautiously optimistic. A sticker on the console even reads Caution: Do not express optimism under any circumstance.

Im excited, a little nervous, Baca said in the hours leading up to the launch. We have spent countless hours testing these vehicles.

After Artemis II took off with four astronauts inside, he took a video of himself from the bridge, a trail of white smoke painted across a blue sky.

This is it, Baca said in the video. Thats what weve been working toward, this whole time.

For Hall, it was a dichotomous moment.

We were sending four humans in that spacecraft that has been our lives work, Hall said in a follow-up text. Its terrifying and thrilling at the same time.

Report for America reporter Hannah Shields can be reached at (406) 758-4439 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.

(Left to right) Aerospace engineers Daniel Baca and Jeremiah Hall pose in front of model scale of the Orion Spacecraft at the Kennedy Space Center. (Courtesy of Daniel Baca)

Crews ready Artemis II on the launch pad outside the Kennedy Space Center the night before launch. (Courtesy of Daniel Baca)

(Left to right) Aerospace engineers Jeremiah Hall and Daniel Baca pose in front of Neil Armstrong's astronaut suit at the Kennedy Space Center. (Courtesy of Daniel Baca)

Aerospace engineer Daniel Baca gazes up at the Artemis II earlier this year. (Courtesy photo)
Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Laxman on Sunday said the party is confident of forming governments in several states, including Tamil Nadu, while targeting the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). He alleged the Stalin-led government is corrupt and focused on family interests, adding that people in the state are looking for change and better governance. Speaking to the reporters, Laxman said, "We are definitely forming the government in Assam, Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and even Puducherry. In Keralam we are going to improve a lot. Because of the agenda of PM Modi and the BJP, development, progress, and welfare to the people. So in Tamil Nadu also, we people are looking for a change. They are fed up with the corrupt and crime government of DMK led by Stalin. They are working only for the family. Stalin is interested in grooming his son to make him a Chief Minister, not looking toward the welfare or upliftment of any person." Union Minister and BJP Tamil Nadu election in-charge Piyush Goyal exuded confidence that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will secure a decisive victory in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Goyal predicted that actor-turned-politician Vijay would "probably have to go back to films" after the polls. "A superb campaign has started. Tomorrow, all our candidates will be filing the nomination and there is a lot of enthusiasm on the ground. We will certainly defeat anti-Tamil Nadu, anti-India forces of DMK and Congress and NDA will emerge as victorious, forming the next government in Tamil Nadu and serving the people of the state with welfare and development.'Vijay' (win) will be ours - NDA will be victorious, and actor-turned-politician Mr Vijay will probably have to go back to films." Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23, with counting scheduled for May 4. The main electoral contest is expected between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), which also includes Congress, DMDK, and the VCK, and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by AIADMK with the BJP and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) as allies. Actor-turned-politician Vijay is set to make his electoral debut with TVK, attempting to turn the upcoming elections into a three-way contest. (ANI)
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP)  Swedish authorities have released a tanker sanctioned by the European Union that had been boarded and detained on suspicion of causing an oil spill in the Baltic Sea.

The Swedish Coast Guard said they had not found sufficient evidence that the Flora 1 tanker was at fault for the 12-kilometer (8-mile) -long spill that had been discovered Thursday.

Investigators also established that Cameroon had confirmed the vessel was sailing under that country's flag, which had not been clear when the vessel and its 24-member crew was stopped Friday, the coast guard said.

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The Flora 1 was put on the EU's list of sanctioned vessels for carrying Russian oil while practicing irregular and high-risk shipping practices. Unsafe practices can include turning off the automatic tracking system that transmits the vessel's location to other ships.

The sanctions are aimed at the shadow fleet that emerged in response to a price cap on Russian oil imposed by the Group of Seven democracies to limit the revenues that fund Russias invasion of Ukraine. The cap was enforced by barring insurance and shipping companies from handling oil above the cap.

The fleet is made up of aging tankers with ownership and insurance based in countries that are not observing the price cap. The age of the vessels and their lack of Western insurance has raised safety concerns about oil spills and who would get the cleanup bill.

The Flora 1 was owned by a Hong Kong company as of late 2025 and has also been sanctioned by the UK, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, New Zealand and Australia, according to the Ukrainian government. It has changed its name six times and its flag country nine times. It has been observed turning off its automatic tracking system, a step that hides a vessel's location, and engaging in a ship-to-ship transfer, which can be a way to disguise the origins of an oil cargo.

Sanctions forbid any transactions involving the named vessels.
Taiwan's main opposition leader will make a rare trip to China on Tuesday, weeks before US President Donald Trump, with Beijing expected to use the visit to increase its influence over the democratic island.

Cheng Li-wun, who will become the first sitting chairperson of the Kuomintang (KMT) to travel to China in a decade, said she wants to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping to build cross-strait "peace".

Taiwanese officials and experts, however, say Xi sees an opportunity to reinforce Cheng's standing in the KMT and stymie further US weapons sales to Taiwan.

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The KMT has long advocated for closer relations with China, which claims Taiwan is part of its territory and has threated to use force to seize it.

But Cheng, whose unexpected rise to the top of the KMT drew congratulations from Xi in October, has been accused by critics, including inside the party, of being too pro-China.

Cheng's visit comes as the United States -- Taiwan's most important security backer -- intensifies pressure on Taiwanese opposition lawmakers to approve a proposal for defence purchases, including billions of dollars worth of US weapons, to deter a potential Chinese attack.

The KMT leader, who has railed against the government's NT$1.25 trillion ($39 billion) plan, faces deepening divisions inside her party over how to counter China's military threats.

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Cheng backed a KMT proposal to allocate NT$380 billion for US weapons with the option for more acquisitions, but more moderate senior figures in the party are pushing for a much higher budget.

Beijing sees "a need to rescue Cheng Li-wun" from a "power crisis", Albert Tzeng, a former KMT adviser, told AFP.

Xi's endorsement of Cheng will make her critics wary of attacking her, Tzeng said.

And Xi, who has tied taking Taiwan to his vision of the "great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation", can show Beijing is "not losing Taiwan altogether to the United States", he said.

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Taiwan's top China policy body warned Beijing had "summoned" Cheng for the purpose of cutting off "Taiwan's military purchases from the US and cooperation with other countries".

"Beijing's intention, in short, is to internalise the cross-strait issue, treating it as a domestic matter for China, with foreign intervention prohibited," Mainland Affairs Council spokesman Liang Wen-chieh said Thursday.

Cheng hit back, saying: "This trip is entirely for cross-strait peace and stability, so it has nothing to do with arms procurement or other issues."

- Public views mixed -

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While KMT party members regularly fly to China for exchanges with officials, its last leader to visit was Hung Hsiu-chu in 2016.

China severed high-level contact with Taiwan that year after Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party won the presidency and rejected Beijing's claims on the island.

Cross-strait relations have worsened since then as China ramped up military pressure with near daily deployments of fighter jets and warships near Taiwan and regular large-scale military drills.

Xi's invitation to Cheng shows Beijing has identified her "as part of the force who support unification," said Tzeng Wei-feng, from National Chengchi University's Institute of International Relations.

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Taiwanese people have mixed views about Cheng's trip.

"If you're talking with other democratic countries, I think agreements might still have some effect," 47-year-old Mac Peng told AFP.

"But if you're negotiating with the Chinese Communist Party, that's just suicidal."

Glen Ger, 60, was more optimistic, saying the KMT would "let everyone know that public opinion isn't completely one-sided, so they can understand that people want peace".

- US arms sales -

The trip enables the KMT to tell voters that they "are the ones who can actually lead Taiwan towards the direction of peace and stability", said Lev Nachman, a political science professor at National Taiwan University.

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A friendly meeting with Cheng could help Xi "undermine the argument for US-Taiwan defence cooperation" ahead of the summit with Trump in May, said Wen-Ti Sung, a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council's Global China Hub.

While the United States has long been ambiguous about its willingness to defend Taiwan, Washington remains Taipei's biggest arms supplier, which angers Beijing.

The United States approved the sale of $11 billion worth of arms to Taiwan in December. More deals are in the pipeline, but there have been doubts about whether they would proceed after Xi warned Trump against sending weapons to Taiwan.

Cheng has insisted she supports Taiwan having a strong defence, but said the island does not have to choose between Beijing and Washington.

James Yifan Chen, a political analyst at Tamkang University, said Cheng will have to "work harder to assure Washington that she is also a partner of the US".

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The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities and the Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association are advocating for proposed legislation they say would spur economic development and aid municipalities heavily reliant on property taxes as the main source of revenue.

SB 2 would allocate half the revenue from the existing 1% surcharge on the meals sales tax at restaurants to the municipalities where it originated and the remaining half to the state Tourism Fund.

Sen. Derek Slap, co-chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee and a West Hartford Democrat, said the legislation is about economic development, affordability and fairness.

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This legislation takes an existing revenue stream and directs it to municipal aid and ties the success of the restaurant industry to our states investment into promoting tourism, Slap said. This proposal would relieve pressure on local taxpayers and municipal budgets, encourage investment in the restaurant industry, and help Connecticut harness more tourism dollars.

In fiscal year 2025 the 1% surcharge generated $353,695 in Bloomfield; $819,469 in Farmington; and $3.3 million in West Hartford.

With rising costs, Slap said the funding would be pivotal for municipalities, which mainly rely on property tax revenue.

The CCM reported that in a number of towns property tax revenue accounts for at least 80% of total revenue.

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All of our towns are struggling to control costs and to hold the line on property taxes, Slap said. They dont have a lot of tools. They have the property tax. Thats it. In a lot of other towns in the country, cities, counties  they have local taxes and municipal taxes. Our towns dont have any of that.

Senate President Pro Tem Martin Looney submitted written testimony in favor of SB 2. He said in his testimony that he had heard from restaurants and the hospitality industry that more was needed to promote tourism in Connecticut.

Slap said that every year small businesses including hotels and restaurants advocate for more tourism dollars at the Capitol.

The state is spending $4.5 million on tourism in fiscal year 2026.

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Were really underinvesting in the industry, especially compared to our neighboring states, he said.

In 2019, the 1% surcharge on the meals sales tax increased the total tax from 6.35% to 7.35% when it was raised by the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, according to Randy Collins written testimony. Collins serves as the associate director of public policy for CCM.

Unfortunately as that proposal moved through the process the increase in the tax was adopted but the revenue was put into the General Fund and not distributed to towns and cities, Collins said in his testimony.

Scott Miller, chief operating officer of the Doro Restaurant Group and chairman of the board for the Connecticut Restaurant & Hospitality Association, said we are not asking for these funds to come back to our industry because it would be nice, were asking because we felt all along they were going to be coming back and now it is seven years later and we are still unsure of where these millions of dollars are going.

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Scott Dolch, president and CEO of the Connecticut Restaurant and Hospitality Association, said in his testimony that returning a meaningful portion of this revenue to municipalities ensures that towns have the resources necessary to invest in infrastructure, public safety and quality-of-life improvement that directly benefit both residents and local business.

West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor said certainly municipalities such as West Hartford need help as they incur increased costs  from the price of gas to education costs and offering competitive salaries.

She said the allocation of the 1% meals sales tax to municipalities and the Tourism Fund is an economic driver for the state.

If we continue to invest and add and support businesses rather than them going out of business we will actually provide more revenue to the state, Cantor said. By returning a portion of meals tax revenue to municipalities, we can support the small businesses that are the fabric of our communities, strengthen local economies, and generate long-term growth for the state.

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The Joint Committee on Finance, Revenue and Bonding approved SB 2.

Joe Delong, CEO and executive director of the CCM, said when the city of Hartford hosted one of the rounds of the NCAA tournament a few years ago, they didnt collect any of the food and beverage sales tax associated with bringing people in.

So all of the revenue generated from an event like that goes to the state, he said. So what does the city get as the host city? The host city gets a massive bill.




In March, a state judge approved an outside director for a Dallas-area foster care program after reports surfaced that two children had died under the current operators care.

This incident sounds the alarm that something has gone very wrong, confirming fears that some who have been following the states approach to foster care had from the beginning. Under the community-based care model, local nonprofits  not the state  take the lead on managing childrens cases.

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Texas foster care system has been in crisis for a long time.

In 2015, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas ruled that the foster care system violated the Constitutions guarantee that foster children be kept safe from harm. Local leaders were appalled that children placed in foster care and shuffled from placement to placement were ending up worse off than in the homes they were removed from in the first place.

Two years later, facing mounting pressure to do something about the system after alarming reports of children without placement running away from case workers and sleeping in hotels and Child Protective Services offices, state leaders passed a bill that would move the foster care system to a community-based model.

But is the community model working?

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The idea was that local nonprofits closer to the communities where the children live could better connect them to homes and services than a centralized state agency. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services would step back from direct case management and independent contractors would step in.

But this latest tragedy raises serious questions about whether this model is making progress to improve outcomes for children.

Court documents said Empower, the nonprofit that the state is stepping in to manage, placed foster care children in danger, citing a newborn that died after the agency failed to create a plan for care and another baby that died after being reunited with its parents without proper safeguards and assessments.

These failures show that reporting requirements and oversight are not working as they should.

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The rollout of the program has been slow, but by 2029, all of the states foster care is expected to be under the community model. This makes it all the more urgent to assess what is and isnt working before the model expands and risks compounding harm.

This is difficult work. Children in foster care often have complex medical and behavioral needs. But that only makes it more essential that the system designed to protect them is executed with care and accountability.

This moment should be a wake-up call for state officials to assess whether they have a good grasp on how the foster care system is working. Are there enough qualified organizations willing and able to do this work? Are contracts structured in a way that ensures regular monitoring and rigorous oversight? Are there enough wraparound services for children and families in the system?

And most importantly, are we making progress in helping the children that this program is supposed to serve, or are we shifting responsibility without delivering better results?
Parts of Okemos Road is closed due to flooding Sunday, April 5, 2026. A low lying section of Hillcrest Avenue in Okemos is closed Sunday, April 5, 2026 due to flooding from the recent rain. The Red Cedar River is very high at Kruger's Landing Sunday, April 5, 2026. Kalamazoo Street near the intersection of Clippert Street is passable but with water over the road as of mid-morning Sunday, April 5, 2026. The Red Cedar River is flowing over its banks and into the woods flooding the Lansing River Trail in areas Sunday, April 5, 2026. The Red Cedar River is rising above its banks and this section Lansing River Trail heading towards Potter Park Zoo Sunday, April 5, 2026. The Lansing River Trail along Sycamore Creek near Mt. Hope Cemetery is flooded after overnight rain soaked the Lansing area Saturday, April 4, 2026. Lochlan Westrick has lived at The Quarters Apartments in East Lansing since August and came out to take photos of his car for insurance purposes in what he called his "lakeshore property" Saturday, April 4, 2026, after heavy overnight rain. The lower parking lot at The Quarters Apartments in East Lansing is flooded after a heavy rainstorm Saturday, April 4, 2024 Rain pooled outside the Steakhouse Philly Bar & Grill, 3020 E. Kalamazoo St., in Lansing Township the morning of Saturday, April 4, 2026. Photos: Lansing area is still flooded in areas after heavy rainfall 1 of 10 Parts of Okemos Road is closed due to flooding Sunday, April 5, 2026.

LANSING  Shelby Gallimore-Patrick was planning to contact Lansing officials after a weekend spent trying to clear street drains so that she could head over to the Soldan Dog Park with her best friend and their dogs.

They were able to make the trip on April 5, but then most of Soldan Dog Park in south Lansing was flooded.

Theres flooding everywhere, and the citys not doing a good job taking care of the streets like with the street cleaners," said Gallimore-Patrick, who lives near Lyons and Kenwood avenues. So all of the city sewers are backing up, because theyre full of leaf debris and all of that garbage.

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"I spent yesterday morning unflooding my corner so that I could get out of my street so that I could get to the dog parkwhich is flooded.

Lyons and Kenwood avenues in Lansing over the 2026 Easter holiday weekend.

She was able to laugh during her April 5 trip to Soldan, but she was intent on writing to city officials.

Im just going to make them aware, she said. I know theyre trying, but I drive through Okemos, I drive through Holt and I see the street cleaners out there all the time. Theyre just not doing as good a job as some of the communities around us.

Lansing, Meridian Township, East Lansing and some other Greater Lansing communities dealt with notable flooding problems over the weekend - plugged catch basins, flooded basements, water on streets and more.

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A total of 1.73 inches of rain soaked Lansing between 4 a.m. and 6 p.m. on April 4, drastically higher than the daily norm of around one-tenth of an inch, said Walt Felver, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Grand Rapids.

The nearly 2 inches of precipitation followed .39 inches on April 2 and .48 inches on April 3, meaning the total in three days was 2.6 inches.

Kalamazoo Street near the intersection of Clippert Street is passable but with water over the road as of mid-morning Sunday, April 5, 2026.

"It's pretty bad," said Andy Kilpatrick, public service director for the city of Lansing, on April 4. "We're still assessing. But it definitely was a significant event."

He started April 4 with more than 100 complaints about rainwater issues and most of the city's pumps were consequently deployed to relieve pressures from the rain that fell overnight. Kilpatrick also helped his son remove several inches of water from his Lansing basement.

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The following day, on April 5, the city had two pumps working on water levels near Kalamazoo and Clippert streets and the on and off streets for U.S. 127.

A barricade prevented northbound traffic alongside the highway and Kilpatrick said the ramp connecting U.S. 127 to Kalamazoo was closed. Two pumps were working on the water levels, and Kilpatrick hoped normal traffic would resume there by the start of the work week.

He blamed the flooding problems on the rivers and the spring, with ground just thawed and groundwater still having to percolate farther down.

Its basically coming up from the river, he said. The rivers all flooded there. Theres a lot of water thats coming from upstream down to that area.

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I think it really was just a flooding event. It also is that a lot of the soil is very wet right now. Even though it was only an inch of rain, it had nowhere to go. The bigger flooding issues are in the spring."

Outside the Steakhouse Philly Bar & Grill on Sunday, April 5, 2026.

Charles Semerly shared weekend photos of water surrounding his Steakhouse Philly Bar & Grill on Kalamazoo Street in Lansing Township.

"The same exact thing happened early this morning," he texted April 5.

Parts of Okemos Road are closed due to flooding Sunday, April 5, 2026.

Meridian Township closed Ferguson and Wonch parks and several roads due to flooding including Nakoma Drive and Hamilton Road, Nakoma and Ottawa drives, Hamilton Road and Kent Street and Okemos Road, from Central Park Drive to Gaylord C. Smith Court.

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Township Supervisor Scott Hendrickson said safety is a priority during heavy rain spills.

Hes been fielding calls about flooded basements and roads in the township where he said much of our community is in a floodplain or a floodway.

Were happy to assist as much as we can on the things that we can help with, he said. Obviously, we cant do anything about a sump pump failing, but we can certainly close the roads that are problematic.

He said the township has been trying to ease its flooding problems by getting roads raised, including at Okemos Road and Grand River Avenue, which Hendrickson said no longer floods.

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But theres still a stretch of Okemos Road, just north of Grand River, that is a perpetual flooding issue because it needs to be fixed and raised. Hes hoping the politicians representing Meridian Township in Washington, D.C., can push for the federal funding necessary for the repairs.

The closure of Okemos Road poses a really significant impact both economically and convenience-wise for our residents because it is a main north-south thoroughfare for the township, Hendrickson said. Our residents are justifiably frustrated. Were doing everything we can to try to address this.

But, as I say, the $15 to $16 million that it will cost at a minimum eats up basically three years of our local road program and much of the countys road budget for a given year. Its one of those projects that were going to need federal assistance for or else were not going to be able to get it done.

Felver, the National Weather Service meteorologist, expected relatively dry days early this week but for rain chances to increase for April 9 and 10.

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The weather service issued flood warnings for Grand River in Lansing and Ionia, Sycamore Creek in Delhi Township, Red Cedar River in East Lansing, and Maple River in Maple Rapids.

The weather agency predicted the warnings would be lifted early this week as water levels recede, with the longest lasting until April 9 for the Red Cedar River.

Contact editor Susan Vela at svela@lsj.com or 248-873-7044. Follow her on Twitter @susanvela.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: 'There's flooding everywhere.' Flood cleanup continues on April 5
The dispatches were alarming. Officers in a high speed chase. "Delta 13 just advised that they threw a baby out the window, said one of the dispatchers, calling for more help in the pursuit. "He supposedly ran over a transient," said another dispatcher.

Then, a dispatcher said it wasnt real. The officers were playing an April Fools' joke. That wasnt funny, said one of the dispatchers. The Oklahoma City police officers involved are now on administrative leave and the prank is under investigation after state troopers and firefighters responded.

The joke gone wrong has also drawn sharp criticism in the social media sphere. They should be fired. They know better!!! said one social media poster on Reddit.

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While faking emergency calls in the state of Oklahoma is a misdemeanor crime usually punishable by a fine of $500 and possible jail-time, the police department declined to comment regarding policies for fake emergency calls or whether these officers would face charges when reached for comment by The Oklahoman.

But unamused critics want to see action. "They should be prosecuted," another social media post read, inferring that if a regular resident made these false claims they'd be in jail. "Lets see how Chief Bacy deals with this," a user posted to Reddit,referring to Oklahoma City police chief Ron C. Bacy. "A great opportunity for him to prove his dedication to integrity and ethics. There is no possible excuse or explanation for this prank stupidity."

Oklahoma City Police Department, 700 Colcord Drive, exteriors, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.

Multiple agencies send backup to sham pursuit

It all started when dispatchers tracked an officer believed to be in pursuit of a driver fleeing southbound on Robinson in the Capitol Hill district, according to reporting by KFOR.

Audio aired by the TV station shows police dispatch responding to the incident just after 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday night on April 1, alerting that the unit had something wrong with their radio but was sending intermittent messages regarding the situation as it unfolded. The officers claimed they were in pursuit of a red Dodge Challenger that was missing tags.

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Things escalated quickly. With officer radios still unresponsive, the dispatcher read the updates received aloud.

"[Officers] just advised that they threw a baby out the window at 36th and Robinson."

Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers and nearby police units were tapped.

Then, another dispatch: a bystander had been hit. He supposedly ran over a transient," said the OHP dispatcher.

Quickly firefighters were also responding to the call. OCFD sent a fire engine, rescue ladder trucks, an entire blood unit, and a district chief, according to KOCO.

When asked for clarification about what car was in pursuit, the OCPD dispatch tells units to stand down, "It was an April Fools prank."

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But responding units were not amused.

"Not funny," said a police dispatcher ending the call. Another responds, "that's what I'm saying."

In a statement to The Oklahoman the agency acknowledged the incident saying, "We are aware of a reported pursuit involving some of our officers that included serious claims, which has since been determined to be false." The statement continues, "the matter is currently under review as part of an internal investigation. Due to the ongoing nature of this process, we are unable to release any additional information at this time. We take this situation seriously and are committed to ensuring a thorough review is conducted."

The officers names have not been released.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC police officers on leave after April Fools' prank
When I first heard Harvey Levin had put out a call from TMZ to turn the general public into a paparazzi-style press corps that would hound lawmakers caught in the wild during a partial government shutdown, I admit, I appreciated the chance of tangible accountability. A sighting of Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., chatting with Mickey Mouse, wand in hand, felt almost cathartic. But the idea that TMZ has suddenly discovered a civic conscience strains credulity.

I soon remembered that Levin is widely reported to allow his personal relationship with Donald Trump to dictate the way the president is covered on the site. One staffer told ThinkProgress during Trumps first term that Harvey just really likes powerful people, and he really likes having friends who are powerful, and who better than the President of the United States? Then, in 2021, TMZ was acquired by Fox Corporation for $50 million.

Congress getting tabloid treatment sounds, at first blush, exactly where American democracy stands in the Trump era. But progressives desperate for any sign of a functioning media ecosystem should be leery of TMZs Washington pivot. In a moment when one party holds unified power in Washington, the media outlet is actively working to blur the lines of accountability with both sides framing that ultimately serves to protect power.

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Maybe theyre on a cruise somewhere, or in Hawaii or some other great place. We want those pictures, Levin said in a video soliciting images from the public. And the point of this is to show how fed up the American people are  because we are. Hes not wrong; people are righteously fed up. Federal workers going without pay while elected officials jet off to vacations is obscene. And the core insight  that viral footage of lawmakers enjoying themselves while their constituents suffer can generate real pressure on them to do the right thing  is sound.

But then Levin told viewers that Congress was insulting our intelligence by thinking, Oh, we can [one] get over on them by blaming it on the other party,' adding that the fault lies with both parties.

The public, quite rationally, tends to assign blame to the party in power. Republicans control the House, the Senate and the White House. The Senate reached a bipartisan funding deal to end the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, but House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., rejected it. He then put the House into recess rather than allow a vote he knew he would lose. Polling from Quinnipiac, Navigator, ABC/Washington Post/Ipsos and Economist/YouGov shows independents understand this reality and disproportionately blame Republicans for government dysfunction, including the ongoing partial shutdown and last falls full shutdown, which was the longest in history.

Want more sharp takes on politics? Sign up for our free newsletter, Standing Room Only, written by Amanda Marcotte, now also a weekly show on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

The both sides framework is perhaps the most reliable tool in the rights rhetorical arsenal because it does not require a defense of the indefensible. If you simply muddy the political waters just enough, voters feel justified in their exhaustion with all of it  and then they either stay home, or seek to blow up the system with a protest vote. Levin, for his part, has launched a political movement he calls OWTA (for Out With Their Asses), calling on voters to support non-incumbents during the midterms  and explicitly making it clear he blames both Democrats and Republicans equally.

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When TMZ reported on dozens of lawmakers visiting Edinburgh Castle on a taxpayer-funded trip this week, described by Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis, as high level meetings with [our] counterparts in the Irish government, the outlet conspicuously avoided identifying them as Republicans. The one fact  political affiliation  that signals who to hold accountable was deliberately stripped out of the headlines and social media captions. Neither was there any reporting on whether the congressional delegation was lodging at either of Trumps two resorts in Scotland. As good as it may feel, TMZs coverage is nothing more than accountability theater.

Unfortunately, its likely to work. According to the Pew Research Center, more than half of American adults now get at least some of their news from social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, X and TikTok. On social media, a viral clip rarely comes with context attached. The billionaires in control of our algorithms, like Elon Musk, reward right-wing content. On X and TikTok, TMZs sightings of lawmakers across the country receive several times more engagement than interviews with lawmakers or even their celebrity posts.

To be clear, Democrats are not above criticism. No serious political observer believes they are; their participation in the revolving door between public service and corporate lobbying is particularly corrosive. But the idea that the two parties are currently mirror images of dysfunction is not supported by evidence. That notion is a false narrative that disproportionately benefits the GOP, a party that thrives in chaos and low-information environments.

Tabloid tactics can expose power, but they can also be co-opted by it. TMZ on Capitol Hill is not the independent media cavalry arriving to save American democracy. Instead we need to call it what it really is: controlled opposition with Fox Corporation for a parent.

The post TMZ turning to Congress is a win for the GOP appeared first on Salon.com.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A tree fell in Downtown Portland on Saturday afternoon, shaking an entire parking garage as it came down, witnesses said.

The tree fell around 3 p.m. near Southwest Market Street and Southwest 2nd Avenue.

KOIN 6 News Digital Content Producer Andrew Foran was in the Crown Plaza parking garage across the street from the tree when it fell, and he took pictures of the incident.

A tree fell in Downtown Portland on April 4, 2026 (KOIN/Andrew Foran). A tree fell in Downtown Portland on April 4, 2026 (KOIN/Andrew Foran). A tree fell in Downtown Portland on April 4, 2026 (KOIN/Andrew Foran). A tree fell in Downtown Portland on April 4, 2026 (KOIN/Andrew Foran). A tree fell in Downtown Portland on April 4, 2026 (KOIN/Andrew Foran). A tree fell in Downtown Portland on April 4, 2026 (KOIN/Andrew Foran). A tree fell in Downtown Portland on April 4, 2026 (KOIN/Andrew Foran). A tree that fell in the street was cleared from the road in Downtown Portland. April 4, 2026 (KOIN). A tree that fell in the street was cleared from the road in Downtown Portland. April 4, 2026 (KOIN).

Foran was on the third floor and said the tree shook the entire parking garage when it fell, leaving behind broken tree branches on the inside as it scraped the side of the building on the way down. The debris has now blocked an entire entrance to the parking garage and the adjacent street. The Clay Street entrance is still open.

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Multiple people on the street called the police, who arrived shortly thereafter. From the street, the upended root system was visible adjacent to the sidewalk.

Its unclear if there were any injuries or significant property damage as a result of the fallen tree.

The tree was eventually cleared from the street and there were no major disruptions to roads, according to the Portland Bureau of Transportation.

KOIN 6 News has reached out the City of Portlands Urban Forestry Department for more information. We also reached out to Portland police and Portland Fire and Rescue. We will update this story if we find out more information.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
By Phil Stewart and Menna AlaaElDin

WASHINGTON/CAIRO, April 5 (Reuters) - U.S. special forces rescued an airman in a high-risk mission deep inside Iran while President Donald Trump threatened to rain "hell" on Tehran if it did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz for oil flows vital to the world economy.

Trump announced the rescue in the early hours of Sunday in a social media post that described the operation in a mountainous area as "one of the most daring" such missions in U.S. history.

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The airman, the weapons officer of an F-15 jet shot down on Friday, was wounded but "will be just fine", Trump said in a message on X. The pilot was rescued on Friday.

In another post laden with expletives, Trump told Iran to open the Hormuz waterway by Tuesday. The conduit for around a fifth of the world's oil and natural gas supply has been largely shut down since the war began five weeks ago.

"Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran," he said on his Truth Social platform, threatening to hit energy and transport infrastructure that critics say would violate international law.

"There will be nothing like it!!! Open the Fuckin Strait, you crazy bastards, or youll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP"

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Adding to the pressure, Washington's ally in the war Israel, which attacked a major petrochemicals facility on Saturday, was preparing to attack energy facilities next week and was awaiting U.S. approval, a senior Israeli defence official said.

However, in the sort of mixed messaging that has baffled supporters and foes alike let alone financial markets, Trump told Fox News on Sunday that Iran was negotiating, with a deal possible by Monday.

Tehran is demanding an end to hostilities and its parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf condemned Trump's threats, saying he was being misled by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"Your reckless moves are dragging the United States into a living HELL for every single family, and our whole region is going to burn because you insist on following Netanyahus commands," he posted on X.

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HOSTAGE CRISIS AVERTED

With the impact from the Strait's closure on the global economy deepening by the day, the rescue of the U.S. airman removed the risk for Trump of a hostage crisis further souring the mood of an American public already sceptical of the war.

A U.S. official said the operation, which Israel said it had assisted, involved dozens of military aircraft and encountered fierce resistance from Iranian forces.

Iran said several U.S. aircraft were destroyed during the operation, including two military transport planes and two Black Hawk helicopters. Footage posted on social media showed burned-out aircraft wreckage, which Reuters verified was in the area.

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The loss of the F-15 last week - as well as an A-10 ground-attack aircraft in a separate incident - underlined the risks still facing U.S. and Israeli aircrew despite Trump's assertions of total control in the skies over Iran.

A senior administration official in Washington said the rescue had involved a CIA deception campaign spreading word inside Iran that U.S. forces had already found the missing airman and were moving him on the ground for exfiltration out of the country.

While the Iranians were confused and uncertain of what was happening, the missing weapons officer was located inside a mountain crevice and rescued, the official said in a statement.

The war, which opened with U.S. and Israeli air strikes across Iran on Feb. 28, has spread into Lebanon, where Israel has resumed its campaign against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah.

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Thousands have died, mainly in Iran and Lebanon, where Israeli airstrikes killed another 11 people on Sunday, according to Lebanon's health ministry.

PEACE EFFORTS FRUITLESS

But efforts brokered by Pakistan to bring the two sides to an agreement have so far been fruitless.

"What we care about are the terms of a conclusive and lasting END to the illegal war that is imposed on us," Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on X.

Iran's chokehold over the narrow Strait of Hormuz shipping lane off its southern coast has given it powerful leverage. Crude prices have surged to a four-year high close to $120 a barrel, squeezing consumers and businesses across the globe.

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Tehran has, however, said it would allow passage through the Strait for vessels without U.S. or Israeli connections and one tanker loaded with Iraqi crude and bound for Malaysia passed through, data from LSEG and Kpler showed.

Three Omani-operated tankers, a French-owned container ship and a Japanese-owned gas carrier have also gone through in recent days.

Tehran has continued to launch missile and drone attacks against Israel and on U.S. allies in the Gulf who are highly vulnerable to attacks on infrastructure like power and water desalination plants.

On Sunday, in response to Israeli attacks on petrochemical sites in Iran, Tehran hit petrochemicals plants in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi. Iran also attacked an Israel-affiliated vessel with a drone in the Strait, setting the ship on fire, state media said.

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Israeli media showed search-and-rescue teams combing debris and hunting survivors after a residential building was hit by an Iranian missile in Israel's northern city of Haifa. Israeli paramedics said they were treating nine patients.

(Reporting by Reuters bureaux worldwide; Writing by James Mackenzie and Andrew Cawthorne; Editing by Cynthia Osterman, William Mallard and William Maclean)
President Donald Trump fired off a chest-thumping warning to Iran but managed to trip over his own words in the process.

The 79-year-old president posted a fiery Truth Social screed Saturday, threatening Tehran with imminent consequences as tensions escalated in the Persian Gulf amid frantic search operations for a U.S. service member whose jet was shot out of the sky.

The U.S. has been hit hard by Irans retaliatory closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of the worlds oil supplysending gas prices soaring and rattling global markets.

A 3D-printed miniature model depicting U.S. President Donald Trump and map showing the Strait of Hormuz. / Dado Ruvic / REUTERS

With the closure now dragging on more than 30 days, Trump responded by blasting off a blunt ultimatum to the regime.

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Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT, Trump wrote. Time is running out - 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them.

The president signed off his threat with a flourish ahead of Easter Sundaydespite warnings from Pope Leo XIV, who used his Palm Sunday message to caution against leaders waging war and invoking Christianity to justify it.

President Donald Trump made an embarrassing gaffe in his latest threat to Iran. / Truth Social/ Donald Trump

Glory be to GOD! President DONALD J. TRUMP, he concluded.

Trumps attempt at a dramatic warning was undercut by a glaring typo, with reign used instead of rain.

The presidents latest warning follows an even more sweeping threat, in which he said the U.S. could completely obliterate Irans electric generating plants, oil wells, Kharg Island, and possibly all desalination plantslanguage that signals a potential shift toward targeting civilian infrastructure, which is generally prohibited under international law.

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Trump has continued to ramp up his rhetoric as the conflict deepens, telling The Independent on Friday he was not prepared to say how the U.S. would respond if Iranian forces got ahold of the downed U.S. service member. The following day it was reported that the second crew member had been safely rescued.

Iranian officials had reportedly offered a $65,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the second U.S. service member.

An F-15E Strike Eagle takes off for a combat flight during Operation Epic Fury, on March 16, 2026. / CENTCOM

The conflict is now approaching its sixth week.

Trump, who has repeatedly branded himself a peace president, has also downplayed the severity of the war even as casualties mount. He has claimed the conflict was already won in the first hour, despite the death toll climbing to 13 U.S. service members and more than 1,900 Iranians.

Around 1,600 people are said to have been killed in Iran since the war broke out, including at least 244 children. / Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters

His latest threat comes as hopes for a diplomatic resolution appear to be collapsing.

Trump has also repeatedly suggested a deal was within reach, but negotiations have stalled. According to Wall Street Journal reporter Summer Said, Iranian officials have rejected talks with U.S. representatives in Islamabad, calling American demands unacceptable.
A factual note from the Railways stated that the Palasa-Ichchapuram section, spanning approximately 50 km, comprises seven stations -- Palasa, Summadevi, Mandasa Road, Baruva, Sompeta, Jhadupudi, and Ichchapuram -- all located in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, with none situated in Odisha.

"These stations are small to mid-sized stations handling primarily passenger traffic. None of them is a major freight loading point. Therefore, ECoR's revenue remains unaffected," the Railways clarified.

It further added that pass-through freight traffic will continue uninterrupted regardless of which zone has jurisdiction, ensuring railway operations remain seamless across zonal boundaries.

"No disruption to train services. All existing trains, including Palasa-Bhubaneswar, Palasa-Cuttack, and Ichchapuram-Cuttack MEMU/passenger services, will continue to operate without any change in schedule, route, or frequency," the statement said.

The Railways described the creation of SCoR as a technical revision aimed at ensuring the smooth functioning of passenger services in the Visakhapatnam division.

"The modalities of the transfer, including staff deployment, are being finalised between ECoR and SCoR. The interests and service conditions of all railway employees will be fully protected as per established norms," it added.

The note reaffirmed the government's commitment to Odisha, highlighting "record capital expenditure on railway network expansion in Odisha, station modernisation, Vande Bharat services, and the newly created Rayagada Division under ECoR" as evidence of ongoing support. (ANI)
Yet again, President Trump has taken shots at Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a frequent target of his personal attacks. This time, Trump seems to be trolling the Texas Democrat using the memory of another famous Texan who shares her last name.

In a social media post, Trump appears to sarcastically declare, Davy Crockett, obviously a distant relative of Jasmine Crockett, and a very High IQ Frontiersman, would be proud of the legacy that he began long ago, and especially Jasmines Great Success as a Politician from the Great State of Texas! The post includes a video featuring an image of actor Fess Parker as Davy Crockett and the 1950s Disney song, The Ballad of Davy Crockett, which describes some of the real-life accomplishments of the Tennessee congressman and frontiersman, who died at the Battle of the Alamo in 1836.

Trump: "Davy Crockett, obviously a distant relative of Jasmine Crockett, and a very High IQ Frontiersman, would be proud of the legacy that he began long ago, and especially Jasmines Great Success as a Politician from the Great State of Texas! President DONALD J. TRUMP" pic.twitter.com/oK3uGkHmLI  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 2, 2026

The lyrics of the song that Trump posted included references to redskin bands and Crocketts Injun friends, reflecting racism against Native Americans but also Crocketts opposition to President Andrew Jacksons policy of Indian removal, which led to the displacement of tens of thousands of Indigenous people in what is now known as the Trail of Tears. President Trump has expressed admiration for Jackson, who was also a slaveholder, and Trump has displayed Jacksons portrait in the Oval Office during both of his terms.

Crockett responds to Trumps post

The post appears to be mocking Crocketts recent defeat in Texas recent Democratic primary, in which Crockett lost to James Talarico. The loss will likely see Crockett leave Congress in 2027, as she dropped her reelection bid for her House seat in order to run for Senate; Rev. Frederick Haynes III, Crocketts pastor, won the Democratic primary for the 30th District seat currently held by Crockett. The description of Davy Crockett as a very High IQ Frontiersman references Trumps frequent attacks against Congresswoman Crockett and other political opponentsoften women or people of coloras low IQ individuals.

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While Trump has frequently gone after Crockett in the press and on social media, this particular attack has puzzled many people online. The IQ thing is so bizarre, one commenter posted. His obsession with calling every black person low IQ, even with some being extremely educated and accomplished. Hes sitting around on Twitter too much instead of leading this country to unity.

The IQ thing is so bizarre. His obsession with calling every black person low IQ, even with some being extremely educated and accomplished. Hes sitting around on Twitter too much instead of leading this country to unity.  KB (@certified1KB) April 2, 2026

Crockett herself, meanwhile, responded to Trumps trolling. The President is clearly already missing me as many others will, Crockett posted, but, lucky for you, Sir, Im in the seat until January and have no plans of taking my foot off the gas on behalf of the American people. The Texas Democrat also wondered about the motive behind Trumps post, writing, I wonder if this has anything to do with my questioning of Pam Bondi????!!!, Crockett wrote, referencing her grilling of Trumps attorney general earlier this year; Bondi was fired by the president on Thursday.

The President is clearly already missing me as many others will but, lucky for you, Sir, Im in the seat until January and have no plans of taking my foot off the gas on behalf of the American people  .



I wonder if this has anything to do with my questioning of Pam https://t.co/FlGvK2qUjt  Jasmine Crockett (@JasmineForUS) April 2, 2026

As Crockett herself indicated, she has no plans to stop criticizing Trump and his administration as long as she remains in Congress. And Crockett has made clear that Trumps racist and bizarre attempts to troll her will not silence her.







The post Trump Oddly Says Jasmine Crockett Is Davy Crocketts Relative, Lawmaker Says President Is Already Missing Me appeared first on Blavity.
Donald Trump has ordered his vice president to target Democrat-led states as he leads a new nationwide anti-fraud task force.

Vice President JD Vance is now in charge of FRAUD in the United States, the president announced in a Truth Social blast early Friday morning. His focus will be EVERYWHERE, but primarily in those Blue States where CROOKED DEMOCRAT POLITICIANS, like those in California, Illinois, Minnesota (Somalia beware!), Maine, New York, and many others, have had a free for all in the unprecedented theft of Taxpayer Money.

Trump himself is the only convicted felon in U.S. history to have assumed the office of president after being found guilty in 2024 of falsifying business records over hush-money payments to an adult film star. A court also found him liable in a sweeping New York civil fraud case for inflating the value of his properties and net worth over more than a decade, a finding upheld on appeal in August 2025.

Donald Trump/Truth Social

Trump said in his post that raids have already started in Los Angeles, apparently referring to the suspension of over 200 healthcare providers and hospices in Californias largest city in an FBI-led anti-fraud blitz which included a number of arrests. Fox News reported that the operation was carried out in coordination with Vances Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.

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Fridays announcement now ties a bow on what Trump had teased during his State of the Union address earlier in February, when the fraudster president declared a war on fraud, to be led by our great Vice President, JD Vance.

Vance has reportedly already begun action in California, where one of Trump's most ardent enemies, Gavin Newsom, is governor. / Fred Greaves / Fred Greaves/REUTERS

MAGAs concerns over the scourge of fraud have been directed less at the presidents known propensity for deceptive business practices than toward Minnesotas Feeding Our Future scandal, a pandemic-era scheme involving the theft of federal child nutrition funds.

The Biden administration opened an investigation into the fraud in 2022, which resulted in 78 individuals being charged. The second Trump administration has since claimed credit for the findings of that probe and is using them as a springboard for a nationwide crackdown aimed almost exclusively at states, like Minnesota, that did not vote for Trump.

His administration has further used the Minnesota fraud cases, in which the majority of defendants are of Somali descent, as a broad pretext for targeting the states entire Somali community.

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Trump has referred to them as garbage, said he doesnt want them in the country, and called Somalia not even a nation. His warning in Fridays postSomalia beware!echoed his anti-migrant crackdown in Minnesota earlier this year that resulted in the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens.

Trump used the scourge of fraud as a pretext for his deadly raids in Minnesota earlier this year. / Kerem Yucel/Getty Images

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey warned then that if this were about fraud, then youd see an invasion perhaps of accountants. Trump appears to have taken that remark on board, establishing his anti-fraud task force on March 16 during a ceremony at which he made little secret of what appears to be the initiatives partisan aim.

It seems that its usually in blue states, he said. If its in a red state, were going there too, but it seems that its heavily, heavily Democrat.

Trump had already granted the title of fraud czar to Colin McDonald, a veteran federal prosecutor who is now serving as the first-assistant attorney general for national fraud enforcement, a new division of the Justice Department.

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Vance, who it seems will instead take on that title as he works on the anti-fraud initiative from inside the White House, is a former venture capitalist with a law degree but no background in auditing, fraud enforcement, or the administration of social insurance programs.

What he does possess, however, is access to the full machinery of the federal governmentand a political mandate from his boss to point it at the presidents enemies.

The Daily Beast has contacted the White House for comment on this story.
Investing.com -- The 77-year-old North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is facing its most existential crisis since the Cold War, as a deepening rift over the U.S.-led war in Iran threatens to dismantle the Wests primary security architecture.

According to an analysis by the Wall Street Journal, President Trump has privately expressed "disgust" with European allies for their refusal to join military operations against Tehran, going as far as to question whether U.S. defense of the continent should remain "automatic" if the favor is not returned in the Middle East.

The quid pro quo doctrine and base restrictions

The friction has shifted from diplomatic disagreement to operational obstruction. Major European powers, including Spain, Italy, and France, have placed unprecedented limits on U.S. military access.

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Madrid and Rome recently denied U.S. bombers and transport jets permission to land at key Mediterranean bases, including Sigonella in Sicily and Rota in Spain, for missions related to the Iran conflict.

The U.S. maintains that NATO basing rights are intended for such contingencies, but European leaders argue the Iran war is a "unilateral adventure" conducted outside international law.

The fallout is being fueled by a cumulative sense of betrayal in European capitals. Allies were already reeling from a contentious 2025 that saw the U.S. impose tariffs on European goods and trigger a diplomatic standoff over the strategic territory of Greenland.

Trumps administration sees the refusal of allies to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz as the final straw. "We would always have been there for them. They werent there for us," Trump told reporters, signaling that he now views NATO not as a vital strategic interest, but as a "favor" that requires a specific quid pro quo.

Deterrence at risk: De facto vs. legal withdrawal

A 2023 U.S. law prevents the president from formally withdrawing from NATO without a two-thirds Senate majority, but analysts warn the alliance could "hollow out" from within. NATOs effectiveness rests on "deterrent credibility", the belief by adversaries like Russia that an attack on one is an attack on all.

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If the U.S. Commander-in-Chief openly questions that commitment, the deterrent evaporates, regardless of the treatys legal status.

Across global markets, the "divorce" scenario introduces massive tail risks. A U.S. withdrawal or a "de facto" collapse of NATO would force European nations into a multi-year, multi-trillion-euro rearmament phase, likely diverting capital from social spending and infrastructure.

Furthermore, the loss of a unified Western front could embolden regional actors on Europes eastern flank, creating a permanent "war-risk premium" for Eurozone assets and the Euro itself.

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President Donald Trump said Iranian forces "got lucky" when they shot down a F-15E Strike Eagle and that U.S. officials first suspected that communication from the aircraft's crew member who was stranded in Iran was a trap in an interview with Axios on Sunday, April 5.

Trump told the outlet that the U.S. had "beeping information" on a stranded crew member who was recovered on April 4. He added that officials feared that the crew member had been captured and that Iran had used a radio message to set the potential trap.

An unnamed defense official told Axios that the radio message from the weapons officer was "God is good," which Trump described as "something a Muslim would say." Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, a noted Christian, used the phrase in an April 5 X post. Trump added that those who knew the officer said that he was religious and that it would make sense for him to say the phrase.

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USA TODAY has reached out to the Department of Defense for confirmation of the radio message.

Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026. People gather at the site of a destroyed building at a school where, as the state media reports, several people were killed in an Israeli airstrike, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Minab, Iran in this screengrab obtained from a social media video released on February 28, 2026. Iranian state media reported on February 28 that Israel struck a school in southern Iran, resulting in 40 deaths. Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel had launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026 in this screen grab taken from video. Iranian people run for cover in Tehran, Iran, on February 28, 2026, as explosions are heard after a reported strike and Israel announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran, with sirens sounding in Jerusalem and phone alerts warning of an "extremely serious" threat. Smoke rises following an explosion after the U.S. and Israel reportedly launched an attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026, in this screen grab taken from video. A graffiti on a wall reads" Down with the U.S.A", after Israel said it launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026. People run for cover following an explosion, after Israel said it launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026. A plume of smoke rises after an explosion on February 28, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. After explosions were seen in the Iranian capital, the office of the Israeli Defense Minister issued a statement saying it had launched a preemptive strike against the country. A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on February 28 morning by AFP journalists, and two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital.



Israel's defence ministry announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and people across the country received phone alerts about an "extremely serious" threat. U.S. President Donald Trump pumps his fist after disembarking Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., February 27, 2026. Hours later, Trump made live comments about the military strikes he launched against Iran. A plume of smoke rises over Tehran after a reported explosion on February 28, 2026, after Israel said it carried out a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and phone alerts warned of an "extremely serious" threat. A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on February 28 morning by AFP journalists, and two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital. Israel's defence ministry announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and people across the country received phone alerts about an "extremely serious" threat. Buildings inin Tehran stand after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, February 28, 2026. Iranians try to clear a street amid heavy traffic in Tehran, Iran, on February 28, 2026, as explosions are heard following a reported strike and Israel announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran, with sirens sounding in Jerusalem and phone alerts warning of an "extremely serious" threat. Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese area of al-Qatrani on February 28, 2026. Lebanon's foreign minister said on February 24 his country feared its infrastructure could be hit by Israeli strikes if the situation with Iran escalates, after Israel intensified its attacks on Tehran-backed Hezbollah Anti-riot police stand in front of state building that is covered with a giant anti-U.S. billboard depicting the destruction of a US aircraft carrier in downtown Tehran on a main street in Tehran on February 21, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. In recent weeks, the United States had moved vast numbers of military vessels and aircraft to Europe and the Middle East. The US and Israel proceeded to launched strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, Latest photos capture US and Israeli strikes against Iran 1 of 16 Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026.

Senator Dave McCormick, R, Pennsylvania, said on "Fox News Sunday" the rescued pilot had climbed about 7,000 feet up a mountain to reach an evacuation point, citing a conversation with a Trump administration official.

A U.S. official told Reuters the operation involved dozens of military aircraft and encountered fierce resistance from Iranian forces.

Iran said several U.S. aircraft were destroyed during the rescue operation, including two military transport planes and two Black Hawk helicopters. Footage posted on social media showed burned-out aircraft wreckage, which Reuters verified was in the area.

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The Pentagon did not confirm or deny the reports when previously contacted by USA TODAY for comment.

Unnamed Israeli officials told Axios that the country's air force provided a strike to prevent Iranian forces from reaching the area. Trump called the country "good partners" in his interview with the outlet.

"They have been great and brave people. We are like a big brother and little brother," Trump said.

The F15E went down over Iran on April 3. One crew member was quickly recovered. The second crew member, which Trump described in a social media post as a "highly respected Colonel" sustained injuries and survived more than 24 hours after being shot down.

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The trap Trump said officials feared would have been similar to double tap attacks  where an initial strike hits on an intended target and a larger second strike occurs on those who arrive on scene to respond or render aid  which Iran has accused the U.S. of engaging in during the war.

Irans Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei alleged in a March 11 social media post that the strike on a girl's school in the early days of the war was a double tap, calling it an "egregious WAR CRIME." Al Jazeera reporter Tohid Asadi reported that an April 2 strike on a bridge linking Irans capital Tehran to the western city of Karaj was a double tap.

Trump said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal on April 5 that the United States will destroy all of Irans power plants and bridges if the government does not come to the negotiating table or reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump posted a profanity laced threat to social media the same day, giving Iran a Tuesday deadline.

Trump's Easter threat follows a threat to hit desalination plants, which some international law experts said could violate international humanitarian law.

Contributing: Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump says officials feared 'trap' after F-15 shot down
U.S. forces sought to arm Iranian protesters earlier this year after the country was rocked by demonstrations over dire economic conditions but saw those arms largely fall into the hands of Irans Kurds, President Donald Trump said on Sunday.

The president began his Easter Sunday with a series of revelations and proclamations about the Iran war, including a bizarre, cursing threat to begin targeting Iranian power plants on Tuesday if a deal was not reached to open the Strait of Hormuz.

Open the F***in Strait, you crazy b*****ds, or youll be living in Hell, he warned.

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But in an interview over the phone with Foxs Trey Yingst on Sunday morning, the president made another piece of news: The U.S. was directly involved in efforts to destabilize and overthrow the Iranian government weeks before strikes were launched across Iran, and as U.S. negotiators were engaging with senior Iranian governmental officials in Europe. Those protests began shortly before the new year and lasted for weeks, ending in the violent subjugation of protesters by the Iranian government.

We sent them a lot of guns. We sent them through the Kurds, and the president says he thinks the Kurds kept them, Yingst said on Fox News, paraphrasing the president.

Anti-government protests in Tehran in January (Getty)

Iranian Kurdish exiles have lived in a semi-autonomous region of Iraq, near the border of Iran, for decades following the Islamic Revolution in 1979 that saw the U.S.-backed Shah of Iran overthrown and the installation of the supreme leader by Irans new government. In the years since, the Kurds fought against Saddam Husseins government in Iraq as well as with the Iranian government since the latest conflict began. Some Kurdish groups still remain across the border in Iran.

In that same interview, Trump told Yingst that Iranian officials had allegedly killed more than 40,000 civilians in the crackdown ending those protests this year.

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Trump conducted two other interviews on Sunday morning with ABCs Rachel Scott and Axioss Barak Ravid. He briefly spoke with The Independent on Friday.

On Sunday he repeated his vow to unleash a wave of destructive attacks targeting civilian infrastructure across Iran if the Strait of Hormuz was not opened. Doing so is generally considered to be a war crime unless the targets in question are actively being used for military purposes.

Very little is off the table if a deal isnt reached, Trump told ABC. "If happens, it happens. And if it doesn't, we're blowing up the whole country.

The president slurred through an address to the nation on Wednesday that didnt make any major news about the war with Iran (Getty Images)

Speaking with Axios, he also gave more details about the rescue of an American service member whose F-15 was downed over Iran on Friday. The crew member was confirmed to have been rescued late Saturday evening after a days-long search. According to the president, U.S. officials feared the service members capture and the possibility that a beacon pinging his location was actually a trap.

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He once again leaned into language that many seem as overtly racist as he described Iranians as savages in their hunt to detain the downed American crew member: "Thousands of these savages were hunting him down," Trump told Axios. "Even the population was looking for him. They offered people a bonus if they captured him."

The successful return of the downed American is a bright spot in an otherwise murky picture of Trumps Iran war. The president and his top officials continue to insist that the Iranian military has been destroyed and that the U.S. has already essentially achieved victory, only to continuously fail to convince Irans government (which still appears to be intact) to re-open the Strait of Hormuz or strike a formal agreement to end the conflict.

A U.S. F-15 jet was shot down over Iran on Friday, with both crew members recovered alive by U.S. forces (via REUTERS)

Oil prices continue to rise as the choking of a major shipping route drags on and weeks pass by while the White House insists that the end of the war is coming in days.

Ahead of an address to the nation on the conflict this past Wednesday that largely ripped from old Truth Social posts, the president faced a perception problem: A CNN poll found that as many as two thirds of Americans do not believe that he truly has a plan for ending the war.

Trump continues to deny this, even as his goals have publicly shifted to re-opening the strait and away from the U.S. acquiring Irans supply of enriched uranium. He insisted once again on Sunday, however, that the permanent end of Irans nuclear weapons program remained a sticking point as he sought a diplomatic resolution to the war he started.
(This story was updated to add new information.)

President Donald Trump began his Easter Sunday with a profanity-laced threat to the Iranian regime.

In a social-media post fired off just after 8 a.m., Trump demanded Tehran "Open the F******' Strait you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in Hell  JUST WATCH."

He ended the short post, which reiterated that civilian infrastructure including bridges and power plants would be targeted on April 7 with a mocking "Praise be to Allah."

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The post, which spelled out the f-bomb, spoke to the administration's heightening frustration, if not desperation, to see unimpeded flow of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. President Donald Trump exits Air Force One as he arrives at Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump is silhouetted as he walks upon arrival at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump is silhouetted as he waves upon arrival at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY U.S. President Donald Trump, followed by his son Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson, disembarks Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump, followed by his son Donald Trump Jr., disembarks Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump waves as he boards Air Force One at Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump's motorcade leaves Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz Saudi Arabia Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan, next to Donald Trump Jr. and Governor of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia Yasir Al-Rumayyan, reacts while U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz David Ellison, Chairman and CEO of Paramount Skydance, listens while U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he arrives at Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz Saudi Arabian ambassador to the U.S., Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, reacts while U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump watches a CNN clip on the "MAGA GOP View of Trump" as he delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz President of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio stands while U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit, at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz Tiffany Trump gestures while U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit, at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz FIFA President Gianni Infantino listens while U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit, at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz Governor of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, listens while U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit, at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz Donald Trump Jr. and the Governor of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, react while U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit, at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump looks at a screen as he delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he arrives at Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he arrives at Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump walks to speak to reporters as he arrives at Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump walks to his vehicle as he arrives at Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump walks over to reporters as he arrives at Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump gestures while he speaks to reporters as he arrives at Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump exits Air Force One as he arrives at Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Dr. Mehmet Oz attends an event at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit, where U.S. President Donald Trump will deliver remarks, at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz Donald Trump Jr. and the Governor of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, speak as they attend an event at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit, where U.S. President Donald Trump will deliver remarks, at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. listens to U.S. President Donald Trump (not pictured) as he delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Dr. Mehmet Oz, Tiffany Trump and her husband Michael Boulos applaud while U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump walks delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz Donald Trump Jr. and the Governor of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, applaud while U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit, at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and FIFA President Gianni Infantino listen while U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute's summit, at the Faena Forum in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz Detail on U.S. President Donald Trump's hands while he speaks to reporters as he arrives at Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he arrives at Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump boards Air Force One en route to Miami International Airport at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz U.S. President Donald Trump boards Air Force One en route to Miami International Airport at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 27: U.S. President Donald Trump exits Air Force One while arriving at Palm Beach International Airport on March 27, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. President Trump will spend the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images) WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 27: U.S. President Donald Trump exits Air Force One along with his son Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson while arriving at Palm Beach International Airport on March 27, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. President Trump will spend the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images) US President Donald Trump arrives at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida on March 27, 2026. Trump is heading to Palm Beach, Florida to spend the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images) MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 27: U.S. President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Miami International Airport on March 27, 2026 in Miami, Florida. President Trump traveled to speak at a summit in Miami Beach before heading to Palm Beach for the weekend. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images) MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 27: U.S. President Donald Trump departs Air Force One at Miami International Airport on March 27, 2026 in Miami, Florida. President Trump traveled to speak at a summit in Miami Beach before heading to Palm Beach for the weekend. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images) US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One before departing Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida on March 27, 2026. Trump is heading to Palm Beach, Florida to spend the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images) MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 27: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the FII PRIORITY Summit at the Faena Hotel on March 27, 2026 in Miami Beach, Florida. This is the second year President Trump has spoken at the Saudi-backed investment summit. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images) US President Donald Trump speaks during the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Summit in Miami Beach, Florida, on March 27, 2026. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images) Saudi Arabia Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan (R), the CEO of Paramount Skydance David Ellison (2L) and Bettina Anderson (2R), Donald Trump Jr. fiance, listen to US President Donald Trump speaking at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Summit in Miami Beach, Florida, on March 27, 2026. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images) Saudi Arabia Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan (C) is flanked by Donald Trump Jr. (R) and his fiance Bettina Anderson while listening to US President Donald Trump speaking at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Summit in Miami Beach, Florida, on March 27, 2026. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images) David Ellison (R), chairman and CEO of Paramount Skydance, listens to US President Donald Trump speaking during the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Summit in Miami Beach, Florida, on March 27, 2026. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images) MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 27: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the FII PRIORITY Summit at the Faena Hotel on March 27, 2026 in Miami Beach, Florida. This is the second year President Trump has spoken at the Saudi-backed investment summit. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images) MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 27: Donald Trump Jr. (R) looks on before U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the FII PRIORITY Summit at the Faena Hotel on March 27, 2026 in Miami Beach, Florida. This is the second year President Trump has spoken at the Saudi-backed investment summit. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images) MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 27: (L-R) U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and FIFA President Gianni Infantino attend the FII PRIORITY Summit at the Faena Hotel on March 27, 2026 in Miami Beach, Florida. This is the second year U.S. President Donald Trump has spoken at the Saudi-backed investment summit. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images) MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 27: U.S. President Donald Trump gestures to the crowd before speaking at the FII PRIORITY Summit at the Faena Hotel on March 27, 2026 in Miami Beach, Florida. This is the second year President Trump has spoken at the Saudi-backed investment summit. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images) US President Donald Trump speaks during the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Summit in Miami Beach, Florida, on March 27, 2026. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images) MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 27: U.S. President Donald Trump departs Air Force One at Miami International Airport on March 27, 2026 in Miami, Florida. President Trump is traveling to speak at a summit in Miami Beach and then onto Palm Beach for the weekend. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images) MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 27: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media after departing Air Force One at Miami International Airport on March 27, 2026 in Miami, Florida. President Trump is traveling to speak at a summit in Miami Beach and then onto Palm Beach for the weekend. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images) MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 27: U.S. President Donald Trump arrives at Miami International Airport on March 27, 2026 in Miami, Florida. President Trump is traveling to speak at a summit in Miami Beach and then onto Palm Beach for the weekend. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images) MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 27: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he arrives at Miami International Airport on March 27, 2026 in Miami, Florida. President Trump is traveling to speak at a summit in Miami Beach and then onto Palm Beach for the weekend. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images) US Secret Service counter-sniper agents stand guard on the roof of the hotel where President Donald Trump will address the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Summit in Miami Beach, Florida, on March 27, 2026. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images) FIFA President Gianni INfantino looks at his phone before US President Donald Trump addresses the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Summit in Miami Beach, Florida, on March 27, 2026. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images) MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 27: Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Dr. Mehmet Oz looks on before U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the FII PRIORITY Summit at the Faena Hotel on March 27, 2026 in Miami Beach, Florida. This is the second year President Trump has spoken at the Saudi-backed investment summit. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images) US President Donald Trump speaks during the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Summit in Miami Beach, Florida, on March 27, 2026. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images) MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 27: (L-R) Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Dr. Mehmet Oz talks with Michael Boulos and Tiffany Trump before U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the FII PRIORITY Summit at the Faena Hotel on March 27, 2026 in Miami Beach, Florida. This is the second year President Trump has spoken at the Saudi-backed investment summit. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images) US President Donald Trump speaks during the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Summit in Miami Beach, Florida, on March 27, 2026. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images) US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff (C) and FIFA President Gianni Infantino (R) wait the arrival of US President Donald Trump to address the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Summit in Miami Beach, Florida, on March 27, 2026. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images) Tiffany Trump waits for the arrival of her father, US President Donald Trump, to address the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Summit in Miami Beach, Florida, on March 27, 2026. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images) Tiffany Trump and her husband Michael Boulos listen to her father, US President Donald Trump, address the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Summit in Miami Beach, Florida, on March 27, 2026. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images) MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 27: U.S. President Donald Trump greets the crowd before speaking at the FII PRIORITY Summit at the Faena Hotel on March 27, 2026 in Miami Beach, Florida. This is the second year President Trump has spoken at the Saudi-backed investment summit. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images) US President Donald Trump speaks during the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Summit in Miami Beach, Florida, on March 27, 2026. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images) MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 27: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the FII PRIORITY Summit at the Faena Hotel on March 27, 2026 in Miami Beach, Florida. This is the second year President Trump has spoken at the Saudi-backed investment summit. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images) MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 27: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the FII PRIORITY Summit at the Faena Hotel on March 27, 2026 in Miami Beach, Florida. This is the second year President Trump has spoken at the Saudi-backed investment summit. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images) Trump in Florida. President makes 25th visit to Mar-a-Lago this term 1 of 88 U.S. President Donald Trump exits Air Force One as he arrives at Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida, U.S., March 27, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz

The post followed two other missives announcing and celebrating the rescue of a U.S. serviceman whose F-15 fighter jet was downed by Iranian defenses last week.

"WE GOT HIM!" the president elatedly exclaimed in the post, later adding he would hold a 1 p.m. news conference.

He closed that message writing in all-capitalized letters: "GOD BLESS AMERICA, GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS, AND HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!'

The Republican Party of Palm Beach County, which held its annual dinner at Mar-a-Lago last month, issued an Easter message more in keeping with the spirit of the holiday.

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"On this Holy Resurrection Day, may God's Blessings be upon our County, our State & the United States of America and may He bring peace throughout the world," the statement read.

Trump has been focused on Hormuz as gasoline prices spiral

President Donald Trump marked Easter Sunday on April 5, 2026, with a profane social-media posting demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the critical passage point for oil being shipped from the Middle East. Iran closed the strait amid its war with the U.S. and Israel.

The president, in recent days and weeks, has alternately threatened mass destruction, cajoled allies and considered a ground invasion in the Middle East war to force the strait's reopening  all to no avail as the Iranian regime has either rejected, ignored or ridiculed his assertions.

In the meantime, gasoline prices in the United States have skyrocketed and concerns about global scarcities of fuel and fertilizer grow. The national average for a gallon regular gas stood at $4.11 on April 5, and $4.20 across Florida and $4.35 in Palm Beach County according to the American Automobile Association's surveys.

Iran blocked the critical passageway after the U.S. began military strikes on the country on Feb. 28. Tehran has managed to control the waterway despite Trump's relentless bombing campaign in the 37-day war.

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Trump is in Washington, D.C., for the Easter holiday. During his first term, the president routinely spent the holiday at Mar-a-Lago, attending services with first lady Melania Trump and his family. He did not spend Easter in Palm Beach last year after returning to the presidency.

U.S. President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., March 29, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz

The social media post also caps a tempestuous Holy Week for the president, who has assiduously and successfully courted Christian and Catholic voters during his decade-long political career.

During an Easter-themed prayer meeting with faith leaders at the White House on April 1, the president eschewed commitments to assist parents and families, saying "don't send any money for day care, because the United States can't take care of day care" claiming that it should be up to individual states.

"We're fighting wars," he said.

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On April 3, the most solemn day in the Christian calendar, the president wished "a very happy and blessed Good Friday to all especially to the 186,000 Americans who gained Private Sector jobs in the month of March alone!"

That same day, news reports stated the Pentagon held a Good Friday service that excluded Catholics, while some military faith leaders have rebuked Secretary of War Pete Hegseth for invoking Jesus when speaking of the war.

The following day, Holy Saturday, the president reminded the world he "gave Iran" 10 days to make deal or unilaterally open the Hormuz passage. He noted "time is running out before all Hell will reign (sic) down on them. He punctuated that post with "Glory be to GOD!"

He also railed against immigrants that day in a separate social-media post that read: "If you import The Third World, you become the The Third World."

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The president has earned criticism in previous Easter holidays for posts and other initiatives. In recent years, he has issued holiday messages spiked with scorn at "Radical Left" Democrats and other political opponents. He also raised eyebrows in 2024 by selling Trump-branded "God Bless the USA" Bibles in a venture with singer Lee Greenwood."

Antonio Fins is a politics and business editor at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at afins@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Trump marks Easter with social media f-bomb post threatening Iran
President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform on Easter Sunday with a curse-laden, crazed threat to attack Iran should the regime not open the Strait of Hormuz.

Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran, wrote Trump in yet another threat to strike the countrys civilian infrastructure as his unpopular war enters its sixth week.

Open the Fuckin Strait, you crazy bastards, or youll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP.

President Donald Trump's unhinged message to Iran in a post to his Truth Social platform on Sunday. Truth Social

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His call to reopen the critical waterway for the worlds oil trade follows a similar threat on Thursday evening when he declared the U.S. military hasnt even started destroying whats left in Iran, adding that more of the countrys bridges and power plants were next.

Earlier that day, the U.S. attacked civilian infrastructure in the country for the first time when it bombed a bridge near Tehran. Experts have expressed concerns that such attacks could constitute war crimes under international law.

Politics: Joe Scarborough Points Out Obvious Double Standard In Trump's Easter Morning Meltdown

The presidents latest post arrives as his Monday deadline to reopen the strait looms overhead.

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The post sparked swift backlash across the political spectrum, with former Trump ally-turned-critic, ex. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), charging the president with spewing evil and called on Christians in his administration to fall to their knees to beg forgiveness from God.

I know all of you and him and he has gone insane, and all of you are complicit, Greene wrote in a post to X.

On Easter morning, this is what President Trump posted.

Everyone in his administration that claims to be a Christian needs to fall on their knees and beg forgiveness from God and stop worshipping the President and intervene in Trumps madness.

I know all of you and him and he pic.twitter.com/DgR74YjPQf  Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (@FmrRepMTG) April 5, 2026

Rep. Rebecca Balint (D-Vt.), in an interview on MS NOW, accused Republicans of a double standard as she wondered aloud how theyd react if Joe Biden or Barack Obama made such a post.

At least one Muslim civil rights group has also condemned Trump for his mocking of Islam in the post.

Politics: Democrats Ramp Up Calls For 25th Amendment After Trump's 'Unhinged' Iran Rant

Hosts of major media outlets either read the foul-mouthed message verbatim on live TV or skirted around repeating the presidents cussing, with Fox News Peter Doocy declaring that Trump used some really bad words in the post.

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Criticssuggested that Vice President JD Vance and the Cabinet invoke the 25th Amendment to declare the president, whose bizarre behavior has sparked concerns ofa sharpcognitivedeclineinrecentyears, unfit for office.

Trump told ABC News Rachel Scott on Sunday that the conflict of his making in the Middle East should be over in a matter of days, saying very little is off the table if theres no peace deal.

If happens, it happens. And if it doesnt, were blowing up the whole country, he said.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
BELMOND, Iowa  Authorities say two people were killed in a northern Iowa crash after an illegal U-turn.

The crash occurred just before 7:30 p.m. on Friday along Highway 69 near 200th Street south of Belmond in Wright County. The Iowa State Patrol says a 2000 Ford Ranger was southbound on Hwy 69 when the driver made an illegal U-turn and was struck by a Dodge Ram 1500 traveling south on Hwy 69.

The Iowa State Patrol says the driver of the Ford, 65-year-old Michael Thomas Mickelson, and his passenger, 71-year-old Ellen Kay Countryman, both of Belmond, died at the scene. Authorities did not release any information on the 25-year-old driver of the Dodge Rams condition.

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The Iowa State Patrol says the crash remains under investigation. ISP says they were assisted by the Wright County Sheriffs Office, Belmond Fire and Police Departments and Belmond EMS.

Iowa News:

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Two victims suffered lacerations and stab wounds following an attempted armed robbery in Groton that was thwarted when customers and employees intervened .

The Groton Police Department are investigating an assault and attempted robbery at Accessory Warehouse Corporation located at 375 Route 12 in Groton that took place around 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

According to police, a male employee called 911 and said that two men entered the tire and auto accessory shop and attempted to rob him.

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Police said, another employee and other customers attempted to intervene.

The caller also reported one of the male suspects had a long knife and he believed he was stabbed. The caller also told authorities that both male suspects fled on foot and are believed to have left the area in a vehicle.

The Groton Police Department said there were two victims stabbed and slashed during the attempted robbery. Both were evaluated with minor lacerations and stab wounds, and one victim was transported to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The initial investigation revealed two males entered Accessory Warehouse and attempted

to rob the victim at knife point. Another employee and customers intervened in the robbery

attempt, causing the two suspects to flee the scene, Groton Police said.

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The Groton Police Departments Criminal Investigation Division responded, assumed the investigation, and processed the scene.

In addition to Groton Police, emergency first responders on Saturday afternoon were Groton Ambulance, Subbase Ambulance, Groton City Fire Department, and Yale New Haven and Lawrence and Memorial Hospital paramedics.

New London police also assisted the Groton Police Department in the investigation. Anyone who witnessed or has information about this case is asked to call the Groton Police Department at (860) 441-6712.
As the United States and Israel enter the second month of Operation Epic Fury, the conversation in Washington has shifted from the tactical to the transformational. President Donald Trumps April 1 prime-time address  which declared that core military objectives are nearing completion and that the hour of freedom is at hand  has accelerated a dangerous countdown. While the degradation of missile sites and of the blockade at the Strait of Hormuz represent a tactical endgame, they also expose a strategic void: the question of who exactly will hold the keys to Tehran once the jets fall silent.

Beneath the applause of the convention circuit lies a profound geopolitical gamble that the West has lost before.

In this vacuum, a familiar ghost of history has reappeared to offer an answer. Reza Pahlavi, the exiled crown prince of Iran, son of the former shah, has emerged as a seductive head of government in waiting. His vision, recently pitched to enthusiastic crowds in Texas during the Conservative Political Action Conference, promises a postrevolutionary Iran that recognizes Israel, signs the Cyrus Accords and opens a trillion-dollar market to American investment.

But beneath the applause of the convention circuit lies a profound geopolitical gamble that the West has lost before. While Trump has recently signaled skepticism about Pahlavi leading Iran, Pahlavi remains a rock star figure for the interventionist wing of the Republican Party, which views him as the key to a postrevolutionary framework. The enthusiasm for Pahlavi among a powerful segment of Washington suggests a return to the liberator in a suit archetype. While Vice President JD Vance  the current favorite for 2028  has remained a vocal skeptic of regime change shortcuts, his top tier status at CPAC provided the backdrop for a resurgent interventionist wing. This faction, which saw Secretary of State Marco Rubios support skyrocket in recent straw polls, views Pahlavis Cyrus Accords vision as the ideal exit strategy for the Iran war.

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It is a familiar phenomenon: the belief that a charismatic exile can be successfully transplanted back into a country they havent seen in almost half a century, despite the warnings of more restrained voices within the administration.

There are three primary reasons why leaning on the Pahlavi factor represents a strategic risk for the future of the Middle East.

First, there is the problem of domestic legitimacy. While the Pahlavi name carries a nostalgic brand for the diaspora, it is a brand with limited shelf life inside Iran. Even Trump has recently observed that while Pahlavi is a nice person, he lacks a proven grassroots base within the country. The current generation of Iranians  those who led the January uprisings and have lived under the deprivation of both the clerics and Western sanctions  are not necessarily looking for a restoration of the monarchy. Plus, an imported leader often arrives with the original sin of being seen as a foreign proxy.

Second, the reliance on an exile government creates a vacuum of information regarding actual power dynamics. When Washington centers its policy on a figurehead in Grapevine, Texas, or London, it tends to ignore the complex web of military officials and local leaders who actually hold the keys to a functional state. Central to Pahlavis strategy is his digital defection platform, a secure portal where thousands of Iranian military and security officials have reportedly registered their readiness to flip. By offering a preauthorized path to amnesty, Pahlavi aims to paralyze the regimes security apparatus from within, turning potential executioners into silent allies of the revolution. Pahlavis digital defection platform model sounds suspiciously like the optimistic intelligence provided by the late Iraqi National Congress chairman Ahmad Chalabi before the fall of Baghdad. In reality, the collapse of a regime triggers a scramble for power among internal factions that an exile has little ability to control.

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Third, the Pahlavi narrative risks oversimplifying the regional realignment. At the heart of Pahlavis appeal is the vision of a secular restoration wherein he serves as a unifying transition figure who can dismantle the theocracy and immediately reintegrate Iran into the global fold through a pro-Western, pro-Israel stance. This risks oversimplifying the regional realignment. The promise of the Cyrus Accords between Iran and Israel ignores the nationalist complexities that will survive the Islamic Republic. Following the recent transition of power to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, the regime has shown a tendency to tighten its grip rather than fracture. Any transition seen as a Western imposition will likely trigger a nationalist backlash.

At the heart of Pahlavis appeal is the vision of a secular restoration wherein he serves as a unifying transition figure who can dismantle the theocracy and immediately reintegrate Iran into the global fold through a pro-Western, pro-Israel stance.

Furthermore, the administrations current pivot introduces a new, darker dimension to the exiles gamble. Trumps vow to bomb Iran back to the Stone Ages over the next three weeks  paired with his recent dismissal of the risks posed by Irans highly enriched uranium  suggests a policy driven by improvisation rather than institutional building. If the White House intends to withdraw within 21 days, the assumption that a liberator in a suit can step into the resulting wreckage and maintain order is not just optimistic; it is reckless. Without a deep, indigenous infrastructure, any imported leadership will be presiding over a radioactive ruin rather than a rising democracy.

The tragedy of the current moment is that the desire for a clean ending to the war threatens to lead policymakers back to the same intellectual shortcuts of the early 21st century. The appeal of a pro-Western leader who can speak to a CPAC audience is understandable, but the heart and soul of a nation cannot be managed from a distance.

As 2026 marks the 250th birthday of the United States, the country would do well to remember its own history: Liberty is rarely a gift delivered from abroad, but a hard-won achievement of those who stayed behind to fight for it.

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The path to a stable Iran does not go through the restoration of a throne; it goes through the difficult work of supporting internal forces that can lead a legitimate transition. Anything else is just a phantom king chasing a dangerous myth.

The post The U.S. is dangling a familiar, and failed, ghost of history over Iran appeared first on MS NOW.

This article was originally published on ms.now
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that the accused in the Sabarimala temple gold smuggling case would be jailed if the NDA forms the next government in Keralam. Addressing a public rally in Kattakada, Shah said that people in Keralam have repeatedly voted for both the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF), but neither has ensured development or reduced corruption. "This time we are going to form the government. Keralam has seen both groups. Sometimes you have removed UDF and brought LDF, sometimes removed LDF and brought UDF, but no one has done well for Keralam. Whosoever came indulged in corruption. I assure all of you that if you form the NDA government, the accused in the Sabarimala temple gold case will be put behind bars. Prime Minister Modi's vision is of a government without corruption and development without vote-bank politics. We are in politics to place Bharat Mata at the highest pedestal," Shah said. He further alleged that Congress and Communist parties work together outside the state but act as rivals in Keralam. "Congress and Communist are allies in the rest of India, but in Keralam they stage a rivalry only to mislead the people and grab power. In other parts of India, Congress and Communist are allied parties, but in Keralam, they pretend to be rivals just to deceive the people and seize power," he said. Earlier in the day, Shah criticised the LDF government during a public meeting in Kunnathunadu constituency in Ernakulam district. He said the upcoming Assembly elections are about the future of the state, not just a change in government. "This election is not the election to remove the LDF government and bring the NDA government, but this election is for the future of Keralam. The first state in India to become fully literate was Keralam. The youth here are educated and intelligent, but they do not have jobs," he said. He added that the NDA wants to create job opportunities within the state so that young people do not have to move abroad for work. "We want to build such a Keralam where the youth of Keralam get jobs right here and do not need to go to other Gulf countries. Now, change is coming across the entire world. The Communist Party is being wiped out all over the world and the Congress is being wiped out across the country. Today, the entire country is moving forward under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, 14% of the votes from Keralam went to the NDA. Now it's time to form an NDA government here," he said. Shah also criticised Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, accusing the state government of taking credit for schemes funded by the Centre. "Prime Minister Modi sends 5 kilograms of rice for every poor person, but here the Communist Party sets up a cart. The entire 100% cost of National Highway 66 is being borne by Prime Minister Modi, but there are huge posters of Keralam Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan put up. For the National Health Mission, Prime Minister Modi sends Rs 600 crore, but since there is no space to put up photos, so the National Health Mission has been shut down here. Rahul Gandhi came yesterday and said that petrol prices have gone up, and petrol prices have indeed risen to Rs 460 per litre, but this is not in Kerala but in Pakistan," he said. Polling for the 2026 Keralam Legislative Assembly elections will take place on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4. The current Assembly term ends on May 23. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is trying to unseat the CPI(M)-led LDF government. The LDF has been in power in the state for around a decade. Around 2.7 crore voters are expected to take part in the election. The final electoral roll, released on February 21, includes 2,69,53,644 voters -- 1,31,26,048 male voters, 1,38,27,319 female voters, and 227 third-gender voters. Among them, 4,24,518 are in the 18-19 age group. (ANI)
British police said they arrested seven people on Sunday at a protest near an air base in eastern England used by US forces, accusing them of supporting the banned group Palestine Action.

Activists had gathered to protest the alleged use of the Royal Air Force Lakenheath base as a departure point for US aircraft involved in the war in the Middle East.

The Lakenheath Alliance for Peace, which organised the protest, said the seven had been arrested wearing clothing with the message: "We oppose genocide, we support Palestine Action."

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Police said the five men and two women had been arrested "on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation".

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour government banned Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation last year, making it a criminal offence to belong to or support the group.

In February, a court ruled the ban was "disproportionate" and interfered with the right to free speech.

But the government has appealed, and the ban remains in effect in the meantime.

More than 2,700 people have been arrested and hundreds charged over rallies in support of the group, according to protest organisers Defend Our Juries.

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Police said in a statement on the latest arrests that they had a duty to enforce the law "as it currently stands, not as it might be in the future".

Two protesters were also arrested on Saturday at Lakenheath and charged with obstructing public thoroughfares, police said.

The New York Times and BBC have reported that images relayed by Iranian media of the US fighter jet shot down on Friday in Iran match a model typically stationed at Lakenheath.

President Donald Trump has railed against Starmer for what he calls insufficient support for the US campaign in the Middle East, straining the countries' longtime alliance.

The UK has authorised the United States to use British military bases to carry out "defensive" operations against Iran and protect the vital Strait of Hormuz.

mhc/jhb/pdw
Photographers have captured a rare sighting of the UK's largest bird of prey in a moment they say they will "never forget".

A white-tailed eagle was spotted at the Cley Marshes nature reserve in north Norfolk this week, soaring in the sky and scouring for prey.

The impressive birds can grow to have a wingspan of up to 2.4m (7.8ft) and they were hunted to extinction but in recent years they have been successfully reintroduced in southern England and Scotland.

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The sighting sent photographers rushing to spot it, including Gary Roberts, 61, who said it was "hard to impress" how big the bird was.

A white-tailed eagle, the UK's largest bird of prey, was spotted flying over Cley Marshes in north Norfolk [Steve Gantlett/cleybirds.com]

The bird, also known as a sea eagle, had what appeared to be the remains of a goose in its talons as it flew over the marshes and sea gulls were seen flying alongside it.

Jane Crossen, from Sheringham, said there was a real buzz among visitors to Cley when the bird was spotted earlier this week.

"Everyone was talking about it, it is a moment people will not forget," she said.

She said she ran to the hide along with other photographers after hearing news of its sighting.

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"The amount of 'wows' coming from people around the reserve was a joy to behold," she added.

"The Norfolk Wildlife Trust reserve centre was buzzing too, the views must have been spectacular from there."

Roberts, from Brancaster, added that it was an "absolutely stunning" sight.

The white-tailed eagle came from Dorset and had been making its way through the East of England [Gary Roberts]

The male white-tailed eagle is one of 25 thought to be living in England, while in Scotland there are as many as 200.

Roy Dennis, whose wildlife foundation is working to reintroduce the species, said the bird, which hatched last summer, was the first to fledge in the wild in Dorset for hundreds of years.

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"It is a very interesting bird and its parents are two birds that were released on the Isle of Wight," he said.

"For the last 10 days it was spotted off the Isle of Wight, it flew to Kent then across the outer Thames before passing Ipswich and Great Yarmouth before reaching the north Norfolk coast.

"By Thursday it had reached Dersingham."

Dennis said its movements were typical for a white-tailed eagle in its first two years.

"They will wander around England looking for places that are good to live but after a couple of years it will almost certainly return to Dorset," he said.

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"It is on its exploring year, on a Spring holiday."

The reintroduction of the species is being managed by the Roy Dennis Foundation and 10 more are due to be released in the south of England this summer, some at Exmoor National Park.

Work was under way to investigate the potential release of white-tailed eagles at Wild Ken Hill in west Norfolk.

Dennis said this project was currently "on the back burner" but introducing the birds somewhere in East Anglia remained an ambition for the future.

Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

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US President Donald Trump has threatened that "all hell would rain down on" Iran if it did not make a deal, an ultimatum that Tehran has rejected.

Senior Iranian military officer, Gen Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, echoed Trump's rhetoric, saying "the gates of hell will open for you".

On Saturday Iran fired more missiles at the Gulf States, Iraq and Israel, with falling debris from intercepted missiles causing damage. Since then, more strikes have been reported in Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE overnight.

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The threats from the US and Iran came as both searched for a missing American crew member after a US F-15 fighter jet was shot down over Iran on Friday. The pilot was rescued, US media says.

Iranian state media reported that at least four people were killed in a US-Israeli airstrike in the same region being searched for the missing US weapon systems officer.

Missile strikes hit telecommunications towers in the city of Dehdasht, Tasnim news agency, which is linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, reported.

Unverified videos on social media show hundreds of people heading to a mountainous area in south-western Iran to search for the missing American. Iranian officials have been urging citizens to help find the missing crew member "alive" and are offering bounties for their capture.

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A US A-10 Warthog aircraft that was part of an initial search-and-rescue mission for the downed jet was also shot and damaged, but its pilot was rescued after they ejected over the Gulf.

Also on Saturday, Trump reiterated his threat that he would resume attacks on Iranian energy plants after a 10 day pause for Tehran to "make a deal".

On Truth Social he said "all Hell will reign down on them" if Iran failed to do so, or to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 hours.

Iran waved off the threats and rejected Trump's demand.

Gen Aliabadi, of Iran's central military command, said Trump's threat was a "helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action".

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Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a spokesperson for Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, added: "If hostility escalates, the entire region will turn into hell for you; the illusion of defeating the Islamic Republic of Iran will become a quagmire into which you will sink."

[BBC]

The US and Israel continued their bombardment of Iranian military, energy and other industrial sites on Saturday.

Kuwait said an Iranian drone attack knocked out two power generation stations and hit water desalination plants.

Earlier attacks caused significant damage to a government office complex and a fire at the Kuwaiti oil ministry.

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Meanwhile Israel said it had intercepted missiles launched from Iran.

On Saturday Trump shared a video on his Truth Social platform which he said showed a "massive strike" on the capital Tehran. However, the video appeared to be 24 hours old.

Trump claimed in his post that "many of Iran's Military Leaders, who have led them poorly and unwisely, are terminated, along with much else", following the strike.

There has been no response from Tehran, and no further details from the US.

Iran launched a barrage of missiles at central Israel on Saturday [Reuters]

A major petrochemical hub in south-western Iran was struck, state media reported.

Five people were killed and 170 were injured in the attack on the Mahshahr facility, it reported.

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Iran also said the area around its Bushehr nuclear power plant had been attacked for the fourth time during the war.

One of the plant's employees was killed in the attack, Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation said. It blamed the US and Israel for the attack, but neither country has confirmed carrying it out.

The International Atomic Energy Agency - the UN's nuclear watchdog - said no increase in radiation levels has been reported.

Iran's nuclear programme has long been a point of contention, leading to extensive international sanctions. The US-Israeli war with Iran began on 28 February, two days after a third round of indirect US-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva.
The union representing firefighters in Atlanta is now suing the city.

Leaders say its because the mayor and city arent upholding their part of a collective bargaining reached last year.

Shes been digging into the 60-page lawsuit.

The union says it protects every firefighter in the city.

The collective bargaining agreement is now the center of a lawsuit filed by the Atlanta Professional Firefighters against the city of Atlanta.

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The Local 134 Chapter says they came to an agreement with the city last April.

It changed firefighters pay cycle from 28 days to 14, and they had been operating under it for the past six months.

Then a dispute arose.

The fire chief actually sent an email stating that there wasnt a signature on the contract, even though it had been ratified and approved by the mayor, and thats why he thought it wasnt valid, said union president Nate Bailey.

He told me they continued to ask for the signature, but they never got it.

Mayor Andre Dickens released a statement that says hes always been committed to signing the agreement but that there might be an issue with the election process of Local 134.

Mayor Dickens has always been committed to signing a collective bargaining agreement with the representative union members choose. Questions surrounding the legitimacy of the recent election, with calls from both members of Local 134 and national leadership to rerun it, cannot be ignored. Ensuring a fair and democratic process must come first. The city of Atlanta

Bailey said thats something that has nothing to do with the government or the CBA.

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He also said getting a valid agreement impacts every single firefighter and their families.

Getting a correct paycheck and not having to stress if youre missing 12 or 24 hours of pay is a big deal, Bailey said.

They say it would also save taxpayer money.

Local 134 says litigation is moving forward.

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A second US crew member who was missing in Iran after an American F-15 fighter jet was shot down has been rescued.

Posting to social media, US President Donald Trump said the rescued weapons-systems officer had "sustained injuries" but would be "just fine", describing the rescue as "one of the most daring search and rescue operations in US history".

Following the downing of the aircraft on Friday, both the pilot and crew member ejected - with the pilot recovered shortly afterwards.

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After this, both the US and Iran scrambled to locate the missing crew member in a mountainous region of southwestern Iran.

[BBC]

The search presented a serious test for the US, with the possibility of a prisoner of war situation if Iran found the missing airman - something which would have likely involved him being used as part of propaganda material.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was said to have launched its own search for the missing American, reportedly using troops and locals, and offering them a reward of about $66,000 (50,000) to capture him alive.

Videos on social media appeared to show hundreds of people heading to a mountainous area in south-western Iran to search for the missing US airman.

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Details of the second airman being rescued emerged in US media late on Saturday night.

A short time later, Trump confirmed the successful mission on Truth Social, writing "WE GOT HIM!", adding the crew member was a "respected colonel".

The US rescue operation was described to the BBC as "huge" by one person familiar with the details.

The BBC understands that the pilot may have been injured during his initial ejection from the aircraft.

Tasnim, the semi-official news agency associated with the IRGC, said five Iranians were killed during the operation.

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Trump said dozens of aircraft had been involved in the operation, with the White House not giving an update after the pilot was recovered on Friday to protect the ongoing rescue.

Earlier reports suggested the missing crew member might be in the mountainous area of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, in the southwestern regions of Iran.

Officials told US media that the crew member spent more than 24 hours on his own, hiding in the mountains with a handgun.

A senior official also said that the CIA played a crucial role in the rescue mission by tracking the airman in a mountain crevice and passing his exact location to the Pentagon.

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The agency engaged in a deception campaign inside Iran, reports said. While the rescue attempt was taking place, the agency spread word the airman had already been found and was being extracted from Iran.

The rescue operation reportedly included an A-10 Warthog aircraft which was hit over the Gulf, with its pilot ejecting before being rescued.

[BBC]

The recovery of the F-15 crew member comes as strikes continue in the region.

On Sunday morning, authorities in Abu Dhabi said they were battling fires at a Borouge petrochemical facility caused by falling debris from an Iranian missile.

Kuwait said strikes by Iranian drones had caused severe damage to oil and petrochemical facilities. Industrial and fuel plants were also targeted in Bahrain.

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Later in the day Israeli media reported a direct hit by a ballistic missile on a residential building in the city of Haifa which injured at least four people.

Meanwhile President Trump told Fox News he thought there was a "good chance" of reaching a deal with Iran on Monday, ahead of Tuesday's US-imposed deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The interview followed an expletive-ridden post on social media in which he repeated threats to bomb Iranian power plants and bridges.
A US airman stranded in Iran's mountains for 36 hours was rescued thanks to a CIA-led deception campaign and a daring military operation that thwarted Iranian efforts to locate him.

The United States successfully rescued a downed US Air Force service member, whose F-15 was shot down by Iranian forces in the south east of the country over the weekend, US President Donald Trump said in a Sunday post to Truth Social.

US officials had earlier confirmed the mission to FOX News, explaining that the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) had conducted an extensive deception campaign as part of the rescue effort.

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The Airman, who hasn't yet been publicly named, was one of two aircrew flying the F-15 when it was shot down. A US military team rescued the aircraft's pilot later that day, but the second airman was stranded for 36 hours in mountainous terrain before being rescued by US forces.

The CIA campaign involved spreading word inside Iran that US forces had already found him and were moving him overland for exfiltration, confusing Iranian forces and leadership in their own search for the missing airman.

While Iranian forces grappled with misinformation, US intelligence was able to aid in locating the airman in Iran and assist in a US special forces extraction mission.

It was the ultimate "needle in a haystack" scenario, a US official told Fox News. "A courageous American hidden within a mountain crevice, undetectable by conventional means but revealed through CIA intelligence," he said.

The rescue mission

In addition to the CIA's intelligence campaign, the rescue mission employed hundreds of special forces troops, dozens of US warplanes, and helicopters, according to a New York Times report.

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The US special forces teams were deployed on the ground in Iran on both Friday and Saturday as part of the search and rescue effort. While the search operation was conducted, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) dispatched teams in an attempt to locate the missing airman. To thwart these efforts, US Air Force jets carried out strikes against Iranian forces to prevent them from reaching the area, according to sources cited by Axios.

Two officials familiar with the operation told the NYT that as US forces finally located the airman and closed in for extraction, a firefight erupted with Iranian forces.

A senior US military official told the NYT that the mission to rescue the airman was one of the most challenging and complex in the history of US special operations.

An IDF source confirmed to The Jeruslem Post that Israeli forces provided intelligence and reportedly conducted strikes in support of the US operation.

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Foreign reports have claimed that Israeli commandos participated in the operation. However, an IDF source stated to the Post that these reports are completely false.

During the operation, US forces reportedly established a temporary air base for their search mission, during which two MC-130J planes became stuck, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

MC-130Js are specially equipped aircraft used for covert infiltration and the extraction of troops from behind enemy lines.

Due to the planes being immobilized, three additional planes were reportedly sent in for final extraction, NYT reported, and US forces made the decision to blow up the downed planes before evacuating the area.

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After the successful extraction mission, Iranian forces discovered the remains of the MC-130J planes and falsely claimed that their military had shot them down.

According to the IRGC Public Relations Department, through divine favor, the hostile American drone that had been tracking a downed fighter pilot in the southern Isfahan was shot down. IRNA news tweeted regarding the MC-130J aircraft.
(This story contains strong language in paragraph 6)

By Phil Stewart, Idrees Ali and Menna AlaaElDin

WASHINGTON/CAIRO, April 5 (Reuters) - U.S. special forces rescued an airman in a high-risk mission deep inside Iran while President Donald Trump threatened to rain "hell" on Tehran if it did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday for oil flows vital to the world economy.

Trump announced the rescue in the early hours of Sunday in a social media post that described the operation in a mountainous area as "one of the most daring" such missions in U.S. history.

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The airman, the weapons officer of an F-15 jet shot down on Friday, was wounded but "will be just fine", Trump said in a message on X. The jet's pilot was rescued later that day.

In another post laden with expletives, Trump told Iran to open the Hormuz waterway, the conduit for around a fifth of the world's oil and natural gas supply that has been largely shut down since the war began five weeks ago.

"Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran," he said on his Truth Social platform, threatening strikes on energy and transport infrastructure that critics say would violate international law.

"There will be nothing like it!!! Open the Fuckin Strait, you crazy bastards, or youll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP"

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Adding to the pressure, Washington's ally in the war, Israel - which attacked a major petrochemicals facility in Iran on Saturday - was preparing to attack energy facilities next week and was awaiting U.S. approval, a senior Israeli defence official said.

In the kind of mixed messaging that has baffled supporters, foes and financial markets alike, Trump told Fox News on Sunday that Iran was negotiating, with a deal possible by Monday.

After reports of explosions across Iran's capital Tehran on Monday morning, a U.S.-Israeli strike on a residential building killed at least five people and left several people buried under rubble in Qom, south of the city, a deputy governor told the semi-official SNN news agency.

IRAN CONDEMNS 'RECKLESS' US, HITS GULF

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Tehran is demanding an end to hostilities and its parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf condemned Trump's threats, saying he was being misled by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"Your reckless moves are dragging the United States into a living HELL for every single family, and our whole region is going to burn because you insist on following Netanyahu's commands," he posted on X.

Showing it still had fight despite the U.S.-Israeli pounding, Iran expanded attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure, launching drone and missile strikes on petrochemical facilities in Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

The Revolutionary Guards also said they hit an Israelilinked vessel at Dubai's Jebel Ali port.

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In Kuwait, drones sparked fires and caused severe material damage at petrochemical plants operated by affiliates of state oil firm Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, the company said.

The strikes underscored Irans ability to sustain crossborder attacks and disrupt infrastructure across multiple Gulf states, exposing vulnerabilities in energy and maritime hubs.

In Israel too, media showed search-and-rescue teams combing debris in the northern city of Haifa after an Iranian missile hit a residential building. Israeli paramedics said nine people were being treated.

HOSTAGE CRISIS AVERTED

With the impact from the strait's closure on the global economy deepening by the day, the rescue of the U.S. airman removed the risk for Trump of a hostage crisis further souring the mood of an American public already sceptical of the war.

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Under cover of darkness, U.S. commandos slipped deep into Iran, undetected, scaled a 7,000foot (2,100-metre) ridge and took the stranded American weapons specialist to safety, moving the airman toward a secret rendezvous point before dawn on Sunday.

Two MC-130 aircraft that had ferried some of the roughly 100 special operations forces into rugged terrain south of Tehran suffered a mechanical failure and could not take off, a U.S. official told Reuters.

Their commanders made a high-risk decision, ordering additional aircraft to fly into Iran to extract the group in waves  a decision that left the elite commandos waiting for a couple of tense hours.

The rescue force was pulled out in stages, and U.S. troops destroyed the disabled MC130s and four additional helicopters inside Iran rather than risk leaving sensitive equipment behind.

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Iran said several U.S. aircraft were destroyed during the operation, including two military transport planes and two Black Hawk helicopters. Footage posted on social media showed burned-out aircraft wreckage, which Reuters verified was in the area.

PEACE EFFORTS FRUITLESS

The war, which opened with U.S. and Israeli air strikes across Iran on February 28, has spread to Lebanon, where Israel has resumed its campaign against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah.

Thousands have died, mainly in Iran and Lebanon, where Israeli airstrikes killed another 11 people on Sunday, according to Lebanon's health ministry.

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Efforts brokered by Pakistan to bring the two sides to an agreement have so far failed.

"What we care about are the terms of a conclusive and lasting END to the illegal war that is imposed on us," Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on X.

Iran's chokehold over the narrow Strait of Hormuz shipping lane off its southern coast has sent crude prices soaring, squeezing consumers and businesses worldwide.

(Reporting by Reuters bureaux worldwide; Writing by James Mackenzie and Andrew Cawthorne; Editing by William Mallard, William Maclean, Ros Russell and Cynthia Osterman)
MOSCOW, April 5 (Reuters) - A cargo ship carrying wheat sank in the Sea of Azov after coming under attack from Ukrainian drones, a Russia-installed official said on Sunday, leaving one person dead and two missing.

Vladimir Saldo, Moscow-installed leader of the Russian-controlled parts of Ukraine's Kherson region, said the attack occurred on Friday but crew members were unable to make known what had happened to them until Sunday.

"It became known that the reason for the sinking of the Volgo-Balt in the Sea of Azov was a terrorist attack by the Kyiv regime," Saldo wrote on Telegram.

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He said the crew abandoned ship and was only able to reach shore on Sunday near the village of Strilkove in Kherson region.

He said an aide to the captain had died and two people were unaccounted for, adding that an investigation into the incident was under way. The captain was recovering in a hospital.

"This is, unfortunately, not the first instance of Ukraine attacking a merchant ship in neutral waters. There will be a response to this crime," Saldo said.

In an earlier post, he said nine crew members had been found alive on the shore - all Russian nationals.

Kherson is one of four Ukrainian regions annexed by Russia in 2022, more than six months after Moscow's invasion. Russian forces hold a little more than 70% of the two regions, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, in the south.

(Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin; Editing by Hugh Lawson, Christina Fincher, Ron Popeski and Mark Porter)
A coalition of Democrat-led states filed yet another court challenge to President Donald Trump's executive order placing restrictions on mail-in voting.

The April 3 lawsuit from more than 20 Democratic state attorneys general as well as from Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro alleges that Trump "flouted" constitutional principles that give states primary responsibility for running federal elections.

Rioters stand on the US Capitol building to protest the official election of President-elect Joe Biden on Jan. 6, 2021 on Washington DC. Law enforcement officers point their guns at a door that was vandalized in the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. Pro-Trump rioter Josiah Colt is seen hanging from the balcony in the Senate Chamber on Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. Josiah Colt turned himself in at the Ada County Sheriff's Office in Boise, Idaho on Jan. 12, 2021. A person poses with a noose displayed in front of the US Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. A Capitol police officer looks out of a broken window as pro-Trump rioters gather on the U.S. Capitol Building on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Pro-Trump protesters storm into the U.S. Capitol during clashes with police, during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress, in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. Pro-Trump rioters protest inside the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. - Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. A supporter of President Trump carries a Confederate flag as he protests in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, in Washington, DC on Jan. 6, 2021, Members of congress run for cover as protesters try to enter the House Chamber during a joint session of Congress on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. A supporter of President Donald Trump sits inside the office of U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi inside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. Police hold back supporters of US President Donald Trump as they gather outside the US Capitol's Rotunda on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. - Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. See images of pro-Trump rioters storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 1 of 12 Rioters stand on the US Capitol building to protest the official election of President-elect Joe Biden on Jan. 6, 2021 on Washington DC.

The Constitution assigns states the authority to set the "Times, Places and Manner" of elections for members of Congress, while also authorizing Congress to pass a law altering many of those regulations.

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The states zeroed in on that constitutional provision as they argued that Trump is acting without authority.

"Neither the Constitution nor any act of Congress confers upon the President the authority to mandate sweeping changes to States electoral systems or procedures," they said in the lawsuit.

Trump's March 31 executive order directs the U.S. Postal Service to create "uniform standards" to prevent it from transmitting the mail-in ballots of people who aren't approved to vote. The service would provide each state with a list of "enrolled" voters.

"Only Democrat politicians and operatives would be upset about lawful efforts to secure American elections and ensure only eligible American citizens are casting ballots," White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told USA TODAY in a statement.

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"President Trump campaigned on securing our elections and the American people sent him back to the White House to get the job done," she added.

US President Donald Trump signs an executive order restricting mail-in voting ahead of midterm elections in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 31, 2026.

The states say the order coerces states with threats of investigation and prosecution into disenfranchising voters missing from the federal government's "shadow voter eligibility lists."

"Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our democracy, and no president has the power to rewrite the rules on his own," New York Attorney General Letitia James, one of the state attorneys general behind the lawsuit, said in a statement.

A series of voting rights groups and top congressional Democrats have also sued Trump in two separate lawsuits that aim to block his new restrictions on mail-in voting, alleging they amount to an unlawful power grab.

Contributing: Zac Anderson  USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Democrat-led states sue Trump in latest challenge over mail-in voting
The Wakaboomee Program celebrated its 10th anniversary during its fourth annual Earth Day Gala, an event recognizing a decade of youth empowerment and community impact.

Students were honored for their achievements, and professionals who support and invest in the program were also recognized.

Founder Narkie Nartey said programs like Wakaboomee play a critical role in shaping the future of North Carolina.

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"This night is monumental for us. We started in my backyard in Morrisville. We started as a children's book but now it has become this movement of so many volunteers and partners," She said. "It means so much to be at N.C. State doing what we love to do which is spreading wellness, STEM, and entrepreneurship."

The event was held at NC State University and was emceed by ABC11 anchor and reporter Bianca Holman.


Ahead of the Keralam assembly elections, CPI-M General Secretary M A Baby on Sunday said a detailed discussion were held about how to develop a broad political arrangement to expose, isolate, fight and defeat fascistic RSS-controlled BJP. "We had a detailed discussion about how to develop a broad political arrangement to expose, isolate, fight and defeat fascistic RSS-controlled BJP at the All India level. What is available at the all-India level now is the INDIA Bloc political arrangement. But those who belong to the INDIA Bloc may be compelled to fight with each other in some provinces of the country because of the peculiar objective situation that exists in some of the states. We from CPI-M have a clear-cut understanding that even when we are compelled to fight each other within the INDIA Bloc, we should not conduct ourselves in such a manner that the fascistic RSS and BJP would be able to exploit this fight..," he said while addressing a press conference. He also launched an attack against BJP Keralam president Rajeev Chandrashekhar, calling him a 'Money Bag.' He further said that the chances of the LDF to get third term are very substantial." Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah slammed the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), saying the upcoming Assembly elections are about shaping the state's future rather than just changing the government. Addressing a public meeting in the Kunnathunadu constituency in Ernakulam district, Shah said, "This election is not the election to remove the LDF government and bring the NDA government, but this election is for the future of Keralam. The first state in India to become fully literate was Keralam. The youth here are educated and intelligent, but they do not have jobs." He added, "We want to build such a Keralam where the youth of Keralam get jobs right here and do not need to go to other Gulf countries. Now, change is coming across the entire world. The Communist Party is being wiped out all over the world and the Congress is being wiped out across the country. Today, the entire country is moving forward under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, 14% of the votes from Keralam went to the NDA. Now it's time to form an NDA government here." Polling for the 2026 Keralam Legislative Assembly elections will be held on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4. The tenure of the current Assembly ends on May 23. (ANI)
A small plane had to make an emergency landing on a Pennsylvania highway on Saturday.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) confirmed with CBS Philadelphia that the plane landed on Interstate 78.

Dashcam video shows the plane landing near New Smithville, Pennsylvania, in Lehigh County.

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A 1995 Commander 114B plane took off from New Jersey en route to Indiana just after 9 a.m.

Thats when the pilot noticed engine problems, PSP said.

The pilot tried to make it to an airport but instead landed on eastbound Interstate 78. The plane has since been removed from the highway.

The 65-year-old pilot reported no injuries.

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WAYNESFIELD  Waynesfield police helped reunite a runaway girl from Chicago with her family Thursday, according to a press release from Waynesfield Police Chief Nathan Motter on the departments Facebook page.

The girl reuinited with her father and brother at the Auglaize County Sheriffs Office about seven hours after Motter learned about the situation.

The 15-year-old juvenile girl had been reported missing from Chicago. Travelling with her boyfriend and his Venezuelan-born parents, the girl said she intended to run away with her boyfriend once she reached Columbus. As the boyfriends parents began driving her back to Chicago, she said she planned to flee the vehicle once it stopped. Concerned for her safety, the boyfriends parents contacted authorities when she was asleep.

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This was an excellent collaboration of multiple local and federal resources to return a missing girl to her family, Motter said. With limited information and a language barrier, we were able to safely reunite a teenager with her family.The girl was safely removed from the vehicle.

Assisting on the situation were the Auglaize County Sheriffs Office, Auglaize-Mercer Grant Lake Task Force, Chicago Police Department, U.S. Marshals Office and the Federal Burea of Investigation. No criminal charges will be pursued by Waynesfield Police Department, Motter said, and information was forwarded to Chicago police, which plans to follow up the case with its Special Victims Unit.
A 51-year-old West Bank resident was indicted for extortion, impersonating a fighter pilot and Mossad agent, and entering Israel illegally.

Kiryat Shmona Magistrate's Court indicted a 51-year-old West Bank resident for extortion by threats, impersonation, including of a fighter pilot and Mossad agent, respectively, and entering Israel illegally, Israel Police reported on Sunday.

The indictment followed an investigation by Israel Police officers, who requested his detention until the end of proceedings.

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Last month, a complaint was filed with the Israel Police by the victim regarding an attempted extortion and threats. The investigation revealed that the defendant, who entered Israel illegally and remained without legal permits, acted in a planned, systematic, and sophisticated manner to establish contact with the victim through social media, presenting false pretenses and concealing his true identity.

As part of the communication between the indicted suspect and victim, the defendant exploited the trust placed in him and impersonated a resident of northern Israel. Over the period, he portrayed himself as a Mossad agent, a security official operating in enemy territory, and as an Israel Air Force pilot, as well as other roles.

In order to support these false portrayals, the defendant used technology, including creating content using artificial intelligence, to establish the credibility of his false identity.

A criminal created AI videos impersonating an IAF fighter pilot, among other roles, published April 5, 2026. (credit: ISRAEL POLICE)

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The investigation also revealed that the defendant recorded the victim on several occasions without their knowledge or consent, including during meetings between them, and spread this content to other parties, severely harming their privacy.

Suspect threatened to distribute secretly recorded videos of victim

Additionally, after recording the victim, the defendant began to threaten the victim that he would distribute the videos he possessed to other parties, and tried to extort them by applying pressure and making serious threats.

Included in this, he told the victim, "If you do not listen to me and do not obey me, I will kill you."

Investigators used undercover methods to trace the defendant's location, find him, and arrest him. His detention had been extended according to the needs of the investigation.
A woman who was accused of hitting a police officer in March was arrested again a month later for assault.

25-year-old Tanaezah Austin was arrested and charged after allegedly hitting a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer with her car on March 1.

Austin was allegedly present at a street takeover of a west Charlotte Harris Teeter parking lot, where several drivers were doing donuts, according to the affidavit.

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When officers showed up to break up the takeover, Austin allegedly tried to leave. An officer attempted to approach the car on the driver's side but Austin allegedly stepped on the gas, striking the officer and causing him to roll over the hood as the car sped away.

The officer was taken to the hospital after the incident.

Austin was charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon against an officer. She was released on bond.

Just over a month later, Austin was arrested again for allegedly running over an ex-boyfriend's foot with a car on April 2, according to arrest records. She was charged for misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon and domestic violence.

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A bond has not been set for these charges.

For the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts that impact you from WCNC Charlotte, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app and enable push notifications.
When Marsha Allen's Freetown, Indiana, home was burglarized on Sept. 19, 2023, the last thing investigators expected to uncover was a murder and a hit list of more potential victims.

Detective Clint Burcham and Lt. Adam Nicholson of the Jackson County Sheriff's Department spoke with "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant in "The Root Beer Float Murder," an all-new "48 Hours" now streaming on Paramount+.

The murder investigation began after Marsha Allen told police that she recognized one of the burglars recorded on her home security cameras. His name was Steven White, a friend of her daughter, Ashley Jones.

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"Ashley Jones and Steven White were actually best friends," said Burcham.

A security camera still from the burglary showing Steven White, left. / Credit: Jackson County Sheriff's Department (Jackson County Sheriff's Department)

Only hours after Marsha Allen reported the crime, investigators located White. He confessed to the burglary but then blindsided investigators with information about Marsha, declaring she was a "murderer."

Marsha Allen's husband, Harold Allen, had died the year before, after months of sudden, declining health. At the time, his death was attributed to cardiac issues.

White told police that Marsha Allen had killed Harold Allen by placing poison in a root beer float. He claimed Jones, who had lived with the couple at the time, was in on the murder plot and had masterminded the burglary.

Steven White tells police what he knows about Marsha Allen during his arrest. / Credit: Jackson County Sheriff's Department

White tipped the Jackson County Sheriff's Department that Marsha Allen and Jones' text messages would reveal details about the poisoning plan.

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Through those messages, investigators discovered the two had attempted to kill Harold Allen multiple times in the months prior to his death with an array of exotic poisons. When those attempts failed, investigators say the mother and daughter turned to ethylene glycol, an ingredient found in antifreeze. On Dec. 19, 2022, police say Marsha Allen served Harold Allen that lethal, poisoned root beer float.

A month after the burglary, Marsha Allen was questioned by police and denied any involvement in her husband's death. She returned home and took her own life hours later.

Ashley Jones was charged with Harold Allen's murder and was booked into the Jackson County Jail. Awaiting trial, investigators say Jones gave her cellmate a "kill list." Police believe it contained the names of people with knowledge of what happened to Harold, who Ashley wanted to eliminate.

Nicholson says Jones told her cellmate the list contained the names of witnesses in the case. "She was trying to get rid of them, off them," said Nicholson.

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First on that list, say investigators, was Jones' best friend Steven White, who was charged in the burglary.

Van Sant asked Nicholson, "And if Ashley had her way, are you convinced she would've killed these people, if she had the ability to do so?"

"Oh absolutely, without a doubt, she would've had them killed," replied Nicholson.

Ashley Jones / Credit: Jackson County Sheriff's Department

Jackson County Prosecutor Lynsey Fleetwood told "48 Hours" that Jones was not charged with any crimes connected to the list, though she notes that an analysis comparing it to Jones' handwriting was found to be "favorable," meaning it was likely penned by Ashley Jones.

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In August 2025, Jones took a plea deal in Harold Allen's murder. She pleaded guilty to attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Jones was sentenced to 50 years in prison. For his role in the burglary, White was sentenced to three and a half years.

Lawmakers react to White House's massive defense spending proposal

White House reacts to F-15E fighter jet downed over Iran

Early details on F-15E fighter jet downed in Iran
The Seattle Police Department (SPD) says a 31-year-old woman was arrested on Sunday for allegedly stabbing a man in the back of the head with a toothbrush.

The incident happened near Saltys Seafood Restaurant on Alki Beach at around 11 a.m.

Police say the woman jabbed a 34-year-old man in the back of the head with the backside of what appeared to be a toothbrush.

Both individuals appeared to be intoxicated, and there was an altercation before the assault, SPD says.

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The man sustained a scratch and put a bandage on his own head, according to police. Officers saw dried blood, but he was not actively bleeding, and because he was uncooperative and refused medical treatment, the man was released from the scene.

Police say the woman was booked into the King County Jail, facing charges of assault.
A juvenile gray whale that somehow found its way into the north fork of the Willapa River in Pacific County has been declared deceased.

The whale was spotted on April 1. While it was thin, it was behaving normally and didnt appear to have any injuries, according to the Cascadia Research Collection (CRC).

CRC went out on the river on April 2 and wasnt able to get the whale out.

We are giving the whale time and space to leave the river on its own, but plans are being made with our partners at NOAA and WDFW if intervention is needed in the coming days, CRC wrote on Facebook on Thursday, April 2.

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Its unclear how far inland the whale got.

On Friday, CRC and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), with assistance from members of the Chinook and Shoalwater Bay Tribes, conducted an extensive on-water search for the young gray whale.

The whale was not seen on the river on Friday, and CRC said it is hopeful that it made its way back to Willapa Bay and open water.

However, on Saturday, CRC updated its Facebook post to indicate that the whale was indeed spotted on April 4.

Later in the day on April 4, CRC said the whale has died.

We are saddened to confirm that the whale seen in the Willapa River over the past few days is deceased. We are working with local partners to evaluate the safety of the location to conduct an examination, CRC wrote as a 5 p.m. update on April 4.

The public is asked to stay away from the whale in the river.
A 22-year-old has died after he was shot by officers during a police chase in south-western Germany, prosecutors said on Sunday.

The incident unfolded at around 1 am (2300 GMT Saturday) after a vehicle attempted to evade a police check north-east of Saarbrucken, a city on the French border some 150 kilometres from Frankfurt.

The 22-year-old was driving the vehicle carrying two more men, a 23-year-old and a 19-year-old.

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The 19-year-old sitting in the back seat was injured in the chase, a spokesman for prosecutors in Saarbrucken said.

A female officer was said to have been injured when the vehicle tried to turn around in a cul-de-sac as it was attempting to get away from police, prosecutors said in a statement.

Officers then fired shots at the vehicle, which came to a halt. The 22-year-old driver died due to his injuries.

Prosecutors declined to give further details pointing to ongoing investigations.
A 22-year-old has died after he was shot by officers during a police chase in south-western Germany, prosecutors said on Sunday.

The incident unfolded at around 1 am (2300 GMT Saturday) after a vehicle attempted to evade a police check north-east of Saarbrucken, a city on the French border some 150 kilometres from Frankfurt.

The 22-year-old was driving the vehicle carrying two more men, a 23-year-old and a 19-year-old.

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The 19-year-old sitting in the back seat was injured in the chase, a spokesman for prosecutors in Saarbrucken said.

A female officer was said to have been injured when the vehicle tried to turn around in a cul-de-sac as it was attempting to get away from police, prosecutors said in a statement.

Officers then fired shots at the vehicle, which came to a halt. The 22-year-old driver died due to his injuries.

The injured police officer was released from hospital on Sunday afternoon, prosecutors said, but declined to give further details pointing to ongoing investigations.

Multiple police officers were deployed to the scene of the shooting on Sunday, crowding the narrow cul-de-sac where the vehicle had come to a halt, according to a dpa reporter at the scene.

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The windshield of a blue car parked on the street was punctured by a hole and the window on the driver's side was broken.

A resident told dpa that she had heard shots ringing out at night.

Under the police law of the state of Saarland, where the incident took place, officers are only allowed to use firearms against people "to render them incapable of attack or escape, provided that this objective cannot be achieved by using firearms against property."

A shot that is "almost certainly" lethal is permissible if it is the only means of averting an immediate threat to life or serious injury.

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Tobias Singelnstein, professor for criminology and criminal law at Frankfurt's Goethe University, noted that regulations governing the use of firearms are relatively detailed, describing it as "the very last resort."

"Only when nothing else works or has worked may a firearm be used," he told dpa.

Hitting a moving target is extremely difficult, the expert noted.

An "ordinary police officer" would not be able to shoot with that kind of precision, Singelnstein said. "When the car is moving, it's difficult for someone with average skills."

It was initially unclear how many shots were fired in the incident, and by how many officers.
April 5 (Reuters) - Ukraine and Syria pledged greater security cooperation in talks on Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said as Kyiv seeks to promote its military expertise across the region following the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

Zelenskiy, continuing his tour of Middle East countries, met with his Syrian counterpart, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Damascus.

"We agreed to work together to provide more security and opportunities for development for our societies," Zelenskiy wrote on Telegram.

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In a later post, Zelenskiy said there had been wide-ranging discussions with the Syrian leader and three-way talks that included Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

"We managed to discuss everything: from security and defence issues and the situation in the region due to all the events around Iran to energy and infrastructure cooperation between our countries," Zelenskiy wrote.

In recent weeks, Zelenskiy has visited Middle East countries, offering Ukrainian expertise in countering drone and missile attacks developed during its four-year war with Russia.

Since the war began on February 28, Iran and its proxies have launched strikes on U.S. allies and bases in the region.

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Syria is not known to have any air defences capable of dealing with Iranian drones or missiles.

FOOD SECURITY

Zelenskiy also said Ukraine, a major grain producer, wanted to contribute to Middle East food security and told the Syrian leader Kyiv was a reliable supplier. The two presidents discussed opportunities to strengthen regional food security, he said.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, writing on X, described the visit as a "milestone". He said his talks with the Syrian and Turkish foreign ministers covered security and maritime trade among other topics.

In Turkey on Saturday, Zelenskiy said he had agreed to new security cooperation steps with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, and discussed joint gas infrastructure projects and gas field development.

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It was the Ukrainian leader's first trip to Syria since diplomatic relations were restored in September following the fall of Syria's long-time leader Bashar al-Assad in late 2024.

Zelenskiy signed long-term military cooperation deals with Saudi Arabia and Qatar last weekend, and he said a similar agreement was close with the UAE.

Syria is home to two major Russian military bases. Sharaa has said Syria wants to turn them into army training centres.

(Reporting by Timour Azhari, Pavel Polityuk and Daniel Flynn and Darren Butler in Istanbul; Editing by Hugh Lawson, Ron Popeski, Mark Porter and Cynthia Osterman)
China-Pakistan joint initiative -- a pragmatic, feasible approach to Mideast peace

09:14, April 05, 2026 By Zhou Yanan ( Xinhua

This photo taken on April 3, 2026 shows the damaged B1 bridge after U.S.-Israeli attacks in Karaj, Iran. (Xinhua)

At a time when the Middle East is trapped in a vicious cycle of "escalating conflicts-bloc confrontation-crisis spillover," the joint voice of China and Pakistan is expected to inject much-needed elements of stability into this region.

In March 2026, tensions flared up again in the Middle East, disrupting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and threatening global energy security.

At this critical moment, China and Pakistan put forward a five-point initiative on March 31 to restore peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East. As all-weather strategic cooperative partners, China and Pakistan are speaking in a joint and timely voice in response to the unfolding crisis. It is also a prime example of how developing countries take the initiative to build consensus and address hotspot issues, offering a pragmatic, feasible approach to breaking the deadlock.

This joint effort is no coincidence. It is a natural extension and practical implementation of their partnership and the shared vision of a community with a shared future. As iron-clad friends, China and Pakistan have always maintained close communication on major international and regional issues.

Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar paid two visits to China in three months, showing the regular strategic communication between the two countries, which laid a solid political foundation for the joint peace initiative. Their coordinated action, based on the principles of the UN Charter and a just position, represents a positive contribution to regional peace and answers the call of the time for greater solidarity and cooperation in responding to challenges.

The five-point initiative is designed to address the evolving conflicts in the Middle East, with each point targeting a key aspect of the crisis and underpinned by pragmatic and rational thinking.

First, it calls for "immediate cessation of hostilities" while emphasizing the need for unimpeded access to humanitarian relief supplies in direct response to the worsening humanitarian crisis on the ground. It aims to secure the essential prerequisite for peace.

Second, it urges the "start of peace talks as soon as possible" as the pathway to peace. It explicitly upholds the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran and the Gulf countries and reaffirms dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable way to resolve disputes, categorically rejecting the use of force.

Third, it sets ensuring the "security of nonmilitary targets" as a humanitarian red line, aiming to prevent attacks on energy, power and other infrastructure, and to safeguard the right to life and development for the people in the region.

Fourth, it focuses on ensuring the "security of shipping lanes", highlighting the critical role of the Strait of Hormuz as an "energy lifeline" and calling for the resumption of normal navigation. This seeks to balance the common interests of regional countries and global demands for energy security.

Finally, it reaffirms upholding the "primacy of the United Nations Charter" as the fundamental principle, with a view to promoting the establishment of a comprehensive peace framework anchored by international law, and providing institutional guarantees for the long-term stability of the region.

The above five-point initiative is a set of interconnected measures designed to address both the immediate needs and the enduring stability of the region, demonstrating a long-term and holistic vision.

At a time when the Middle East is trapped in a vicious cycle of "escalating conflicts-bloc confrontation-crisis spillover," the joint voice of China and Pakistan is expected to inject much-needed elements of stability into this region.

It puts the Global Security Initiative (GSI) into practice in the Middle East, as the GSI's vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security resonates deeply with regional countries' desire for independent peace and their rejection of external interference.

It counters unilateralism with multilateralism. By firmly upholding the central role of the United Nations at a time when certain countries are stoking bloc confrontation and flouting international law, China and Pakistan are providing important guidance for the de-escalation of regional tensions.

It also illustrates how bilateral partnerships can serve global peace. By translating strategic mutual trust into a driver of regional peace, the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership is playing a positive role in safeguarding international peace and stability, setting a good example for bilateral relations.

The introduction of the five-point initiative is not the end of China-Pakistan peacemaking efforts, but a new starting point for their continued commitment to the Middle East. As active advocates and pragmatic actors for regional peace, China and Pakistan are expected to further strengthen strategic communication, champion world peace, and rally more nations behind the initiative to build broader consensus for peace.

Admittedly, the journey to peace in the Middle East will be long and winding, with complex conflicts of interest playing out. Nevertheless, the initiative jointly proposed by China and Pakistan represents a constructive effort to break the impasse in the Middle East, raising hopes for resolving disputes through dialogue and consultation.

It is hoped that more countries will take the China-Pakistan initiative as an opportunity to promote peace and stop the hostilities, and jointly steer the Middle East back onto the track of peace and stability.

Editor's note: The author is a commentator on international affairs.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Xinhua News Agency.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
New April slate spotlights climate adaptation, renewable energy, responsible AI, and global equityhighlighting real-world solutions with measurable impact

NEW YORK, April 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- From climate disruption to artificial intelligence, a defining question is shaping global conversations: what solutions are actually working?

The Planet Classroom Network today announces the release of six new short films premiering in April 2026, exploring net-zero climate leadership, climate adaptation, renewable energy innovation, responsible AI, global food security, and inclusive economic growth.

Curated by Planet Classroom and its international partners, the April slate moves beyond awareness to focus on implementationhighlighting how innovation, policy, and community action intersect to deliver measurable results.

Climate Leadership and Ocean Governance: From Policy to Practice

Net Zero Speaks with Dr. Josheena Naggea

Curated by Protect Our Planet & Planet Classroom

Host: Monaaleekh B.K. Gowda

Dr. Josheena Naggea, Blue Food Futures Program Manager at the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions and IPBES Transformative Change Fellow, examines how climate adaptation, ocean governance, biodiversity conservation, and gender equity must align to deliver credible net-zero outcomes in Mauritius and the Western Indian Ocean.

The episode positions coastal communities as leaders of climate resilience and youth as accountability partnersmoving net-zero policy from targets to real-world implementation.

Renewable Energy Innovation Tackling Poverty at the Community Level

Pedal It Forward

Curated for Planet Classroom by Actuality Abroad

Director: J. Cole Gerke

In Cochabamba, Boliviawhere 64% of the population lives below the poverty lineFreddy Candia transforms discarded bicycles into pedal-powered renewable energy systems serving his community.

Views Critic Bridget Alvarez writes:

"Pedal It Forward presents innovation not as high-tech disruption, but as resourceful problem-solving rooted in compassion."

Culture and Climate: Storytelling as Collective Reflection

While Every Sense Is Nourished, the Soul Rests

Curated by Planet Classroom

Director: Grant Lee Bomar

Blending choreography, cinematic storytelling, and original score, this contemporary dance film explores how culture shapes collective response to environmental change.

Views Critic Rhea Mursalin writes:

"A visually immersive contemporary dance film that blends choreography, cinematography, and original music into a reflective artistic experience."

Responsible AI and the Global Eldercare Challenge

Sensi.AI: AI for Senior Care

Series: Planet Classroom  Problem Solver

Created by Adrian Armstrong

As global caregiver shortages intensify, this film examines how AI-powered monitoring systems can support aging populations through fall detection, dementia alerts, and real-time assistance.

Views Critic Cameran Small writes:

"An accessible and timely look at how artificial intelligence can address healthcare gaps with compassion and innovation."

Global Hunger: Science-Based Solutions That Scale

Solving Global Hunger at Its Roots

Series: Planet Classroom  Problem Solver

Producer: Olivia Vogt

Featuring: Action Against Hunger

With over 800 million people affected worldwide, the film highlights four pillars of impact: nutrition, clean water, food security, and emergency responsedemonstrating that hunger is a solvable systems challenge.

Views Critic Gabriela Zavala writes:

"The film presents hunger not as an inevitable tragedy, but as a solvable global challenge rooted in systems that can be changed."

AI and Inclusive Economic Growth Through Tourism

Airbnb & AI: Empowering Inclusive Tourism Worldwide

Series: Planet Classroom  Problem Solver

Created by Farren Howard

This film explores how AI-powered platforms can expand economic opportunity for underserved communitiescontributing billions to local economies and supporting job creation at scale.

Views Critic Alex Silverman writes:

"A timely look at how travel technology can expand opportunity beyond major urban centers."

Also Streaming: Expanding the Global Conversation

Additional films now streaming include:

Family Ties  Curated by KIDS FIRST! Film Festival

A23a: What Are You Trying to Tell Us?  Curated by Planet Classroom

This Is My Place  Curated by Actuality Abroad

The Giving Tree  Curated by Actuality Abroad

Together, these films point to a larger shift: the future will be defined not by ideas alone, but by solutions that can scale across communities, sectors, and systems.

 All films are now streaming on the Planet Classroom Network YouTube Channel

Subscribe for weekly short films spotlighting climate leadership, responsible AI, youth innovation, and global solutions.

The Planet Classroom Network, produced by CMRubinWorld, is a global media ecosystem and YouTube channel uniting creators, youth leaders, educators, policymakers, and international partners. Featuring nearly 1,000 original films from more than 400 international filmmakers and curators, Planet Classroom explores climate action, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and global innovation, amplifying youth voice and measurable solutions worldwide.

SOURCE Planet Classroom Network
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Sunday campaigned for National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidates at a public meeting in Anna Thidal, urging voters to back the party's "Two Leaves" symbol in the April 9 Assembly polls. The AIADMK is contesting two seats in the Union Territory Uppalam (Anbazhagan) and Oulgaret/Urulayanpet (Gandhi) as part of the NDA, which also includes the BJP and All India NR Congress (AINRC). Addressing the gathering, Palaniswami praised former Chief Minister N Rangasamy for implementing welfare schemes and stressed the need for coordination between the Centre and the Union Territory for faster development, likening it to "two wheels of a vehicle." He appealed to the public to vote for the AIADMK's "Two Leaves" symbol and ensure the victory of alliance candidates, including those from the Bharatiya Janata Party and All India NR. Congress. Highlighting the capabilities of AIADMK candidate Anbazhagan, he described him as a courageous leader who would work for the welfare of the people if elected to the assembly. He further stated that AIADMK MPs would raise their voice in Parliament for the development of Puducherry as a major tourist destination and reiterated the party's support for granting statehood to the Union Territory. Criticising the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Palaniswami alleged that the party was not committed to public welfare and accused its leadership of inconsistency and opportunistic politics. Referring to the upcoming visit of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin,he launched a sharp attack, accusing the DMK of corruption and double standards. Palaniswami asserted that the AIADMK would always stand for the welfare of Puducherry and raise its voice against any wrongdoing. Voting in Puducherry will take place on April 9. The counting of votes will be held on May 4, the ECI announced. The current term of the 30-member Legislative Assembly of the Union Territory is set to expire on June 15. In the 2021 Puducherry Assembly Elections, AINRC emerged as the largest party with 10 seats, followed by DMK with six seats, while BJP and Congress won six seats each. The voter turnout was recorded at 84.8 per cent. While in the 2016 elections, Congress had secured a majority with 15 seats, AINRC won eight seats, AIADMK bagged four seats, and DMK got two seats, with voter turnout at 83.6 per cent. (ANI)
President Trump on Sunday threatened to bomb Iran's power plants and bridges by Tuesday if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz, posting an expletive-laden message on Truth Social that escalated the war of words ahead of a fast-approaching deadline.

"Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!" Trump wrote . "Open the F***in' Strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in Hell  JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah."

Iran responded with defiance Sunday. Mizan, an outlet affiliated with Iran's judiciary, said Trump's expletive-laden post had insulted Iranians with "vile" language, adding that "Iran's steadfastness and resistance have driven Trump to the brink of madness."

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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was also quick to respond. "As you head off to church and celebrate with friends and family, the President of the United States is ranting like an unhinged madman on social media," Schumer wrote on X. "He's threatening possible war crimes and alienating allies. This is who he is, but this is not who we are. Our country deserves so much better."

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally, backed the president's ultimatum. "He is deadly serious when it comes to his ultimatum to Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz or face a massive military response against vital infrastructure," Graham wrote on X. "To say the window on diplomacy is closing would be an understatement."

In a phone call with Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst on Sunday, Trump said he is considering "blowing everything up and taking over the oil" if Iran does not act quickly. He expressed optimism that a deal could come as soon as Monday, saying negotiators on the Iranian side had been granted amnesty to continue talks.

Later, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Trump went further. "If they don't come through, if they want to keep it closed, they're going to lose every power plant and every other plant they have in the whole country," he said. "If they don't do something by Tuesday evening, they won't have any power plants, and they won't have any bridges standing."

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Trump also told Yingst that the U.S. had supplied weapons to Iranian protesters through Kurdish intermediaries. "We sent guns to the protesters, a lot of them," Trump said. "And I think the Kurds took the guns." CNN had previously reported that the U.S. was arming Kurdish groups in order to foment a popular uprising inside Iran.

Behind the scenes, Oman  a Gulf nation that has historically served as a back-channel mediator between the U.S. and Iran  held talks Saturday with Iranian officials on reopening the strait. An Omani source told CNN that a deal to open the strait would be "difficult to achieve under wartime conditions," adding that a ceasefire remained "by far the best solution."

Trump's threats came one day after U.S. Navy SEAL Team 6 extracted a downed Air Force colonel from deep inside Iranian territory. The successful rescue appeared to embolden the president, who called it an AMAZING show of bravery and talent by all! Iran downplayed the mission, calling it a "deception."

Trump has threatened to strike Iran's power infrastructure on two previous occasions, delaying both times as diplomatic contacts continued. Attacking power plants and bridges used primarily by civilians could constitute a war crime under the Geneva Conventions.

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The escalation came as a projectile struck near Iran's only operational nuclear power plant at Bushehr on Saturday, killing one security personnel member and damaging an auxiliary building. No increase in radiation levels was detected, the International Atomic Energy Agency said. Russia evacuated roughly 200 workers from the facility after the strike.

Overnight Iranian drone strikes hit two power and water desalination plants in Kuwait, forcing two electricity-generating units offline, Kuwaiti authorities said. A separate strike targeted the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation's oil complex in Kuwait City, sparking a fire. No casualties were reported in either attack.
NASAs Artemis II  the first crewed lunar mission since 1972  was reported Sunday to be roughly 60,000 miles from the moon, with its four astronauts set for a lunar flyby Monday on the 10-day journey around the moon and back.

The mission launched from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., on Wednesday. On Thursday, its main engine was fired for nearly six minutes, with the so-called translunar injection burn sending the Orion spacecraft out of Earths orbit and toward the moon.

Next stop: lunar flyby.



The Orion spacecraft recently ignited its main engine on the service module for about six minutes to provide about 6,000 pounds of thrust. This maneuver not only sets the Artemis II astronauts on the path to the Moon. It also puts the crew in a free pic.twitter.com/cWTfpzGC7d  NASA (@NASA) April 3, 2026

The astronauts  NASA commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch and Canadian space agency mission specialist Jeremy Hansen  spent their first full day in space testing the Orion capsules systems, using exercise equipment and taking photos documenting their historic mission.

Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman took this breathtaking picture of Earth from the Orion spacecraft's window on April 2, after completing the translunar injection burn. (NASA via AP)

The crew's feeling pretty good up here," Hansen told mission control. "We just wanted to communicate to everyone around the planet who's worked to make Artemis possible that we firmly felt the power of your perseverance during every second of that burn. Humanity has once again shown what we are capable of, and it's your hopes for the future that carry us now on this journey around the moon."

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Photos released Sunday showed the moon growing larger through Orion's windows as the spacecraft closed in. They included the first image ever captured by human eyes of the Orientale basin, a 600-mile-wide shadowed crater on the transition between the near and far sides of the moon. Previous images of the region had only been taken by robotic spacecraft.

This image provided by NASA shows the Moon as seen from a window of the Orion spacecraft during the Artemis II mission on Friday, April 3, 2026. (NASA via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Where is Artemis II now, and when will it reach the moon?

Its not a straight shot to the far side of the Moon! 



Over approximately 10 days, the Artemis II astronauts will orbit Earth twice before looping around the far side of the Moon in a figure eight and returning home. pic.twitter.com/udjejhxgVx  NASA (@NASA) April 2, 2026

As of Sunday afternoon, the Orion was about 218,012 miles from Earth and just 60,441 miles from the moon, traveling at 1,592 mph, according to NASA's Artemis II live mission tracker.

On Flight Day 4, the crew continued testing Orion's systems and conducting mission objectives as the spacecraft pressed deeper into cislunar space. Mission specialist Christina Koch has taken on additional duties after a toilet malfunction early in the mission required troubleshooting.

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Shortly after launch, the Orion's toilet  a device NASA calls the Universal Waste Management System, which costs $23 million  triggered a warning light. The fan that controls odor and airflow had seized up, leaving the crew unable to use the urine collection system. NASA said ground teams diagnosed the problem and worked with the crew to get it back online. The issue posed no threat to the mission.

The astronauts are expected to reach the moon on Monday, April 6, at about 1 p.m. ET.

You can watch a live video feed of the mission here:

What happens when the craft reaches the moon?

During their six-hour flyby, the crew members will come as close as 4,000 miles from the lunar surface as they swing around the far side of the moon, according to NASA.

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They will devote the majority of their day to taking photos and videos of the Moon, and recording their observations as they become the first to see some parts of the Moon with their own eyes, NASA said.

The crew will lose contact with Earth for 30 to 50 minutes as they pass behind the moon, per NASA.

And theyll also witness a solar eclipse, giving the crew an opportunity for them to look for flashes of light from meteoroids striking the Moons surface, dust lofting above the edge of the Moon, and deep space targets, including planets.

What does the rest of the mission entail?

The Artemis II crew participates in a video conference on Thursday. (NASA via AP)

According to the Artemis II missions daily agenda, here is whats in store on the return trip from the moon.

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Day 7 (Tuesday, April 7): After exiting the lunar sphere of influence, the Orion engine will fire again for the first of three return trajectory correction burns that will adjust its path home. The crew members will then have the rest of the day off, giving them a chance to rest before jumping back into their final tasks before their return to Earth.

Day 8 (Wednesday, April 8): The four astronauts will assess their ability to protect themselves from high radiation events like solar flares, and also test the Orions manual piloting capabilities.

Day 9 (Thursday, April 9): The crew members will spend their last full day in space preparing for their return to Earth, studying procedures for reentry and splashdown, talking with the flight control team and executing another return trajectory correction burn.

When do they return to Earth?

After separating from its service module, the Orion capsule is due to reenter the Earth's atmosphere on Friday, April 10, deploying parachutes before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, where NASA and U.S. Navy personnel will be waiting to pick them up.
The Latest: Trump threatens to strike Iran's infrastructure if Strait of Hormuz isn't reopened

U.S. President Donald Trump repeated his threat to hit Irans critical infrastructure hard if the countrys government doesnt reopen the Strait of Hormuz by his Monday deadline
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday launched a sharp attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, alleging "double standards" on issues concerning Muslims. Speaking to reporters here, he said that last year the High Court cancelled nearly five lakh backward class certificates, including around three lakh belonging to Muslims, but the issue did not receive adequate attention. The AIMIM chief also pointed to economic distress in districts like Malda and Murshidabad, stating that poverty remains a major issue in these regions. "Mamata Banerjee has a double face. Last year, the High Court cancelled 5 lakh backward certificates. This included about 3 lakh backward certificates of Muslims. There was no discussion on that. She is releasing her manifesto in Urdu. There, Muslims make up 29% of the population, of which only 7% are in government jobs. There is a lot of poverty in Malda and Murshidabad", Owaisi said. His remarks come amid intensifying political exchanges ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. Meanwhile, TMC released its list of star campaigners for Phase I of the West Bengal Assembly elections 2026, featuring top party leaders, including Mamata Banerjee and AITC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. The list includes key names such as Subrata Bakshi, Chandrima Bhattacharya, Firhad Hakim, Aroop Biswas, Kalyan Banerjee, Dr Manas Ranjan Bhunia, Dr Shashi Panja, Snehasis Chakraborty, Birbaha Hansda, actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha, Jay Prakash Majumdar, Kunal Ghosh, Deepak Adhikari (Dev), Mahua Moitra, Kirti Azad, Satabdi Roy, Partha Bhowmick and Saayoni Ghosh. West Bengal Assembly elections will be conducted in two phases, on April 23 and April 29, with counting of votes for both phases scheduled for May 4. As per the Election Commission of India (ECI), the last date for filing nominations for this phase is April 6, while scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 7. Candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations until April 9. For the second phase, which covers 142 Assembly constituencies, the gazette notification will be issued on April 2. The last date for filing nominations is April 9, and the scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 10. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until April 13. (ANI)
Ahead of the Assembly polls, Chief Electoral Officer of Assam, Anurag Goel, on Sunday said that all preparations are in place for the polling scheduled on April 9, with special focus on encouraging young voters and ensuring foolproof security and accessibility at polling stations. Speaking to ANI, Goel said, "For polling in Assam on 9 April, preparations are in place. Polling parties are trained, and stations are identified with facilities like ramps, wheelchairs, electricity, toilets, drinking water, and a new mobile deposit pouch system." He added that special arrangements have been made for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women, including separate queues and volunteer support. "Special arrangements are made for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women, with separate queues and volunteer support. Security is ensured with 800 CAPF companies, sensitive areas covered, and borders sealed 48 hours before polling. Webcasting from border check posts has strengthened seizures, including recent drug interceptions. Confidence-building marches will be held in all districts to encourage turnout.There are 31,490 polling stations across 126 constituencies, serving 25.05 million voters, including over 642,000 first-time voters," Goel told ANI. On maintaining law and order, Goel said vulnerable and sensitive polling stations have been identified based on past incidents and Election Commission criteria. "We identified vulnerable and sensitive polling stations based on Election Commission criteria, law and order concerns, and past incidents of electoral violence. To ensure transparency, 100% webcasting will take place across all 31,490 polling stations. In sensitive stations, CAPF personnel will be deployed, with additional forces for area domination. Micro-observers from the central government will also be present to guarantee neutral voting." "Around 2 lakh civil polling personnel and 1 lakh police personnel will be on duty, supported by 800 CAPF companies and Assam Police. Large seizures of drugs, illegal liquor, and cash have been made, though most cash was returned after verification," he added. In his appeal to the voters, the Chief Electoral Officer said, "My appeal to the voters is that the Election Commission of India assures that polling will be free, fair, transparent, and neutral. We have deployed 800 companies of the central paramilitary forces to ensure this. My only request will be that you please come out in large numbers to vote and exercise your right to franchise so that we can have a better Assam tomorrow." Assam is all set to go into single-phase Assembly elections on April 9, with 126 constituencies across the state. (ANI)
The BJP on Sunday defended Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over allegations levelled by Congress against him and his wife even as state Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi sought to keep up the pressure on the BJP leader days ahead of the polling in the northeastern state and sought an investigation. Sarma hit back at the Congress over the allegations levelled by the party's Media and Publicity Department Chairman Pawan Khera and said the "press conference reflects the deep frustration and panic within the Congress party". Sarma rejected the allegations as "malicious, fabricated, and politically motivated lies" and said he and his wife will file criminal and civil defamation cases within the next 48 hours against Khera. The allegations came amid hectic electioneering in the state for the assembly polls slated for April 9. "Today's press conference by Pawan Khera reflects the deep frustration and panic within the Congress party. As Assam moves decisively towards a historic mandate, such desperate and baseless attacks only expose their sinking ground. I categorically reject every allegation made by him. These are malicious, fabricated, and politically motivated lies aimed at misleading the people of Assam," Sarma said. "My wife and I will be filing both criminal and civil defamation cases within the next 48 hours against Shri Pawan Khera. He will be held fully accountable for his reckless and defamatory statements. I have complete faith in the judiciary. Once the truth is established in a court of law, Shri Pawan Khera will face the consequences of his actions, and the law will take its due course," he added. Sarma said people of Assam will not be misled "by such propaganda"."We remain focused, determined, and confident of securing a decisive mandate of more than 100 seats from the people," he added. Sarma's wife Riniki Bhuyan Sharma also hit out at Pawan Khera, saying the allegations were based on "poorly fabricated images of imaginary passports and documents" and criminal charges are being initiated. "Aapki sirf tapasya mein hi nahi, AI generation aur photoshopping mein bhi kami reh gayi. I expected a spokesperson of a national party to exercise basic due diligence, rather than circulate poorly fabricated images of imaginary passports and documents. I will now be letting the law take over. Criminal charges are being initiated. We can continue this in court," she said in a post on X. Sarma continued his attack on Pawan Khera and Congress in another post on X. "Busting Congress' propaganda -- serious discrepancies exposed. The documents being circulated show multiple glaring inconsistencies, suggesting a crude and poorly executed attempt at digital manipulation: 1. Surname mismatch -- "SARMA" used instead of the official "SHARMA". 2 Photograph appears to be a publicly available image, not a standard biometric capture. 3 UAE ID anomalies: ID sequence inconsistent with expected year-of-birth pattern, Nationality mismatch -- listed as Egypt, while MRZ reflects a different country code. 4 Antigua & Barbuda passport: Expiry date mismatch between printed field and MRZ," he said. "5 Egyptian passport: Passport number mismatch between printed field and MRZ, spelling errors ("Egyptiann") and incorrect Arabic reference. 6 Title deed QR code appears invalid and does not resolve to any authentic record. These inconsistencies strongly indicate possible fabrication or digital manipulation," he added. Sarma said those spreading misinformation will be held accountable. "Truth will prevail. I am confident that Pawan Khera's campaign of falsehood is nearing its end. Eventually Mr Khera will go to Jail," he said. Gaurav Gogoi attacked the Chief Minister said Sarma has become "an embarrassment for Assam and India" and he "will have to answer the questions and pay for his crime". "Shocking allegations have come out related to Himanta Biswa Sarma. Holding multiple passports and failure to disclose properties is a grave and criminal offence. How much money have they sent from Assam to their bank accounts abroad? More investigation is required. Himanta Biswa Sarma has become an embarrassment for the state of Assam and India. He will have to answer the questions and pay for his crime," he said in a post on X. Khera alleged his press conference in the national capital that Biswa Sarma's wife was "holding three passports from three different countries - the UAE, Egypt and Antigua and Barbuda". He alleged that Himanta's wife owns two properties in Dubai, which Sarma "had not mentioned in his election affidavit". Khera alleged that Himanta Biswa Sarma's "politics is based on hatred against Muslims", but his wife "holds passports from two Muslim countries". BJP leaders in Delhi and Assam came out in defence of Himanta Biswa Sarma. "Congress Party has today done an extremely reprehensible and lowly act by leveling baseless, factless, and fake document-based accusations against our Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma ji," BJP Spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said at a press conference here. Assam Minister Pijyush Hazarika also took potshots at Congress. "So @INCIndianeed to hire a better photo shop designer. Their IT cell did such a shoddy job in creating fake passport images , that it got busted Will the ecosystem fact checkers care to call out this bluff or be a part of this rookie photoshop charge," he said in a post on X. Assam will go to the polls on April 9 and results will be announced on April 4. (ANI)
Upon receiving information about the incident, Dindoshi police arrived at the scene. Police dispersed the crowd and used mild force to control the situation, according to Mumbai police.

Police added that a large number of police are deployed in the area following the incident. The situation is currently under control.

Dindoshi police are investigating the incident further, police added.

More details are awaited (ANI)
AITC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Central government, alleging it has neglected farmers, workers, women, and marginalised communities in the last 12 years. "... This BJP government has been in power at the Centre for 12 years but has done nothing for farmers, workers, women, or Scheduled Castes and Tribes. The highest number of atrocities against Dalits have occurred in BJP-ruled states. They promised Rs 15 lakh in every bank account--did anyone get it? They also promised 2 crore jobs each year--did anyone get it?" He claimed that the people are standing with the ruling Trinamool Congress. "We won Raina by a margin of 18,000, and in 2024 the margin was around 43,000. This time it should cross 50,000. The responsibility for the development of this AC lies with the Maa Mati government as well as with me. I promise that. The way you have indebted us today, I promise to return it through development. Some people are trying to weaken the party by taking money from the BJP. We have our eyes on you. The people are with AITC. You need to increase the margin this time and give a landslide victory to Mandira Dalui..." West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) Bhabanipur assembly constituency candidate Mamata Banerjee on Sunday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is "bringing paid supporters" from other states to influence the forthcoming assembly polls. The upcoming elections are expected to witness a high-voltage contest between the TMC and BJP, with multiple parties vying for influence in the state. Polling for the 294-member Assembly in West Bengal will take place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, while counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. In the last assembly election in the state, held in eight phases in 2021, the Trinamool Congress recorded a landslide victory with 213 seats amid an intense contest with the BJP, which jumped to 77 seats. Congress and Left Front drew a blank in the last state polls. (ANI)
Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate, Tanmay Ghosh, from Srirampur Assembly constituency in Hooghly, on Sunday, said that the people of Bengal will not forget the alleged "harassment of Bengalis and Bengal" through the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. On Union HM Amit Shah's statement, TMC candidate from Srrirampur assembly in Hooghly, Tanmay Ghosh told ANI, "... BJP is the party that uses the picture of Kolkata in their UP website. So basically, they have to rent our developmental picture to promote their government... The people of Bengal will not forget the harassment of Bengalis and Bengal through SIR. They will not forget the torture done by the BJP-ruled state for migrant labour from Bengal..." West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) Bhabanipur assembly constituency candidate Mamata Banerjee on Sunday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is "bringing paid supporters" from other states to influence the forthcoming assembly polls. Banerjee also warned of possible tampering with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Addressing the press conference here in connection with the Union Home Minister Amit Shah's Bhowanipore rally, Banerjee said, "BJP is not just bringing in voters from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. They are bringing in crowds of paid supporters from those states. And along with them, they are trying to import the worst elements of their culture into Bengal." Referring to the nomination rally of BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari in Bhabanipur, she alleged, "During Suvendu's nomination rally in Bhabanipur, these outsiders were let loose. They ran amok, tearing down posters and banners, spitting on our campaign material, harassing and heckling women bystanders, and even showing shoes at the sacred Maa Kali temple." The political temperature in West Bengal has risen as polling for the 294-member Assembly in West Bengal will take place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, while counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. In the last assembly election in the state, held in eight phases in 2021, the Trinamool Congress recorded a landslide victory with 213 seats amid an intense contest with the BJP, which jumped to 77 seats. Congress and the Left Front drew a blank in the last state polls. (ANI)
Accoridng to a statement, Dindoshi Police Station said that a clash broke out between two groups in the Santosh Nagar area.

Upon receiving information about the scuffle, Dindoshi police officers arrived and attempted to control the crowd.

"However, when the crowd refused to listen, they had to use mild force, seriously injuring a boy. The situation is now under control. Following the incident, police have established a camp in the entire area, causing public outrage"

The Dindoshi Police Station has detained five people and is interrogating them. Heavy police deployment has been made in the area following the incident.

More details are awaited (ANI)
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have conducted a massive military operation targeting more than 200 infrastructure sites within Iran and an additional 140 Hezbollah assets across Lebanon. In a detailed update shared in a post on X, the military announced that they had "STRUCK: 200+ Iranian regime infrastructure targets across Iran, and 140+ Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure throughout Lebanon". https://x.com/IDF/status/2040486538652397977?s=20 The precision strikes were aimed at dismantling long-range strike capabilities and defensive networks belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Expanding on the specifics of the operation within Iran, the military identified several high-value locations that were neutralised. "Among the targets struck" in Iran were "a central Islamic IRGC site where a variety of weapons were stored", as well as "IRGC air defence systems". Furthermore, the IDF confirmed hits on "sites for the production, storage, and development of ballistic missiles intended to target aircraft". The aerial campaign extended significantly into Lebanese territory to degrade the operational capacity of Hezbollah. The military stated that the targets in Lebanon included a "Hezbollah terrorist training site" and several "Hezbollah weapons storage facilities and launch sites". The operation also specifically focused on the group's elite military leadership and specialised units. According to the official statement, the strikes successfully hit "Hezbollah's Radwan Force HQs", marking a significant blow to the organisation's command structure amidst the ongoing regional escalation. This wider offensive follows a specific surge on Friday, where the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) announced that it had carried out over 70 strikes across western and central Iran. These operations targeted ballistic missile launch sites and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) belonging to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. According to the IDF, these targeted strikes were part of a continuous effort to degrade Iran's military capabilities and reduce threats to Israeli civilians. The military further clarified in a post on X that they have completed more than 70 strikes targeting dozens of objectives, including "launch sites where ballistic missile launchers threatening the State of Israel are stored" and sites for the air defence array. The IDF emphasised the relentless nature of the campaign, stating, "The IDF continues to strike nonstop at the fire and defence arrays of the Iranian terror regime across Iran." Adding political and economic weight to these military updates, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Friday that the strikes have dealt a severe blow to Iran's industrial base. He informed that 70 per cent of Iran's steel production capacity has been destroyed, a move intended to deprive the IRGC of "both funding sources and the ability to produce large quantities of weapons". In a video message shared by the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel, Netanyahu described the degradation of the steel sector as a "tremendous achievement". He also highlighted the international cooperation backing these moves, stating, "Together with our American friends, we are continuing to crush the terrorist regime in Iran. We are eliminating commanders and bombing bridges and infrastructure." Netanyahu further noted that in full coordination between himself, President Trump, the IDF and the US military, they would continue to "crush Iran". He asserted that while the Iranian regime is currently weaker than ever, Israel stands "stronger than ever". Shifting focus back to the northern front, the Prime Minister shared operational updates from Lebanon, noting that the IDF is "continuing to forcefully strike at Hezbollah" to protect northern communities. He also lauded the citizens of Israel for their steadfastness and for following the instructions of the Home Front Command even during the Passover Seder night. (ANI)
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence detected the presence of six Chinese military vessels and an official ship operating around its territorial waters as of 6am (local time) on Sunday. As per the MND, Taiwan monitored the situation and responded. In a post on X, the MND said, "6 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded. No flight path illustration is provided, as we did not detect PLA aircraft operating around Taiwan during this timeframe." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/2040595279326699592?s=20 Earlier on Saturday, Taiwan detected two sorties of Chinese military aircraft, seven naval vessels and an official ship operating around itself. In a post on X, the MND said, "2 sorties of PLA aircraft, 7 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 out of 2 sorties entered Taiwan's eastern part ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/2040232889657479187?s=20 China's claim over Taiwan is a complex issue rooted in historical, political, and legal arguments. Beijing asserts that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, a viewpoint embedded in national policy and upheld by domestic laws and international statements. Taiwan, however, maintains a distinct identity, functioning independently with its own government, military, and economy. Taiwan's status remains a significant point of international debate, testing the principles of sovereignty, self-determination, and non-interference in international law, as per the United Service Institution of India. China's claim to Taiwan originates from the Qing Dynasty's annexation of the island in 1683 after defeating Ming loyalist Koxinga. However, Taiwan remained a peripheral region under limited Qing control. The key shift came in 1895, when the Qing ceded Taiwan to Japan after the First Sino-Japanese War, marking Taiwan as a Japanese colony for 50 years. After Japan's defeat in World War II, Taiwan was returned to Chinese control, but the sovereignty transfer was not formalised. In 1949, the Chinese Civil War resulted in the establishment of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on the mainland, while the Republic of China (ROC) retreated to Taiwan, asserting its claim to govern all of China. This led to dual sovereignty claims: the PRC over the mainland and the ROC over Taiwan. Taiwan has operated as a de facto independent state but has avoided declaring formal independence to prevent military conflict with the PRC, United Service Institution of India. (ANI)
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Former US Army Chief of Staff, General Randy George, who was forcefully retired by US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Saturday, wrote in his outgoing e-mail to Pentagon officials that the US soldiers deserve "courageous leaders of character," CBS News reported on Saturday (local time). The rapid restructuring of the American military high command reached a fever pitch this weekend following the immediate ousting of General Randy George, the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army. His departure marks the latest in a sweeping series of dismissals by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, as the administration moves to install leaders aligned with a specific ideological vision for the Department of War. In an outgoing email confirmed as authentic by CBS News, General George addressed the undersecretary, assistant secretary, and his top-tier officers with a message that many are interpreting as a pointed parting shot at the new Pentagon leadership. "It has been the greatest privilege to serve beside you and lead Soldiers in support of our country," he wrote. "I know you'll all continue to stay laser-focused on the mission, continue innovating, and relentlessly cut through the bureaucracy to get our warfighters what they need to win on the modern battlefield," CBS News quoted as saying. The emphasis on "character" and "courage" comes amidst reports that Hegseth demanded George's immediate retirement to make room for a successor who would more aggressively implement President Trump's military agenda. He added: "Our soldiers are truly the best in the world - they deserve tough training and courageous leaders of character. I have no doubt you will all continue to lead with courage, character, and grit." United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has requested the immediate retirement of Army Chief of Staff General Randy George. Hegseth forced out two army generals in a major rejig after vowing for regime change in the Iran war, the Wall Street Journal reported. General David Hodne, who became the head of the service's Training and Transformation Command in October, and Major General William Green Jr., Chief of Army Chaplains, were removed after General Randy George, the Army's chief of staff, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. The removal comes late in a series of clashes between the Pentagon chief and the service's senior leadership. George has been asked to retire immediately, even though he was expected to hold the office for more than another year, until the fall of 2027, and complete what is typically a four-year assignment as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. executed a historic overhaul of the Pentagon's senior brass, firing more than a dozen high-ranking officials. The "Purge" includes: Gen CQ Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations, Gen James Slife, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff and Lt Gen Jeffrey Kruse, Head of the Defence Intelligence Agency. Stepping into the role of Acting Army Chief of Staff is Gen. Christopher LaNeve. LaNeve's appointment is notable for his close ties to the current Secretary; he previously served as Hegseth's military aide, signalling a shift toward a leadership tier defined by personal loyalty and shared policy goals. (ANI)
Former Indian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sunjay Sudhir, said that there was no trend of Indians returning in large numbers amid the West Asia conflict. In an interview with ANI, Sunjay Sudhir lauded the UAE's defence systems, stating that only debris hurt the infrastructure, not the missiles or drones fired by Iran. Recalling the COVID-19 pandemic, he noted the UAE has a "robust and resilient" economy. Sudhir said, "The UAE is a robust and resilient economy, so there has never been pressure on people to return. During COVID, Indians did not return in large numbers, though some came back. They come back due to family and other reasons, and then they go back. We have not noticed a trend of people fleeing the country." "Although Iran has sent more missiles and drones to the UAE than even to Israel, the defence mechanism of the UAE has been so strong that what has hurt people or buildings is debris. It's not the missiles and all. And I think we have to give the country full marks for having the wherewithal to protect infrastructure and people," he added. Addressing the incidents of drone debris striking buildings in Dubai, he noted, "The world has seen Dubai bounce back several times. In COVID, when connectivity was shattered, Emirates and Etihad Airlines connected the world. Safety and security are key things people associate with Dubai." The Iranian military has launched drone attacks against United States military installations in the United Arab Emirates, as reported by the state broadcaster Press TV, as a response to strikes initiated by the USA and Israel. The Iranian army confirmed that its forces deployed Arash 2 drones to strike a radar system designed for the detection and identification of missiles and combat drones. The offensive also targeted the UAE's aluminium industry, which Tehran identifies as a critical component of regional military logistics. The army noted that several Arab media organisations had already documented reports of explosions occurring within both Kuwait and the UAE following the strikes. According to Press TV, the Iranian army characterised the strikes as a direct retaliation for US-Israeli assaults on Iran's own industrial hubs. On Saturday, authorities in Dubai responded after debris from an aerial interception fell on the facade of the Oracle building in Dubai Internet City, the Dubai Media Office confirmed. However, no injuries were reported in the incident. (ANI)
United States President Donald Trump on Sunday (local time) confirmed that the military rescued the second F-15 crew member, who went missing after Iran downed the jet amid the West Asia conflict. In a post on social media portal Truth Social, Trump called it the "most daring" search and rescue operation for the US military, stating that the government will "not leave a warfighter behind." He also confirmed that the crew member sustained injuries. He wrote, "We got him! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now safe and sound! This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, but was never truly alone because his Commander in Chief, Secretary of War, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and fellow Warfighters were monitoring his location 24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue." He noted that the US Military sent dozens of aircraft with the "most lethal weapons" for the second rescue mission, after local Iranian groups targeted two Black Hawk helicopters. Trump said, "At my direction, the US Military sent dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him. He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine. This miraculous Search and Rescue Operation comes in addition to a successful rescue of another brave Pilot yesterday, which we did not confirm because we did not want to jeopardise our second rescue operation. This is the first time in military memory that two US Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory. We will never leave an American warfighter behind!" "The fact that we were able to pull off both of these operations, without a single American killed, or even wounded, just proves once again that we have achieved overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies. This is a moment that all Americans, Republican, Democrat, and everyone else, should be proud of and united around. We truly have the best, most professional, and lethal Military in the History of the World. God bless America, God bless our Troops, and Happy Easter to all," the social media post read. Both the US and Iran were conducting search operations for the missing crew member. During the search operations, Iranian tribesmen reportedly opened fire on American helicopters, according to CNN. The incident occurred in the isolated highlands of the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad provinces, as well as the Bakhtiari region, where local groups targeted two Black Hawk helicopters on Saturday, as detailed by Iran's Fars News Agency. Following the confrontation, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) praised the tribal groups, describing them as "courageous, valiant and victorious guardians of the borders," as per reports cited by CNN. This followed the release of footage on Friday allegedly depicting nomadic Bakhtiari tribesmen armed with rifles patrolling the mountainous terrain of Iran's Khuzestan province in search of the American personnel. In the video, one of the individuals is heard saying, "God willing, he will be found." To further incentivise the search, Iranian authorities had reportedly announced substantial financial bounties for the successful capture of the missing individual. (ANI)
Former Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Sanjay Sudhir, lauded "proactive government measures" as India navigates "disproportionate" LPG hit as the conflict in West Asia enters its second month. Speaking with ANI, he sounded a clarion call regarding India's energy security and described the current geopolitical climate as one of total "uncertainty," warning that the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has placed one-sixth of humanity at a critical economic crossroads. "I think if I were to use one word, that's uncertainty. And I think uncertainty prevails even now as much as it did in the first week of this war, which started on the 28th of February," he said. While the entire hydrocarbon spectrum is reeling, Sudhir highlighted that Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is facing the most severe crisis. LPG fuels over 340 million Indian households, making it a matter of national survival rather than just industrial necessity. India relies on imports for 62% of its LPG needs. Crucially, 90% of those imports originate from the Gulf countries currently embroiled in or affected by the war. "Well, I think that while our entire spectrum of hydrocarbons has been impacted, LPG has taken a disproportionate hit. And LPG is a very important fuel for the simple reason that LPG is actually fuel for more than 340 million households. And that makes it so critical in terms of its importance. Also, we have to keep in mind the fact that we are reliant on imports to the extent of 62% for LPG, and out of these 62%, 90% comes from Gulf countries," he said. Despite the grim outlook, Sudhir noted that "proactive government measures" are currently keeping a total collapse at bay, highlighting the Centre's efforts to prioritise domestic cooking gas over industrial use and maximising refining. Domestic refineries have been ordered to push LPG production to absolute capacity. "And due to the crisis which we all see in West Asia and also the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, this has been impacted very, very seriously. But the good thing is that because of the proactive government measures--like you'll recall the LPG Control Act and invoking it, and also asking our refineries to produce as much of LPG as they can, proactive diplomacy on our part to procure as much of LPG as is possible, also prioritizing LPG for domestic consumption as compared to, say, industrial consumption--I think this has had a good impact to just mitigate the situation," he said. Sudhir said that India's situation becomes critically important because it has to sustain one-sixth of humanity. "Well, to answer the first part of your question first, it's not just India, I think the entire world is quite dependent on the Gulf for its energy needs. India, in particular because of our geography, our proximity to the Gulf, and the fact that India is the world's third-largest energy consumer and also the third-largest energy importer. And that's also very obvious because, after all, we are the fourth-largest economy in the world. We have to take care of one-sixth of humanity. And that makes our dependence perhaps much more on the Gulf as compared to others," he said. He further told ANI that India is 89% import-reliant and of this, 45% comes from the Gulf. "If I give you some figures: as far as crude is concerned, we are 89% import-reliant; out of this 89%, 45% comes from the Gulf. LPG, I already mentioned, 62% import-reliance, 90% comes from the Gulf. Things are, of course, a little better in terms of LNG overall because it's only 50% import-reliance, but of this 50%, over 60% comes from the Gulf, particularly from Qatar. And that makes us quite dependent on Qatar. So, we are impacted in two ways. One is the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and the fact that the Ras Laffan LNG facility of Qatar has been badly damaged," he said. The former diplomat further added that India is looking toward Mozambique and new long-term contracts with the UAE (expected by late 2026) to decouple from current hotspots. "And Qatar has itself claimed that about 17% of the facility has been damaged, which will take more than five years to build back again, and they have declared force majeure. So, that creates a problem for us. But overall, as far as LNG is concerned, there is likely to be a glut by 2030; it is a different matter that this issue is happening in early 2026. And we are in the process of actually diversifying our LNG resources. We should get LNG from Mozambique--we have made huge investments there. We have also signed four long-term LNG contracts with the UAE. But then the LNG under these contracts will start coming maybe by the end of this year," he said. Parallel to Sudhir's warning, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas issued a public advisory on Friday. While acknowledging the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the Ministry assured citizens that "necessary measures" are in place to maintain an uninterrupted supply. Citizens were urged to avoid panic purchasing of petrol and diesel and to refrain from "unnecessary" advance bookings of LPG cylinders to prevent artificial shortages. (ANI)
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Sunday (local time) claimed that it had shot down a US aircraft involved in the rescue operation for the missing F-15 crew member. According to Al Jazeera, Iran's Fars news agency has shared a photograph of smoke rising from a field. Iran's claim comes after United States President Donald Trump confirmed that the military rescued the second F-15 crew member, who went missing after Iran downed the jet amid the West Asia conflict. In a post on social media portal Truth Social, Trump called it the "most daring" search and rescue operation for the US military, stating that the government will "not leave a warfighter behind." He also confirmed that the crew member sustained injuries. He wrote, "We got him! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now safe and sound! This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, but was never truly alone because his Commander in Chief, Secretary of War, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and fellow Warfighters were monitoring his location 24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue." He noted that the US Military sent dozens of aircraft with the "most lethal weapons" for the second rescue mission, after local Iranian groups targeted two Black Hawk helicopters. Trump said, "At my direction, the US Military sent dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him. He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine. This miraculous Search and Rescue Operation comes in addition to a successful rescue of another brave Pilot yesterday, which we did not confirm because we did not want to jeopardise our second rescue operation. This is the first time in military memory that two US Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory. We will never leave an American warfighter behind!" "The fact that we were able to pull off both of these operations, without a single American killed or even wounded, just proves once again that we have achieved overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies. This is a moment that all Americans, Republican, Democrat, and everyone else should be proud of and united around. We truly have the best, most professional, and lethal Military in the History of the World. God bless America, God bless our Troops, and Happy Easter to all," the social media post read. Both the US and Iran were conducting search operations for the missing crew member. During the search operations, Iranian tribesmen reportedly opened fire on American helicopters, according to CNN. (ANI)
As the West Asia conflict reaches a critical flashpoint, former Indian Ambassador to the UAE Sunjay Sudhir has cautioned that the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz is no longer just an energy crisis but a direct threat to the food security of millions. His comments come as US President Donald Trump issued a final 48-hour ultimatum to Tehran, warning that "all hell will rain down" if the strategic shipping lane is not reopened and a deal reached. Speaking with ANI, Sudhir highlighted a more immediate humanitarian concern: the survival of the 10 million Indians living in the Gulf while global markets remain fixated on oil prices. Currently, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has halted the primary maritime route for food exports. Sudhir noted that while cargo flights are being used, they are not a "sustainable solution" for feeding millions. "We have about 10 million Indians living in that part of the world. So, India is one of the main sources of food for the entire GCC, also our 10 million Indians. How does the food get there? It's through the Strait of Hormuz. So, while the focus might be on energy, we have to feed our people. Of course, there are cargo flights, but it's not a sustainable solution. The Strait of Hormuz has to open," he said. The former diplomat noted that traditional blocs like the G7, NATO, or BRICS have limited leverage in this specific conflict due to the "nature of the combatants." For India, the priority remains a "proactive diplomacy" focused on two fronts, mitigating the "disproportionate hit" to LPG supplies and ensuring the 10 million-strong Indian diaspora in the Gulf does not face a food shortage. "So, whether it's G7 countries or NATO countries or BRICS countries or India, there are limits to what they can do because the nature of the combatants in this war is of a very different nature altogether. The less said, the better. So India... what India can do only is to safeguard its energy security, the interests of its 10 million people living in that part of the world. I think that it is doing very well," he said. With the 48-hour clock ticking, the region stands on the precipice of an all-out military confrontation that could permanently alter the global economic and political landscape. On Saturday, President Trump took to social media to issue a final warning to the Iranian government: Iran has 48 hours (expiring Monday, April 6) to "make a deal" or unilaterally reopen the Strait. Failure to comply will result in what Trump described as "all hell" raining down, likely referring to the resumption of strikes on Iran's energy and command infrastructure. Sudhir characterised the regional situation with one word: uncertainty. He addressed the recent assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026, stating that India would not have sided with the military action. "I don't think India would have sided with Israel on the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei because we were there to convey our condolences. You know, as I said, it's not our war. It's not a war of our making. It's something which we have to deal with. We have to deal with the situation for the advantage of our people, to meet our interests and all. So for that, we have been engaging in very proactive diplomacy. The thing is, for any country, there are limits to what they can do, whether it's India or the UK or Germany," he said The escalating rhetoric has sparked global alarm. Mohamed ElBaradei, former Director General of the IAEA, issued an "urgent appeal" on X, imploring Gulf leaders and the United Nations to intervene before the region is "turned into a ball of fire." ElBaradei questioned the efficacy of international institutions, calling on regional neighbours to act before the 48-hour window expires. (ANI)
More than 6,000 students from Taiwan have taken part in academic exchange programmes in China over the past two years, even as authorities continue to caution against such travel due to mounting security risks, as reported by The Taipei Times. According to The Taipei Times, official data released by Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council indicates that 3,592 and 2,966 Taiwanese students respectively joined exchange initiatives in China during this period. Despite an "orange light" travel advisory warning of potential dangers, participation has remained steady, raising concerns about the effectiveness of government advisories. At the same time, figures from the National Immigration Agency show that 2,296 and 2,551 Chinese students visited Taiwan for academic purposes in those same years, highlighting a continued two-way flow of students across the Strait. A review of university websites found that several Taiwanese institutions continue to actively promote exchange opportunities in China without prominently displaying government safety warnings. For instance, National Chengchi University has launched campus-wide recruitment drives, offering scholarships and hosting workshops featuring returning participants to encourage more students to enrol in China-based programmes. In contrast, Kainan University has taken a more cautious approach by clearly including official advisories and guidance on potential legal risks, particularly those related to China's expansive national security laws. Responding to criticism, NCCU stated that student welfare remains a top priority and that all programmes comply with national regulations. It added that outbound exchange numbers to China remain relatively small compared to global placements, sending only 20-30 students annually to Chinese institutions out of roughly 300 total participants, as highlighted by The Taipei Times. Officials from Taiwan's Ministry of Education reiterated that universities have been repeatedly warned about the risks tied to academic cooperation with China. They emphasised that a monitoring platform has been established to track such exchanges and prevent threats to sensitive research and national security. Educators have also been advised to remain vigilant against invitations that could serve propaganda purposes or facilitate undue influence, as reported by The Taipei Times. (ANI)
Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Sunday raised alarm over the safety of nuclear facilities in Iran. Ghebreyesus said that a strike could trigger a nuclear accident, with health impacts that would devastate generations. In a post on X, he said, "I join the IAEA in raising the alarm again over the safety of nuclear facilities in Iran. The latest incident involving the Bushehr nuclear power plant is a stark reminder: a strike could trigger a nuclear accident, with health impacts that would devastate generations. With every passing day of this escalating conflict, the stakes and threats are raised higher and higher. We must de-escalate now. Peace is the best medicine." https://x.com/DrTedros/status/2040701569323167874?s=20 The IAEA said that the site's physical protection staff members was killed by a projectile fragment and that a building on site was affected by shockwaves and fragments. In a post on X, it said, "The IAEA has been informed by Iran that a projectile struck close to the premises of the Bushehr NPP this morning, the fourth such incident in recent weeks. Iran also informed the IAEA that one of the site's physical protection staff members was killed by a projectile fragment and that a building on site was affected by shockwaves and fragments. No increase in radiation levels was reported." Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the IAEA expressed deep concern about the reported incident. In a post on X, the IAEA further said, "IAEA DG Rafael Mariano Grossi expresses deep concern about the reported incident and says NPP sites or nearby areas must never be attacked, noting that auxiliary site buildings may contain vital safety equipment. Reiterating call for maximum military restraint to avoid risk of a nuclear accident, DG Grossi again stresses the paramount importance of adhering to the 7 pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during a conflict." This comes after a projectile struck near the perimeter of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant on Saturday morning, leading to the death of one security personnel member, according to the Iranian News Agency, Tasnim. According to the Tasnim news agency, the incident did not damage the main parts of the plant, but it did damage an auxiliary building. The production is reported to be unaffected, as claimed by the news agency. (ANI)
The Foreign Ministry of Oman on Sunday stated that the Sultanate and the Islamic Republic of Iran have initiated discussions on ensuring the smooth flow of maritime transit through the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz amid prevailing regional conflict, which is currently in its second month. According to a statement issued by the ministry on X, the two sides held a meeting on Saturday, April 4, at the level of deputy foreign ministers, with participation from specialists representing both countries. The statement noted that the discussions focused on "possible options for ensuring the smooth flow of transit" through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy corridor that handles a significant share of the world's energy shipments. "The Sultanate of Oman and the Islamic Republic of Iran held a meeting on April 4, 2026 CE, at the level of deputy ministers in the foreign ministries of the two countries, attended by specialists from both sides. The meeting discussed possible options for ensuring the smooth flow of transit through the Strait of Hormuz amid the circumstances currently prevailing in the region," the statement read. During the meeting, experts from both sides presented a range of proposals and perspectives aimed at maintaining stability and uninterrupted maritime movement in the region. These proposals will be further studied, the statement added. Earlier, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, during an interview with Sputnik, stated that the Islamic Republic was in the final stages of preparing a draft protocol aimed at establishing a new navigation regime in the Strait of Hormuz and plans to initiate discussions with Oman for a joint framework. During the interview, Gharibabadi stated, "The draft of this protocol is currently in the final stages of preparation. Once we have it ready, we will begin negotiations with Oman so that we can draft a joint protocol." He indicated that the proposed protocol is intended to regulate navigation in the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran seeking cooperation from Oman to develop a mutually agreed mechanism, as reported by Sputnik. Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council is scheduled to vote on a draft resolution proposed by Bahrain that seeks to authorise member states to use "all defensive means necessary" to ensure safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz next week, amid the conflict in West Asia. The proposal comes amid rising tensions over maritime security amid the conflict in West Asia, which has seen severe disruption in energy trade due to the virtual blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy trade. Bahrain, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council and has been under fire from Iran amid the conflict, urged an international response to threats against global navigation routes. The draft resolution has undergone several revisions after Russia and China opposed language that explicitly called for the use of force to reopen the strategic waterway. (ANI)
The Government of Nepal on Sunday decided to implement a two-day public holiday--Saturday and Sunday--in response to the ongoing fuel crisis linked to prolonged conflict in West Asia, which has caused major disruption to the global energy trade due to the virtual closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The decision was taken during a meeting of the Council of Ministers held at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kathmandu. Government offices and all educational institutions will observe the new weekend schedule starting April 6 to help facilitate petroleum supply, government spokesperson Sasmit Pokharel said. Pokharel stated that the move to close offices and schools on Sundays was prompted by ongoing disruptions in petroleum supplies and added that government offices, excluding educational institutions, will now operate from 9 am to 5 pm on working days. The Cabinet has also decided to prepare the necessary legal framework to support the conversion of petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles into electric vehicles. According to the spokesperson, the decision was taken as fuel supply has become increasingly uncertain due to escalating conflict in West Asia. The government believes that promoting the conversion of petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles into electric ones could help address potential fuel shortages while supporting the country's transition toward cleaner transportation. The ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States has disrupted global petroleum supply, contributing to shortages and a sharp rise in fuel prices in Nepal. Petroleum prices in Nepal have reached an all-time high, with the latest revision by the state-owned Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) pushing petrol prices to NPR 202 per litre in the Kathmandu Valley. Diesel and kerosene prices have also increased to NPR 182 per litre. The decision follows a meeting of the NOC's board of directors last week, which approved an NPR 15 per litre hike for petrol, diesel, and kerosene. This marks the third price increase in just 18 days, following hikes on March 15 and March 25. Petrol prices in Nepal have now surpassed the previous record set in June 2022, when petrol reached NPR 199 per litre and diesel NPR 192 per litre. After fluctuating over the years, petrol prices had dropped to NPR 156 per litre and diesel to NPR 137 per litre in January 2026. Prices had previously surged during the Russia-Ukraine War, but the current increase marks an unprecedented peak. Over the past 18 days alone, petrol prices have jumped by NPR 45 per litre, while diesel and kerosene have risen by NPR 40 per litre. The price of aviation fuel for domestic flights has surged by NPR 124 per litre, while for international flights in Kathmandu it has reached USD 819 per kilolitre. With the revision, domestic aviation fuel prices increased from NPR 127 per litre to NPR 251 per litre. Despite the latest adjustments, NOC reports losses of NPR 34.36 per litre on petrol, NPR 120.54 per litre on diesel, and NPR 416.37 per LPG cylinder, estimating fortnightly losses at NPR 11.71 billion. Prices are likely to rise further depending on international market trends. (ANI)
Iran on Sunday claimed that a United States military rescue operation aimed at retrieving the crew member of a downed F-15 aircraft ended in "complete failure", alleging that its forces destroyed multiple American military assets during the mission, Iranian state media Press TV reported. According to Press TV, citing a statement issued by Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the US operation was described as a "so-called" rescue effort that served as a cover for a rapid withdrawal. Zolfaghari stated that the operation took place at an abandoned airfield south of Isfahan in Iran and was swiftly countered by Iranian armed forces. He claimed that the Iranian response led to the destruction of two US C-130 military transport aircraft and two Black Hawk helicopters. The spokesperson further described the alleged incident as a "major blow" to United States military capabilities, asserting that it demonstrated the inability of US forces to assert dominance in the ongoing conflict. "A so-called US military 'rescue operation', designed as a deception plan and a rapid withdrawal under the pretext of retrieving the pilot of a downed aircraft at an abandoned airfield south of Isfahan, ended in complete failure after Iranian armed forces responded in time. Further assessments by experts at the scene confirmed that two US C-130 military transport aircraft and two Black Hawk helicopters were destroyed, a major blow that added to Washington's growing list of failures," Zolfaghari stated as quoted by Press TV. "It has been proven to all that the humiliated and bankrupt US Army, in this imposed war, is not considered the dominant or superior force against the divine will of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran," the spokesperson added. Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump confirmed that the military rescued the second F-15 crew member, who went missing after Iran downed the jet. In a post on Truth Social, Trump called it the "most daring" search and rescue operation for the US military, stating that the government will "not leave a warfighter behind"' He also stated that the crew member sustained injuries. "We got him! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now safe and sound! This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, but was never truly alone because his Commander in Chief, Secretary of War, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and fellow Warfighters were monitoring his location 24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue," Trump stated in his post. (ANI)
At the Pordenone International Film Festival in Italy, Kalbinur Sidik, a survivor of detention camps and Deputy Treasurer of the World Uyghur Congress, received the "Images of Courage" award. The recognition followed her testimony in the documentary Eyes of the Machine, directed by Daya Cahen.

Cahen described the honour as significant and expressed hope that the film would bring wider attention to the Uyghur crisis.

Meanwhile, the WUC strongly criticised remarks made by Canadian MP Michael Ma, who questioned evidence of Uyghur forced labour during a parliamentary hearing.

The debate came amid Prime Minister Mark Carney's recent decision to allow Chinese electric vehicle imports at reduced tariffs. Experts, including Margaret McCuaig-Johnston, warned about supply chains linked to forced labour.

Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, cautioned that Canada's shifting stance risks weakening global accountability efforts.

Attention was also drawn to the experiences of Uyghur women during Women's History Month. Rahima Mahmut, Director of the Stop Uyghur Genocide, highlighted systemic abuses such as forced sterilisation, mass detention, and sexual violence, noting their exclusion from mainstream global gender rights discussions.

Findings from the Uyghur Tribunal were cited, which concluded that measures limiting Uyghur births amount to genocide.

On the ground in China, concerns have escalated following the passage of a new "Ethnic Unity Law" by the National People's Congress.

Reports indicate a fresh wave of assimilation policies, including the removal of Uyghur-language signage in cities like Urumqi and Kashgar and the dismantling of culturally significant architectural elements. These developments have reinforced fears of systematic cultural erasure.

In Europe, Uyghur advocacy efforts continue. A WUC delegation met Taiwanese representative Klement Gu in Berlin to discuss human rights concerns and preparations for the upcoming International Uyghur Forum. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump on Sunday announced that he will address the press on Monday at 1:00 PM (local time) from the Oval Office, alongside military officials, following what he described as a high-risk and extraordinary rescue operation deep inside Iran to retrieve a US service member who was part of the crew for an F-15 fighter jet which was downed by the Islamic Republic earlier this week. In a post on Truth Social, Trump revealed that US forces successfully rescued a "seriously wounded" and "highly respected" F-15 crew member, identified as a Colonel, from mountainous terrain within Iranian territory. According to the President, Iranian military forces were actively searching for the officer and were "getting close" at the time of the operation. Trump emphasised the rarity and danger of such missions, noting that this type of raid is "seldom attempted because of the danger to man and equipment." He further disclosed that the rescue effort involved two separate operations. "We have rescued the seriously wounded, and really brave, F-15 Crew Member/Officer, from deep inside the mountains of Iran. The Iranian Military was looking hard, in big numbers, and getting close. He is a highly respected Colonel. This type of raid is seldom attempted because of the danger to "man and equipment." It just doesn't happen! The second raid came after the first one, where we rescued the pilot in broad daylight, also unusual, spending seven hours over Iran. An AMAZING show of bravery and talent by all! I will be having a News Conference, with the Military, at the Oval Office, on Monday, at 1:00 P.M. God Bless our great MILITARY WARRIORS!" Trump stated in his post. The upcoming press conference is expected to provide further details about the mission, its execution, and the condition of the rescued personnel. Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump confirmed that the military rescued the second F-15 crew member, who went missing after Iran downed the jet. In a post on Truth Social, Trump called it the "most daring" search and rescue operation for the US military, stating that the government will "not leave a warfighter behind". He also stated that the crew member sustained injuries. "We got him! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now safe and sound! This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, but was never truly alone because his Commander in Chief, Secretary of War, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and fellow Warfighters were monitoring his location 24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue," Trump stated in his post. (ANI)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday praised US President Donald Trump following the high-risk rescue of a US F-15 crew member from Iran after it was downed by the Islamic Republic earlier this week, calling it a testament to decisive leadership and shared values between the two nations. In a video statement posted on X, Netanyahu congratulated Trump on the successful operation, stating that "all Israelis rejoice in the incredible rescue of a brave American pilot by America's dauntless warriors". Highlighting the significance of the mission, Netanyahu said the operation demonstrated how "free societies muster their courage and their resolve" to overcome "seemingly insurmountable odds" and confront threats posed by "forces of darkness and terror." He further emphasised the enduring military ethos of both countries, noting that the rescue reinforced the "sacred principle" that no soldier is left behind - a value deeply rooted in both Israeli and American history. "Congratulations, President Trump! All Israelis rejoice in the incredible rescue of a brave American pilot by America's dauntless warriors. This proves that when free societies muster their courage and their resolve, they can confront seemingly insurmountable odds and overcome the forces of darkness and terror. This rescue operation reinforces the sacred principle: no one is left behind. This is a shared value demonstrated time and time again in the history of both our countries," the Israeli PM said. Drawing from personal and national experience, Netanyahu referenced Israel's history of daring rescue missions, including the Entebbe rescue operation, in which his brother, Yonatan Netanyahu, was killed and also recalled his own injury during a military operation, underscoring his understanding of the risks involved in such decisions. "As a nation that repeatedly carried out daring rescue operations, and as someone who was wounded in such a mission and lost a brother in the Entebbe rescue, Israelis and I know what a bold decision you took," Netanyahu added. Praising Trump directly, Netanyahu added, "President Trump, Donald, my dear friend, once again your decisive leadership brought another great victory to America. I salute you! We all do!" Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump confirmed that the military rescued the second F-15 crew member, who went missing after Iran downed the jet. In a post on Truth Social, Trump called it the "most daring" search and rescue operation for the US military, stating that the government will "not leave a warfighter behind". He also stated that the crew member sustained injuries. "We got him! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now safe and sound! This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, but was never truly alone because his Commander in Chief, Secretary of War, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and fellow Warfighters were monitoring his location 24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue," Trump stated in his post. (ANI)
Pope Leo XIV on Sunday issued a clarion call for global peace, pleading with nations and leaders to abandon violence and choose dialogue over domination amid the conflict in West Asia, urging an end to indifference in the face of the ongoing conflict and suffering. In his powerful Urbi et Orbi Easter message delivered from Saint Peter's Basilica, the Pontiff said, "Let those who have weapons lay them down! Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace! Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue! Not with the desire to dominate others, but to encounter them!" During his Easter address, the Pope reflected on the meaning of Christ's resurrection as the triumph of life over death, light over darkness, and love over hatred and described the salvific act of Jesus Christ -- crucified, buried, and risen -- as the foundation of Christian hope and a model of non-violent strength rooted in God's love. "Christ's resurrection is the beginning of a new humanity; it is the entrance into the true promised land, where justice, freedom, and peace reign, where all recognize one another as brothers and sisters, children of the same Father who is Love, Life, and Light. Brothers and sisters, through his resurrection, the Lord confronts us even more powerfully with the dramatic reality of our freedom. Before the empty tomb, we can be filled with hope and wonder, like the disciples, or with fear like the guards and the Pharisees, forced to resort to lies and subterfuge rather than acknowledge that the one who had been condemned is truly risen," the Pope said. Highlighting the global consequences of ongoing conflicts, Pope Leo XIV lamented what he described as a growing "globalisation of indifference" -- a moral numbness toward the deaths, sufferings, and social upheavals caused by war and stressed that true peace is more than the absence of conflict; it is a transformation of the human heart, marked by compassion, respect, and solidarity. "We are growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it, and becoming indifferent. Indifferent to the deaths of thousands of people. Indifferent to the repercussions of hatred and division that conflicts sow. Indifferent to the economic and social consequences they produce, which we all feel. There is an ever-increasing "globalization of indifference," to borrow an expression dear to Pope Francis, who one year ago from this loggia addressed his final words to the world, reminding us: "What a great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day in the many conflicts raging in different parts of the world!" the Pontiff added. The Holy Father invoked the example of Christ's self-sacrificing love, which he said defeats evil not through force but through trust in God's will and reconciliation. Quoting Saint Augustine -- "If you fear death, love the resurrection!" -- the Pope called on the faithful to embrace hope and reject resignation in the face of evil. "The cross of Christ always reminds us of the suffering and pain that surround death and the agony it entails. We are all afraid of death, and out of fear we turn away, preferring not to look. We cannot continue to be indifferent! And we cannot resign ourselves to evil! Saint Augustine teaches: "If you fear death, love the resurrection!" (Sermon 124, 4). Let us too love the resurrection, which reminds us that evil is not the last word, because it has been defeated by the Risen One," he added. To underscore his plea for peace, Pope Leo XIV announced a prayer vigil for peace to be held at Saint Peter's Basilica on Saturday, April 11, inviting people worldwide to join in intercession for an end to war and hatred. Concluding his message, the Pope urged Christians and people of goodwill to entrust their hearts to the Risen Christ, whom he described as the only source of true and lasting peace. He wished the global community a blessed and hopeful Easter celebration. (ANI)
According to Xinhua, Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China is ready to continue working with Russia within the framework of the United Nations Security Council, maintain timely communication on major issues, and jointly contribute to de-escalation efforts to safeguard regional peace and global security.

Highlighting the worsening situation in the Middle East, Wang stressed that hostilities are escalating and called for an early ceasefire as the fundamental step to end the conflict and ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global energy trade.

He urged both countries, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, to adopt an objective and balanced approach while seeking broader international support, Xinhua reported.

According to Xinhua, Lavrov expressed Russia's deep concern over the continued escalation in West Asia and underscored the need to halt military operations immediately. He said that efforts should return to political and diplomatic channels to address the root causes of the conflict and emphasised the constructive role of the UN Security Council. Russia also expressed readiness to coordinate closely with China in advocating for a ceasefire and ending the war.

The conflict in West Asia began following US-Israeli joint military strikes on Iran on February 28, which killed Iran's 86-year-old Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Tehran, in retaliation, targeted Israel and US assets in several Gulf countries, causing disruption in the waterways and affecting international energy markets and global economic stability. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar received a call from his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi as the tensions between the US and Iran continue to escalate. Both leaders discussed bilateral relations and the tensions in West Asia. In a post on X, S Jaishankar said, "Received a call from the Foreign Minister of Iran. Discussed the present situation." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2040840035491365062?s=20 The Iranian Embassy in India added, "Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, held a phone conversation with Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India's Minister of External Affairs, discussing bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments." https://x.com/Iran_in_India/status/2040838309698732249?s=20 This comes after Jaishankar held separate high-level conversations with leaders from the UAE and Qatar to discuss the rapidly evolving situation in West Asia amid the regional conflict. In a post on X, Jaishankar stated that he spoke with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the UAE, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, reviewing ongoing developments in the region. "Discussed the evolving situation in West Asia with DPM & FM Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan of UAE," he wrote. In a separate post, the External Affairs Minister said he also held a telephonic conversation with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, regarding the ongoing conflict. "Had a telecon on the ongoing conflict with PM & FM Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar this evening," Jaishankar stated. The back-to-back diplomatic engagements come amid heightened tensions in West Asia, with India closely monitoring the situation and maintaining regular contact with key regional stakeholders. India has consistently emphasised the need for dialogue, de-escalation, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts in the region. Earlier on Saturday, Jaishankar noted that India has "solidly come through" the turbulent global environment amid the West Asian conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war, "managing domestic and external challenges successfully". Addressing the 15th Annual Convocation Ceremony of IIM Raipur, EAM Jaishankar called for "hedging, de-risking and diversifying" to secure India's interests as he noted that the resources can be used as leverage amid shifting power structures across the globe. "The turbulence in the world currently is also structural in many ways. The global order is changing before our very eyes with visible shifts in the relative power and influence of countries. The politics of some societies find it difficult to come to terms with these changes. New developments in technology, in energy, in military capabilities, in connectivity and in resources have encouraged risk-taking in an increasingly competitive environment. Everything today is being leveraged, if not actually weaponised. The world is then confronted with the prospect of securing itself in an increasingly volatile and unpredictable environment. This has necessitated hedging, de-risk and diversifying. Whether this is a business choice or a foreign policy," the EAM said. The conflict in West Asia began following US-Israeli joint military strikes on Iran on February 28, which killed Iran's 86-year-old Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran, in retaliation, targeted Israel and US assets in several Gulf countries, causing disruption in the waterways and affecting international energy markets and global economic stability. (ANI)
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei responded to US President Donald Trump's threats, warning that Iran will respond "in kind" to any attack on its infrastructure, Al Jazeera reported. "Our armed forces have made it clear that in case Iran's infrastructure is attacked, we would react in kind," Esmail Baghaei said as per Al Jazeera. "Our armed forces would target any similar infrastructure that is owned or in any way or manner related to the United States or contributes to their act of aggression against Iran," he added. This came in response to US President's threats of military action against Iran if Tehran fails to reach an agreement with Washington to end the conflict and open the strategic Strait of Hormuz During an interview with Axios, Trump said, "There is a good chance, but if they don't make a deal, I am blowing up everything over there," adding that discussions are ongoing and suggested a deal could still be reached before the deadline. Earlier in the day, shortly before the interview, Trump issued a strong warning on Truth Social, threatening to target Iran's critical infrastructure if demands are not met. In his post, Trump used unusually harsh language to convey his message, reminding Tehran of his deadline to 'make a deal' or to 'open the Strait', noting that Tuesday will be the day when Washington will wrap up all of Iran's energy and civil infrastructure. "Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F****n' Strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah," he stated in his post. On Thursday, Trump stated that Iran's biggest bridge has been hit and, in a sharply worded statement, called on Tehran to make a deal before it is "too late." "The biggest bridge in Iran comes tumbling down, never to be used again -- Much more to follow! IT IS TIME FOR IRAN TO MAKE A DEAL BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, AND THERE IS NOTHING LEFT OF WHAT STILL COULD BECOME A GREAT COUNTRY!" the post stated. The remarks come amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran, with diplomatic efforts continuing alongside increasingly sharp rhetoric from both sides. (ANI)
TOKYO, Apr 05 (News On Japan) - As the Iran conflict shows signs of prolonged escalation, Japans heavy reliance on Middle Eastern oil is driving a sharp surge in naphtha pricesan essential raw material for plasticsforcing manufacturers to implement unprecedented price hikes of over 30% while raising concerns that widespread cost increases and potential shortages across food packaging, medical supplies, and daily goods could intensify from May onward if supply disruptions persist.

At corporate entrance ceremonies marking the start of the fiscal year in April, newly hired employees were welcomed with creative presentations, including AI-generated projections of their future careers, while executives simultaneously warned of increasing geopolitical risks tied to escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Leaders at major trading companies, which also handle crude oil imports, expressed concern that the situation would not be resolved quickly, noting that forcing vessels through unstable regions is not a viable option and that prolonged instability is likely.

Airlines also highlighted rising risks, as uncertainty surrounding U.S. military actions toward Iran continues to weigh on global conditions.

Japan is already in the midst of rising prices, with more than 2,700 food items increasing in cost this month alone, averaging a 14% hike, and notably, these figures do not yet reflect the impact of the Iran situation. Teikoku Databank warns that if disruptions such as a potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz persist, a renewed wave of price hikes could begin as early as July.

A tanker carrying naphtha arrived in Tokyo Bay on Wednesday, underscoring the growing importance of the petroleum-derived material, which is used as a key raw ingredient in a wide range of plastic products. Any disruption in its supply chain is expected to drive up costs across numerous industries, including healthcare, agriculture, and logistics.

In response, the government has established a task force to secure stable supplies of naphtha and related products. However, at manufacturing sites, the impact is already being felt.

At a company producing food storage bags using polyethylene derived from naphtha, supply chain disruptions have forced a shift to longer shipping routes, doubling delivery times from around 20 days to as much as 45 days, significantly increasing costs.

With polyethylene prices already doubling, the company has decided to implement what it describes as the largest price increase in its history, exceeding 30%, as it prioritizes maintaining stable supply amid strong customer demand.

The ripple effects are spreading further. A manufacturer of food containers, which uses polystyrene made from naphtha, reported receiving notice of a roughly 30% increase in raw material costs from suppliers, with no room for negotiation.

The company stated that such a scale of increase is unprecedented and that it will be forced to raise prices starting next month, as material costs account for a large portion of production expenses, making continued operations unprofitable without adjustments.

Naphtha, a colorless liquid produced during the oil refining process, serves as a fundamental raw material for products such as plastics, vinyl, food wrap, and liquid detergents. Derived as a byproduct of gasoline production, it accounts for roughly 10% of refined crude oil output.

Once produced, naphtha is processed into basic petrochemicals such as ethylene, which is then transformed into materials like polyethylene and polystyrene, used in items ranging from plastic bags to foam containers and food trays.

Japan has historically refined about 40% of its naphtha domestically, but more than 90% of the crude oil used for production is sourced from the Middle East, while over two-thirds of imported naphtha also originates from the region, resulting in an effective dependency of around 80%.

South Korea, previously accounting for about half of Japans non-Middle Eastern imports, has halted naphtha exports in response to the current situation, further tightening supply.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry expects imports from countries such as the United States and Peru to expand in April, potentially doubling procurement from non-Middle Eastern sources.

Japan also relies heavily on imports of processed petrochemical products. PET resin used in plastic bottles is largely sourced from countries like Thailand, while synthetic rubber gloves used in medical and household settings depend heavily on imports from Malaysia.

The government maintains that there is no immediate concern, citing stockpiles equivalent to roughly two months of supply, including reserves held by private companies for products such as polyethylene.

However, domestic naphtha prices are expected to surge to nearly double normal levels.

Petrochemical consultant Hiroki Yanagimoto warns that while immediate shortages are unlikely, if disruptions such as a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz continue beyond May, global competition for naphtha will intensify sharply.

Even if minimum supply levels can be secured, prices of petrochemical products are expected to rise between 30% and double, potentially leading to shortages in food containers, medical supplies, automotive and electronics components, and agricultural fertilizers, raising concerns about widespread impacts on daily life.
King Mohammed VI has offered his congratulations to President of Senegal Bassirou Diomaye Faye on the occasion of the 66th anniversary of his countrys independence.

In his cable of congratulations, the Moroccan Sovereign expressed his best wishes for continued progress and prosperity of the Senegalese people.

He also lauded the long-standing and exceptional bonds of brotherhood existing between the Moroccan and Senegalese peoples, and the constant renewal of cooperation ties between the two countries.

The relationship between Rabat and Dakar is based on strong religious, economic, and diplomatic ties since 1960. Morocco is a major investor in Senegal, particularly in banking, insurance, construction, and pharmaceutical sectors. Their bond also includes deep cultural and religious ties through the Tijaniyya Sufi Order.

For its part, Senegal is a key partner in the $25 billion Atlantic Gas Pipeline project aimed at transporting gas from Nigeria through 13 West African nations to Morocco and up to Europe.
The 2nd set of the most advanced attack Apache helicopters has been delivered to the Royal Moroccan Air Force, strengthening further the Kingdoms air offensive capabilities, according to Defense Arabia news platform.

Morocco had received six AH-64E Apaches Guardian attack helicopters in March 2025 part of 36 purchased for $4.25 billion. This twin-engine army attack helicopter is used by Egypt, Greece, Israel, the Netherlands, Japan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the UK.

The AH-64E Apache Guardian is the most lethal and battle-tested variant of the Boeing Apache attack helicopter, serving as the U.S. Armys primary attack helicopter.

This aircraft is armed with a 30mm M230 chain gun mounted beneath its nose, capable of engaging ground targets with high-explosive ammunition at short-to-medium ranges with high precision. Its primary anti-armor weapon is the AGM-114 Hellfire laser-guided missile, with a range of approximately eight km, enabling standoff engagements against tanks and fortified positions from beyond the reach of most ground-based air defense systems.

AH-64E Apache Guardian is equipped with the AN/APG-78 Longbow fire control radar, capable of tracking 128 targets simultaneously and prioritizing the top 16. Its advanced radar is a millimetre-wave system capable of detecting, classifying, and tracking ground and aerial targets at extended ranges in adverse weather conditions and complex terrain.

This radar enables simultaneous tracking of multiple targets and real-time cueing of Hellfire missiles with exceptional precision, conferring a clear tactical advantage in modern, high-intensity combat environments.

The fusion of the Longbow radar with the aircrafts electro-optical and electronic sensor suite enables coordinated mission planning and real-time communication with ground and air units, transforming the Apache Guardian into a fully integrated multi-role strike and reconnaissance platform capable of sustained operations around the clock and under severely limited visibility conditions.
Britain has urged some of the worlds biggest powers to adopt clean energy at a faster pace to boost energy security during a time of geopolitical turmoil. The United Kingdoms Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, appealed to world leaders to accelerate the global green transition during the G7 Foreign Ministers meeting, held in France from 26th to 27th March.

The Group of Seven (G7) wealthy nations includes the U.S., Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan, along with the European Union. Reeves attended the conference alongside U.K. Energy Minister Ed Miliband, who is well-known for his staunch support for renewable energy sources.

Ahead of the G7 meeting, Reeves told journalists, As we move faster on renewables and nuclear, our partners in the G7 must do the same  because staying stuck on the rollercoaster of global oil and gas prices will help nobody. She added, That transition is strongest when countries act together. By working across the G7, we can accelerate investment and build momentum. Energy bills are coming down for families this week thanks to the actions of this Labour government  action that was opposed by the Tories and Reform.

Reeves has been strongly criticised by the U.K. Conservative Party (Tories) and the right-wing Reform Party for her vocal opposition to new fossil fuel projects. The Chancellor said that she turned down calls from the Conservatives to issue new oil and gas licenses in the North Sea as she believed they would not protect the U.K. from further energy shocks or drive down consumer energy bills. Since coming into government in 2024, Labour has banned new oil and gas licensing to focus on growing Britains renewable energy capacity, a move that has been widely welcomed by economists and climate experts.

Meanwhile, new evidence suggests that hundreds of North Sea licences granted by the Tories have, so far, produced just 36 days of gas. Research conducted by the energy consultancy Voar and the campaign group Uplift shows that between 2010 and 2024, the Conservative government approved hundreds of new North Sea oil and gas licences in seven licensing rounds. The report suggests that the 20 new and relicensed fields that have the potential, over their life span, to provide enough gas to supply the U.K. for half a year, have provided just 36 days of extra gas to date.

This has led many to doubt the effectiveness of the Conservatives' and Reforms calls for new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea, as a means of boosting energy security and driving down energy bills, particularly as many of the U.K.s oil reserves have long been depleted. Meanwhile, Reeves has accused the Tories and Reform of chasing headlines rather than addressing the root causes of energy security.

Some have already suggested that the current geopolitical challenges may be the wake-up call the world needs to take the importance of a more diverse energy mix seriously. The ongoing war in Iran has caused the largest oil disruption in history, according to an analysis by consulting firm Rapidan Energy. With the global trade significantly impeded by the almost complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz  a key trade corridor connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, the worlds ongoing dependence on fossil fuels has become evident.

Sam Butler-Sloss, the research manager at global energy thinktank Ember, told journalists, The Iran crisis accelerates the shift to renewables and electrification. High fossil prices drive switching, making already cheap electrotech even more competitive. Butler-Sloss added, In the old fossil fuel world, energy security meant diversifying fuel supply. With electrotech, nations now have the tools to increasingly eliminate imported fuels altogether.

Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency (IEA) is pushing harder than ever for countries to deploy more green energy capacity, as well as strengthen their energy supply chains, by reducing reliance on foreign powers for key materials and components. I expect one of the responses to this crisis will be [an] acceleration of renewables. Not only because they are helping to reduce the emissions but also, they are a homegrown domestic energy source, the IEAs Executive Director, Fatih Birol, said during a press event in March.

It is still unclear whether the ongoing Middle East conflict will be enough of a reason to pursue a new era of green energy revolution, as was seen during and following the Covid-19 pandemic; however, some powers are pushing for an accelerated rollout of renewable energy to boost energy security. As the U.S. shifts away from an energy policy focused on green transition, the U.K. has stepped up to the global stage to encourage the world to diversify its energy mix, to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and help avoid another global energy crisis.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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Since the United States intervention in Venezuela on January 3rd, which effectively brought an end to President Nicolas Maduros 13-year dictatorship, the Trump administration has had a heavy hand in Venezuelan politics. The U.S. has made it clear that any new political leader, who is currently interim President Delcy Rodriguez, must cooperate with Washington. The U.S. has also staked its claim to vast quantities of Venezuelan crude. However, oil is not the only resource that the U.S. has shown an interest in, as the Trump administration imports millions of dollars worth of gold from the South American country.

President Trump has had a strong hold in Venezuelas oil industry since January and has been encouraging U.S. oil and gas executives to invest in Venezuelas energy sector. Venezuela is thought to hold the largest crude oil reserves in the world, but years of underinvestment in the countrys energy industry have caused output to dwindle. To increase output, Venezuela must attract high levels of foreign investment to its oil and gas industry to rebuild it from the ground up.

President Trump has said that Venezuelas oil resources were stolen from the U.S., in reference to the expropriation of assets from U.S. businesses in 2007, suggesting that the U.S. has the right to dominate the South American countrys oil business. However, international law guarantees that countries have permanent sovereignty over their own natural resources, which cannot be exploited by foreign powers without consent. Nevertheless, interim President Rodriguez has, so far, complied with Trumps requests to hand over Venezuelan oil to the U.S. and open the countrys oil and mining sectors to foreign investment.

In early March, reports broke that the United States planned to broker a multimillion-dollar gold deal with Venezuela. It was reported that the global commodities trader Trafigura

planned to purchase between 650 and 1,000 kg of gold dore bars  a semi-refined bar with a gold content of around 98 percent  from Venezuelas state-owned mining company, Minerven, to be refined in the United States.

During his two-day visit to Venezuela in March, U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum discussed the potential for the future of the countrys mining industry with President Rodriguez, alongside representatives from around 20 U.S. mineral companies. Burgum stressed that the Venezuelan government provided security guarantees to mining companies interested in investing in the mineral-rich south of the country, where guerrillas, criminal gangs, and other illegal groups continue to operate.

The Trump administration authorised a limited licence for the export of Venezuelan gold in March, announcing the move on the U.S. Department of the Treasurys website. The license allows Minerven to export, transport, and sell Venezuelan gold to the U.S. within specific parameters. However, it forbids the sale or exchange of Venezuelan gold to Cuba, North Korea, Iran, or Russia.

On March 25th, the U.S. Interior Secretary, Doug Burgum, said that the U.S. had recently brought back $100 million of gold from Venezuela. There hadnt been a shipment of precious metals between Venezuela and America in over 20 years, Burgum stated during a CERAWeek conference in Houston. Burgum said that U.S. refiners would use the gold for commercial and consumer purposes.

This marks the third extraction contract overseen by the Trump administration since the U.S. intervention in Venezuela in January, and a significant shift away from its previous policy of sanctions on the South American countrys energy and resources. Minerven and other state-owned industries previously faced strict U.S. sanctions on trade under both former President Hugo Chavez and Maduro. The move forms part of a broader effort to stabilise and reconstruct Venezuelas economy under U.S. influence.

The Trump administration has shown great interest in Venezuelas natural resources, including its vast coal reserves that contain critical minerals, as well as its rare earth metals reserves, including coltan and thorium. Burgum said that Venezuelan mining presented a major opportunity and that it is an industry thats been in complete collapse in Venezuela, and they know that. Its down to just artisanal miners controlled by gangs, [with] probably some of the worst environmental practices in the world. Burgum added, They (the government) want a clean environment, they want to have modern investment, they want to see growth in their country.

While the purchase of Venezuela's gold could provide a much-needed boost for the countrys economy after years of stagnation, there are significant concerns around Venezuelas existing mining operations. In 2016, then-President Maduro signed a decree creating the Orinoco Mining Arc, a 112,000 km2 area rich in gold and other minerals. However, the region has since become a hub for crime, political and military corruption, and smuggling. In addition, mining activities in the Arc have been devastating to the environment, with activities expanding into the protected natural areas of the states of Bolivar and Amazonas.

UN reports on the Orinoco Mining Arc have warned of serious human rights violations, including slavery and trafficking, and suggest that purchasing gold from the region can be equated to buying blood gold. It also said that license 51, granted by the Office of Foreign Assets Control to Minerven, perpetuates ecocide and launders criminal wealth. To develop legitimate mining operations in Venezuela will likely, therefore, be a gruelling task with several hurdles to overcome along the way.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
With US missile interceptor stocks being drained in the Middle East, some analysts warn a strategic window for Beijing could be opening, particularly if Washington remains distracted through the midterm election cycle.

Five weeks into the US-Israel air campaign against Iran, the world is tallying the economic wreckage: Brent crude at $114 a barrel, the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed to commercial traffic, and the International Energy Agency calling it the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market. Beijing is watching all of it. And not just the energy markets.

Operation Epic Fury, launched Feb. 28, has given Chinas military planners an unprecedented real-time window into how the United States wages high-end warfare, according to Mick Ryan, a retired Australian major general and senior fellow at the Lowy Institute in Sydney. The US military is still a very powerful organization, Ryan told RFE/RL this week. It can deploy overwhelming force and conduct sustained precision operations, at least from the air and from the sea.

That part is not reassuring to Beijing. But the fuller picture is more complicated, and potentially more useful to Chinese planners.

Ryan says the Trump administration has demonstrated a critical limitation alongside its firepower: it can manage one major war at a time, and it has stripped out much of the institutional decision-making architecture that would normally govern a conflict of this scale. These decisions look to be being made much more on impulse, Ryan said, pointing to what he described as shifting and inconsistent strategic objectives since the campaign began.

For Xi Jinping and the Peoples Liberation Army, that combination  overwhelming capability paired with constrained strategic bandwidth  is worth studying carefully. If Beijing has a clearer strategy than Washington does, Ryan argues, that gap matters as much as any hardware comparison. Strategy is even more important than battlefield performance, he said. Having the right strategic assumptions and the right strategic decision mechanisms for executing that strategy is something the Chinese might think that theyre better at than the United States at the moment.

The strategic implications extend well beyond tactics. China receives roughly a third of its crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz. The closure has forced Beijing to scramble for Russian and alternative supplies even as it publicly opposes the war and calls for de-escalation. Iran, notably, granted Chinese-flagged vessels passage through the strait on March 26, a gesture that underscored the careful line Beijing is walking: rhetorical opposition to Washington, functional diplomacy with Tehran, and eyes fixed on the Taiwan question.

Chinas military budget grew 7% in 2026 to roughly $277 billion, and its official military media outlet has published formal analyses of the conflicts lessons, covering everything from the role of AI in US targeting to the effectiveness of leadership decapitation strikes. The PLA had drones mounted on armored vehicles at last years military parade  Ryan says those were Ukraine lessons absorbed and adapted, and the Iran war is only adding to the pile.

One of the more alarming data points for Western defense planners is the pace of US missile interceptor depletion. American and allied forces have expended an estimated 2,000 interceptors in the campaign so far, and production rates are nowhere near sufficient to replenish them quickly. Some analysts have begun describing that gap explicitly as a strategic window. That may be the best time for Beijing to strike, wrote defense analyst David Axe, noting that the US simply wont have enough interceptors if another front opens.

Ryan is more cautious about the immediacy of that threat. Trumps unpredictability, while analytically frustrating for Beijing, is also a genuine deterrent. Unlike any of his predecessors, Trump cannot be reliably war-gamed. The Chinese cant really war game what his reaction to any kind of event might be because he just really is all over the place, Ryan said. That uncertainty, he argues, probably induces caution in Xi.

Still, Ryan sees two scenarios gaining traction in Chinese strategic planning. The first: a grand bargain between Trump and Xi in which Washington signals it would not defend Taiwan militarily. The second: a swift, decapitating military strike designed to outpace any US response. Neither requires Beijing to be reckless. Both require Beijing to see an opening.

The congressional midterm cycle, running through October and November, could provide one. A Trump administration managing a protracted Middle East campaign, depleted munitions stocks, and an increasingly hostile domestic political environment is a different adversary than one operating at full capacity and full attention.

Taiwan is not sitting still. Taipeis defense ministry submitted a report to lawmakers in March outlining the T-Dome layered air-defense architecture it is rushing to complete, drawing explicit lessons from the Iran and Ukraine wars on the need for low-cost interceptors capable of handling drone swarms. The debate over a nearly $40 billion special defense budget is ongoing in the legislature, with opposition lawmakers raising questions over cost and feasibility.

As for how Xi is reading the broader picture, Ryans read is that the Chinese leader sees his long-standing narrative confirmed: the West in decline, US alliance systems fraying, and Washingtons credibility with allies eroding. Whether thats right or not remains to be seen, Ryan cautioned. But I think from his perspective, thats probably what he sees.

The war in Iran has not settled anything about Taiwan. But it has handed both sides new information, and neither is ignoring it.

By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
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Kathmandu, Nepal, April 5, 2026: The Election Commission (EC) has officially resumed the voter list collection and updating process across the country starting today. The nationwide program, which had remained suspended since November 21 (Mangsir 6), was reinstated following a decision made by the Commission during its meeting on March 31 (Chaitra 18).

Joint Secretary and Spokesperson of the Commission, Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, informed that the office has introduced a streamlined digital system to facilitate eligible citizens. Under the new arrangement, Nepali citizens who have already obtained their National Identity Card (NID) numbers can register their names in the voter list through an online portal using their NID details. This move aims to simplify the registration process and reduce the need for physical presence at election offices for NID holders.

For those who are not yet integrated into the National ID system, the Commission has mandated a pre-enrollment process. Applicants must first fill out an online form and subsequently visit their respective Provincial or District Election Offices in person to provide biometric data, including photographs and fingerprints. This ensures that the voter database remains secure and accurate through biological verification.

In addition to new registrations, the Commission has opened online windows for various administrative updates. Citizens can now apply remotely to correct errors in their names, surnames, or addresses, and ensure their records match their citizenship certificates. The system also allows for the removal of duplicate entries and the updating of records concerning deceased individuals or those who have migrated to different locations.

Furthermore, a specific provision has been made for voters residing in wards with multiple polling stations. Individuals who find their current polling center inconvenient may now apply to transfer their names to a more accessible location within the same ward. The Commission has urged all eligible citizens to participate actively in this collection drive to ensure their right to franchise in upcoming elections.
Canadian shopper dies inside central Playa del Carmen Walmart

Playa del Carmen, Q.R.  A man reported to be a Canadian tourist died inside a central Playa del Carmen store. Store employees tried to assist the man who fell unconsciousness onto the floor Saturday.

Walmart staff and other shoppers tried to help the man while waiting for an ambulance. April 4, 2026.

The man reportedly asked store staff for help when he started to feel unwell. Within a few minutes, he collapsed on the floor and did not regain consciousness.

An ambulance was called to the 30th Avenue Walmart location in central Playa del Carmen Saturday.

Paramedics responding to the call for medical help pronounced the man dead at the scene. Municipal police were also part of the first responders after other shoppers inside the store reported a person fainted to 9-1-1.

Paramedics covered the body with a white sheet after confirming his death Saturday. April 4, 2026.

The deceased man has not been identified beyound being Canadian. An autopsy will determine the official cause of death.
For as long as Ive been obsessed with skin care, theres always been one jaw-dropping product comparison Ive often heard being made: The Nivea Creme and Creme de la Mer. One is an affordable drugstore moisturizer first introduced in 1911, and the other, a famous luxury formula that will set you back at least $100 for just half an ounce.

With such a colossal price difference, it seemed impossible to me that these two creams could perform so similarly, much less contain a similar list of ingredients as so many people on TikTok and elsewhere had claimed. After speaking with dermatologists, I got the real scoop on their similarities and their differences.

Nivea Creme and Creme de la Mer are likely compared to one another

because there is significant overlap in the ingredients that appear at

the beginning of their ingredient lists, explained Dr. Brendan Camp, a board-certified dermatologist with MDCS Dermatology in New York City.

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According to Camp, this order of ingredients is important to note because the ingredients listed first are the most present in a product.

Manhattan Beach, California-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Divya Shokeen Khalsa said that both creams are designed to nourish and hydrate, improve skin barrier function as well as skin texture and appearance.

Shokeen Khalsa explained that some of these shared ingredients include glycerin, a favored humectant that draws moisture into the skin and panthenol (provitamin B5), which soothes and heals using anti-inflammatory properties.

She mentioned that the two moisturizers have a comparable rich and thick consistency, in part to the inclusion of lanolin alcohol and petroleum, an emollient-rich and occlusive combination that works to soften skin and lock-in moisture  kind of like how people use petroleum jelly to slug their skin.

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Unsurprisingly, the ingredient list is also where the most notable differences lie.

Creme de la Mers formula is centered around its Miracle Broth, Shokeen Khalsa said. [This] is a fermented mix of sea kelp and other nutrients, along with a bio-fermentation process that the company claims makes the product unique.

According to La Mer, this secretive solution is what helps to repair visible signs of premature skin aging, rejuvenates the complexion and is what makes this cream so sought after.

Shokeen Khalsa notes that the coveted recipe is also packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals  a contrast to Nivea, which she said has a more straightforward formula, which while effective, does not boast the same proprietary components or the extensive research and development that La Mer does.

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But before you sheepishly retrieve your wallet and shell out $100 or more for a face cream, Camp said that certain moisturizers can perform similarly even when their ingredient lists vary.

With this guidance, it could be safe to assume that, when it comes to moisturizers, you dont necessarily need to pay for something top-dollar as long as a cream is doing its job as a hydrator. And many people attest to the Nivea Creme doing just that, even if it doesnt boast the same composition as La Mer.

Intended for use on the body, face and hands, reviewers claim that Nivea has provided relief for damaged, flaking skin when nothing else would and has even helped to minimize the appearance of fine lines and dryness-related wrinkles. You can read them for yourself down below or buy a budget-friendly tin from any of the links above.

Promising Amazon reviews for the Nivea Cream:

I had seen a video online that compared this product to a very expensive high end cream moisturizer that I use daily. The comparison, done by chemists, showed the two products to be surprisingly similar. I decided to purchase this and was amazed at how much product comes for such a low price. Is it the same as the high-end luxury moisturizer? No. But it is a lovely alternative. I use this product a couple of times a week. I do recommend it. Great value. Very good product.  S. Kessler This moisturizer is used for the entire body and face. You dont need anything fancy since it is probably the best product out there that does a great job for dry skin. I have also used La Mer and I really havent seen the difference.  Katherine L., NY NY Leaves my skin moisturized without feeling greasy. My late grandma used to use this cream and her skin was always so health, smooth, and youthful looking. Dont waste your money on expensive creams. This is all you need  Travel Bug My hand had a wire brush hit the top of it, it was dry cracked and hurting for about a week and was not getting better until i put this on it, immediate pain relief and no more cracking.  Brandon Centeno Ive been using it almost 2 months on my face and to my surprise my laugh lines around the mouth have actually become finer and less noticeable. Really impressed.  Daisy

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Need to grab some last-minute marshmallow Peeps or eggs to dye on Easter? What about that glazed ham? Many Rhode Island grocery stores will be open on Easter Sunday, but their hours may be limited.

While no state laws prevent supermarkets from opening as usual on Easter, many opt to open with limited hours to allow employees to celebrate the holiday.

To avoid any surprises, shoppers should check store hours before heading out to the supermarket on Sunday, April 5.

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Here's what to know about popular Rhode Island grocery stores on the spring holiday.

Is Stop & Shop open on Easter 2026?

Most Rhode Island Stop & Shop stores will be open until 5 p.m. on Easter Sunday, the website said.

Is Market Basket open on Easter 2026?

All Market Basket stores, including the ones in Warwick and Johnston, will be closed on Easter Sunday.

Is Shaw's open on Easter 2026?

Most Shaw's locations will be open regular business hours on Easter Sunday.

Check the Shaw's store locator for your local store's hours.

Is ALDI open on Easter 2026?

ALDI locations will be closed on Easter Sunday, including the Providence, Warwick, Johnston, and Westerly stores, according to the chain's website.

Is Price Rite open on Easter 2026?

Most Price Rite stores in Rhode Island will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 5, according to a company spokesperson.

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However, the Pawtucket, Providence, and Cranston stores will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Johnston location will be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Is Dave's Fresh Marketplace open on Easter 2026?

All Dave's Fresh Marketplace locations will be closed on Easter Sunday, a company spokesperson confirmed.

Is Whole Foods open on Easter 2026?

Many Whole Foods locations are open on Easter Sunday, but with modified hours, the chain's website said.

The Cranston store and both Providence locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Customers should check their local store's website for details.

Is Trader Joe's open on Easter 2026?

All Trader Joe's stores, including the Providence and Warwick locations, will be open regular hours on Easter 2026.

Is Walmart open on Easter 2026?

Walmart stores will be open regular hours on Easter Sunday, according to the company. This includes the Providence, Coventry, Newport, and Cranston locations.

Is Target open on Easter 2026?

All Target stores will be closed on Easter Sunday, according to the company's website.

Is Costco open on Easter 2026?

All Costco warehouses will be closed on Easter 2026, according to the company.

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Although there aren't any Costco warehouses in Rhode Island, there is one in Sharon, Mass., about a 24-mile drive from downtown Providence.

Is BJ's Wholesale Club open on Easter 2026?

Most BJ's Wholesale Club locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Easter Sunday, according to the company. However, customers should check with their local club to confirm hours.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: See grocery store hours, closures for Rhode Island on Easter 2026
An accident on Saturday, April 4 at Flamboro Downs has claimed the life of one horse with a driver sent to hospital for observation.

In Saturday's fifth race, Justine Ray and driver Jason Ryan were in the midst of a three-wide bid around the far turn after the three-quarter mark when the mare took a bad step and fell. Ryan was ejected from the sulky and immediately hit by Sweet Gadgets and driver Steven Hudon, who were unable to avoid the fallen participants. Sweet Gadgets and Hudon also fell to the track as a result of the collision.

According to officials with Flamboro, Steven Hudon refused further medical attention and Jason Ryan was transported to hospital for further evaluation. Trot Insider will post an update on the status of the drivers when available.

Officials also indicated that Justine Ray walked off the racetrack, but Sweet Gadgets did not survive the injuries she sustained in the accident. A seven-year-old Sweet Lou mare from Gadgets To Go, Sweet Gadgets was owned by Hudon along with trainer Laura Toscani of Mount Hope, Ont. She was a 13-time winner with a mark of 1:53.3f with more than $138,000 in earnings.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Sweet Gadgets.

To view the results from Saturday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Results - Flamboro Downs.

(Standardbred Canada)
NEED TO KNOW

Gmail users can now officially change their email addresses

Company CEO Sundar Pichai announced the news in a recent X post

Google shared a step-by-step guide on how users can create their brand new address while still receiving emails sent to their old one

Its official: Gmail users can now change their email addresses.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced the news in a recent X post.

2004 was a good year, but your Gmail address doesn't need to be stuck in it, Pichai said in the post.

To say goodbye to v0t3f0rp3dr02004@gmail.com or mrbrightside416@gmail.com (or whatever you were into at the time), go to your Google Account settings and choose any name available. You'll keep your old username and you can sign in with both, he added.

The feature is rolling out to users in stages, so while its not currently available to all Gmail users, it should be available to all users soon, according to Google.

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To see if the feature is currently available to you, simply click on the circle with your photo or initials in the top right-hand corner of your Gmail and click Manage your Google Account.

Person accessing Gmail on their phone (stock image)

Credit: Mateusz Slodkowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty

From there, click on Personal info on the left side of the page, then click on Email.

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.

Click on your current Gmail address (you will be prompted to enter your password), and you will then see an option to change your Google account email if it is currently an option for you to do so.

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Google says that emails sent to your old email address will still appear in the inbox of your new one. Additionally, you can sign in with your old or new email address on Google services, like Maps, YouTube and Drive.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Your data, like photos and emails, will not be affected when you create a new Gmail address.

Google also says that while you can change back to your previous email address at any time, you cannot create a new Google Account email ending in gmail.com for the next 12 months.

Read the original article on People
As the Artemis II mission heads for a flyby of the moon, the Orion crew module is testing one of NASAs most ambitious upgrades to space communications yet: a laser-based system called O2O. Short for Orion Artemis II Optical Communications System, O2O caps more than two decades of work by NASA and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory to build better high-bandwidth links for deep space. The system is designed to send data down to Earth at up to 260 megabits per secondfar higher than the radio links earlier missions relied on. Scientific American spoke with some of the systems developers about how it works.

Let There Be Light

Since the start of NASA, weve used whats called microwave communications, frequencies in the gigahertz region usually, says Greg Heckler, a deputy program manager for NASAs SCaN (Space Communications and Navigation) Program, which funded the O2O system. The Orion crew capsule will, in fact, use this older technology as its core communications system, connecting back to NASAs Near Space Network and Deep Space Network of giant radio antennas spread across the globe.

NASA has spent the past two decades developing optical communications systems. By using bursts of infrared lightrather than microwavesfrom a laser to encode data, these systems can move far more information than traditional systems and can often do so with a smaller and lighter device.

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Key components of the O2Os design have already been validated in a series of demonstrations dating back more than a decade. The Lunar Laser Communication Demonstration in 2013 showed recordbreaking moontoEarth download speeds, while more recent missionssuch as the TeraByte Infrared Delivery (TBIRD) on a CubeSat in low Earth orbit and the Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) experiment on the Psyche spacecrafthave pushed laser links to higher rates and longer distances. For more than two years, an optical terminal nearly identical to Orions has been operating on the International Space Station. In every case, weve set new data rate records, Heckler says. O2O is going to be our last crown jewel in the demonstration series.

The O2O, which is about the size of a house cat, is expected to achieve data rates of up to 260 megabits per second down to Earth and 20 megabits per second back to Orion. I think you would be happy if that was your home Internet connection, Heckler says. The mismatch is a function of the considerably smaller optical receiver on Orion.

For two-way video conversations, this translates to about one second of round-trip lag. Its noticeable, Heckler says, but not what I would call an impediment. The ability to have two-way conversations in real time will be key as the Artemis program moves to a more continuous human presence on and around the moon. Think of what being able to video conference with your family means to an astronaut on the moon that may be in a stressful situation, Heckler says.

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An enhanced information pipeline will also allow scientists on Earth to regularly receive critical mission data from the flight recorder rather than having to wait for Orion to land to recover them. In the future, continuous two-way connectivity could also allow scientists to remotely pilot rovers and monitor critical lunar infrastructure.

Ready, Aim, Fire

The laser used in the O2O module is nothing particularly fancy, as lasers go. We rely pretty heavily on what the fiber telecom industry uses for their lasers and transmitters, says Bryan Robinson, group leader in optical and quantum communications at M.I.T. Lincoln Laboratory, which built the O2O terminal. In this case, it is a semiconductor laser in the same infrared, nonvisible wavelengths used in telecommunications. Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers boost that laser to about one watt of optical power emitted from the aperture.

By the time a laser beam from Orion reaches Earth, some 384,400 kilometers away, it is about 6 km in diameter. Take a laser pointer, which has an aperture of a few millimeters, Robinson says. Over a distance of tens of feet [a few meters], it looks like a very small point on a screen. But if you were to propagate that through space, after going 400,000 kilometers like we are, it would be much bigger than the beam I just described.

From the moon, a 6-km target is minuscule. The most significant technical challenge for the mission is in pointing the laser with sufficient accuracy, Robinson says. The O2O module transmits data to ground stations in New Mexico and California, where dry air and minimal cloud coverage help to preserve the link. Ultimately to bring the link up, you need that pointing to be good to basically a thousandth of a degree.

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Hitting those targets precisely requires knowing exactly where the Orion spacecraft is and how it is oriented, which isnt easy out in space. While star trackers mounted on Orion indicate where the vehicle is pointing, potential misalignments between the star trackers and the communications terminal can only be fully measured and corrected once in space. We carefully measure how were aligned to the star trackers, Robinson says. But even the distance between the star trackers and the Orion terminal on the spacecraft can introduce distortions from temperature and other things that degrade our pointing ability.

To point the laser, the O2O system uses a 10-centimeter telescope mounted on a two-axis gimbal, which can pivot through a full hemisphere of motion to acquire its target. Back-end opticslight-focusing lenses, tracking sensors, fast-steering mirrors and other componentsfine-tune the laser beam. As long as the spacecraft orients us in the right hemisphere, we should be good, Robinson says. But there are wild cards, including potential obstructions from Orions solar arrays or the body of the spacecraft and uncertainty about how well the vehicle can maintain a consistent orientation. We expect the first time we try to point the system, were going to learn something about the vehicle that you cant really learn until youre up there and navigating, Robinson says.

There will be a brief blackout in all communications systems when Orion passes behind the moon. But on future Artemis missions, relay satellites could help close that gap on the lunar farside.

For the public, however, the clearest payoff is visible in the sharper video O2O is sending home from Orions 28 cameras. The system is transmitting 4K video alongside photographs, scientific data and voice communications. The camera is the mission, Heckler says. We want to make sure were giving back to U.S. citizens with that 4K video.
Travelers love to talk about whether a place feels warm, cool, easygoing, or closed off, but those impressions are usually anecdotal. One of the better large-scale snapshots comes from InterNations 2025 Expat Insider survey, which gathered responses from 10,085 expats representing 172 nationalities and ranked 46 destinations on factors such as local friendliness, culture and welcome, and how easy it is to make local friends.

It did not survey short-stay vacationers specifically, so this is best read as a guide to how foreign residents feel received rather than a literal referendum on tourists. InterNations methodology makes that distinction clear.

That distinction matters, but the findings are still useful. A country where newcomers consistently say they feel welcome, at home, and able to build local friendships will often give off a friendlier first impression than one where outsiders struggle to connect. With that in mind, here are seven places that came out looking especially open to newcomers, followed by three where the social temperature appears noticeably cooler.

1. Mexico

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Mexico sits at the top of the 2025 Ease of Settling In Index, and the numbers help explain why. InterNations says it ranks 1st for Culture & Welcome, 2nd for Finding Friends, and 3rd for Local Friendliness. Its dedicated country profile also says expats there were far more likely than the global average to feel at home, feel welcome, and find it easy to make local friends.

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That combination is hard to fake. Plenty of places can be polite at check-in, but Mexicos results suggest something deeper, a social environment where outsiders often move beyond surface-level courtesy. The broader 2025 ranking notes that 35% of respondents say their friends and acquaintances are mostly locals, which points to a country where foreign arrivals are not always kept at arms length.

2. Panama

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Panama placed 2nd in the Ease of Settling In Index, and it appears to shine most on the social side of daily life. InterNations says the country ranks 1st for Finding Friends, while more than four in five expats report being happy with their social life there. The surveys Panama profile also says expats find it especially easy to make local friends and are very likely to describe locals as friendly toward foreign residents.

That matters because friendliness feels more convincing when it shows up outside overtly touristy settings. Panamas broader 2025 results were strong across the board, with the country ranking 1st overall and 94% of expats saying they were happy with life abroad there. A place does not produce numbers like that on scenery alone.

3. Colombia

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Colombia took 3rd place in the Ease of Settling In Index, and its social scores are especially striking. InterNations says it ranks 1st for having a personal support network, with nearly four in five expats saying they have people around them for practical or emotional support. Its country page also says Colombian locals are widely seen as friendly in general and toward foreigners.

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Even more telling, 51% of respondents said their friends were mostly locals, while only 8% said they moved mainly in expat circles. That suggests real integration rather than pleasant small talk. Colombia also rose to 2nd place in the overall ranking, helped by strong scores for personal finances and settling in. The caveat is that warmth does not erase every other concern, since safety still appeared as a meaningful drawback in the wider survey results.

4. Indonesia

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

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Indonesia placed 4th in the 2025 Ease of Settling In Index, and InterNations grouped it with the destinations that perform especially well on local friendliness. In fact, among the Asian countries in the top tier, Indonesia posted the strongest Local Friendliness result. That is a strong sign that newcomers often feel socially comfortable there, and the countrys 2025 profile reinforces that broader impression.

The picture is not flawless, which makes the welcome score more believable. InterNations says Indonesia also performs well on basics such as affordable and available housing, yet weaker digital services drag on the broader expat experience. In other words, the systems may not always charm you, but the people often do. You can also see that balance in the wider Expat Essentials results.

5. The Philippines

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The Philippines ranked 5th for Ease of Settling In, and it was one of the Asian countries singled out for especially strong local friendliness. InterNations says the Philippines belongs to a group of destinations where friendly day-to-day interactions appear to come naturally, and its country profile explicitly highlights friendly locals as one of the countrys standout strengths.

That makes it one of the clearest fits for a list about feeling received rather than merely tolerated. The countrys broader 2025 profile also pairs that social warmth with low costs, which helps explain why some expats seem to settle into the rhythm there relatively quickly. That does not mean every foreign resident or traveler will click instantly. It does suggest a noticeable pattern.

6. Brazil

Image Credit: ByDroneVideos / Shutterstock.

Brazil came in 6th on the 2025 Ease of Settling In Index, which keeps it firmly among the destinations where outsiders report a positive social landing. InterNations says Brazil joins Mexico, Panama, and Colombia in a Latin American cluster that performs extremely well across the welcome-related measures. The countrys 2025 profile keeps the people-facing case simple: friendly locals remain one of Brazils biggest strengths.

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That broader pattern matters. InterNations Brazil results are literally framed around friendly locals, even while the survey notes safety concerns elsewhere in the expat experience. So the message is not that Brazil is simple. It is that many newcomers still feel the social side of life there is unusually open.

7. Oman

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Oman rounds out the welcoming seven by taking 7th place in the 2025 Ease of Settling In Index. InterNations says the country scores especially well in Culture & Welcome, and in the top-10 trend summary it notes that locals in Oman are rated friendlier than those in Cyprus, the only other new entrant into that years top 10. That is a meaningful detail because both countries moved up, but Oman did so with stronger people-facing scores. The dedicated Oman profile makes the same general point.

There is another practical advantage here as well. In the 2025 Expat Essentials findings, InterNations says Oman is one of the places where expats find it especially easy to live without speaking Arabic. That suggests the welcome is not only emotional. Daily life can also feel easier to navigate without an immediate sense of being shut out.

8. Kuwait

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

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Now for the colder side of the ranking. Kuwait placed last, 46th out of 46, in the 2025 Ease of Settling In Index, and InterNations says it also came dead last in both Culture & Welcome and Local Friendliness. The countrys 2025 profile makes it even blunter, calling Kuwait no stranger to last place.

The underlying numbers are rough. Around 44% of expats said they did not feel at home there, compared with 23% globally, while 37% said they did not feel welcome, versus 18% worldwide. That does not mean every visitor or newcomer will have a bad experience. It does suggest that many outsiders experience Kuwait as a place where social ease does not come quickly. The broader Quality of Life results were not much kinder either.

9. Norway

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Norway ranked 45th, putting it just one spot above Kuwait in the 2025 Ease of Settling In Index. InterNations says it has been in the bottom 10 for six straight years, which makes the result look persistent rather than accidental. The index page describes the biggest hurdle as getting used to Norwegian culture.

The figures back that up. Forty-six percent of respondents said adapting to the culture was difficult, more than double the global average of 22%, and only 17% said it was easy to make local friends, compared with 38% globally. More than two in five expats in Norway also described locals as generally unfriendly. This does not necessarily read as hostility. It looks more like reserve, distance, and a social wall that can take time to get through. The wider survey report points in the same direction.

10. Finland

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Finland ranked 44th in Ease of Settling In, which puts it firmly in the surveys cooler group. InterNations says the country dropped into the bottom 10 in 2024 and had not climbed back out in 2025. The country profile makes clear this was not a one-off mood swing.

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What seems to hurt most is the social side. Expats ranked Finland 44th for feeling welcome and 43rd for feeling at home, while 48% said they were unhappy with their social life and 68% said making local friends was difficult. That does not sound like open hostility. It sounds more like reserve, distance, and a steeper climb toward real connection. The bigger settling-in results back up the same picture.

What makes this ranking interesting is not that some countries are cheerful and others cold. It is that the differences show up consistently when foreign residents talk about daily life, not just one perfect vacation week. Mexico, Panama, Colombia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brazil, and Oman all come across as places where newcomers often feel more quickly absorbed into the social fabric. Kuwait, Norway, and Finland, by contrast, look like places where building that same comfort can take much more work.

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Numerous parks and preserves in Southwest Florida span or border both Lee and Collier counties, offering extensive hiking, paddling and wildlife viewing.

Key sites include the 7,271-acre Collier-Seminole State Park, Barefoot Beach Preserve and regional conservation lands like the Corkscrew Regional Ecological Watershed and Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve.

Corkscrew Regional Ecological Watershed (CREW)

Spanning Lee and Collier counties, its a 60,000-acre area that preserves natural wetlands and offers extensive hiking trails.

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Established in 1990 to protect the watershed surrounding the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, it serves as a critical water filtration, flood control and wildlife habitat for species like the Florida panther.

Historically inhabited by the Calusa, the inland area was known for its cypress forests. In 1914, the Land and Improvement Company (later ALICO, Inc.) acquired much of the marshland.

A severe drought in 1989 accelerated efforts to protect the area, leading to the formation of the CREW Land & Water Trust, a partnership for land preservation.

Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve

Its located in Lee County but near the county line. Its a 3,000-plus-acre wetland preserve with a boardwalk.

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It was established in 1976 after a grassroots campaign led by area high school students known as the Monday Group. These students petitioned for a tax increase to save the ecosystem from development. Today, it functions as a critical flood-control and wildlife habitat. The slough acted as a natural water source for decades, often used by travelers as a marker for being six miles away from Fort Myers.

In the early 1970s, as development escalated, students and their teacher, Bill Hammond, rallied to save the area from being drained.

In 1976, Lee County voters approved a referendum, sparked by those petitions, to buy the land using tax funds.

Collier-Seminole State Park

In Collier County but borders Lee, the park was originally created by Barron Gift Collier to preserve royal palms and later donated to Collier County. The park served as a memorial to Barron Collier and those who fought on both sides of the Seminole Wars.

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In 1947, the county donated the land which became Collier-Seminole State Park.

The Florida State Park is the home of a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark, the Bay City Walking Dredge, used to build the Tamiami Trail through the Everglades. The park also includes 6,430 acres of mangrove swamp, cypress swamps, salt marshes, mangrove river estuaries and pine flatwoods.

Barefoot Beach Preserve

On the Collier/Lee border, its a 342-acre barrier island providing beach access, nature trails, and gopher tortoise habitats.

Established in 1990, it represents one of Southwest Floridas last undeveloped barrier islands. Once planned for high-density development in the 1950s, the land was preserved to protect diverse ecosystems  including mangrove forests and turtle nesting sites  and is supported by the Friends of Barefoot Beach.

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The preserve suffered significant damage from Hurricane Ian in 2022, closing for over a year for restoration and dune repairs.

Sources: Lee County Parks & Recreation, Collier County Parks & Recreation, Florida State Parks, the Fort Myers News-Press and the Naples Daily News archives.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: From the Archives: Lee/Collier nature nexus  Shared parks, preserves
British Columbia has some 18,000 miles of coastline to explore, but one place you can't miss in the province is the Sunshine Coast, a majestic, artsy coastal district that offers mountains, beaches, and endless adventure. Leave the vibrant Canadian city of Vancouver behind and make the trek to the gorgeous destination of Powell River which is surrounded by natural beauty, including forests and lakes. In fact, you'll need to take two ferries to reach this remote town.

Powell River is a welcoming place with friendly locals. Powell River Realty notes the "strong sense of community" here, and 2% Realty Pacific Coast describes the town as "friendly and tight-knit," with festivals and events helping newbies connect with locals. One Redditor says of the area, "If you are open and friendly, people will reciprocate." Whether you're planning a move here or simply visiting, you'll likely find a warm reception in Powell River.

Besides its welcoming locals, Powell River has a range of other attractions, such as a top-notch microbrewery and interesting historic sites, like the Powell River Townsite, home to 400 original buildings; including the Patricia Theater, the oldest continuously operating movie theater in Canada. Of course, the real highlights here are the outdoor adventures and recreational activities available. Hiking, paddling, scuba diving, and rock climbing are all popular. To top it off, you might even spot interesting wildlife like sea lions, seals, and orcas.

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Read more: 5 RV Essentials You Need For Cold Weather Camping

Where to go hiking in Powell River, British Columbia

Tin Hat Hut surrounded by mountains, forest, and lakes on the Sunshine Coast Trail - Edb3_16/Getty Images

Powell River is the perfect basecamp for hiking adventures around the Sunshine Coast. The Sunshine Coast Trail is a 112-mile, multi-day trail traversing from Saltery Bay to Sarah Point. It happens to be the longest hut-to-hut hiking trail in Canada. If you don't have time to do the whole thing, the most popular section near Powell River is the Tin Hat Mountain hike. This segment can be done as a shortened 6-mile hike round-trip that takes about three hours to complete, though you can stay overnight in the hut, which is free and doesn't require a permit. Keep in mind that it can get busy during peak season and is essentially first come first serve.

There are plenty of other trails to hike around Powell River. Try the Willingdon Beach Trail, a 2.5-mile trail that's easily accessible and has lots of local history along the way, including information on the old logging industry. Hike the 1.7-mile Sea Walk for your best chance at spotting wildlife like sea lions, river otters, bald eagles, humpback whales, and dolphins. Inland Lake has an 8-mile circular gravel trail around the lake, while Gallagher Hill is a moderate, 3.8-mile route with great views at the end. Whichever route you choose, hikers will love exploring the great outdoors around Powell River.

Watersports in and around Powell River

Trees on the shoreline and forest at Inland Lake near Powell River, British Columbia, Canada - Andrea C. Miller/Shutterstock

Paddling is another fun activity in Powell River. You can get out on the water and go kayaking, canoeing, or stand-up paddle boarding. Rentals are available from Mitchell's, located south of the city on the Sunshine Coast Highway. Experienced adventurers can try the Qathet Canoe Route, a 35-mile route that takes an average of five days to complete and traverses eight lakes via five portages. If you'd rather not portage, take on the multi-day Powell Lake Loop, which goes around Goat Island. Powell Lake and Inland Lake are also great spots for paddling if you're only visiting for the day.

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Some of Powell River's most interesting attractions are actually underwater. This is a hot spot for scuba diving, with 19 dive sites dotted around the area. Close to Willingdon Beach is YOGN-82, a former military ship that was sunk to create an artificial reef. Divers will also want to check out the Emerald Princess  a 575-pound mermaid statue located 60 feet underwater.

Powell River isn't the easiest place to get to, but it's well worth the journey. The closest major airport is Vancouver International Airport, ranked the number one airport in North America in 2025. The trip from Vancouver is about a four-hour drive and requires two ferries: Horseshoe Bay Ferry from West Vancouver to Langdale, and Earl's Cove to Saltery Bay. Having a vehicle is essential for visiting Powell River, and keep in mind that weather disruptions can affect ferry service.

Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter and add us as a preferred search source for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets.

Read the original article on Islands.
The internet loves a themed room, but these stays go much further than a logo on a pillow. In Japan, two standout Pokemon sleepovers have drawn the most attention: MIMARUs Pokemon Rooms, built around a life-sized Snorlax plush and a scavenger-hunt-style design filled with Pokemon details, and Grand Hyatt Tokyos limited Pokemon Beach Resort Suite, which turned one of the hotels top accommodations into a tropical Pokemon retreat for one summer.

For travelers, the useful details are the practical ones. You need to know where the rooms are, how many people they suit, what comes with the booking, and which parts are there mostly for the photos. That is also where the biggest distinction matters: MIMARUs Pokemon Rooms are an ongoing apartment-hotel concept, while the Grand Hyatt Tokyo suite was a time-limited collaboration rather than a permanent room category. Here is the version that keeps the hype in check and makes planning easier.

Tokyo: MIMARU Pokemon Rooms With a Giant Snorlax Centerpiece

Image Credit: Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons.

MIMARU refreshed its Pokemon Rooms with more than 100 Pokemon details throughout the space and a life-sized Snorlax plush on the bed, giving the stay a playful scavenger-hunt feel instead of a simple character-branding gimmick. The current Tokyo lineup includes Ueno East, Hatchobori, Ginza East, Kinshicho, and Ikebukuro, which gives travelers a choice between several neighborhoods rather than forcing everyone into one property.

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These are apartment-hotel rooms, so the appeal goes beyond the decor. The relaunch materials highlight Poke Ball-themed furnishings and kitchenware, and MIMARUs broader setup means kitchens are part of the experience rather than an afterthought. In practice, the Tokyo Pokemon Rooms generally sit in the roughly 38 to 40 square meter range and usually suit up to four adults plus two children. That makes them much easier to justify for friends or families than a smaller novelty room built only for photographs.

Kyoto: The Same Pokemon Room Concept, With a Better Family Fit

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Kyoto has four participating MIMARU locations: Shinmachi Sanjo, Kawaramachi Gojo, Nishinotoin Takatsuji, and Kyoto Station. The concept stays consistent across cities, with the giant Snorlax, hidden Pokemon touches, and apartment-style layout doing most of the work. The difference is that Kyoto often makes the rooms practical side feel even more valuable, because a little extra living space can be a real relief after long sightseeing days.

Most of the Kyoto Pokemon Rooms follow the same broad formula as Tokyo and sleep up to four adults plus two children. The standout is Nishinotoin Takatsuji, which also offers a larger Pokemon Room for six guests. That makes Kyoto the easiest city in the lineup for bigger family or group stays. If the idea is not just to take a photo with Snorlax but to use the room as a genuinely comfortable base, Kyoto may be the smartest version of the MIMARU concept.

Osaka: One Pokemon Room Base Near Namba

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Osakas current Pokemon Room base is MIMARU Osaka Namba North. It follows the same formula as the others, with 100 Pokemon details around the room, a giant Snorlax, and a setup meant to feel immersive rather than subtle. The room itself is about 41 square meters and typically fits up to four adults plus two children, so it stays in line with the broader MIMARU model.

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For travelers who plan to spend most of the day outside, it works well as a city base. Namba is a natural launch point for food, shopping, and transport, while the room becomes the themed reset button at night. The important thing to remember is that there is only one Osaka property in the current official set, so there is much less flexibility here than in Tokyo or Kyoto.

Tokyo Splurge: Grand Hyatt Tokyos Pokemon Beach Resort Suite

Image Credit: J o - Photo taken by J o., CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons.

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For travelers who wanted the most dramatic version of the concept, Grand Hyatt Tokyos Pokemon Beach Resort Suite was the flashiest option of the bunch. The hotel transformed its 120-square-meter Chairman Suite into a tropical island-style space with giant Lapras and Snorlax plushies, summer-themed Pokemon decorations, and premium hotel-service extras layered on top. This was not a standard themed room. It was a trophy booking.

It is important to describe it in the past tense. This package was clearly limited to Summer 2025, with stays running from June 20 check-in through September 1 checkout. The starting rate was JPY 550,000 for two guests, including tax but excluding accommodation tax and a 15% service charge, and there was only one suite available per night. If you saw broader coverage of the collaboration, that is because the hotel also ran a separate Pokemon Beach Resort Stay package in five guestrooms per night. The suite, though, was the one-room splurge version.

What You Can Keep, and What Stays Behind

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

MIMARU is clear that each reservation comes with original Pokemon Room goods, which currently include a laundry bag, drawstring pouch, small pouch, and stickers. The hotel group describes these as a set provided per group per reservation, so guests do leave with something tangible even though the giant Snorlax is part of the room and stays put.

Grand Hyatt Tokyo was just as clear about its own rules. The suite package included takeaway Pikachu and Piplup plushies, but the giant Lapras and Snorlax plushies were explicitly not for takeaway. The collaboration amenities also included themed items such as a beach bag, cap, and oversized t-shirt. Knowing that in advance matters, because it helps separate the keepsakes from the oversized decor that exists mainly to make the room feel spectacular.

Booking Tips So the Stay Matches the Photos

Image Credit: DiegoMariottini / Shutterstock.

For MIMARU, it makes sense to choose the city first and the exact property second. The official list makes the 10 locations easy to compare across Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, and the room style is close enough across the properties that neighborhood and group size often become the deciding factors. If you are traveling during school holidays or other peak periods, book early, because these rooms are limited by design.

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For Grand Hyatt-style collaborations, assume the dates are strict and the inventory is tiny. The Pokemon Beach Resort Suite was one room per night and never meant to function like a normal evergreen hotel category. That is the simplest way to think about the difference. If your goal today is a reliable Pokemon overnight stay you can actually plan around, MIMARU is the realistic choice. The Grand Hyatt version was the rare, one-season trophy stay.

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Airports across the United States have seen nearly 11,000 delays and over 500 cancellations on Easter Sunday, April 5, according to Flight Aware. Over 15,000 delays across Thursday and Friday, and more than 5,600 delays on Saturday were reported due to a volatile blend of storms and peak holiday capacity, according to Simple Flying.

The partial government shutdown continues, with no end in sight as lawmakers take a two-week break. One lawmaker, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, got some heat after he was spotted at Disney World over the weekend.

TSA has lost almost 500 workers since the partial government shutdown began. Employees with the Transportation Security Administration started getting paid again March 30 after President Donald Trump ordered federal funds to be rerouted.

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Agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement continue to assist at airports, including one in Florida, RSW in Fort Myers.

And on Friday, Trump proposed to begin privatizing airport security operations handled by TSA, in an effort to save money.

Here's what you should know Easter Sunday, April 5.

As of 11 a.m., here's the number of delays and cancellations Easter Sunday, April 5, at Florida airports, according to FlightAware.com:

Florida flight delays, cancellations at Daytona International Airport (DAB)

Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) Total delays today: 0 Total delays within, into, or out of the United States today: 0 Total cancellations today: 0 Total cancellations within, into, or out of the United States today: 0



Florida flight delays, cancellations at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS)

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) Total delays today: 3 Total delays within, into, or out of the United States today: 3 Total cancellations today: 2 Total cancellations within, into, or out of the United States today: 2



Florida flight delays, cancellations at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) Total delays today: 66 Total delays within, into, or out of the United States today: 66 Total cancellations today: 3 Total cancellations within, into, or out of the United States today: 3



Florida flight delays, cancellations at Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV)

Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) Total delays today: 2 Total delays within, into, or out of the United States today: 2 Total cancellations today: 0 Total cancellations within, into, or out of the United States today: 0



Florida flight delays, cancellations at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)

Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) Total delays today: 9 Total delays within, into, or out of the United States today: 9 Total cancellations today: 0 Total cancellations within, into, or out of the United States today: 0



Florida flight delays, cancellations at Key West International Airport (EYW)

Key West International Airport (EYW) Total delays today: 3 Total delays within, into, or out of the United States today: 3 Total cancellations today: 0 Total cancellations within, into, or out of the United States today: 0



Florida flight delays, cancellations at Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB)

Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) Total delays today: 0 Total delays within, into, or out of the United States today: 0 Total cancellations today: 0 Total cancellations within, into, or out of the United States today: 0



Florida flight delays, cancellations at Miami International Airport (MIA)

Miami International Airport (MIA) Total delays today: 93 Total delays within, into, or out of the United States today: 93 Total cancellations today: 7 Total cancellations within, into, or out of the United States today: 7



Florida flight delays, cancellations at Northwest Florida Beaches International (ECP)

Northwest Florida Beaches International (ECP) Total delays today: 6 Total delays within, into, or out of the United States today: 6 Total cancellations today: 3 Total cancellations within, into, or out of the United States today: 3



Florida flight delays, cancellations at Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Orlando International Airport (MCO) Total delays today: 58 Total delays within, into, or out of the United States today: 58 Total cancellations today: 3 Total cancellations within, into, or out of the United States today: 3



Florida flight delays, cancellations at Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB)

Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) Total delays today: 1 Total delays within, into, or out of the United States today: 1 Total cancellations today: 0 Total cancellations within, into, or out of the United States today: 0



Florida flight delays, cancellations at Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)

Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) Total delays today: 22 Total delays within, into, or out of the United States today: 22 Total cancellations today: 5 Total cancellations within, into, or out of the United States today: 5



 Florida airport getting named after Trump. What to know about future DJT

Florida flight delays, cancellations at Pensacola International Airport (PNS)

Pensacola International Airport (PNS) Total delays today: 12 Total delays within, into, or out of the United States today: 12 Total cancellations today: 0

Total cancellations within, into, or out of the United States today: 0

Florida flight delays, cancellations at Punta Gorda Airport (PGD)

Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) Total delays today: 3 Total delays within, into, or out of the United States today: 3 Total cancellations today: 0 Total cancellations within, into, or out of the United States today: 0



Florida flight delays, cancellations at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) Total delays today: 9 Total delays within, into, or out of the United States today: 9 Total cancellations today: 4 Total cancellations within, into, or out of the United States today: 4



Florida flight delays, cancellations at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) Total delays today: 21 Total delays within, into, or out of the United States today: 21 Total cancellations today: 4 Total cancellations within, into, or out of the United States today: 4



Florida flight delays, cancellations at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE)

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) Total delays today: 3 Total delays within, into, or out of the United States today: 3 Total cancellations today: 0 Total cancellations within, into, or out of the United States today: 0



Florida flight delays, cancellations at Tallahassee International Airport (TLH)

Tallahassee International Airport (TLH) Total delays today: 3 Total delays within, into, or out of the United States today: 3 Total cancellations today: 0 Total cancellations within, into, or out of the United States today: 0



Florida flight delays, cancellations at Tampa International Airport (TPA)

Tampa International Airport (TPA) Total delays today: 36 Total delays within, into, or out of the United States today: 36 Total cancellations today: 4 Total cancellations within, into, or out of the United States today: 4



Florida flight delays, cancellations at Vero Beach Regional Airport (VRB)

Vero Beach Regional Airport (VRB) Total delays today: 2 Total delays within, into, or out of the United States today: 2 Total cancellations today: 0 Total cancellations within, into, or out of the United States today: 0



How to check TSA wait times at Florida airports

Travelers can check wait times on the MyTSA app or through third-party websites such as ifly.com, flightqueue.com or tsawaittimes.com, which provide estimated wait times based on airport reports and traveler submissions.

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However, the application issued a user notice that the website might not be actively managed due to the lapse in federal funding.

What are the current wait times at Florida airports? See the list

As of 11 a.m. Easter, April 5, here are the estimated security wait times for Florida airports according to the airports and TSA. Note TSA estimates may not be current due to the shutdown when the MyTSA app is not updated:

Wait times will be shorter for travelers with TSA PreCheck, or for families or military members using dedicated lines, where available.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: U.S. airline flight cancellations, delays in Florida on Easter
If NGC raises gas prices, Point Lisas companies can just pass those costs through to their customers.

It sounds reasonable. Costs go up, prices go up. Thats how business works, right? Except...thats not how commodity markets work. Ammonia and methanol are global commodities with prices set in Rotterdam, the US Gulf Coast, and the Middle East. Not in Point Lisas.
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April 3, 2026: Two new Russian satellites Luch-1 and Luch-2 have been behaving in a suspicious manner. It was eventually discovered that these satellites were intercepting information flowing through these geostationary satellites to several European countries. This means that Russia now has access to many NATO secrets, including plans to aid Ukraine and disrupt Russian sabotage missions in Europe and intelligence efforts throughout the world. This is surprising because, since 2024, the Russian GLONASS satellite system has been in trouble. The problem is a familiar one, too many GLONASS satellites are ending their service lives, usually seven years, and Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, does not have the money to replace all of the GLONASS satellites. The cash shortage means the program to build improved GLONASS satellites, like GLONASS-K, which is the first GLONASS satellite that is unpressurized and weighs much less at 750 kg while also having a longer service life of ten years. The current GLONASS-M weighs 1,450 kg and has a service life of seven years.

Currently most of the 20 or so GLONASS satellites in service are past their seven year service lives and as expected, operating erratically and starting to fail. Maintaining the worldwide GLONASS satellite network does not have a high priority because Russian personal, commercial, and military satellite navigation users have long used satellite navigation equipment that contained GLONASS and American GPS receivers. This combination provides more accurate location information and a more reliable system because the two satellite systems contain about fifty satellites.

Keeping GLONASS active with a full constellation of 24 satellites with the latest technology is expensive and used to depend on a steady supply of high-tech components only available from the United States and its allies. Imports of those are blocked by Western sanctions for Russias invasion of Ukraine. Recently China has also become a major supplier of electronics needed for navigation satellites. Russia has the option to buy the components it used to obtain from Western countries. Depending on China for components does not solve the fundamental problem that Russia does not have the money to maintain GLONASS. Since the American GPS system began operating in 1993, several other similar systems have appeared. GLONASS went online in 2011 and the Chinese Beidou came online in 2020, at the same time as the European Galileo system. Creating and maintaining these global systems is expensive and only the United States and China have been able to finance continuous operation and upgrades. Galileo, which is paid for by a coalition of nations, has had problems getting coalition members to provide the needed funds. Russia tried to compete but ran out of money.

Multiple global positioning satellite systems increase the accuracy and reliability of the signals, as well as provide redundancy and interoperability in case of disruption of service. Multiple systems can also create problems involving spectrum congestion, signal interference, and coordination complications.

By 2020 it was believed that current anti-jamming efforts were sufficient to keep American military GPS use viable for a while. That was optimistic because improvements in GPS jamming and spoofing technology were introduced more rapidly than expected. Since GPS disruption it has become increasingly obvious that Russia has been regularly jamming or spoofing GPS signals, mainly to hide the exact location equipment that allows GPS tracking. In the last five years there have been thousands of incidents where Russia has been jamming or spoofing satellite navigation signals used by the American GPS, Chinese Beidou, Europes Galileo and Russian GLONASS when used by foreigners. Most of this activity was not obvious jamming but the more difficult to detect spoofing. Russia used this to conceal the true location of key Russian government officials and Russian military units. The spoofing was particularly common for Russian military forces in Ukraine and Syria. Spoofing replaced the actual satellite signal with a false one that rendered smart bombs or planned attacks on targets inaccurate. Spoofing can introduce false signals gradually and sometimes delay a navigation system's realization that it is being deceived. Thats one function of the INS Inertial Navigation System, to act as a monitor for GPS as well as a backup.

Current INS tech relies on receiving an accurate GPS location initially, and periodically thereafter, to keep both GPS and INS location data in sync. GPS depends on continuous satellite signals to operate and the INS is only used to step in and replace GPS when its satellite signal becomes temporarily too weak, or absent. When an accurate GPS signal is achieved, INS goes back into standby mode. Spoofing can now mimic these momentary disruptions and evade detection as a false signal by the INS, which is completely self-contained. This is sometimes a problem for American guided weapons sent to Ukraine that do not have the latest anti-jamming tech installed.

American INS researchers are not the only ones seeking an INS that is accurate and persistent enough to replace GPS for extended periods. INS has long suffered from the inability to provide as accurate a location as satellite navigation systems as the gyroscope and acceleration capabilities now performed by microelectronics of the chip-based INS cannot maintain as continuously precise location as the space satellite-based system can. This is no longer seen as an insurmountable problem, nor is the large cost-difference between GPS and INS tech. Israel apparently feels it is closer to a solution than anyone else.

Meanwhile, spoofing satellite navigation systems has become more popular and practical because they do not require expensive or high-tech equipment. While American weapons and military navigation systems have a backup in the form of unjammable INS systems, these are useless if the spoofing is not detected. American systems are supposed to detect spoofing and revert to INS, but the Americans do not disclose details of how these systems work in order to make it difficult for spoofing systems to be modified to be less detectable. That is one reason why the U.S. has not released detailed information on spoofing incidents because some of them may have evaded the INS spoofing detection tech.

To further complicate the issue there have also been instances where mandatory AIS Automatic Identification System transponders that all large ships must carry are more frequently reporting instances of getting no GPS signal at all. Large ships usually carry two AIS units, in case one malfunctions so AIS failure can be ruled out as a cause. Something outside the ship is manipulating the GPS signal. This demonstrates how it is possible to deceive the unjammable INS and new INS systems are sought that will eliminate that risk by replacing GPS most of the time.

The new INS technology has attracted a lot of attention in the military where backups are always appreciated because, when equipment fails in combat or for commercial transport users like aircraft or ships, its literally a matter of life or death. Meanwhile, the U.S. is building and testing more compact GPS anti-jamming systems for smaller 200 kg UAVs. This is part of a program to equip all American UAVs, even the smallest ones, with more secure GPS. While all UAVs can be flown by the operator, the GPS makes it a lot easier for the operator to keep track of exactly where his UAV is at all times, and sometimes the UAV is programmed to simply patrol between a series of GPS coordinates. If the GPS jams or fails, the operator can usually use the video feed to find landmarks on the ground and bring the UAV back to where it can be seen and landed. Other UAVs have a failsafe system for the GPS. When it is no longer available the UAV turns around and heads back in the general direction of the operator. This is better than just allowing the GPS-less UAV keep flying until it runs out of fuel and crashes somewhere,

GPS reliability threats are coming from a few suppliers like Russia, China, and North Korea. These nations have developed all manner of GPS jamming technology, and over the last decade it has become increasingly obvious that these nations were using new GPS spoofing technology to conceal the true location of senior personnel and mobile combat units.

Developers and users of GPS jamming gear tend to keep quiet about what they do because this sort of thing is illegal in peacetime, especially when civilians experience GPS disruptions themselves. When the United States tests military GPS jamming, it does so at sea or in remote areas and warns nearby civilians who might encounter GPS problems to be aware of the tests and act accordingly. This warning policy has been in use for decades because of the growing number of new electronic equipment designs that could cause problems for civilians if the disruptive effect extended farther than expected.

Other nations are not as secretive in complaining and often the culprit is Russia. In 2018 Finland and Norway went public with their accusations that Russia deliberately jammed GPS signals in northern Finland and Norway from a location near the Russian military bases in the Kola Peninsula on the Barents Sea. The jamming took place as NATO held its largest training exercise since the Cold War ended in 1991. Russia denied any responsibility even though they are known to possess long-range jammers for GPS and other signals. Norway said they had tracked the jammer to a specific location but, when Russia refused to admit any involvement, Norway refused to explain how they tracked the signal because that would provide Russia with information on Norwegian EW Electronic Warfare equipment that might be useful to them.

China is seeking to monetize its Beidou satellite navigation system. Beidou is the Chinese version of American GPS. Beidou finally became fully operational, providing worldwide coverage, in January 2020. There are three competing systems: GPS, GLONASS and Galileo. The full Beidou network was open for business as a world-wide service in early 2020. The American GPS has been operational since 1978 while the Russian GLONASS achieved that status in 1995. Unfortunately, Russia had problems, mostly financial, in keeping GLONASS operational. The European Galileo became operational worldwide in 2020. Each of these systems cost about $10 billion to create and get into service. The American GPS cost $12 billion, mainly because it has been around for so long.

China is determined to do what none of the other three satnav systems have done; become profitable. China has not revealed how they expect to do that and the other three major satnav providers remain silent on the profitability issue. Currently the main reason for building a satnav system is national prestige and an alternative to dependence on the Americans, or any single satnav provider.

China has also invested heavily in trying to obtain favorable press coverage for Beidou and somehow establish it as a preferred satnav service. That has cost over half a billion dollars but has not created any acceptance of Beidou as a superior satnav provider. China has a long-range plan for Beidou that includes adding new features and somehow achieving market dominance by 2040. China likes to announce long range goals like this, then quietly forget about it when the promised future never arrives.

Meanwhile, Chinese state-controlled media have provided a global audience with unprecedented details of this Chinese technological effort. People got their first experience with Beidou in late 2012 when the first few satellites were made available to anyone with a Beidou receiver. China expected Beidou to become a major competitor for the existing global navigation systems, at least with civilian users. China made it clear its initial goal was to grab a major share of the satnav market from the original U.S GPS system and do it by 2030. Progress has been slow so far.

The reality is that China has had a difficult time getting Beidou fully operational. By 2020 worldwide Beidou service was available and the rest of the world was not impressed. Beidou incorporates the best features of the GLONASS and Galileo systems, as well as items planned for the next generation American GPS satellites. With all that, no one has found a way to make a profit, at least not directly. There are plenty of ideas but no one has yet turned any of those ideas into cash. Moreover, there are disputes between the Beidou, Galileo, and GLONASS organizations over who should use what frequencies. Since GPS got into service first no one is contesting the frequencies GPS uses, but the three other players have some problems.

The success of the original GPS satnav system has generated all this competition. But so far these other efforts have found the work much more difficult than expected. A European consortium went forward with Galileo despite growing costs and technical problems. Initially Galileo was to be funded with private money. But the costs climbed beyond the most optimistic estimates of future income, so now Galileo is being paid for with tax dollars, as was GPS and the competing Russian and Chinese systems.

Galileo came about because the Europeans didn't like being dependent on an American system and didn't believe the Russians would be able to keep their GLONASS system viable. Galileo became operational because the European nations were willing to pay for a system that anyone could use without charge. Dual GPS and Galileo receivers cost about 20 percent more than GPS only receivers. Having two separate sets of signals makes for more reliable and accurate receivers. Also, the way Galileo is being set up will provide improved reliability in higher latitudes and in built-up areas.

GLONASS was at full strength in 1996, shortly after the Cold War ended. But the end of the Cold War in 1991 meant the end of the regular financing for GLONASS. Maintaining the system required launching replacement satellites every 5-7 years. By the end of 2002, only seven GLONASS satellites were still operational. However, the Russian economy recovered and provided funds for a series of launches in 2003 that increased the number of active satellites to twelve. That went to 18 by the end of 2007 and Russia had 24 GLONASS satellites in orbit by 2011 with the system again fully operational by 2012. As a result, GLONASS was the first real competitor for GPS. However, GLONASS was not completely functional until 2016 because of delays in building all the ground control stations.

The money for GLONASS is coming from a Russian government that does not want to be dependent on the American controlled GPS system. But the money was only there because of high oil prices. Most GLONASS receivers in use are actually combined GPS/GLONASS receivers. Russia will have to put billions of dollars into GLONASS over the next few years to keep the system fully operational and then spend even more money to maintain the satellite network. The costs of the Ukraine war are consuming the investment capital needed to maintain Russias civilian infrastructure, including GLONASS, its railroad system and oil production. GLONASS is widely used in conjunction with GPS. In other words, many systems, including cell phones that already used GPS added GLONASS and Galileo to provide better coverage and fewer instances where the GPS signal was unavailable.

Beidou is a more restricted system. Services available to anyone are less accurate than other systems though Beidou also has a more accurate military messaging mode that is only available to the Chinese and Pakistani military. China continues trying to monetize its GPS service, which really would make it unique compared to the others, but few nations are willing to pay for a military grade sat nav service provided by China. It will take more than a multi-billion dollar propaganda effort to change global suspicion of Chinese motives and reliability in such matters.

One of the reasons why there are so many global positioning satellite systems is that they have both civilian and military applications. GPS was originally developed by the US Department of Defense to provide precise navigation and timing for its armed forces and allies. GPS also became widely used by civilians for various purposes, such as mapping, geocaching, tracking, and recreation. Similarly, GLONASS, Beidou, and Galileo have dual-use capabilities that can enhance the economic, scientific, and security interests of their respective countries or regions. For example, GLONASS can support Russian oil and gas exploration, Beidou can facilitate China's Belt and Road Initiative, and Galileo can improve European autonomy and resilience in the face of external threats or disruptions.

Use of multiple global positioning satellite systems can also increase the accuracy and reliability of the signals, as well as provide redundancy and interoperability in case of failures or attacks. Having too many systems can also pose challenges, such as spectrum congestion, signal interference, and coordination difficulties. Moreover, some countries may use their systems for strategic or political purposes, such as denying access to rivals or asserting territorial claims. Therefore, it is important to establish international norms and regulations for the peaceful and responsible use of global positioning satellite systems.
In an interview published in yesterdays Express, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar revealed the principles guiding her administrations policies. As is usual with politicians, however, there was a notable gap between rhetoric and reality.

Asked about her strong and vociferous support for American President Donald Trump, the Prime Minister explained, The current US government believes in conservatism and capitalism, and that aligns with my views.
Multiple people told agents they did not know they were required to carry their papers at all times, according to reasonable suspicion statements obtained by AZCIR. Many immigrants dont routinely carry green cards, which cost up to $465 to replace, though immigration attorneys are beginning to recommend otherwise.

Some people showed photos of their documents or other forms of ID, including drivers licenses, but were still cited.

Agents have also stopped people on rural highways within a couple hours drive of the border, issuing more than 70 tickets for immigration offenses along Arizona interstates in the past year.

In almost all vehicle stops reviewed by AZCIR, agents did not document a justification for pulling drivers over in their statements of reasonable suspicion.

Attorneys said agents arent necessarily required to include that explanation in the report itself, since they can provide it later during court testimony. But when tickets are resolved administratively, as most have been so far, the stop is never contested in court. That means the governments rationale for the traffic stop may never be subject to additional review.

The lack of documentationand scrutinyraises constitutional concerns under the Fourth Amendment, which protects individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures, lawyers told AZCIR.

When a report specifically instructs officers to list the reason for a stopand the officer does not do soit certainly casts into question the legitimacy of the stop, ACLU Arizona immigration attorney John Mitchell said.
PHOENIX  The Trump administration wants a judge to preserve the right of Arizonans to bet right now on who will win the governor's race, whether incumbent Republican Juan Ciscomani will keep his seat in Congress and whether GOP voters will nominate Rodney Glassman or Warren Petersen for attorney general.

Ditto the right to try to make money by predicting who will be featured on Drake's new album, how high the unemployment rate will go and who will be the bridesmaid for Taylor Swift  and even whether she will actually tie the knot by the end of the year.

In a new court filing, Tiberius Davis, an assistant U.S. attorney general, contends Congress gave exclusive authority to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to regulate wagering on future events that is done through federally regulated "designated contract makers.'' That, he says, includes companies like Kalshi.

And that, Davis is telling U.S. District Court Judge Michael Liburdi, means Arizona can't enforce its section of law making it a Class 2 misdemeanor  with a possible four months in county jail and $750 fine  for those who make bets on such races, whether on Kalshi or what the CFTC calls other regulated financial exchanges.

It isn't just about betting on election matters.

Davis also wants the judge to void another Arizona statute that outlaws wagering on sports events unless Arizonans lay down their money with state-regulated entities. Here, too, he says, the state can't say only it gets to decide who gets to take the bets.
How BJP Became The Congress It Promised To Bury

The Congressization of BJP is complete not when the party loses an election, but when its own natural constituency  the Hindu conservative voter, the middle-class professional who believed in accountability, finds themselves filing a writ petition against a government they once trusted.

Eleven years is long enough to stop calling something a work in progress. BJP came to power in 2014 on the back of genuine voter exhaustion  with Congress, with dynasty, with coalition deal-making, with the casual arrogance of a party that had governed so long it had forgotten to be accountable. Congress-Mukt Bharat was not merely a slogan; it was a diagnosis. Millions accepted it. I was one of them.

Yet as Congress has receded and that frustration becomes a distant memory, BJP increasingly resembles what it promised to replace  not in ideology, but in method. The hubris is visible. The accountability is selective. And the institutional capture that was once attributed exclusively to the Congress era has found enthusiastic new practitioners.

There are three instances that convince me that the congressization of BJP is no longer a work in progress. It is a completed project. Two concern men whose names are widely known  Arvind Kejriwal and Sonam Wangchuk. The third is the lived experience of this author: a permanently disabled citizen since childhood who, after surviving what he should not have survived inside Delhis law enforcement machinery, wrote to seven senior government officials and received, in return, complete silence.

The irony cuts deepest when you notice who is doing this. The people at the receiving end of Congress-style institutional design  those who were once targeted, jailed, and politically finished off by a government that knew how to use its agencies  appear to be the ones perpetrating the same system today.

Victims Learning Wrong Lessons

Congress deployed the Ishrat Jahan case not primarily as a pursuit of truth, but as a tool of political destruction. Every agency at its disposal was turned toward mounting a case against the BJP-led Gujarat government and finishing off its leadership. The intention was not justice  it was submission. The lesson that BJP drew from this experience, one might have hoped, was revulsion. The lesson it appears to have drawn is technique.

The playbook is identical: use central investigative agencies with selectively applied law, time the action for maximum political damage, make the legal process the punishment, and let the case quietly unravel long after the damage is done. What was once called a caged parrot  the Supreme Courts own description of the CBI under Congress  now has a successor in the Enforcement Directorate, whose PMLA powers offer harsher bail conditions and a lower evidentiary burden. The instrument changed. The instinct did not.

The Kejriwal Case

Whatever one thinks of the Delhi liquor policy  and there is legitimate debate to be had  the trajectory of the case against Arvind Kejriwal tells its own story. Almost his entire cabinet went to jail. So did the Chief Minister himself, for five months, weeks before a general election, at a moment when democratic logic would have him canvassing votes, not sitting in a cell.

Then the case collapsed. A Delhi court discharged Kejriwal earlier this year, finding insufficient grounds to even frame charges  the lowest possible threshold for a prosecution to clear. This is not an acquittal after trial; it is a court saying the case should not have reached trial at all. The money trail central to the EDs case was never proven. Co-accused were granted bail; witnesses retracted. The Supreme Court, in granting Kejriwal bail during his custody, had already made pointed observations about the danger of treating pre-trial detention as a substitute for conviction.

The discharge does not settle whether wrongdoing occurred in the framing of the liquor policy. What it settles is something the government would prefer left unsettled: that a Chief Minister was removed from a good part of an election campaign by a case that could not survive its first serious judicial scrutiny. The process was the punishment. The discharge is the proof.

The Wangchuk Case

Sonam Wangchuks case is less nationally prominent than Kejriwals but equally instructive  and in one respect, more revealing. He spent close to six months in custody, facing charges whose gravity was asserted loudly and whose factual foundation remained, on examination, dubious. The law is strict, the courts are slow, and the gap between the two has become a governable space.

Then the Ministry of Home Affairs ordered his release. Not bail. Not the collapse of charges. An executive order from the same ministry that oversees the agencies that detained him  issued just as the Supreme Court was hearing the matter and appeared likely to grant bail within weeks. The timing was not coincidental. A Supreme Court bail order would have put on record the courts assessment of the detentions legality. The MHA release ensured that record never came into existence. Wangchuk entered custody by the states decision and left by the states decision. The judiciary was decorative throughout  and the state ensured it stayed that way.

This is not incarceration as justice. It is incarceration as management  and the preemptive MHA release is its confession. The democratic cover was genuine in form: charges were filed, courts were functioning, the Supreme Court itself was engaged. But the architecture beneath it is the same architecture Congress used against anyone it perceived as inconvenient: weaponise the slowness of the system on the way in, and reserve the exit for when it suits the state, not when the law compels it.

The Authors Experience

The third instance is closer and smaller, but structurally identical. This author  a person with polio since birth, educated at an RSS institution, whose voting pattern was shaped by faith and the appeal of genuine change  ran into trouble with Delhi Police. After four separate enquiries across two police stations over three years, each returning a clean chit, an FIR was registered and an arrest made without notice. A civil matter became criminal. Twelve days inside Delhi Police custody and Tihar Jail rendered a partially disabled man near-totally so.

After this, letters were sent to the top echelons including seven secretaries and head of three ministries of the central government as Delhi Police and Tihar Jail both came under central government. Each letter was detailed, structured, and legally grounded, invoking moral and legal duty of government towards justice. Not one replied. Not an acknowledgment. Not a template response.

A constitutional writ petition  W.P.(C) 11495/2025  now stands admitted before the Delhi High Court. Notices issued to the concerned ministries months ago remain unanswered on the record, despite a court-stipulated timeline. The silence continues.

This silence is not bureaucratic inertia. It is policy. Strategic silence  the kind that suspends a complainant between acknowledged and dismissed, neither validated nor confronted  was a Congress-era innovation, used against activists and journalists who climbed too high in the grievance hierarchy without the right affiliations. BJP governments denounced it for years. They have now perfected it.

What Congressization Actually Means

The Congressization of BJP is complete not when the party loses an election, but when its own natural constituency  the Hindu conservative voter, the middle-class professional who believed in accountability, finds themselves filing a writ petition against a government they once trusted, or watching their Chief Minister imprisoned before a verdict, or seeing a grassroots leader neutralised through judicial slowness.

Congressization is complete when its own natural constituency finds itself inside the system it voted to change.

Our country has no shortage of laws. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act exists. The constitutional guarantees of due process are written in precise, enforceable language. PMLA has legitimate anti-money laundering purposes. None of this matters when the machinery of the state decides, at its discretion, whom to protect and whom to wear down. Legislation without executive intent is performance without meaning.

The distinction BJP once drew between itself and Congress was not merely ideological. It was moral. The claim was that this party understood what institutional abuse felt like from the inside and would therefore refuse to perpetrate it. Kejriwal knew what it was to be targeted. Wangchuk knew what it was to be inconvenient to power. And millions of ordinary citizens  including this author  voted on the faith that knowing these things would translate into doing things differently.

The mirror does not lie. What we are watching is not governance shaped by a different ideology. It is the same reflex  the reflex of a state that has stopped distinguishing between serving its citizens and controlling them. The system did not change hands. It changed letterhead.

[The writer, Vikas Gupta, is a writer and self-represented petitioner before the Delhi High Court. His constitutional writ petition (W.P.(C) 11495/2025) concerns disability rights and institutional accountability. He writes in a personal capacity. X: @guptavrv]

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April 4, 2026: In response to Israeli and American air strikes, Iran retaliated against the Arab Persian Gulf countries. The attacks began during the first week of March. The UAE/United Arab Emirates were hit by 1,688 systems, including 1,422 drones and 246 missiles during March 1- 8. This was the largest attack launched on any state. Bahrain and Kuwait received heavy attacks because of their proximity to Iran and the presence of American military facilities.

Iran extended its drone attacks to port facilities in Oman and commercial shipping using the Strait of Hormuz, the vital passage in and out of the Persian Gulf. This was a deliberate effort to halt oil exports and commercial ships delivering cargoes to the Gulf States. After March 1st, daily drone strikes averaged about 250 a day. Drones used were Shahed-136, Shahed-107, and Shahed-238 models. The Gulf Arab states have not retaliated themselves for these Iranian attacks.

Aircraft from Israel and the United States continued to attack Iranian drone launching sites and the remaining Iranian warships in the Gulf but have not yet allowed ships to once more use the Strait of Hormuz freely.

This campaign confirmed the importance of drone warfare, something that Iran was an early exponent of. Iran developed its delta-wing 200 kg propeller driven Shahed 136 drone a decade ago and it was first used by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen during 2019. After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine began, Iran provided Russia with Shahed 136s. By the end of 2022 Iran agreed to assist Russia in building a factory in Russia that would produce a Russian version of the Shahed 136 called Geran. Until late 2024, when the Geran factory in Russia was operational, Iran manufactured the Geran and received help from Russia in upgrading the Shaheed drones. Since 2022, Russia has used about 50,000 Shaheds and Gerans against Ukraine. During 2025 that meant Ukraine had to deal with five to six thousand Gerans a month. Ukrainian interception methods were quite effective, and only about ten percent of the drones reached their targets. Each of these drones costs Russia about $20,000.

Russia is now producing over 5,000 Gerans a month. These 200 kg drones travel at a speed of 180 kilometers an hour at an altitude of about 100 meters. They carry a 50 kg warhead. GPS navigation is jammable when close to the target while the unjammable, but less accurate INS backup is not affected.

Russia has continually upgraded its Gerans with improved electronics. That means guidance systems that are resistant to jamming and use more effective and flexible guidance systems. The first Gerans only had inertial guidance systems and a CRPA/Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna. This arrangement soon failed as the Ukrainians used more powerful jamming and misdirection/spoofing techniques. To deal with this, in early 2025 improved CRPAs and a video camera were added to keep the Gerans effective. After that, Ukrainian SIMs were added so the Gerans could use cell phone signals for navigation. At this point Gerans were able to communicate with each other and operate in preplanned clusters and cooperate with each other in a mesh network to limit the impact of Ukrainian jamming and other electronic warfare techniques. That soon led to use of Chinese MESH communication systems that enabled Russian ground based operators to control groups of Gerans. The operators could change targets or have the Gerans fly higher or lower to deal with Ukrainian countermeasures. A more recent addition was an infrared/night vision camera that was supplied with images of targets to improve accuracy as the Gerans came within visual range of a target.

By 2025 there was a larger variety of Geran warheads available including thermobaric/fuel-air explosive, incendiary-fragmentation, high-explosive, high-explosive airburst, and submunitions. In 2024 a 90kg warhead was introduced that combined a penetrator-shaped charge with a layer of steel balls to pierce fortified infrastructure and inflict maximum casualties.

The most recent Geran-3 is a jet powered model that weighs 370 kg with a top speed of nearly 600 kilometers an hour. This is three times faster than the prop driven models and much more difficult for Ukrainian air defenses to deal with. Ukraine soon came up with a $3,000 interceptor drone called Wild Hornets Sting. Russia will probably respond with rear-facing video cameras on the Germans to alert operators to the presence of Ukrainian interceptors. The Gerans can take evasive maneuvers to avoid getting shot down. The Russians also experimented with a Geran equipped with a heat-seeking air-to-air missile.

Like most western militaries, Russia has become dependent on the use of missiles and drones instead of artillery and airstrikes. Ukraine reports that, from late 2022 through late 2024, Russia used 4,800 missiles and nearly 150,000 attack drones. The missiles are expensive, most costing one or two million dollars each, while some of the drones cost $20,000. More recent battlefield drone designs cost only a few hundred dollars each. It was thought that the inexpensive drones would replace the use of 155mm artillery. The range and cost of artillery shells vary from $3,000 to $100,000 depending on version and purpose. The basic 155mm shell weighs 43 kg and contains about seven kg of explosives. The standard Russian equivalent is the 152mm shell.
Mini EV segment: a fierce race below VND300 million

The VinFast VF 3 leads the mini electric vehicle segment in sales.

Just a few years ago, electric cars priced under VND300 million (US$12,300) were largely experimental. Today, the mini EV segment has entered a phase of direct competition.

The most prominent name in this category is the VinFast VF 3. The model quickly became a phenomenon upon launch, with demand consistently outstripping supply, particularly in major cities.

Despite a listed price of VND299-315 million (US$12,300-13,000, including battery), various incentives and support policies bring the actual cost down to around VND283-296 million (US$11,600-12,100). The VF 3 stands out with its rugged SUV-inspired design, powered by a 43-horsepower electric motor and an 18.64 kWh battery, offering a driving range of about 210 km per charge.

While not built for performance, the VF 3 is widely considered sufficient for urban commuting. VinFasts strongest advantage lies in its nationwide charging network, a factor that Chinese competitors have yet to match in the short term.

Entering the market in July 2025, the Bestune Xiaoma quickly drew attention with a starting price of just VND199 million (US$8,200). Following the quiet exit of Wuling Mini EV, the Xiaoma has become the most affordable four-wheeled electric vehicle currently available in Vietnam.

Equipped with a 27-horsepower motor and a battery of nearly 14 kWh, the Xiaoma offers a range of around 170 km per charge. While modest, it is deemed sufficient for short daily trips such as commuting, grocery runs or school drop-offs. The model clearly targets first-time car buyers prioritizing affordability and low operating costs over advanced features.

Building on the success of the VF 3, VinFast introduced the VinFast Minio Green in September 2025.

Despite its smaller size, the Minio Green delivers solid technical specifications. It features a rear-mounted electric motor producing 40 horsepower, paired with an 18.64 kWh battery for a driving range of approximately 210 km per charge, comparable to the VF 3. Notably, it includes DC fast charging and essential safety features, areas where many Chinese rivals remain limited.

Looking ahead, the market is expected to welcome another newcomer from SAIC-GM-Wuling in mid-2026. The upcoming Wuling Macaron is set to replace the previous Mini EV model.

According to preliminary specifications, the Macaron will feature a five-door design and two range options of 205 km and 300 km. It will also adopt the CCS2 charging standard, making it compatible with Vietnams charging infrastructure, alongside DC fast charging and a top speed of around 100 km/h. While official pricing has yet to be announced, dealers have indicated a range of VND269-329 million (U$11,000-13,500).

Higher-spec urban EVs at more accessible prices

The BYD Dolphin will shift imports from China to Thailand to offer more competitive pricing.

In the more advanced urban EV segment, Chinese automakers are also accelerating their presence.

The BYD Dolphin, first introduced in Vietnam in 2024, was initially imported from China at a price of VND659 million (US$27,000). However, a planned shift to imports from Thailand later this month is expected to reduce costs.

Dealers suggest the 2026 version will be priced below VND600 million (US$24,600), while offering upgraded comfort and safety features. The model retains its 94-horsepower motor, but battery capacity increases from 44.9 kWh to 50.25 kWh, extending its range from 405 km to approximately 435 km per charge.

Meanwhile, the Geely EX2, launched in late March, has quickly attracted attention with pricing between VND459-499 million (US$18,800-20,500) for its Pro and Max variants.

The EX2 features a compact design with rounded exterior styling and a minimalist interior centered around a digital infotainment display and basic driver assistance systems. It is powered by a 115-horsepower electric motor and a 44.1 kWh battery, delivering a range of around 395 km per charge.

Notably, the model adopts rear-wheel drive and a multi-link rear suspension, a rarity in this segment. It is positioned as a direct competitor to the VinFast VF 5.

According to industry experts, 2026 is set to become a breakout year for electric vehicles in Vietnam, particularly in the low- and mid-price segments. Ultimately, the biggest beneficiaries are consumers, who now have access to electric cars at price points previously unheard of.

Ngo Minh
The emerging low-altitude economy is unlocking a market worth hundreds of billions of US dollars as drones and air taxis move toward real-world deployment, yet Vietnamese firms remain largely confined to service roles, lacking control of core technologies and facing an uncertain position in the race to capture the low-altitude skies.

A race gaining altitude

The low-altitude economy covers economic activities conducted in lower airspace, ranging from drone delivery and infrastructure inspection to precision agriculture and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air mobility.

Morgan Stanley estimates the sector could reach 9 trillion USD globally by 2050, signalling that low-altitude airspace is evolving into a new economic frontier rather than remaining an experimental field. Leading markets are moving beyond aircraft production to develop integrated ecosystems that combine manufacturing, software, data platforms and services.

In Vietnam, however, the industry is still in its infancy. Current activities are concentrated mainly in three areas: agricultural drones, commercial aerial imaging and infrastructure monitoring.

Agricultural applications have grown the fastest. Drones are increasingly used for crop spraying, seeding, fertilisation and monitoring plant health, helping farmers improve productivity while addressing labour shortages.

Companies such as AgriDrone Vietnam, SunDrone, Dronel and CT Drone have built business models around unmanned aerial systems. Most rely on imported drones, largely sourced from China, while focusing on operational services. Their customer base ranges from individual farmers to major agricultural firms including Hoang Anh Gia Lai, Bayer, ADC and Loc Troi.

A common model has emerged in which companies sell equipment, train operators and provide outsourced spraying services while building local drone fleets. While this approach generates quick revenue, it also reflects a structural constraint: the highest-value segments remain tied to technology ownership, which domestic firms have yet to achieve.

In commercial filming and photography, drones have quickly become standard tools across industries from real estate to tourism promotion. However, low barriers to entry have intensified competition, driving down service prices and squeezing profit margins.

Infrastructure inspection, though less visible, may offer more sustainable growth. Drones are increasingly deployed to monitor power transmission lines, track construction progress and conduct terrain surveys, supporting safer and more efficient operations.

Overall, Vietnamese companies remain active mainly at the application layer, importing equipment, providing services and training personnel, while higher-value areas such as design, manufacturing, software systems, batteries and sensors continue to be dominated by foreign players.

Ambitions for a drone hub

Momentum increased in October 2025 with the launch of the Vietnam Low-Altitude Economy Alliance (LAEP), co-founded by FPT CEO Nguyen Van Khoa and VinaCapital CEO Don Lam. The alliance brings together technology firms, investors, start-ups and industry experts with the goal of positioning Vietnam as a global drone hub.

FPT Chairman Truong Gia Binh described the moment as a rare opportunity for Vietnam to move beyond applications and participate in research and development, component manufacturing, unmanned traffic management systems and supporting infrastructure. The alliance aims to foster thousands of supporting enterprises, create around one million high-quality jobs and generate tens of billions of US dollars in economic value over the next 1015 years.

Tran Anh Tuan, CEO of the Vietnam UAV Network, said Vietnams strengths in precision engineering, software, hardware and artificial intelligence could help the country integrate more deeply into global drone supply chains. He added that several US companies are exploring Vietnam as part of ongoing supply-chain diversification.

Challenges ahead

Significant obstacles remain. Technological capability is the most immediate barrier, as drone manufacturing requires deep integration of hardware, software, AI and battery technologies, demanding substantial investment and advanced research capacity.

The domestic market is also relatively small and fragmented. While demand is growing, it has yet to reach the scale needed to support large industrial players.

Regulatory constraints pose another challenge. Drone operations still require permits tied to specific locations and timeframes, complicating efforts to scale deployment. Airspace management and national security considerations further add to operational complexity.

Even if regulations become more flexible, questions about commercial viability persist. Drone delivery can be faster but more costly, while air taxis promise time savings yet remain financially out of reach for mass adoption. Even in advanced economies, many business models have yet to prove sustainable profitability.

Experts believe opportunities remain open for Vietnam, but through a more practical strategy. Rather than competing directly in core technology development, domestic firms could focus on segments with clear demand.

In precision agriculture, drones help reduce costs and increase yields. In infrastructure monitoring across power, oil and gas, and construction, they enhance safety and operational efficiency. Meanwhile, software and data services offer opportunities to develop flight management platforms, analytics solutions and integrated digital systems./.VNA
According to Directive 09 issued by the Prime Minister on March 19, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has been assigned to promote the use of biofuel (E10) and review conditions to implement the transition roadmap to E10 gasoline in April, targeting a 10 percent reduction in mineral gasoline consumption and energy savings.

Enterprises have reported that they are ready to distribute E10 gasoline on a large scale starting from April.

PVOIL stated that since 2025 E10 gasoline has been sold at nearly 100 of its fuel stations. E10 biofuel is accepted by the market and has not encountered any significant issues.

To date, PVOIL has been licensed for 13 blending locations nationwide, including seven points capable of continuous high-capacity blending. Accordingly, the enterprise can deploy E10 gasoline business on a large scale by mid-April, earlier than the original plan.

Saigon Petro also announced it will implement E10 gasoline sales across its entire system of directly managed stores from early April, and is ready to expand supply in May if partners have demand. The company noted that base gasoline supply is stable, while ethanol is sourced domestically with backup import options if needed.

Meanwhile, Anh Phat Petro JSC has completed basic conditions to implement E10 blending. The enterprise expects to start trading E10 gasoline across its entire system from mid-April this year.

According to the Vietnam Petroleum Association (VINPA), member companies currently have a total blending capacity of around 965,000 cubic meters per month. With this capacity, the association affirmed that businesses can fully meet nationwide demand for biofuel.

However, the transition to E10 still faces technical bottlenecks that need to be addressed.

Regarding oxygen content, domestically produced gasoline contains almost no oxygen, while imported gasoline typically has 1.31.5 percent. Maintaining current standards could create challenges for blending.

Estimates suggest that if only oxygen-free base gasoline is used, the price of biofuel could increase by about VND600700 per liter. Therefore, adjustments to standards are needed to ensure flexibility and alignment with market conditions.

VINPA also noted that during storage and transport, E10 may degrade to E8. While still meeting quality standards and even being considered effective, the lack of clear guidelines could expose businesses to compliance risks.

Petrolimex added that blending 10 percent ethanol more could push total oxygen content beyond the current regulatory cap of 3.7 percent, potentially reaching 5.15.2 percent. Without corresponding adjustments, production and supply, especially for high-quality fuels meeting Euro 4 and Euro 5 emission standards, could face significant difficulties or fail to be implemented consistently.

Saigon Petro argued that a proposed adjustment to around 4 percent oxygen content remains insufficient for practical blending needs. The company urged authorities to promptly issue updated standards with more appropriate thresholds ahead of the transition timeline, allowing businesses to prepare proactively.

In addition, other enterprises have called for the removal of procedural obstacles related to licensing for blending systems, testing laboratories, and conformity certification.

According to industry players, if these bottlenecks are resolved in time, the transition to E10 gasoline could proceed faster across the market.

To carry out E10 gasoline blending, the demand for ethanol (E100) is 100,000-110,000 m3/month, equivalent to 1.2-1.3 million m3 per year.

Regarding the ethanol supply, Do Van Tuan, Chairman of the Vietnam Biofuel Association, stated that Vietnam currently has six ethanol production plants, but only four plants are currently in actual operation.

The total theoretical capacity of the entire system of six ethanol production plants reaches about 41,000 m3/month. However, with the current operating status of the four plants, the actual capacity only reaches about 25,000 m3/month, equivalent to meeting about 25-27 percent of the demand.

When all six plants operate at maximum capacity, they will meet about 41 percent of the country's ethanol demand.

Of these, the Dong Nai Ethanol Plant operates stably with a capacity of about 250 m3/day, equivalent to 7,000 m3/month, and has reached its maximum level. It has plans to increase its maximum capacity to 130 percent compared to the present.

Tam An
Unlike conventional travel publications, 50 Spaces: Hanoi - Hue - Saigon grew out of a habit of documenting through drawing in the sketchbooks of 52 artists, most of whom are architects. Their works capture personal impressions of architectural spaces, as well as cultural and historical symbols across the three cities.

Published by The Gioi Publishing House, the book brings together color sketches accompanied by concise texts on 50 representative sites. These range from Long Bien Bridge, Dong Xuan Market, One Pillar Pagoda, Hoan Kiem Lake, and the Temple of Literature in Hanoi; to Dong Ba Market, Truong Tien Bridge, and Kien Trung Palace in Hue; and Notre-Dame Cathedral, Ben Thanh Market, the Central Post Office, and Ba Thien Hau Pagoda in Saigon.

In addition to Lam Yen, more than 15 artists from Vietnam and abroad contributed to the book, including Tran Xuan Hong, Hoang Dung, Phan Dinh Trung, Pham Minh Duc, Vincent Monluc, and Sutien Lokulprakit.

Lam Yen is also known to readers through two travel memoirs, Dam duong lang thang (2006) and Tu rung tham Amazon den que huong bolero (2017).

Alongside the book launch, an exhibition featuring 32 sketches and watercolor paintings by 16 artists is taking place from April 4 to April 9, 2026, at Ho Chi Minh City Book Street.

All proceeds from the sale of artworks during the exhibition, along with 35 percent of book sales on the launch day, will be donated to support the visually impaired.

Explaining this decision, Lam Yen shared: After several efforts to support the visually impaired during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, the Nu Cuoi 2,000 VND meal shop continues to receive messages and calls from associations for the blind in Ho Chi Minh City. The need remains significant, while financial resources are limited. There have been times when we could only offer words of comfort - or simply feel helpless.

Huy Minh
Xiaomi Mix Fold 4. Photo: Xiaomi

After a period of relative quiet, new reports suggest Xiaomi is preparing to return with a completely new book-style foldable device.

But the landscape has changed. In 2026, even without major setbacks, Xiaomi will face a far more competitive environment than before.

Earlier, devices like the Xiaomi Mix Fold 4 competed against models such as Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 in a still-developing market.

Today, foldable smartphones remain a niche compared to traditional devices, but they have become significantly more familiar to consumers. Interest is rising quickly, and the pace of leaks and speculation reflects a market approaching a breakout phase.

Greater competition, better products

As competition intensifies, devices tend to improve, prices become more accessible, and major brands have fewer excuses to delay innovation.

That is why many are watching Xiaomis upcoming foldable closely, whether it ultimately launches as the Mix Fold 5 or under a different name such as Xiaomi 17 Fold.

Back in 2024, Xiaomis book-style foldable had the potential to stand out thanks to strong hardware and competitive pricing.

However, limitations in software optimization and global availability prevented it from achieving a true breakthrough.

Now, Xiaomi faces a more formidable challenge. Samsung is expected to introduce the next generation, likely building on the progress of recent models that have improved durability and usability, moving foldables closer to mainstream adoption.

Even so, Samsungs dominance, particularly in markets like the US, remains difficult for Chinese brands to overcome due to stronger brand recognition and distribution.

The elephant in the room - iPhone Fold

Another critical factor is the long-rumored foldable iPhone, widely expected to debut by the end of 2026.

Skepticism from Android users persists, but history suggests that underestimating Apple can be a costly mistake.

If Apples foldable delivers on expectations - featuring a nearly crease-free display and strong battery performance - it could do more than compete. It could redefine the segment and capture a significant share of attention.

The foldable market is still relatively small. Compared to conventional smartphones, it remains a niche.

That means Xiaomi is not only competing with Samsung but also racing against time to establish its presence before Apple dominates the conversation.

A summer launch could give Xiaomi a strategic advantage, allowing it to gain momentum ahead of Apples expected unveiling later in the year.

A narrowing window of opportunity

Xiaomi is not alone in accelerating its efforts. Other Android brands are pushing forward aggressively.

Devices like the Honor Magic V6 have drawn attention with unusually large battery capacities, while Oppos latest foldables are rumored to feature displays with minimal visible creases - addressing one of the categorys biggest weaknesses.

Similar advancements are expected from Apple, raising expectations across the entire market.

In this context, simply releasing a good foldable is no longer enough.

Xiaomi must deliver across multiple fronts at once. Its camera system needs to match flagship standards, an area where foldables have traditionally lagged behind. Battery capacity must exceed typical expectations as competitors continue to push limits.

The inner display must be both premium and durable, with minimal creasing. And software - historically a weak point for Xiaomi in foldables - must be refined to support seamless multitasking and optimized large-screen experiences.

If Xiaomi succeeds in delivering a device that matches Samsungs polish, surpasses competitors in hardware, and maintains an attractive price point, the foldable market could become significantly more compelling.

Yet timing remains critical. By the time Xiaomi launches, attention may already be shifting toward Apple, while Samsung continues refining a formula it has steadily improved.

This creates a narrow window for Xiaomi to make a strong impression before the spotlight moves elsewhere.

Foldables are no longer defined by experimentation, but by execution. And 2026 may mark the most intense competition yet, with Samsung refining its lead, Motorola pushing on price, Google maintaining its presence, and Apple preparing a carefully calculated entry.

In this race, Xiaomi will need to move quickly if it hopes to remain a serious contender.

Hai Phong
Under regulations issued by the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam, each primary school class must not have more than 35 students, while secondary, high schools and multi-level schools must not have more than 45 students in each class.

However, many schools in Hanoi have faced overcrowding for years, with the number of students in some classes exceeding 50 students.

According to the Hanoi Department of Education and Training, in the 2025-2026 school year, the entire city has a total of 2,954 preschools and general schools of all levels with about 70,500 classes, meeting the needs of more than 2.3 million students. Among them, the public sector comprises 2,337 schools, with the remainder being private.

The department admitted a lot of shortcomings regarding the planning of school network. Many school projects included in the planning have not been implemented or are progressing slowly, causing a shortage of schools and classrooms; the development of the school network according to planning has not kept pace with the rate of population increase.

Dao Ngoc Nghiem, former Director of the Hanoi Department of Planning and Architecture, believed that the shortage was partly due to rapid population growth, while school construction has not responded in time.

"In recent years, Hanoi has seen very rapid population development. For example, under the planning, Hanoi was expected to have 9.2 million people by 2030, but in fact, by 2024, it had already reached 9 million.

Meanwhile, Hanoi continues to be an attractive destination for migrants thanks to job opportunities and income. In upcoming planning forecasts, it is expected that by 2030, the capital's population could reach 12-13 million people," Nghiem said.

Nghiem stated that when the population scale increases faster than planned social infrastructure, including schools, remains insufficient.

"The land allocated for social infrastructure, especially schools, is very low. The average class size is about 35-45 students, but in Hanoi, many classes have more than 50 students each. Along with that, schools dont meet the requirements in scale and area," Nghiem s.

Solutions

Solving this puzzle, according to Nghiem, is very difficult because "land has been allocated for other projects."

The solution proposed by the expert is to build more schools, but the main question he poses is "where is the land?". According to Nghiem, Hanoi can utilize the headquarters of units that became vacant after mergers; however, "converting the function of some agency headquarters into schools will also not solve the overall problem, as the area is not very large."

Nghiem believes the most effective option is to redistribute and thin out the population in some densely concentrated areas.

"However, this is also a difficult task. Because to thin out the population, it is not only necessary to solve the housing and social infrastructure problems, especially ensuring jobs and income for them.

Therefore, a very great and strong determination is needed to solve this, along with sufficient social resources and budget," Nghiem said, adding that the city also needs to manage more strictly in new urban areas regarding ensuring planning of social infrastructure, including schools.

Tran Thanh Nam, Vice Rector of the University of Education under the Vietnam National University, Hanoi, argued that the cause of the school shortage is due to inaccurate planning. "Apartment complex projects dont reserve land for public space and schools. This leads to rapid urbanization while land funds for education are not met, the main consequence of which is a lack of schools and classrooms," Nam said.

Nam said that for an immediate solution, in addition to planning and accurate population forecasting for each commune and ward, Hanoi could apply digital maps for early-level admissions (based on the distance from residence to school for recruitment).

"Population data can be integrated through VNeID to determine the school the student will attend. Along with that, schools also need to improve teaching quality and narrow the gap in disparities so that parents can feel secure regardless of which school or area their children attend, Nam said.

Through this channel, management agencies can also forecast early the number of children who will register for schools in the area in the following years, thereby having more scientific coordination policies," Nam added.

Le Huyen
The Supreme People's Procuracy has recently completed the indictment prosecuting 14 defendants in the case of manufacturing counterfeit goods such as food, foodstuff, and food additives; violating accounting regulations causing serious consequences; giving bribes; and intentionally disclosing work secrets.

According to procedural documents, the total actual revenue of MediPhar and MediUSA through manufacturing and trading activities was more than VND1,762 billion. Forensic results determined that 88 products were counterfeit, and revenue from the act of manufacturing and trading these products was more than VN 539 billion.

Defendant Nguyen Nang Manh (former Chair of MediUSA) and his accomplices illegally profited more than VND264 billion.

According to the indictment, in order for the factories of MediUSA and MediPhar to be quickly appraised, post-inspected, and granted GMP certification to begin operations, Manh discussed and agreed with Do Manh Hoang (Director of MediPhar) and Khuc Minh Vu (Director of Viet Duc Company) to pay over VND1 billion to inspection teams led by the Food Safety Authority under the Ministry of Health.

Specifically, VND330 million was given to Nguyen Thanh Phong (former head of the authority), VND190 million to Nguyen Hung Long (former deputy head), and VND150 million to Cao Van Trung (former deputy head of the poisoning surveillance division).

In addition, the defendants paid a total of VND395 million to 14 individuals, including leaders and members of inspection teams from the Food Safety Authority, the National Institute of Nutrition, and the Hanoi Sub-Department of Food Safety, in exchange for reduced recorded violations, guidance on remediation, and time to fix issues.

During the remediation process, MediUSA and MediPhar only made superficial and formal corrections. However, Cao Van Trung still approved the reports based solely on documents and photos submitted by the companies, without verifying their authenticity.

As a result, Nguyen Hung Long signed four GMP certificates for MediUSA and MediPhar, enabling the companies to produce counterfeit food on a large scale.

According to the indictment, to ensure that product registration dossiers of companies under the MediUSAMediPhar group were not repeatedly revised, delayed or rejected, Manh instructed employees to bribe officials.

During the process of registering 236 products for nine companies established by Manh, his staff paid a total of VND2.36 billion to officials at the Food Safety Authority, which was then distributed to former leaders and other related individuals.

Bribing customs officials

The indictment also states that, to clear four shipments containing Chondroitin Sulfate Sodium, Nguyen Nang Manh instructed others to contact Nguyen Huu Tuan (former officer of the Customs Supervision and Management Department) and provide document No. 231129/CV-XNK dated November 29, 2023 from Hung Phuong Company to seek help.

Tuan then met Nguyen The Viet (former deputy head of the department) to request support. Viet agreed and instructed Tuan to ask the company about the fee.

Tuan later agreed with Manh on a payment of VND1.5 billion in exchange for securing guidance documents from the Ministry of Health for Hung Phuong Company.

At around 2pm on December 14, 2023, at the General Department of Customs (GDC), Manh gave Tuan VND300 million. Later, on the evening of December 29, 2023, Manh handed over the remaining VND1.2 billion. At that time, Tuan returned to Manh document No 10591/QLD-KD issued by the Drug Administration.

On January 4, 2024, Nguyen The Viet signed document No. 11/GSQL-GQ1 and sent it to Hung Phuong Company, as well as to the Customs Departments of Hanoi and Hai Phong.

Based on these documents, the Hanoi Customs Sub-Department for processing goods management allowed Hung Phuong Company to clear backlogged shipments and import new batches of food materials containing Chondroitin Sulfate Sodium.

The indictment concludes that the actions of the former chair of MediUSA constitute the crime of bribery, with a total amount exceeding VND4.9 billion.

T, Nhung
The incident, shared by Le Chau Thai Vu, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Agri-Entrepreneurs Club, at a conference on Halal market strategy on April 3, reflects mounting concerns among businesses exporting to the Gulf at a time of heightened geopolitical tension.

Shipping routes disrupted, costs surge

According to Truong Xuan Trung, Head of the Vietnam Trade Office in the United Arab Emirates, the disruption is not caused by buyers or sellers, but by shipping lines unwilling to enter the Persian Gulf.

Ports across the UAE remain operational, he said, but vessels are reluctant to approach, leaving cargo stranded or rerouted.

Even major retailers such as Lulu Group International have halted new maritime shipments, focusing instead on clearing existing cargo waiting in the Indian Ocean. To maintain supply of fresh goods, the company has resorted to chartering aircraft to transport products from India.

This shift comes at a steep cost. Broccoli, typically priced at 7-8 dirhams per kilogram in the UAE, has surged to around 25 dirhams (VND180,000, or about US$7) when flown in by air.

While Vietnamese exporters could consider air routes connecting Dubai and Abu Dhabi with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the high cost makes this option largely unviable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

An alternative route involves shipping goods to Oman and transporting them overland into the UAE and neighboring markets. However, this approach involves complex procedures and additional logistical hurdles.

Meanwhile, freight rates in the region have surged by nearly 500 percent, further straining exporters already grappling with uncertainty.

In this context, businesses on both sides are increasingly turning to contract renegotiations, particularly around delivery timelines, recognizing that the disruption stems from force majeure circumstances.

Emergency logistics strategies

Nguyen Minh Chanh, manager of Bee Logistics Corporations Can Tho office, outlined several strategies for exporters facing disrupted shipments.

If vessels are forced to turn back, logistics providers can work with shipping lines to share costs and negotiate reduced fees for returning cargo to Vietnam.

Another option is to sell goods at transshipment ports, where cargo is temporarily offloaded before continuing its journey. By negotiating directly with buyers at these locations, exporters can reduce losses associated with delays or returns.

In some cases, shipping lines themselves may assist in liquidating cargo, leveraging their networks to find potential buyers.

A more optimistic scenario involves identifying carriers still operating routes into the Middle East. In such cases, goods returned to ports like Ho Chi Minh City can be quickly reloaded and sent back out.

In fact, on March 26, at least one vessel successfully docked at ports in the region, offering a glimmer of possibility amid widespread disruption.

Long-term opportunity amid short-term disruption

Despite the immediate challenges, the Halal market continues to present significant long-term potential.

According to the Vietnam Trade Office in the UAE, the global Halal economy is currently valued at around US$5 trillion and is expected to double to US$10 trillion by 2028.

The Middle East remains a key market, accounting for approximately 62.5 percent of global demand, with a projected value of US$380 billion by 2030 and a consumer base of around 500 million Muslims.

Notably, the region relies on imports for 85-90 percent of its food supply, creating substantial opportunities for exporters able to navigate logistical barriers.

To tap into this market, Vietnamese businesses are advised to accelerate Halal certification processes, localize packaging with bilingual English-Arabic labeling, and expand their presence on e-commerce platforms, which account for over 80 percent of Halal consumer transactions in the region.

For now, however, the immediate challenge remains clear: navigating a supply chain increasingly shaped not just by demand, but by geopolitics.

Tran Chung
Following information that Cuong Phat Food Co., Ltd. was prosecuted for using diseased pigs, many schools using services provided by the Hanoi Industrial Catering Service have spoken up to affirm they do not use this meat source.

Recently, Tran Phu Primary School (Ha Dong, Hanoi) stated that there has been some inaccurate information regarding food supply for semi-boarding meals at the school.

The school currently uses meals provided by Hanoi Industrial Catering Services JSC, but does not source pork from Cuong Phat. Instead, it purchases from Nhan Hoa Co., a distributor of MEATDeli pork products.

We always prioritize food safety and hygiene, selecting reputable suppliers with full legal documentation and clear origins. Food is traceable via QR codes, ensuring transparency and input quality, the school stated.

Other schools using catering services from Hanoi Industrial Catering Services JSC have also confirmed they are not linked to Cuong Phat.

Co Nhue 2B Primary School (Dong Ngac ward) said the pork used in school meals does not originate from Cuong Phat, but from Binh Minh Organic Agriculture Cooperative.

Tu Hiep Primary School, Tu Hiep Secondary School, and Chu Van An Secondary School (Yen So ward) also confirmed they do not use pork from Cuong Phat, instead sourcing from Siba Food Vietnam JSC.

Meanwhile, in a statement to the press, Hanoi Industrial Catering Services JSC said that in its operations, it prioritizes pork from leading suppliers with clear traceability and standardized cold chains, such as MEATDELI Hanoi Co. Ltd. and C.P. Vietnam Livestock JSC.

However, during operations, to meet demand for fresh hot pork from some clients, the company had also added several secondary pork suppliers, including Cuong Phat.

However, parents remain worried despite school denials.

N.T.H, a parent at Tran Phu Primary School (Ha Dong), said she was shocked after seeing a list circulating online alleging that some Hanoi schools, including her childs, had used diseased pork. Although the school later denied the claim, she still feels uneasy.

I am truly bewildered as I dont know which unit has provided meat to the school, and whether there are confirmation documents and evidentiary images for each supply. Even though the school now denies using it, parents are still very worried. If all schools say they don't use it, where did those hundreds of tons of meat go?

According to H., the family currently cannot pick up their child for lunch, and the school has not yet allowed students to bring food to class. So, for the time being, I still have to let my child stay for semi-boarding and wait for official information from the school. Temporarily, I told my child to only eat rice with vegetables and not to eat meat, she said.

She hopes the school will clearly disclose the food sources used previously and increase transparency in the future, such as taking photos of input food every day and posting them to class groups so parents can monitor together.

Meanwhile, M.T.N, a parent at a primary school in Ha Dong, said that after learning about the case of diseased pork being brought into schools, many parents in her child's class have picked their children up to eat lunch at home.

Although my family lives near the school, because I just gave birth to a baby, picking up and dropping off the child is very inconvenient, N. shared.

N. said that at the end of October 2025, her child's school once experienced a situation where many students had stomach aches. At that time, parents requested to check the input food and the processing ritual.

At that time, the school was using pork from Cuong Phat Company. However, the recent announcement affirmed they do not use products from this company. So, many parents wonder when the change of supplier took place and whether it is guaranteed, N. said.

According to N., so far the school has only provided information verbally and has not yet provided specific evidence, so parents still cannot be reassured when their children eat semi-boarding meals at school.

Vo Thu
April 5, 2026: NATO countries have sent Ukraine half a trillion dollars to assist in defeating the Russian invaders. This resulted in Russia suffering 1.3 million casualties, a third of them dead and the loss of over 20,000 tanks and armored vehicles. The Russian armored force was wiped out, and Russia is having a hard time rebuilding their armor units. It will be years after the war is over before that force can be reconstituted. Meanwhile, NATO nations continue to supply Ukraine with cash for reconstruction and military aid to push the Russians out of Ukraine. NATO countries also want Russia to provide security guarantees if there is peace.

Another surprising event was the Ukrainian development of drone warfare. The Russians responded with their own drones, but Ukraine remains ahead in the drone race for battlefield superiority. During a NATO exercise last year, Ukrainian drone operators operated the Russian side in a mock battle against a NATO opponent and quickly destroyed two battalions of NATO troops. This led a NATO observer who witnessed the event to observe that were screwed if we go up against a drone-equipped foe.

Meanwhile, Russian forces are demonstrating how this works, their forces having taken 1.5 percent of Ukrainian territory in the last two years. The Ukrainians are now on the offensive while the Russians have to hire foreigners to replace Russian losses. Russia is now losing more men each month than they can replace. The Russians are also learning that, by not losing, the Ukrainians are winning.

This is not the first time the Russians discovered they had miscalculated their military ability. When the Cold War ended in 1991 and Russian archives were opened for a while, a lot of mysteries were revealed. Some revelations still cause problems, not because so many myths were disproved but because about the same time the Internet came along and made it much more difficult to keep secrets or create false realities and maintain them in the future. Thus, Russia and China, as well as traditionally the more open societies in the West, could not revive the useful, for all governments, secrecy and control of information that reached a peak in the 20th century. It was the reach and control of pre-Internet mass media that made so many corrupt and murderous dictatorships possible. A few are still trying to hang on, but that proves difficult in an age of instant worldwide communications.

The opening of the Soviet archives documented how crucial it was for a tyrant to declare any military information a state secret and enforce those rules. This was especially true when it came to revealing how ineffective their armed forces actually were, past and present and future. Thus, until the Cold War ended, the true extent of the World War II casualties Russia suffered, nearly 30 million dead, was considered a state secret and the number admitted to was less than half the real one. The extent to which corruption and government incompetence played a major role in causing Russian economic failure and military defeats also became known in excruciating detail. For example, the archives revealed that the Russians, not the Chinese, ordered and enabled North Korea to invade the South in 1950. Chinese sources confirmed this once the Internet and mass access reached China. It made it clear the Chinese had always resented being dragged into a costly Russian war.

This version of the Korean War undermines the authority of the current Kim dynasty that has ruled the north since 1945 and desperately clings to power in an age where tyrants cant hide their misdeeds. The Kims tried to keep cell phones and the Internet out and were relatively successful. But like a small breach in a massive dam the details of their misdeeds got in and caused the police state to crumble from top to bottom. For example, by 2016 more and more North Korean university students were bribing their way out of mandatory participation in major patriotic holiday celebrations. This came as a shock to the government because eventually these university students would run the police state but, if they dont believe in the Kim version of history, will the Kims still be in charge? China doubts it and most Chinese have already made clear to their own communist, but no longer socialist, rulers that this applies to everyone. The current Chinese rulers are trying to deal with reality while the Kims are trying to ignore it. And anyone with access to the Internet, which the world population now has, can follow the drama in real time.

Other revelations from the Moscow archives revealed that the Soviets had already created schemes that were indeed stranger than fiction. These included a plan to move saboteurs from Nicaragua across the Mexican border and into the U.S. disguised as illegal aliens. Radar stations, pipelines and power towers were all targeted in great detail as were port facilities in places like New York City. Other archive documents, available to researchers for a few years in the early 1990s. when a fistful of hundred dollar bills could work wonders, delivered all manner of disturbing and now well documented proofs. The Rosenbergs were indeed Russian spies, Alger Hiss was mixed up in Russian espionage efforts, and the American Communist Party was in the pay of the Soviet Union and served as a tool for espionage, subversion and propaganda. Many left wing writers and politicians were either on the Soviet payroll, or eager to assist Soviet espionage activities.

With all this information it became possible to more accurately assess the nature, extent and effectiveness of communist era espionage. The Soviets didnt really invent anything new, but they energetically improved upon ancient techniques and thus made the 20th century a golden age for spying. Basically, the Russians realized that successful spying was all about developing a lot of personal relationships and then exploiting as many as possible. Early on, in the 1920s and 30s, the Soviets had a lot of capable and eager agents. And there were many communist sympathizers worldwide. Thousands of these pro-Communists were turned into valuable Soviet agents. Those that got caught were declared martyrs or, if possible, persecuted patriots of their home countries. Nothing was wasted.

Also revealed was proof that Stalins purges in the late 1930s brought this golden age to an end. Most of the excellent Soviet agents were executed. Many of the foreign spies began to have second thoughts about working for the Soviet Union. But then World War II came along and made recruiting spies easier for a time. This continued for a while after World War II. But without the large number of skilled and loyal true believers, some new enticements were used. The most frequently used ploy was to threaten the safety of relatives behind the Iron Curtain. Western counterintelligence soon caught on to this, and having relatives back in the old country kept a lot of people from getting security clearances or sensitive jobs.

But the Soviets had many more techniques they could use. Sex and blackmail, often used together, were very successful. Attractive men and women were recruited, trained and sent forth to be romantic for the revolution. This worked particularly well in West Germany, where East German spy studs recruited a number of key female staff in NATO and West German organizations. By the 1970s, the Soviets were frequently using the most basic of all enticements, money. This worked quite well, and until the end of the Cold War Western nations refused to realize how successful this approach could be. We also underestimated how many secrets could be uncovered by simply collecting all the information freely available in a democracy. In the last two decades of the Soviet Union its spies were increasingly successful in obtaining valuable information this way, but telling their bosses it was really from well-placed spies. The spymasters in Moscow never caught on to this little deception or didnt care as long as the good stuff kept coming back to Moscow.

Other nations have since developed new angles that are, in some ways, superior to the Soviet innovations and refinements. China, for example, has had large overseas populations for centuries. These overseas Chinese usually did not assimilate completely and retained considerable loyalty, and family connections, with the homeland. For many decades after World War II, most overseas Chinese were either anti-communist or reluctant to get involved with Chinese politics. But once China began economic reforms in the 1970s this changed. It was OK to visit China, and to receive Chinese officials in America. This was Chinas espionage opportunity.

While the Russians had few agents who could pass for Americans, and operate freely in the U.S., Chinas spies could get away with just being Chinese. They used the soft sell, realizing that by collecting small bits of information from many people, most of whom did not even consider themselves spies, it would be very difficult to stop. From time to time, the Chinese received large, and obviously illegal, amounts of information. But the most important aspect of this technique is that it is difficult to stop, and you dont even have many indictable spies to catch. Picking up small pieces of information from many sources is an ancient technique. The Chinese also make good use of the old Soviet open source opportunities. But combining this with the many minor bits of data gleaned from unsuspecting overseas Chinese scientists and engineers provided a constant supply of useful foreign secrets.

China and Russia were also quick to take advantage of espionage via the Internet. The West had more to steal and was more vulnerable, especially military and government organizations that could not afford to recruit the best internet security talent to protect their networks. Corporations were another matter although it may be years before we discover just how vulnerable the defense firms actually were. In any event the Russians soon learned that having the tech was not as important as being able to build it, which they still could not do. Moreover the Russian economy never reformed like the Chinese did. When Russia got involved in places like Ukraine and Syria and used the best tech they had they discovered that not only was their new stuff exposed to Western scrutiny but that smaller, but Internet savvy nations like Ukraine and the Baltic States were able to scrutinize and weaken the Russian electronic weapons using a combination of some unclassified Western tech and their own local internet talent. Syria was particularly embarrassing because the Russians found themselves watched carefully by an adversary, Israel, they had long known to be formidable. Allies like Iran, Syria and Turkey proved to be more liability than asset.

China found it could build a lot of the new military tech, because of several decades of economic, market economy, reform. But China was still hobbled by its lack of a Western style professional military and long traditions of military corruption.

The revelations of the Russian archives proved disturbing and disruptive in China as well. The Internet made it impossible to simply suppress all this. To their credit the Chinese leaders tried to use this to their advantage. For example, in 2015 the Chinese government allowed some retired generals to publish articles pointing out that most of Chinas past military defeats had been because of corrupt officers. All this has been recognized since the 1990s, but the problem persists and the Chinese rulers were admitting the obvious; that this ancient practice was still thriving in 21st century China. New laws had been passed to deal with it and some were energetically enforced, for a while at least, but the rot survived.

The biggest problem for many senior officials was not the corruption but the inability to keep it quiet. Thanks to the spread of cell phone and Internet use since the 1990s there were ample opportunities for Chinese, in or out of the military, to get more incidences of corruption recorded and exposed. Eventually most senior government officials realized that all their ambitious plans for regaining lost, over the last two centuries, territory meant little if the military was crippled by corruption. Now many more Chinese and foreigners were reconsidering actual Chinese military capabilities. This made it clear that the critics, Chinese and foreign and historians were right and that the traditional corruption in the Chinese military was very much alive, very difficult to control and not likely to be eliminated without extraordinary efforts. The Russians also recognized these historical facts and the role it played in weakening the former communist hold on power. The archives showed how despite that awareness the Soviet empire died for lack of a solution to known problems.

Recent Chinese investigations, including many interviews with old soldiers, discovered that the Chinese corruption didnt even disappear, as many were led to believe, in the early years, late 1940s to 1960s of communist rule in China. This was particularly demoralizing, as it was thought that there was some kind of Mao Magic in the 1950s when the leading founder of communist China, Mao seemed capable of doing anything. That included, it was later revealed, crippling the Chinese economy in a major way and causing a massive famine that killed over ten million Chinese. For the current corruption problem, passing more laws doesnt seem to help much. For example, in 2010 China enacted new laws that put additional pressure on the military to maintain quality standards in the construction and use of military equipment. At the time many were alarmed at why something like this was thought necessary. Its all because many Chinese people assumed that if you got a government job, you had a license to steal. In the military, this meant weapons were built in substandard ways and equipment was not properly maintained. Military corruption is an ancient Chinese custom and accounts for most of the poor military performance in the past.

A more recent problem involves building a seagoing fleet, something China had never bothered with in the past. The details of how difficult this is are eagerly sought by many Chinese and publicized with cell phone videos and illegal Internet postings. The government still punishes some of these illegal journalists but has learned to make the most of it by using these truths to encourage Chinese who agree that a new Chinese empire is a good thing. Many Chinese do to play their part and keep the heat on corrupt military commanders. This sort of peacetime reality check for officers is something new, but it is making it possible for the Chinese to actually make some progress in training competent crews and maintaining warships far from China, something never done before. This sort of thing is essential if their new aircraft carrier force is to succeed and the government has to admit the obvious; that it will take decades to match Western levels of expertise.

Early in the now non-communist Russia, the new government tried various forms of democracy. By 1999 the country was run by former KGB secret police officers who admitted some of the past mistakes but have been unable to create anything which solved a lot of the old problems. The current Russian participation in the Syrian war and efforts to regain parts of the lost empire in the Caucasus and Ukraine are carried out by people who know of past errors but feel helpless to avoid repeating them. For example, by now many Russians know about how Russia got into a messy war in Afghanistan during the 1980s. At the time Russian military staff proved they were quite good at calculating the correlation of forces for an operation and predicting the probability of success. That math did not look good when it comes to invading Ukraine. The old Soviet Stavka general staff famously warned against going into Afghanistan in 1979 on the grounds that the lack of roads and railroads there prevented Russia from putting enough forces into Afghanistan to quickly crush opposition. Russian political leaders ignored this and less than a decade later withdrew from Afghanistan because the general staff had been right.

But there is one aspect of the new Cold War that is very deja vu. That is the way American military commanders are responding to all the military theatrics by solemnly declaring that the enemy Chinese, Russian, North Korean, Iranian military threat may be more than the United States can handle. This sort of thing is reminiscent of the Cold War exaggerations of Soviet Russian military power. Even during the Cold War, many civilian analysts pointed out the tendency to overestimate the effectiveness of Soviet weapons, equipment, leadership and training. This distortion became pretty obvious after the Cold War, when much was revealed.

The puffery is back now with regard to China and Russia. Its no secret that China and Russia have long found it impossible to create effective military forces in peacetime. Not to underestimate them, but both nations have a long history of spectacular failure in this area. The Soviets proved that the historical lessons still apply and the Chinese make some serious efforts to deal with it openly.

But there were still a lot of military secrets and untried weapons and troops that make it an easy matter to report the other sides weapons as being, if only potentially, more lethal than they actually are. This culture of exaggeration, even during the Cold War, was often just called professional courtesy. The Russian intelligence agencies also exaggerated the capabilities of American weapons. Thus, the generals on both sides of the Iron Curtain had a better chance of getting more money out of their respective governments. Now its become clear that post-Cold War Russian and Chinese military capabilities are not as fearsome as Cold War era puffery would have it.

Despite that we have the Cold War attitudes returning and with that the return of professional courtesy when it comes to evaluating the state of the Chinese and Russian armed forces. North Korea and Iran suffer from the same form of self-deception. The goal of this self-serving spin to get a larger defense budget and less criticism over corruption appears to be the same as it always was, and as resistant to change.
Tucked away off the coast of Quang Ngai, a small island in the Ly Son archipelago has quietly earned a reputation as a tourist paradise in the middle of the sea - or, as many travelers like to call it, the Maldives of Vietnam.

From April to August each year, Ly Son enters its most beautiful season. The skies turn clear, the sea calms, and visitors arrive in growing numbers, drawn by the promise of sunlit days and crystal waters.

While Cu Lao Re (Big Island) is already well known for landmarks such as Hang Pagoda, To Vo Gate and Hang Cau, it is An Binh island - often called Be Island - that leaves many visitors unexpectedly captivated.

Be Island is often likened by visitors to a paradise amid the open sea. Photo: Linh Trang

Located about three nautical miles northwest of the main island, An Binh spans just 0.69 square kilometers. True to its name, which means peaceful island, it remains quiet, sparsely populated and refreshingly untouched. Small homes face the sea, catching the wind and sunlight in a rhythm that feels far removed from urban life.

Most residents rely on fishing and farming garlic, onions and vegetables. Only in recent years have around ten households begun offering homestays and basic tourism services.

Formed by volcanic eruptions, Be Island features uniquely striking basalt rock formations. Photo: Manh Tien Khoi

For Manh Tien Khoi, a travel content creator from Ho Chi Minh City, the island was a revelation. Despite having visited many well-known islands in Vietnam and abroad, he found himself genuinely surprised.

Curiosity brought him here, drawn by the nickname Maldives of Vietnam. What he found exceeded expectations.

Though just a 15-minute speedboat ride from the main island, the atmosphere feels entirely different - quieter, slower and still holding onto a rare sense of rawness.

Khoi is drawn to the islands white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, where the seabed is visible. Photo: Manh Tien Khoi

The first impression is immediate. White sand stretches along the shore, while the water shifts in shades from jade green to deep blue. In some places, the seabed is visible through the clear surface, revealing layers of rock below.

The islands volcanic origins add another layer of character, with striking black lava formations scattered along the coastline.

Khoi arrived on the island at 7:30am, checked into a homestay and rented an electric motorbike to explore. With limited infrastructure, the experience is less about ticking off attractions and more about wandering - past seaside almond trees, mural-lined village walls, blooming bougainvillea and quiet beaches like Bai Ngang.

In the afternoon, he headed to Bai Tay, paddled a kayak near the harbor and waited for sunset - one of the islands most peaceful moments.

A tranquil sunset over Be Island. Photo: Manh Tien Khoi

Today, visitors can try simple activities such as SUP, kayaking, basket boat rides and snorkeling to admire coral reefs, all at modest prices.

Yet what stayed with Khoi most were what he called the islands curiously unusual details.

There is only one place serving breakfast, and it often sells out by 7am. Those hoping for a bowl of noodles or banh xeo must wake early. Prices remain low - around VND25,000 (US$1) for a generous noodle dish, or VND3,500 (US$0.14) per banh xeo.

Cash is essential, as digital payments are not widely accepted.

Khois dinner at a homestay on the island. Photo: Manh Tien Khoi







There are no restaurants in the conventional sense. Lunch and dinner are usually arranged through homestays, with ingredients brought over from the main island upon request.

With such a small area, most locals travel on foot, by bicycle or motorbike. Visitors can leave their vehicles anywhere without concern - transporting a motorbike off the island without notice is nearly impossible.

Accommodation is simple. Homestays typically offer just a few rooms, without the polished amenities of larger resorts. Yet they are clean, thoughtfully arranged and equipped with essentials like air conditioning.

What stands out more is the warmth of the hosts.

Khoi believes Be Island is an ideal place for those seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Photo: Manh Tien Khoi

Fresh water, however, is scarce. Residents collect rainwater in large containers and sometimes purchase additional supply from the main island at around VND200,000 per cubic meter (US$8). Aware of this, visitors are encouraged to use water sparingly.

According to Bui Thi Huong, a local homestay owner, the island has no market, which explains the limited number of eateries. Meals are prepared only when guests place orders in advance.

People here are still very simple and sincere, she said. We hope the islands natural beauty and our hospitality will be enough to make visitors want to stay.

In recent months, images of An Binh have spread rapidly across travel communities. Since March 2026, demand has surged, with many homestays fully booked for upcoming holidays, including the Hung Kings Commemoration Day and the April 30 - May 1 holiday.

For Khoi, the island is not for those seeking luxury or convenience.

It is for those who want, even briefly, to step away from the noise of everyday life - and find something quieter, more grounded and unexpectedly meaningful.

The volcanic cliffs are a popular check-in spot on Be Island. Photo: Manh Tien Khoi







Linh Trang
April 5, 2026: Ukraine is disappointed with its NATO supporters for consistently being too late in delivering essential weapons and money. In hindsight, it is obvious that vigorous and massive NATO support immediately after the 2022 Russian invasion could have halted the Russians within a year. By 2026 Russia was still in Ukraine and over 10 million Ukrainians were freezing during a winter marked by Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure. The problem is that NATO countries never fully admitted that they needed Ukraine to prevent Russian forces from moving east. NATO nations delay imposing more economic sanctions on Russia or energetically going after the Russian shadow fleet transporting sanctions Russian oil exports. Ukraine went ahead and destroyed Russian shadow tankers. Ukraine wants an end to the war on Ukrainian terms because without such a peace, Europe will be the next target.

Two years ago, NATO analysts believed that Russia would continue to be a threat even after the Ukraine War was over. The invasion of Ukraine proved that the post-World War II creators of NATO were correct. While Russia was threatening from 1947 to 2021, that 74 year Cold War turned hot in 2022 when Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine. Vladimir Putin, a former secret police officer, gained control of Russia in 1999 and made no secret of his desire to reassemble the Soviet Union. This would involve persuading or conquering the other fourteen nations that came to life in 1991 when the Soviet Union was disbanded.

The largest of the fifteen states was the Russian Federation. The next largest was Ukraine and that made Ukraine the first nation Russia needed to subjugate and absorb. The 1991 Soviet Union had 300 million people. By 2022 Russia had 142 million and Ukraine 46 million. None of the other post-Soviet states wanted to rejoin the Soviet Union.

Other NATO members may join the U.S. and Britain, if only to ensure that the NATO ability to retaliate involves more than two of the 32 NATO members. By providing massive support for Ukraine, and NATO membership after the war, NATO serves a warning to China that threatening NATO members is risky. China needs trade with NATO nations more than a military stalemate or war. China disagreed with the Russian decision to invade Ukraine and has been circumspect and stingy in providing economic aid for its neighbor and economic partner.

While NATO didnt want to fight Russia, it was willing to supply Ukraine with weapons, munitions and economic aid to defeat the Russian invaders. NATO also backed international sanctions on Russia which crippled the Russian economy and made it difficult for Russian to continue its war against Ukraine.

Russia, frustrated that its conventional forces could not conquer Ukraine, threatened to use its nuclear weapons. That was not a real threat because three NATO nations had nuclear weapons. In addition to the United States, France and Britain had nuclear weapons that could be delivered by aircraft or missiles fired from submarines. The nuclear threat was a phantom, and Russia insisted its conventional forces would keep fighting in Ukraine until NATO got tired of the expense of supporting Ukraine. NATO nations believed Russia would give up first because the war was making life difficult for the Russian people, who were increasingly hostile to the war.

Some NATO members are suggesting that NATO members be allowed to send troops to assist the Ukrainians in expelling the Russian forces. It is pointed out that the NATO coalition has a population of nearly a billion people. Adding Ukraine would make it a billion. Russia does not want Ukraine in NATO, but Ukraine sees NATO membership as its only long term protection from Russia. A 1994 treaty had Ukraine give up its nuclear weapons in return for Russian promises to forever respect Ukrainian independence. Britain and the U.S. pledged to assist Ukraine if Russia violated the treaty. This is why the NATO threat to send troops to aid Ukraine is frightening. Russia reneged on the 1994 promises and the Americans and British agreed to support Ukraine if that happened. It happened and Russia faces war with the largest economic coalition on the planet.
With only a few weeks until the Senedd election, most people in Wales do not know how their votes will be counted, a Cardiff University report has found.

The study, funded by the Welsh Government via Creative Wales and led by Professor Stephen Cushion at Cardiffs School of Journalism, Media and Culture, combined an analysis of more than 3,000 social media posts and news items with a YouGov survey of 1,544 Welsh adults carried out in February 2026.

When asked to name the voting system that will be used in Mays election, just 7% correctly identified the new Closed List system. A further 18% believed it would be First Past the Post, 13% thought it would be the Additional Member System, 4% selected the Single Transferable Vote, and 58% said they did not know.

The Senedd was expanded from 60 to 96 members for the 2026 election, with Wales divided into 16 multi-member constituencies. Wrexham and Flintshire are now combined into the new Fflint Wrecsam constituency, which will return six members using the Closed List method of proportional representation.

Leader recognition

The survey also tested how well Welsh adults recognised their political leaders ahead of polling day.

First Minister Eluned Morgan was known by 62% of respondents. Rhun ap Iorwerth, leader of Plaid Cymru, was recognised by 47%. Darren Millar, the Welsh Conservative leader whose Clwyd West seat covers much of north Wales, was known by just 21%.

At the other end of the scale, Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader who does not sit in the Senedd was correctly identified by 94% of respondents.

Dan Thomas, Reforms leader in Wales, was known by 10%  however it is work noting he has only been in that role for a month.

Devolved powers: what people know and what they dont

The survey tested public understanding of which government holds responsibility for eight policy areas. Confusion was most acute around policing. Just 31% correctly said policing in Wales is a Westminster responsibility. The remaining 69% either did not know or were wrong, with 45% mistakenly attributing it to the Welsh Government.

Social care delivery produced the weakest results overall. Only 19% correctly identified local councils as responsible. The remaining 81% were incorrect or unsure, with the majority assuming the Welsh Government held that power.

Broadcasting was misidentified by 58% of respondents, with just 42% correctly naming Westminster.

Public understanding was stronger in areas with higher media prominence. Seventy per cent correctly said education was a Welsh Government responsibility. Health and social care was correctly attributed by 69%.

Immigration was correctly assigned to Westminster by 71%.

Across all eight questions, 70% of respondents got at least four correct. Only 1% answered all eight correctly.

UK news failing Welsh audiences

The research also examined how major UK broadcasters handle devolution in their reporting, analysing posts across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook and TikTok from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky News between October and December 2025.

When posts had clear devolved relevance, such as stories about health, education or transport, 73% did not state whether the issue applied to England only. Just 13.2% included a reference to England to signal its relevance.

Online articles showed a similar pattern. Just over a third (35.3%) provided no clarity about which nation a story applied to. Over seven in ten (72%) referred to the government or the government without specifying whether that meant the UK Government or a devolved administration.

On television, more than half of relevant news items (57.4%) provided no clarity about which nation a story applied to. The report cited coverage of the National Grooming Gangs Inquiry as a particular example, noting that most broadcasters failed to state the inquiry related only to England and Wales, because policing and criminal justice are devolved to Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Focus groups carried out by YouGov in February 2026 found participants were frustrated by the lack of specificity. One participant said: When broadcasters dont specify in England it feels like lazy journalism that ignores the fact that we have a devolved government. Precise labels make the news feel professional and respectful of the audience in Wales.

Another said: The language used is too broad. Using The Government instead of The UK Government or The Department of Health (England) is misleading.

Audiences still prefer UK news

Despite this, most people in Wales continue to turn to UK-wide outlets for their news. The survey found 46% relied on UK news most often, against 10% who mainly used Wales-produced sources. Online, 53% mainly used UK-wide sites compared with 14% who relied primarily on Wales-produced outlets.

Public opinion of how UK-wide media covers Welsh politics was notably negative. Nearly half of respondents (46%) said UK-wide outlets did a bad job of covering Welsh politics. Only 28% said they performed well.

Among those who criticised the coverage, the most common reasons given were that UK news focused too heavily on London and south-east England (cited by 19%) and that there was simply not enough coverage of Wales (18%).

Recommendations

The report makes six recommendations. These include updating broadcasters editorial guidelines to reflect growing reliance on social media, where posts are often seen without the full article; requiring broadcasters to explicitly compare devolved policy differences across the four nations rather than simply noting England-only relevance; and calling on the Welsh Government to press UK civil service departments to be clearer about which policies apply to England only.

It also recommends that the Welsh Government fund a bi-annual independent review of network news output and public understanding of Welsh politics, and that Ofcom remind broadcasters of their obligations around accurate constitutional reporting ahead of elections and in periodic reviews.

Jack Sargeant MS, the Welsh Government Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership, said the research provides an important evidence base for policymakers, regulators, and news organisations alike.

Delyth Jewell MS, chair of the Senedds Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee, said: This inadequate media content diminishes Wales on a civic and democratic level.

The report noted all of the UKs major broadcasters had been receptive to its findings and had engaged constructively with the research team during the project.

The Senedd election takes place on 7 May 2026.

Spotted something? Got a story? email us at Got a story? email us at news@wrexham.com
Residents across North Wales are being urged to take part in routine bowel screening after a mans cancer was detected early thanks to a home test.

58-year-old Richard Hobson, from Higher Kinnerton, was diagnosed with bowel cancer a week before Christmas 2025 after completing a routine screening test at home.

After returning his test kit, Mr Hobson was invited for a colonoscopy, where doctors identified the cancer. He was placed under the care of Consultant Colorectal Surgeon Mr Steve Dixon at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, who confirmed he would need surgery to remove it.

Id done a routine test two years earlier and everything was normal, so it was a shock, said Mr Hobson. But that just shows how important it is to keep taking part when youre invited.

People can worry that the worst is going to happen, so they put it off. But if its caught early, you have the best chance. The healthcare available now is fantastic  I was so impressed with the care I received.

Four weeks after his diagnosis, Mr Hobson underwent surgery. In the lead-up, he took part in a prehabilitation (prehab) programme, designed to help patients improve their fitness ahead of surgery.

The prehab programme was brilliant and made a real difference. It helped me feel stronger and more prepared going into the operation, he added.

He was offered robotic-assisted surgery at Ysbyty Gwynedd, carried out by Mr Dixon. After spending almost a week in hospital, Mr Hobson requires no further treatment and will has routine surveillance planned over the next five years.

Mr Hobson praised the care he received across both hospitals and is now encouraging others not to ignore their screening invitation.

I nearly put it off, but Im so glad I didnt. If sharing my story encourages even one person to do the test, its worth it, he said.

Mr Dixon explained that Mr Hobsons cancer was identified at a very early stage through the screening programme.

This was a polyp cancer, which means it was detected before it had penetrated the bowel wall or spread elsewhere, he said. Cancers found through screening are often at an earlier stage, which significantly improves outcomes and reduces the likelihood of recurrence.

Its incredibly important that people take up the offer of screening when invited, as it allows us to identify and treat these cancers early.

Its also important that people are aware of potential symptoms of bowel cancer. These can include blood in your stool, a persistent change in bowel habits such as diarrhoea or constipation, unexplained weight loss, or ongoing abdominal pain. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should contact your GP as soon as possible to get checked.

Mr Dixon also highlighted the benefits of robotic surgery, particularly for certain types of bowel cancer.

Robotic-assisted surgery can be particularly effective for left-sided bowel cancers. It offers enhanced precision and improved visualisation for the surgeon, which can support better outcomes for patients. Were very pleased with Mr Hobsons progress and recovery.

Bowel screening in Wales is offered to people aged 50 to 74, with home testing kits sent every two years. The test is quick, simple and can be completed in the privacy of your own home. It looks for tiny traces of blood in your stool, which can be an early sign of bowel cancer.

Health professionals are encouraging anyone who receives a screening kit to complete and return it as soon as possible.

Taking part in screening can help detect bowel cancer at an early stage, when treatment is more effective and survival rates are significantly higher.

For more information about bowel screening, visit the Public Health Wales website.

Spotted something? Got a story? email us at Got a story? email us at news@wrexham.com
TEHRAN, Iran (AP)  U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday made expletive-filled threats against Iran and its infrastructure if it doesn't open the Strait of Hormuz by his Tuesday deadline, after American forces rescued a wounded aviator whose Iran-downed plane fell behind enemy lines.

A defiant Iran struck infrastructure targets in neighboring Gulf Arab countries and threatened to restrict another heavily used waterway, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait off the Arabian Peninsula.

Trump on social media vowed to hit Irans power plants and bridges and said the country would be living in Hell if the Strait of Hormuz, crucial for global trade, isnt opened. He ended with Praise be to Allah.

Trump has issued such deadlines before but extended them when mediators have claimed progress toward ending the war, which has killed thousands, shaken global markets and spiked fuel prices in just over five weeks.

It seems Trump has become a phenomenon that neither Iranians nor Americans are able to fully analyze, Iranian Culture Minister Sayed Reza Salihi-Amiri told visiting Associated Press journalists in an interview in Tehran, adding that the U.S. president constantly shifts between contradictory positions.

Both sides have threatened and hit civilian targets like oil fields and desalination plants that provide drinking water. Irans U.N. mission called Trumps threat clear evidence of intent to commit war crime.

Irans joint military command warned of stepped-up attacks on regional oil and civilian infrastructure if the U.S. and Israel attack such targets there, according to state television.

The laws of armed conflict allow attacks on civilian infrastructure only if the military advantage outweighs the civilian harm, legal scholars say. Its considered a high bar to clear, and causing excessive suffering to civilians can constitute a war crime.

The US describes a dramatic rescue

An intense search followed Friday's crash of the F-15E Strike Eagle, while Iran promised a reward for the enemy pilot. It was the first known American aircraft to crash in Iranian territory since the U.S. and Israel launched the war on Feb. 28.

Trump said that the service member was seriously wounded and really brave and rescued from deep inside the mountains" in an operation involving dozens of armed aircraft. He said a second crew member was rescued in broad daylight within hours of the crash.

A senior U.S. administration official said that before locating the second aviator, the CIA spread word inside Iran that U.S. forces had found him and were moving him out, creating confusion for Iranians. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet made public.

Iran also shot down another U.S. military plane Friday, demonstrating the perils of the bombing campaign and the ability of Iran's degraded military to hit back. Neither the status of the A-10 attack aircraft's crew nor where it crashed is known.

On Sunday, Irans state television aired a video showing what it claimed were parts of U.S. aircraft  a transport plane and two helicopters  shot down by Iranian forces during the rescue operation.

However, a regional intelligence official briefed on the mission told the AP that the U.S. military blew up two transport planes because of a technical malfunction and brought in additional aircraft to complete the rescue. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the covert mission.

Irans joint military command later said the U.S. bombarded its own aircraft to prevent embarrassment for President Trump."

Two Black Hawk helicopters were hit but navigated to safe airspace, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive information.

Diplomatic efforts continue

Trump's deadline centers on alarm over Iran's grip on the Strait of Hormuz, critical for global shipments of oil and gas from the Persian Gulf as well as humanitarian supplies. Some ships have paid Iran for passage.

An Iranian presidential spokesperson, Seyyed Mohammad Mehdi Tabatabaei, said on social media that the strait can reopen only if some transit revenues compensate Iran for war damages.

A top Iranian adviser, Ali Akbar Velayati, warned on social media that Tehran also could disrupt trade on the Bab el-Mandeb, a key chokepoint to and from the Red Sea.

Diplomatic efforts continued. Oman's Foreign Ministry said that deputy foreign ministers and experts from Iran and Oman met to discuss proposals to ensure smooth transit through the strait.

Egypt said that Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty had spoken with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and with Turkish and Pakistani counterparts. Russia said that Araghchi also spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Bahrain urged the U.N. Security Council to act on its draft proposal with language authorizing defensive action to ensure safe passage through the strait.

Airstrikes hit Iran

An airstrike early Monday struck a residential building near Eslamshar, southwest of Tehran, killing at least 13 people, the semiofficial Fars news agency and Nour News reported.

Airstrikes also damaged buildings at the Sharif University of Technology in Tehran as well as a natural gas distribution site next to the campus, Iranian media reported. It wasnt immediately clear what was targeted at the university campus, which has switched to online classes because of the war.

Elsewhere in Iran, an airstrike killed at least five people in a residential area of Qom, the state-run IRAN daily newspaper said in an online message. Qom is a Shiite seminary city just south of Tehran.

It wasn't clear why the buildings were struck. Neither Israel nor the United States claimed the strikes early Monday

In the United Arab Emirates, authorities said one Nepali and three Pakistanis were hurt in fires caused by debris from the interception of an Iranian projectile at Khor Fakkan port, and interception debris caused fires at a petrochemical plant in Ruwais, halting operations.

In Kuwait, Iranian drone attacks caused significant damage to power plants and a petrochemical plant. They also put a water desalination station out of service, according to the Ministry of Electricity.

In Bahrain, a drone attack caused a fire at a national oil company storage facility and a state-run petrochemical plant, the kingdoms official news agency said.

In Israel, rescue authorities searched for three people in the northern city of Haifa after an apartment building was hit. It wasn't immediately clear what struck it.

More than 1,900 people have been killed in Iran since the war began, but its government has not updated the toll for days.

In Lebanon, whose health ministry said an Israeli strike without warning killed four people in Beirut, more than 1,400 people have been killed and more than 1 million people have been displaced. Eleven Israeli soldiers have died there while targeting Iranian-backed Hezbollah militants.

In Gulf Arab states and the occupied West Bank, more than two dozen people have died, while 19 have been reported dead in Israel and 13 U.S. service members have been killed.

Lee and Toropin reported from Washington, Metz from Jerusalem and Magdy from Cairo. Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Lisa Mascaro and Seung Min Kim in Washington; Munir Ahmed in Islamabad; Farnoush Amiri in New York; and Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
Stellar corporate earnings signal China's strengthening economic momentum

Xinhua) 09:16, April 05, 2026

China's listed companies are reporting their 2025 annual results, with data pointing to a fact that tech-driven earnings growth is emerging as a powerful new engine.

Of more than 1,200 companies that had filed annual reports as of Friday morning, nearly 90 percent turned a profit, according to data provider Wind. Firms in high-tech industries, including artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors and telecommunications, stood out, suggesting that their sustained innovation efforts have translated into tangible performance gains.

Leading chipmaker SMIC posted a record high revenue of 67.32 billion yuan (about 9.77 billion U.S. dollars) in 2025, up 16.49 percent from a year ago, with net profits reaching a three-year best. AI chip company Cambricon Technologies delivered an even more striking turnaround, reporting its first-ever annual profit of nearly 2.06 billion yuan since listing, with revenue up more than fourfold.

Meanwhile, battery giant CATL reported a 17 percent increase in revenue and a 42 percent increase in net profits as it extended the dominance in the global power battery market. Foxconn Industrial Internet, a major consumer electronics manufacturer, posted around 50 percent growth in both revenue and profits, crediting AI as the core engine of its growth.

Analysts attributed the strong performance of tech companies to their ability to capitalize on the rapid expansion of the AI industry by combining core technological breakthroughs with accelerating commercialization, thereby bringing greater resilience and potential to the broader economy.

"The explosive growth in hard tech is not an isolated phenomenon," said Tian Lihui, head of the Institute of Financial Development at Nankai University. "It reflects a resonance between the global tech revolution and China's industrial upgrading strategy."

China is stepping up innovation efforts to cultivate new growth engines and accelerate economic transformation.

"Corporate earnings are painting a clear structural picture of this transformation -- a shift from traditional factor-driven growth to a new paradigm led by technological innovation and global competitiveness," Tian said.

This shift is also reflected in equity markets. While traditional sectors such as real estate remain under significant pressure, tech manufacturing and emerging industries are delivering robust returns.

Such momentum is supported by sustained policy incentives. China's research and development spending reached 3.93 trillion yuan in 2025, the second-highest in the world, with annual growth averaging 10 percent between 2021 and 2025. Tax relief and fee reductions supporting tech innovation and manufacturing exceeded 2.8 trillion yuan last year.

The sci-tech innovation board, commonly known as the STAR Market, has also channeled increasing support to companies in high-tech and strategic emerging sectors.

Looking ahead, cultivating innovation remains central to China's economic agenda. This year's government work report called for building integrated circuits, aerospace, biomedicine, and the low-altitude economy into emerging pillar sectors, while fostering future industries, including quantum technology, embodied AI, and 6G.

Official estimates showed that output from these emerging pillar industries had already approached 6 trillion yuan in 2025 and could more than double to over 10 trillion yuan by 2030, becoming the new engine for the country's high-quality development.

Notably, given the widespread application of AI, "creating new forms of smart economy" appeared in the government work report for the first time this year.

Zhang Li, head of the China Center for Information Industry Development, said intelligent agents, AI-native applications, and humanoid robots are beginning to find viable business models, with deep AI integration set to reshape value chains across multiple industries.

Expanding the breadth and depth of AI's role across all sectors will unlock new space for China's development, analysts said.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
by John Ambrosio

In a recent speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Mark Carney, the prime minister of Canada, drew on a paper written by the renowned Czech dissident, and later president, Vaclav Havel that discussed how totalitarian regimes, like the former Soviet Union, seek to control the population by providing individuals with an ideological excuse that enables them to conceal from themselves their silent capitulation, in the face of real and threatened state repression, in order to avoid the shame and indignity of having their obedience to the regime exposed.

In The Power of the Powerless, Havel used the example of a greengrocer who put a sign with an official slogan in his shop window to illustrate how totalitarian regimes seek to control and manipulate the population. Havel wrote that the sign helps the greengrocer to conceal from himself the low foundations of his obedience, at the same time concealing the low foundations of power. It hides them behind the facade of something high. And that something high is ideology. It is a veil behind which human beings can hide their own fallen existence, their trivialization, and their adaptation to the status quo, an excuse that everyone can use to maintain an illusory identity, dignity, and morality, to live within a lie.

As the Italian Marxist theorist Antonio Gramsci argued, in capitalist systems with highly developed civil societies the ruling class exercises power through a combination of force and consent. That is, it achieves hegemony through coercion and state violence, and by obtaining the passive or active consent of the masses of people by exercising moral and intellectual leadership. Hegemony is never complete or final and must be continually reproduced, which is why authoritarian regimes strenuously repress criticism of their ideological excuses, of the official stories people tell themselves about themselves, one another, and the nation that enable them to conceal from themselves their obedience to the regime. For most people, avoiding the shame of having their accommodation to the regime exposed is a powerful motivational force.

I would argue that Trump and his MAGA allies are experiencing a kind of legitimation crisis that has weakened their political power, given the complete absence, or even the pretense, of needing to provide people who are not his core supporters with something high to conceal their adaptation to the administrations lawlessness and sadistic cruelty.

In place of ideological excuses, such as the meritocracy to justify extreme inequality at home, and American exceptionalism to legitimize military interventionism abroad, Trumpism substitutes a constant stream of lies, disinformation, and conspiracy theories. While these false narratives are uncritically absorbed by his base, they leave others, who do not inhabit Trumps alternate reality and whose political support is more tenuous, without a way to conceal their own fallen existence from themselves.

As Masha Gessen and others have pointed out, individuals need not believe the lies and mystifications, only act as if they do, or simply tolerate them in silence. While individuals need not accept the lie, they are nonetheless expected to publicly perform their adherence to it. What is different today is Trumps view that the exercise of state power is no longer in need of ideological excuses, that he possesses a king-like divine right to do as he pleases, unconstrained by norms or law, which people must simply accept as legitimate. While Trumps staunchest supporters in the MAGA movement do not need the false justifications, those in the outer rings of his political universe, many of whom are young, racially diverse, low information, and low propensity voters, are left without a way to rationalize their support or indifference to his gangster authoritarianism, which relies on thinly veiled and coded threats, bullying, extortion, and extreme violence to achieve its political objectives.

In this sense, Trumps remarkable openness and transparency about his illegal, unconstitutional, and corrupt practices, his penchant for saying the quiet part out loud, makes it more difficult for less partisan Republicans and Republican-leaning independents to hide their adaptation to the regime from themselves. What is a source of political strength in relation to his most ardent supporters can be a significant weakness for voters who are not securely on board the MAGA train, as the recent gubernatorial elections in Virginia and New Jersey demonstrate. Being open and unapologetic about his bigotry and lawbreaking, and offering only implausible and easily refutable narratives to justify his actions, makes it exceedingly difficult for Trump to assemble a stable political coalition.

Some might argue that its better that Trump dispenses with the need to provide ideological excuses that give people a way to accommodate themselves to his lawlessness, to carry on with their everyday lives. Telegraphing his thinking and intentions gives Trumps political opponents a heads-up and an opportunity to prepare for whats coming. But by not seeking to obscure or hide his crimes, Trump normalizes his criminal behavior, makes it appear as if his lawlessness is just business as usual, no big deal. If they were crimes, why would Trump repeatedly talk about them in public?

The failure to provide individuals with a means to avoid the shame of having their complicity with Trumps crimes exposed means he must increasingly rely on fear and intimidation, on the use of coercion and force, which will lead to a further weakening of his political support, as was made clear by Trumps declining approval ratings on immigration in the wake of the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by ICE and CBP agents in Minneapolis after videos of the shootings that circulated widely on social media and elsewhere contradicted the official story.

Trumps political strategy, which depends primarily on the unflinching support of a cultish base of loyal voters is unlikely to succeed, although he will have done a lot of long-term damage to the country in the meantime. As Gramsci argues, like other liberal democracies in the West, the U.S. developed a sturdy structure of civil society that constitutes a powerful system of fortresses and earthworks, a kind of firewall, that makes it exceedingly difficult for Trump and his MAGA allies to consolidate an authoritarian takeover of the country. This is the case, despite the fact that much of the mass media is controlled by a few oligarchs and large corporations, the judiciary is dominated by a rouge MAGA-friendly Supreme Court, and elites in some major law, firms, universities, and media organizations capitulated to Trumps threats and extortion.

Nearly half of the U.S. electorate identify as independents. While the overwhelming majority of them lean toward one of the major parties, about 9% of these unaffiliated voters demonstrate a pattern of voting behavior that is unstable and inconsistent, and are potentially up for grabs. In a nearly evenly divided electorate, these potential swing voters can determine the outcome of a close national election, along with anti-Trump and establishment Republicans.

The point is not that Trumps inherent political weakness will necessarily lead to his electoral defeat, given the Republican Partys success in limiting access to the ballot and controlling the administration of elections in many Republican-led states, but that his attempt to control the country through fear, intimidation, and the random use of force has become increasingly necessary and politically problematic.

Absent significant popular support or widely accepted ideological excuses, which white Christian Nationalism does not provide for the majority of voters, Trumps gangster authoritarianism will require a continual ratcheting up of threats of violence and actual violence. The purpose of engaging in extreme and unaccountable violence is not only to shock and terrorize the population, but to normalize the brutality, to condition people to accept state violence as an ordinary aspect of everyday life.

Despite the growing unpopularity of how immigration laws are being enforced, and public revulsion at the brutality and murderous violence of Homeland Security agents, Trump will likely respond to declining public support by doubling down on intimidation and state repression to advance his political agenda, since there is no other plausible path open to him. His abject indifference to acknowledging, much less seriously addressing, the concerns of people who did not support him, leaves Trump little choice but to push ahead, despite the negative electoral consequences for the Republican Party.

While Trump ostensibly cares little about public opinion, it turns out that the forces of political gravity have not been completely suspended, that elections still matter, which is why Trump and his MAGA allies have pursued numerous strategies in Republican-led states to disenfranchise potential Democratic voters by limiting access to the ballot and putting loyalists in control of who counts and verifies election results. If necessary, they are prepared to steal the election through bogus claims of voter fraud and foreign interference, and by manipulating the vote.

In an effort to further tilt the political playing field in their favor, the Republican majority in the House recently passed the Save America Act which would mandate in-person voter registration and require a birth certificate, passport, or certain state-issued forms of identification that match your current name, so that people without access to these documents, including married women who took their husbands name, would be unable to register to vote. It would also allow the Department of Homeland Security to seize state voter rolls in order to challenge and preemptively remove potential Democratic voters. Although the bill is unlikely to pass the Senate, and will have the unintended effect of disenfranchising many Republican voters as well, the political motivation of the legislation is clear.

Trump might also seek to instill fear and terror, and scare off potential Democratic voters by stationing ICE and CBP agents near polling stations in some blue cities and states, by flooding the zone with his paramilitary force of Brownshirts, and by deploying National Guard troops or other military units in highly contested congressional districts. Trump is still obsessed with overturning the results of the 2020 presidential election, which is why he had the FBI seize ballots in Fulton County, Georgia and Maricopa County, Arizona. But he may also be previewing another strategy to overturn the midterm elections, if Republicans lose. Although Trump was persuaded against it in 2020, he wanted the military to seize voting machines after the election based on false claims of widespread fraud, foreign interference, and software tampering.

Like European fascism, Trumps mafia-state authoritarianism celebrates the naked exercise of state power by an omnipotent strongman, the unapologetic use of violence against its perceived enemies, and the triumph of emotion and action over reason and deliberation. But in the absence of significant popular support for his Project 2025-inspired political agenda, his unconstitutional war of choice against Iran, and his increasing reliance on fear, intimidation, and state violence to control the population, the MAGA movement may have reached its political limits.

In the end, MAGA Republicans simply cannot conceive of ceding power to their perceived enemies, who they do not see as legitimate, as having the right to exercise power. They will do everything possible, whether or not it violates the law, to ensure that they are not defeated in the midterm elections. Trump has repeatedly signaled his intention to strenuously contest the results in the courts, if Republicans lose, with spurious claims of nonexistent voter fraud and may petition Republican-led states, as he did in 2020, to delay certification of election results in order to create chaos and confusion, and to further undermine public confidence in elections.

A blue wave of significant strength, of at least five percent of the electorate, would make it much more difficult for Republicans to steal the election by claiming fraud and could nullify some of the electoral advantages they gained through midterm partisan gerrymandering. By assuming that people who voted Republican in the previous election cycle are likely do so again, and moving some of them from more solidly Republican seats to newly created congressional districts, especially in heavily Hispanic areas, their redistricting strategy could wind up backfiring. It remains to be seen how consistent and reliable these Republican voters are.

The conflict between pro-democracy forces and Trumpian authoritarianism will likely continue for the foreseeable future, given the extreme political polarization of the country. Every national election will teeter on a political knifes edge, given the nearly evenly divided electorate, with the potential to swing sharply between two opposing conceptions of American society in which each side views the other as an existential threat to their core values, beliefs, and way of life. This situation will likely persist until a new political order emerges from the ashes of neoliberalism, which is not yet on the horizon.

Until then, we are in for an extended period of political upheaval and instability. The random and brutal use of force in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Chicago and elsewhere is not a bug, but a central feature of how Trump intends to rule the country, by punishing people who did not vote for him, to make them feel alone, helpless, and unprotected in the context of an increasingly lawless federal government.

Without the political cover of an ideological excuse, and no desire to persuade his political opponents, Trump has little choice but to continually dial up the cruelty and violence with the expectation that his perceived enemies will eventually capitulate, as have some tech elites in Silicon Valley, and major law firms, universities, and media organizations, with CBS and the Washington Post most recently bending the knee. CNN, which was purchased by David Ellison, the same Trump ally who acquired CBS, will likely follow suit.

While human beings have an extraordinary capacity for denial and self-delusion, for living within a lie, especially when their economic and physical security are at stake, there are always people who are less susceptible to threats and intimidation, who are less willing or able to lead an inauthentic life. Such people always pose a threat to authoritarian regimes that rely on obedience and ideological conformity to control the population. As the unprecedented No Kings protests and the fierce resistance of people in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis and elsewhere to the violent invasion and occupation of their cities demonstrates, such people constitute a significant and growing portion of the U.S. population and electorate.

People who refuse to capitulate to Trumps gangster authoritarianism do not have to constitute a majority of the population to succeed. According to Erica Chenoweth, a political scientist at Harvard University, a relatively small percentage of the population, as little as about 3.5%, that actively participates in nonviolent resistance can bring about significant political change. This is not an iron law of history but a tendency that depends on other factors, such as momentum, organization, strategic leadership, and sustainability. There are no guarantees. Although peaceful resistance is twice as likely as armed conflict to succeed, it still fails around 47% of the time. Meeting the threshold for significant political change in the U.S. would require about 12 million people to become actively engaged in nonviolent resistance.

Trump demands that people repeatedly perform their loyalty to him without the cover of an ideological excuse, to accept his unrestrained and lawless exercise of political, economic, and military power as inherently justifiable, as the natural order of things, as the rightful domination of the weak by the strong. Stephen Miller, Trumps deputy White House chief of staff, summed up this view in an interview with Jake Tapper on CNN: We live in the real world, Jake, that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power. These are the iron laws of the world since the beginning of time.

As others have pointed out, a key flaw and political weakness of the purveyors of Trumpism is their belief that everyone is more or less like them, corrupt, mendacious, and transactional, but only pretend to be otherwise. This false assumption relies on the belief that everyone has a price and can be bribed, bought off, or bullied, that liberal notions of fairness and social justice are just ideological cover for exercising the baser instincts that drive all human behavior. They simply cannot imagine a world in which truth, virtue, ethics, and ideals motivate people, in which people are willing to risk their lives for the benefit of others.

The morally depraved Homeland Security agents in Minneapolis and elsewhere are finding out otherwise, that there are many people who refuse to live within a lie and perform loyalty rituals, who will not succumb to threats and murderous state repression, and who will put their lives at risk to protect their neighbors. It turns out that the suckers and losers who refuse to be like them are the real heroes in America.

Is the rest of the country like Minneapolis? Clearly not. But pro-democracy forces do not need the entire country to respond to violent state repression as the courageous people of Minneapolis have, only enough to bring the gears of repression to a grinding halt. As Mario Savio said at a sit-in at Sproul Hall on the Berkeley campus of the University of California in 1964 during the Free Speech Movement:

Theres a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious, makes you so sick at heart that you cant take part. You cant even passively take part. And youve got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus  and youve got to make it stop. And youve got to indicate to the people who run it, to the people who own it  that unless youre free the machine will be prevented from working at all.

That time has arrived. Its our turn to put our bodies on the gears, on the wheels, of this brutalizing and murderous MAGA machine. Trumps authoritarian blitzkrieg, his attempt to overwhelm the institutions of American society with a shock and awe campaign, to remake the nation in his own grotesque image, is running out of time. As Jamelle Bouie wrote, to succeed Trump had to consolidate the new authoritarian regime before the opposition could get its footing and before the broader public could react to the transformation. While it took some time, the public has awakened to the reality of the Trump presidency. In what at first appeared to be a potential rout of pro-democracy forces, has now become an existential fight for the future of the country as Trumps mafia-state authoritarianism crashes up against the powerful system of fortresses and earthworks of U.S. civil society.

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Explore the world of Hoppers, Pixar's hit film about consciousness-transferring robots. With a 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and Toy Story 5 Easter eggs, join Mabel...

AceShowbiz - Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Hoppers! Fans of Pixars beloved franchise Toy Story are in for a treat thanks to the latest Pixar release, Hoppers. This animated film features an intriguing world where humans can transfer their consciousness into robotic animals. The story centers on a young girl named Mabel, voiced by Piper Curda, who uses this technology to navigate the animal kingdom. Alongside her is King George, a regal beaver voiced by Bobby Moynihan. Together, they embark on an adventure designed to protect their worlds from a looming threat.

Hoppers has already made a remarkable mark, earning Pixars best Rotten Tomatoes score in seven years with an impressive 96%. Beyond its unique storyline and animation, the film contains clever Easter eggs that tease the upcoming Toy Story 5. ScreenRants Ash Crossan spoke with the film's director, Daniel Chong, and producer, Nicole Paradis Grindle, who shared some insights on where fans can spot these hidden nods.

Nicole Paradis Grindle explained, Its in Maples bedroom when shes on the laptop, up on the windowsill. Meanwhile, Daniel Chong added, Its a quick shot, so most likely, people wont catch it on first glance because your eyes not supposed to be there. Both emphasized that these clues are subtle and designed to be discovered only on a second viewing or a freeze-frame pause.

The filmmakers revealed that there are additional Easter eggs scattered throughout the same scene. Grindle noted, There are a few other things in that room too, on that windowsill and pinned to her wall. Chong described the area as a loaded frame packed with hidden details. He elaborated, We have a couple shots that are just loaded frames of Easter eggs. The final scenes board, referenced by Grindle, is also filled with multiple hints for sharp-eyed viewers.

These Easter eggs are particularly exciting as Toy Story 5 is scheduled for release in June 2026. Fans eager for any clues will find these subtle hints in Hoppers a rewarding discovery that connects the films within the wider Pixar universe.

The inspiration behind Hoppers stems from real-life nature documentaries that use robotic animals with cameras embedded in their eyes to observe wildlife. Chong shared the origin of the idea, stating, There are these documentaries where they put robot animals into nature, and they have cameras in their eyes, and they look kind of goofy. You kind of laugh when you see them. He added the concept imagines technology advanced enough that neither animals nor humans can tell the difference between real and robotic creatures, which provided a fresh narrative starting point.

Daniel Chong emphasized that comedy was the driving force in the films creation, saying, It came from a funny place, and I think that carried through the whole process of making this movie: comedy first. Trying to make it as entertaining and silly as possible, and then you hit em with the emotion. This balance of humor and heartfelt moments is a hallmark of the films appeal.

The emotional impact of Hoppers is evident in several scenes, including one involving Mabel that has drawn varied reactions from audiences worldwide. Chong described the diverse responses during screenings: One of our favorite things, watching the movie with an audience, has been seeing how different crowds react to that moment. Its always a big reaction, but everyone reacts differently. For example, in Mexico, there were at least 30 seconds of nonstop gasps, while in Germany, a woman loudly exclaimed, Nein! The experience of watching the film can shift depending on the crowds cultural background and energy, making each screening unique.

Both Chong and Grindle stress that Hoppers is best enjoyed as a group experience. Nicole Paradis Grindle commented, Its definitely a group experience too. I cant imagine what it would be like to watch it by yourself for the first time. I think collectively, people have a different experience of it. This suggests the films humor and emotional beats resonate more powerfully in a communal setting.

Currently playing in theaters, Hoppers is a must-watch for fans of Pixars inventive animation and storytelling. Its high Rotten Tomatoes score of 96% reflects widespread critical acclaim, while the cleverly placed Easter eggs provide an exciting connection to the upcoming Toy Story 5. Whether viewers are drawn by its unique concept, emotional moments, or the promise of hidden Pixar universe nods, Hoppers delivers a rich and entertaining cinematic experience.
Dive into the legacy of FX's iconic biker drama Sons of Anarchy. Explore its record-breaking run, debated finale, and the latest on a potential prequel from ...

AceShowbiz - Sons of Anarchy stands as one of the most influential crime dramas since the era of The Sopranos. Created by Kurt Sutter, the series chronicles the intense world of SAMCRO, a California biker gang, and originally aired from 2008 to 2014. The show not only shattered viewership records for the FX Network but also left a lasting impact on its audience with its dark themes and complex characters. Despite its success, the series finale remains one of televisions most debated endings, sparking over a decade of discussion about the shows legacy and potential future projects.

In 2018, FX expanded the universe with the premiere of Mayans M.C., a spinoff focusing on a rival biker gang operating in Southern California. Alongside this, fans have long speculated about a possible prequel to Sons of Anarchy that would explore the origins of SAMCRO. Recently, after twelve years since the original series ended, Kurt Sutter provided an official update on the status of the prequel project.

Speaking with Deadline, Sutter shared insight into his relationship with FX Networks chairman John Landgraf, revealing a close friendship that has endured beyond his time directly working with the network. He emphasized trust in Landgrafs support for the intellectual property and mentioned that the prequel will happen when the timing and conditions align. When we have lunch, we talk about the business and work, but its never about the pursuit of a single project, Sutter explained, suggesting a patient approach toward the series future.

While no immediate production has been announced, Sutter offered hope by confirming that the idea of a Sons of Anarchy prequel remains alive. He acknowledged that there are still untold stories to explore and expressed enthusiasm at the prospect of returning to that world. I dont think its completely off the table, he said, but as things change, you embrace whatever direction youre taken in.

The question remains whether Sons of Anarchy is still relevant enough to warrant a prequel series. Although the shows final season saw protagonist Jax Teller, played by Charlie Hunnam, descend into darker territory as a criminal and serial killer, the series rich backstory continues to captivate fans. One of the most compelling aspects of the original show was the lore surrounding SAMCROs founding members, known as the First 9. Six of these nine were Vietnam War veterans, including Jaxs father John JT Teller and Piermont Piney Winston. The club originally formed as a brotherhood of disillusioned men seeking freedom from societal norms, valuing loyalty and community above all.

However, the clubs trajectory shifted as some members, such as Clarence Clay Morrow and JTs wife Gemma, pursued power and wealth through illegal enterprises. This contrast between the clubs ideals and its eventual corruption is central to the series Shakespearean drama, which Sutter modeled as a contemporary Hamlet.

The proposed prequel, known as Sons of Anarchy: First 9, aims to dive into these foundational stories, shedding light on the original members motivations and struggles. It promises to explore the tragic transformation of the motorcycle club from a noble brotherhood to a criminal organization, revealing secrets that never reached Jaxs generation. For devoted fans, this prequel would provide essential context and deepen the existing mythology, while offering Sutter a chance to subvert expectations with new plot twists.

Currently, viewers can stream the original Sons of Anarchy series on FX-Hulu and Disney+. The shows enduring popularity keeps discussions about its future alive, with many eagerly awaiting any developments on the prequel.

In summary, while there is no confirmed production date, Kurt Sutters recent remarks affirm that a Sons of Anarchy prequel remains a possibility down the line. Fans of the franchise can hold onto hope that the dark, gritty world of SAMCRO will be revisited, exploring its origins and untold stories in greater depth.
Visionary filmmakers like Joachim Trier, Kristen Stewart & Benny Safdie reveal their creative secrets and the thrills of filmmaking at the Hammer Museum.

AceShowbiz - On location at the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, a group of visionary filmmakers gathered to discuss their creative processes and recent works. These directors shared candid reflections on the challenges and thrills of filmmaking, offering a rare glimpse into their artistic minds.

Joachim Trier, dressed in Prada and his own glasses, spoke about the nervous energy that fuels his creativity. "I'm used to being nervous. That's a part of the energy that brings out adrenaline," he explained, emphasizing how anticipation plays a crucial role in his work on Sentimental Value.

Kristen Stewart, outfitted in Chanel from head to toe, revealed her passion for night shoots. She said, "I love shooting all night long. There's nothing like inhabiting spaces that are sort of off limits and at odd hours." This approach shaped her experience on The Chronology of Water, highlighting how unique settings enhance storytelling.

Benny Safdie, wearing Hermes and Entire Studios, shared a philosophical take on superstition in filmmaking. "The only superstition I have is that you can't prove superstitions don't exist. So you might as well obey them in some way," he noted in relation to his work on The Smashing Machine.

Jafar Panahi, in his own shirt and glasses, expressed the universal anxiety directors face during production. "One is always fearful of the film they're making. No matter how confident you are, until a film is finished, you're still doubting it," he remarked, reflecting on the uncertainty behind It Was Just an Accident.

James Vanderbilt, dressed sharply in ISAIA with an IWC watch, described the importance of capturing the first shot smoothly. "The first shotjust get it. Because as soon as you're running film through the camera, everyone relaxes," he said about his experience on Nuremberg.

Mary Bronstein, looking elegant in Dior and Harry Winston earrings, discussed the emotional connection she aimed to foster with her audience. "I needed, in a very radical way, for the audience's empathy and sympathy and concern to stay with Linda," she said about the story behind If I Had Legs I'd Kick You.

Park Chan-Wook, wearing Ferragamo and ISAIA, shared a humorous anecdote from his set. "During the shoot they had to yell and act over silence, which was probably very difficult for them, but very funny to watch," he recalled from filming No Other Choice.

Guillermo del Toro, in his signature glasses and scarf, expressed his philosophy on storytelling. "What you offer as a filmmaker or a storyteller is never solutions. It's experience," he said, summarizing his vision for Frankenstein.

Mona Fastvold, dressed in Givenchy by Sarah Burton with Messika jewelry, reflected on trusting instincts. "I do think your gut instinct gets louder with every film that you make," she shared, referring to her work on The Testament of Ann Lee.

The session was expertly captured by photographer Sinna Nasseri, a first-generation American who transitioned from a legal career to street photography in New York City. The creative direction was led by Michaela Dosamantes and Andrew Wren, with styling by Kathryn Typaldos and production by Daisy Robinson for Brachfeld. Additional support came from a skilled team including Anabella Casanova, Thomas Patton, Anna Sophia Moltke, Mai Qu?nh, Jerrod Roberts, and others, ensuring a seamless and inspiring event.

This gathering not only highlighted the diverse approaches of acclaimed filmmakers but also underscored their shared dedication to the craft. From the adrenaline of the first shot to the uncertainty of a films completion, these directors reveal the complexity and passion behind bringing stories to life on screen.
Discover the feminist black metal band Witch Club Satan in 'Hex,' a documentary following three novice witches challenging the male-dominated scene.

AceShowbiz - In the stark, male-dominated world of Norwegian black metal, a remarkable story unfolds in the documentary Hex. Directed and shot by Maja Holand, this film chronicles the journey of three young womenNikoline, Victoria, and Johannawho form the band Witch Club Satan. Despite having no prior musical experience, they embrace their identities as witches and carve out a space for their feminist black metal collective on the international stage.

Hex debuted internationally at the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival and will be featured next at CPH:DOX, the Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival. The film captures how these novice musicians paint their faces, grab instruments, and rapidly evolve into a band performing at major festivals worldwide, all while confronting deep-seated opposition within the male-centric metal scene.

Maja Holand explains that the story of Witch Club Satan attracted her at a moment of personal crisis. As a new mother of three, feeling creatively stifled and emotionally drained, Holand found inspiration in these womens desire to break free from numbness. They set out to learn instruments despite knowing they might never be good enough, defining themselves as witches with a raw, primal, and grim aesthetic.

This raw energy and transformation resonated deeply with Holand. Initially a cinematographer, she had not planned to direct but felt compelled to document their journey after confirming no one else was doing so. The film explores not only the bands rise but also the individual paths each member takes to embrace their personal identities as witches.

Hex explores themes of female empowerment and rebellion against rigid societal norms. Holand was particularly drawn to the historical context of witch trials and how the term witch has long been used as an insult. Through extensive research, she reframes witchiness as an honorable trait representing the courage to live authentically and fully.

A distinctive narrative device used in the film is a modern-day witch trial courtroom setup. Holand describes how this creative choice came to her during a jog, providing a cinematic way to address the backlash and social media criticism Witch Club Satan faced. In this staged courtroom, a judge reads accusations against the band while witnesses physically appear to voice their opinions. This parallel between past and present judgments of witches adds a powerful structural and thematic layer to the documentary.

Despite the challenges of entering a dark, male-dominated genre, Witch Club Satan openly identifies as a feminist black metal band. Holand acknowledges her own feminist stance as a filmmaker, working with initiatives such as Herstory to amplify female perspectives in the industry. The film spotlights the band members fierce reclamation of power in a scene often hostile to women.

The soundtrack, naturally, features music by Witch Club Satan themselves, complementing the visuals and emotional intensity of their story. The documentarys production was managed by Mari Nilsen Neira, with editing by Holand and Hilde Bjrnstad. Cat&Docs is responsible for the films sales and international distribution.

Looking ahead, Holand hopes Hex will reach audiences ranging from black metal fans to those interested in feminist and witchcraft themes. Professionally, she is considering focusing more on shorter formats such as music videos and short films, as directing feature documentaries demands a great deal of personal energy.

Hex offers an intimate, unvarnished glimpse into the lives of three women challenging conventions through music and identity. It highlights their transformation from inexperienced musicians to powerful figures in a niche yet fiercely competitive cultural space, inviting viewers to reconsider the meaning of witchcraft and female strength in the modern world.
Digman! Season 2 is now streaming on Paramount+. Join Andy Samberg's archaeologist on epic quests to reclaim his legendary status. All 18 episodes available.

AceShowbiz - More than six months after its initial return following a two-year hiatus, Digman! has finally released its entire 18-episode second season on Paramount+. The adult animated comedy, considered one of the best new series of the 2020s, arrived on the streaming platform on April 1st alongside other notable titles like Drillbit Taylor and The Addams Family.

Andy Samberg and Neil Campbell created Digman!, which originally premiered on Comedy Central in 2023. The second season aired between July and August of 2025, but fans had to wait until April 2026 to stream all episodes on Paramount+. The show centers on Rip Digman, voiced by Samberg, a once-famous archaeologist and adventurer who returns to the field after a 12-year break caused by the death of his wife and a betrayal by his former partner. Together with his team, he embarks on quests around the world to recover legendary and mythical artifacts, hoping to redeem his tarnished reputation.

Andy Samberg and Tim Robinson first collaborated on Saturday Night Live and later on the Netflix sketch series I Think You Should Leave. Their partnership continues with Digman!, which has been praised for its sharp humor and absurd style. Critics have described the series as "quality nonsense" (Pajiba) and likened it to a comedic blend of MacGruber, National Treasure, and TaleSpin (SlashFilm). The shows rapid-fire jokes and pop culture parodies, including jabs at Indiana Jones and running gags about whips and snakes, offer nonstop laughter.

Sambergs portrayal of Rip Digman features an exaggerated, Nic Cage-inspired vocal style that adds to the humor. The series combines absurd comedy with high-stakes adventure in each episode, making it a standout for fans of irreverent adult animation similar to Rick and Morty or Inside Job. Episodes involve thrilling missions such as recovering the Ten Commandments, the Brutus dagger, or Hammurabis hat, blending fast-paced action with comedic elements that have been maintained throughout the second season.

While Digman! is not groundbreaking television, it thrives on its ridiculous premise and consistently delivers absurd and hilarious content. The shows mix of parody, adventure, and comedy makes it a must-watch for viewers who appreciate adult animated series with a unique twist.

Regarding the future of the series, more than six months have passed since the second season concluded on Comedy Central, but there has been no official word on renewal or cancellation. Andy Samberg told ScreenRant in February that the series is "not dead" and that discussions about its continuation are ongoing. This leaves fans hopeful for a potential third season, though nothing has been confirmed yet.

As Digman! continues to gain a dedicated following on Paramount+, viewers are encouraged to share their thoughts and join the conversation on the ComicBook Forum. The shows blend of comedy, adventure, and animation makes it one of the standout adult animated comedies of the decade.

In summary, the complete second season of Digman! is now available to stream on Paramount+, offering 18 episodes of fast-paced, irreverent humor centered around Rip Digmans globe-trotting artifact hunts. With its unique blend of parody and adventure, the series remains a top choice for fans of adult animation.
Daredevil: Born Again teases a full Defenders reunion. See Luke Cage, Iron Fist & Jessica Jones return in the new Disney+ season.

AceShowbiz - Filming for Season 3 of Daredevil: Born Again is underway in New York City, and fans have spotted a promising reunion of the beloved Marvel TV series, The Defenders.

On a recent Friday, actors Mike Colter, who stars as Luke Cage, and Finn Jones, known for his role as Iron Fist, were seen on location outside a Brooklyn courthouse. Their presence signals a notable return of fan-favorite characters to the Marvel Television universe.

Adding to the excitement, Krysten Ritter, who portrays Jessica Jones, had previously joined the cast in Season 2. Now with Colter and Jones appearing alongside her, an on-screen reunion of the core Defenders team seems likely in the upcoming season.

This development has sparked speculation about how the interconnected stories of these characters will evolve in Daredevil: Born Again. The series, available on Disney+, continues to expand its narrative by bringing together these iconic heroes in one storyline.

While official plot details remain under wraps, the reunion of Mike Colter, Finn Jones, and Krysten Ritter on set is a clear indication that The Defenders legacy will play a significant role in the new season, much to the delight of Marvel fans awaiting the next chapter.
Now on Netflix: Gareth Edwards' visually stunning sci-fi epic explores AI and humanity. Divisive story, breathtaking world-building.

AceShowbiz - The Creator is a visually ambitious sci-fi movie that has resurfaced on Netflix in the United States. The film originally released in theaters in 2023, where it divided audiences due to its complex narrative and themes, but its striking visuals and expansive world-building have consistently drawn praise.

The move to streaming has given The Creator a chance to connect with viewers who may have missed it in cinemas or were initially hesitant.

Directed by Gareth Edwards, the film features a strong ensemble cast including John David Washington, Gemma Chan, Ken Watanabe, and Madeleine Yuna Voyles. The movie explores intense themes such as war, artificial intelligence, and humanitys moral complexities, wrapped in a visually impressive package that showcases intricate AI designs and futuristic settings.

Despite the mixed reactions to the storys execution, the films visual scale has never been in question. Its impressive $80 million budget is considered modest by Hollywood standards, especially given the elaborate special effects and detailed production design that contribute to its immersive world. This combination of ambition and craftsmanship helps The Creator stand out in a cinematic landscape often dominated by superhero franchises and sequels.

Colliders review by Maggie Lovitt highlights that while the film is not without flaws  including a script with some glaring issues and morally ambiguous storytelling  it remains a remarkable piece of original science fiction. The films attempt to grapple with what it means to be human in a troubled world is ambitious and thought-provoking, even if it does not fully succeed in all its narrative goals.

Lovitt notes, While The Creator is far from a masterpiece, it is a very impressive film to debut in 2023, when vapid superhero films and franchise fodder fill the airways. She praises the films originality and Edwards ability to make familiar sci-fi concepts feel fresh and engaging.

Since its arrival on Netflix, The Creator has sparked renewed discussion among science fiction fans and general audiences alike.

The film runs for 134 minutes and is rated PG-13, combining action, adventure, sci-fi, and drama elements. It was released theatrically on September 29, 2023, and was penned by writers Chris Weitz and Gareth Edwards. The production team includes producers Arnon Milchan, Edwards himself, Jim Spencer, and Kiri Hart, all contributing to the films polished presentation.

Ultimately, The Creator is an example of how original science fiction can still find a place in mainstream cinema, especially when given the chance to be rediscovered through streaming services.

The Creator is now available to stream, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in its ambitious vision and decide for themselves the true meaning behind its exploration of humanity and technology.
Mark Harmon reflects on NCIS's evolution and a major character death in its 500th episode. Explore the show's new era without Gibbs.

AceShowbiz - Mark Harmon expressed strong feelings about a significant character death on NCIS, the CBS procedural that debuted in 2003 and has become a staple of network television. After more than two decades of portraying Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Harmon witnessed the series transition into a new era following Gibbs retirement in season 19. This period of reinvention has brought both challenges and successes, including fluctuations in viewership. The 2025-2026 TV season marked an important stage in the shows evolution as it worked to redefine itself without its iconic lead.

In March 2026, NCIS celebrated a rare milestone with its 500th episode titled All Good Things. Expectations were high that this installment would stand out from the usual weekly stories. Beyond featuring a major case, the episode marked a pivotal moment in the series future by depicting the death of Director Leon Vance, a character played by Rocky Carroll Jr. While Carroll accepted his characters demise, Harmon reportedly had a very different reaction when he learned of the plot development.

During a discussion for the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, Carroll shared insights about Harmons response to Vances death. According to Carroll, the actor was not enthusiastic about the decision and even suggested taking action to prevent the characters exit. Carroll recalled, He wasnt as on board with the idea as I was. Lets just put it that way. He just felt like, Hey, man, what you brought to this role... almost two decades at this role. I think he was speaking from the heart, just like my other cast members too. They just like, No, we dont want this to happen! We dont want this to end! What can we do to make this [go away]?

Carroll explained that his characters response to Harmons sentiment was more accepting, stating, I felt like the character who was talking to Vance. Its like, Come on, it is what it is, but its time to move on. And its a really good episode. Its a good story. So, weve talked and he knows its like, Youre going to live your life.

It is understandable why Harmon felt this way, given his long-standing association with the show. The death of a major character like Vance, who had been a mainstay through many seasons and storylines, signals a profound change for NCIS. Carrolls character had become a central figure as the series navigated its transformation, making his departure particularly poignant.

Despite the sadness surrounding Vances death, critics and fans alike have praised All Good Things for its storytelling. The episode is regarded as one of the most creative and emotionally resonant installments in recent years. Many consider it the most fitting farewell for a character on NCIS, surpassing even the memorable retirement of Gibbs in Alaska. The episodes impact is notable for its bold narrative choices and lasting consequences for the series future direction.

The loss of Vance not only changes the emotional landscape of NCIS but also sets up major plot developments for the show moving forward. The series has yet to depict Vances funeral, leaving open the possibility that future episodes may involve his family, a storytelling approach NCIS has used before to deepen emotional engagement.

Moreover, Vances death creates a vacancy at the helm of the agency within the shows universe, prompting anticipation about who will assume the role of director next. This transition is expected to be a significant milestone as the series continues to evolve in its new era.

Alongside these developments, the departure of Rocky Carroll Jr. from the cast will have ripple effects on the Major Case Response Team (MCRT) and the dynamics among remaining characters. His absence will likely catalyze fresh storylines and challenges for the team, maintaining the procedurals appeal while embracing change.

In summary, Mark Harmons reaction to the major character death in NCISs 500th episode reflects the deep connection and history he has with the show. While he was reluctant to accept Director Leon Vances fate, the episode has been widely praised for its narrative strength and significance. As NCIS moves forward without one of its longest-serving characters, fans can expect impactful stories that honor the past while charting a new course.
Chris Hemsworth reveals why moving his family from LA to Australia was the "greatest decision" during his Marvel fame. Hear his candid reasons on the SmartLe...

AceShowbiz - Chris Hemsworth recently shared insights on a major life decision during an appearance on the "SmartLess" podcast, where he was promoting his new film, Amazon MGM's "Crime 101."

Chris Hemsworth opened up about relocating his family from Los Angeles to Australia, describing it as the "greatest decision" he and his wife, actor Elsa Pataky, made during the peak of his Marvel career. The couple was five years into their marriage when they chose to leave L.A.

Hemsworth explained that the move happened around the time his sons were born. He noted how the family was based in Los Angeles but felt disconnected from the work happening there since most filming occurred elsewhere. Nothing was shooting there, he said, highlighting how their professional commitments often took them away from the city.

Beyond work, Hemsworth described the daily challenges of living amid constant paparazzi attention. Returning home after shoots meant facing intrusive photographers and the pressures tied to celebrity life in L.A. This environment contributed to their decision to move back to his native Australia to create a more peaceful family life.

While based in Australia, Hemsworth continues to work internationally, balancing his career with his familys well-being. The actors reflections offer a glimpse into the difficulties many celebrities face living in Hollywood, particularly when balancing privacy with a high-profile career.

By moving away from Los Angeles, Hemsworth and Pataky prioritized their sons upbringing and their own quality of life, a choice that Hemsworth regards as transformational. The actor's candid remarks on the podcast shed light on the personal sacrifices behind the scenes of global stardom.
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My expert opinion and pricing analysis on the offer

This 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Restomod, featuring a 427ci Big Block V8, M-22 4-speed manual, Ford 9" rear end with 3.89 gears and a Detroit Locker, showing 5,377 miles (Exempt/TMU), is listed at $53,500 out of Coral Springs, Florida.

To put that number in context: a clean, stock-appearing first-gen Camaro with a big block typically trades in the $40,000 to $65,000 range depending on engine, documentation, and presentation. A car with this level of mechanical investment, including a proper Rock Crusher trans, Ford 9" with 35-spline Mosier axles, MSD ignition system, Hooker ceramic-coated headers, rack-and-pinion conversion, roll cage, and frame connectors, sits at the serious end of the restomod segment. At $53,500, this car is not cheap, but it is not pretending to be a stock restoration either. You are buying a built machine, and the ask reflects that.

Video walk-around on this exact Chevrolet Camaro

The offer

Make: Chevrolet

Model: Camaro

Year: 1968

Mileage: 5,377 miles (Exempt / TMU)

Engine: 427ci Big Block V8

Power: 455 HP (reported)

Carburetor: Holley 750 Vacuum Secondary

Transmission: M-22 "Rock Crusher" 4-Speed Manual

Drive type: Rear-wheel drive (RWD)

Rear end: Ford 9" w/ 3.89 Gears, Detroit Locker, 35-Spline Mosier Axles

Exterior color: Red

Interior color: Black

Notable equipment: Hooker Super Comp ceramic-coated headers, MSD ignition system, rack and pinion steering conversion, front disc brakes, aftermarket roll cage, frame connectors, slide-a-link bars, Hurst Competition Plus shifter, JVC head unit, aftermarket fuel cell

Asking price: $53,500

Vehicle location: Coral Springs, Florida, USA

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1968 Chevrolet Camaro restomod listing details

The foundation here is a first-generation F-body, Chevrolet's answer to the Mustang, and by most muscle car enthusiasts' accounting, the more aggressive answer. The 1968 model year brought a refined version of the platform introduced in 1967, and this example uses that credibility as a starting point for a performance build that does not cut corners.

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Power comes from a 427ci Big Block V8 breathing through a Holley 750 vacuum secondary carburetor and a polished aluminum intake manifold, making a reported 455 horsepower. Hooker Super Comp ceramic-coated headers feed into a 3-inch aluminized exhaust, the kind of setup that announces itself whether you want it to or not. The MSD ignition package (Pro-Billet distributor, 6AL ignition box, Blaster 2 coil, 8.5mm plug wires) keeps everything lit reliably. A chrome hi-torque mini starter, aluminum radiator, electric fan, and billet aluminum pulleys round out the engine bay's supporting cast.

Behind the engine sits the M-22 "Rock Crusher" 4-speed, arguably the most desirable manual transmission ever fitted to an American muscle car. It earned its nickname from the gear noise it produces under load, not a flaw, a feature. A Hurst Competition Plus shifter handles the rowing duties, backed by a balanced and resurfaced 11-inch flywheel with a matching 11-inch clutch and pressure plate. Out back, a Ford 9-inch rear end with 3.89 gears, a Detroit Locker differential with nodular case, and 35-spline Mosier axles means the driveline is built to handle whatever the engine puts down.

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The chassis gets its share of attention too: rack-and-pinion steering conversion, partial front-end suspension refresh, polyurethane motor mounts, aftermarket frame connectors, slide-a-link bars, and a roll cage. Front disc brakes with turned rotors and aftermarket pads handle the stopping at the nose; rear drums with turned drums and fresh shoes handle the rest. It is a performance-first build, and the component list reads like someone went through a Summit Racing catalog with intent.

Exterior and interior

The exterior wears a red finish with black rally stripes, the combination that the first-gen Camaro was basically born wearing. Aftermarket front fenders, hood, grille, front spoiler, upper and lower valance, front and rear bumpers, and a fresh windshield give it a clean, purposeful look that has clearly been thought through rather than just bolted together. Polished all-stainless trim and refreshed weatherstripping finish the exterior without overwrought chrome or show-car excess.

Inside, the black reupholstered cabin has received new carpeting, a replacement headliner, and a fresh dash pad. The Hurst Competition Plus shifter dominates the center console in exactly the way it should. A JVC head unit and aftermarket sound system provide the modern concession. The roll cage is visible and functional; this car is not cosplaying as a racer, it has the hardware to back the look up.

1968 Chevrolet Camaro quick take

This 1968 Camaro restomod makes no apologies for what it is: a purpose-built, big-block muscle car with serious driveline hardware, legitimate performance credentials, and a classic red-and-black presentation that turns heads without trying. The 427ci/455hp combination with a Rock Crusher 4-speed and Ford 9" rear end is the powertrain trifecta that muscle car buyers dream about. At $53,500, you are paying for the build, not just the badge, and for a buyer who wants a first-gen Camaro they can actually drive hard, this one delivers.

View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article

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Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. We are not a dealership or broker. All vehicle specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for typographical errors, omissions, or the accuracy of the provided information. Please verify all details directly with the seller.

This story was originally published by Autoblog on Apr 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the Car Buying section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Regular Show: The Lost Tapes revives Mordecai & Rigby's park misadventures! Premieres May 11th on Cartoon Network. New spin-off, classic chaos.

AceShowbiz - Regular Show is returning with a fresh spin-off titled Regular Show: The Lost Tapes, which is poised to become one of Cartoon Networks most eagerly awaited sequels. This new series arrives nearly ten years after the original show concluded, aiming to take audiences back to the era when Mordecai and Rigby were still working at the park under Benson, the gumball-headed manager.

The spin-off is scheduled to premiere on May 11th, and a recently released promotional clip has already sparked interest by showcasing an amusing misadventure involving Mordecai and Rigby. Fans have noticed that the animation style in this promo appears somewhat different and more streamlined compared to what was seen in the original series and the earlier spin-offs.

The new promo features Mordecai and Rigby undergoing an unusual training session with Muscleman. In a comical sequence, both characters drink blenders full of eggs, which leads to trouble for Rigby since, as longtime fans know, he is allergic to eggs. This results in Rigby ending up in the hospital, and Muscleman even offers a rare apology for the mishap. The updated animation design, particularly the character models, shows noticeable changes from previous portrayals of the park employees, which has caught the attention of the fanbase.

Cartoon Network has not provided an official explanation for the altered animation style or character designs. There is speculation that this particular promo might not be a direct scene from the main series but rather a standalone piece or a marketing tool. Therefore, it remains unclear if Regular Show: The Lost Tapes will maintain these visual changes throughout the entire run. Fans will have to wait until the show airs to see if the series embraces this new look or stays true to its original style.

The promotional clip was captured and shared online, offering a high-quality look at the new style and storyline elements. This glimpse into the spin-off has raised questions about how much the show will evolve and what new directions it might explore.

Earlier this year, a different clip was released that resembled scenes from the original series, reinforcing the connection to the classic show. With creator JG Quintel returning not only as the creative force behind the project but also as the voice of Mordecai, many viewers expected the animation and tone to remain consistent with the original. However, the use of modern digital animation tools in recent years could influence the final look of the series.

In a press statement released last month, JG Quintel expressed his excitement about working on Regular Show: The Lost Tapes. He remarked, "It's been so much fun working with everyone on more Regular Show. We're just making stuff for ourselves and trying to crack each other up. It reminds me a lot of the original run. I can't wait for everyone to see it." This comment suggests that while the team is having fun revisiting the franchise, Quintel does not hint at drastic changes to the animation style or the spirit of the show.

Supporting this enthusiasm, Sam Register, President of Warner Bros Animation and Cartoon Network Studios, also shared his thoughts on the return of the beloved characters. He humorously noted, "Thank goodness JG works harder than Mordecai and Rigby, or we might have had to wait another nine years to see these characters again." He praised the teams efforts, saying they have captured the same absurd humor and heartfelt moments that made the original series a classic. Register expressed excitement to welcome fans back to the park with the new episodes.

The upcoming spin-off is confirmed to have a substantial number of episodes, with at least forty-four planned. This signals a significant commitment from Cartoon Network and suggests that fans can expect several seasons or years of new content featuring Mordecai and Rigby.

As the premiere date approaches, speculation continues about whether the series will fully adopt the updated animation style seen in the promo or blend it with the originals visual identity. The changes may reflect an effort to modernize the show for new audiences while retaining the charm that longtime fans cherish.

Fans are encouraged to share their opinions on the evolving look of Regular Show: The Lost Tapes and join discussions on various forums. The communitys reaction will likely influence how the show is received upon release and could impact its future direction.

In summary, Regular Show: The Lost Tapes is set to debut on May 11th with a fresh approach that includes both familiar characters and possibly new animation techniques. With the original creator at the helm and a lengthy episode count confirmed, the spin-off promises to deliver the humor and heart that made the original series a fan favorite, while potentially introducing some visual updates to the beloved park employees.
Israeli filmmaker Tom Shoval defends Berlinale director Tricia Tuttle amid controversy over festival's closing gala speech. Industry rallies behind her leade...

AceShowbiz - Israeli filmmaker Tom Shoval, known for his documentary A Letter to David, has publicly expressed strong support for the embattled director of the Berlin International Film Festival, Tricia Tuttle, amid ongoing controversy surrounding the festivals recent closing gala.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Tom Shoval stated, "I believe in the festival and in Tricia. She's been doing an incredible job under impossible conditions. She's not the one who should be under fire." His comments come as numerous filmmakers, actors, and industry insiders rally behind Tuttle, who faces criticism and uncertainty over her future at the Berlinale.

The controversy ignited after the festivals closing ceremony when Syrian-Palestinian director Abdallah al-Khatib used his acceptance speech to deliver a sharp critique of Israel and Germany, accusing the German government of being "partners in the genocide." This speech sparked a media backlash and calls for Tuttle to be removed from her position.

Following the incident, Germanys culture minister, Wolfram Weimer, convened a crisis meeting on Thursday with Tuttle and the Berlinale supervisory board to discuss the "future direction of the Berlinale." A brief statement from Weimers office confirmed that discussions related to the festivals future would continue in the coming days, but Tuttle's fate remains unresolved. She is currently two years into a five-year contract as the American festival director.

The backlash intensified when German tabloid Bild highlighted a photo from the previous week showing Tuttle posing with the film crew of Abdallah al-Khatib's film, some of whom wore keffiyeh scarves and held a Palestinian flag. The festival responded by noting that it is common practice for the director to take photos with film teams during the event.

Tom Shoval attended this years Berlinale with a new cut of his documentary A Letter to David, a tribute to his actor friend David Cunio, who was held hostage by Hamas on October 7 and recently released. The original version of the film premiered at last years Berlinale, coinciding with Tuttle's first year as director.

Reflecting on his interactions with Tuttle, Tom Shoval praised her character, saying, "The Tricia that I met and talked to was somebody with a lot of integrity and human instinct. She saw the suffering of David's family. She kept the political thing aside and was willing to do whatever it takes to bring the film to the Berlinale, to screen it, to create awareness, but also to give us a safe place to talk about art, but also to talk about David without feeling attacked."

As head of the Berlinale, Tuttle has been focused on restoring the festivals reputation as an open forum, where diverse voices can be heard without fear. Tom Shoval explained, "She has a vision of trying to bring the Berlinale back to what it used to be, a platform where everybody can say whatever they want and feel safe to do so."

While acknowledging that some speeches at the awards ceremony, including those by Al-Khatib, might be difficult to hear, Tom Shoval emphasized that such moments do not define the entire festival. "I don't think it's the whole story of the Berlinale," he said.

The support for Tuttle has been widespread. Nearly 700 filmmakers have signed a petition backing her leadership, including prominent Hollywood figures such as Tilda Swinton, Sean Baker, and Todd Haynes. Among the signatories is Germanys Ilker Catak, whose film Yellow Letters won the 2026 Berlinale Golden Bear for best film. Cataks drama explores threats to artistic freedom under authoritarian regimes and was shot in Germany.

In addition, the German and European film academies, the Jerusalem and Haifa film festivals, and approximately 500 Berlinale staff members have publicly expressed their support for Tuttle.

Tom Shoval concluded by expressing hope that Tuttle would remain in her role despite the immense pressure she faces. "I really hope Tricia stays in her position. I know that even if she stays, she's now under a lot of pressure, but I think she's the person to handle it. Her integrity is very important to the festival. I think she needs all the help she can get."
Matthew Lillard discusses Scream, Shaggy, and his new Ghost Face Vodka in a playful interview with ScreenRant's Going Method.

AceShowbiz - Matthew Lillard recently appeared on the inaugural episode of ScreenRants Going Method with Ash, where he offered fans an inside look at his career and teased exciting upcoming projects. Known for his iconic role as Stu Macher in the Scream franchise and as the definitive Shaggy for many Scooby-Doo fans, Lillard has continued to diversify his work, including launching a DnD-inspired improv comedy series called Faster, Purple Worm! Kill! Kill! and delivering a moving performance in Mike Flanagans The Life of Chuck. This episode of Going Method put Lillard in a playful competition involving Bloody Mary cocktails, created with his own companys latest product, Ghost Face Vodka.

The new spirit, Ghost Face Vodka, is a German Potato Vodka launched in early February by Macabre Spirits, co-founded by Lillard and screenwriter Justin Ware. The vodka ties directly into the Scream universe, featuring a Mafia game accessible via a QR code on the bottle. Lillard explained, One of the things that we do as a company is that we're never just transacting on the thing you love. We're giving you a story. His vision is for people to gather, play the Mafia game, drink, and have fun together, enhancing the fan experience beyond just the movies.

Lillards return to the Scream franchise in Scream 7 was a surprise. After a brief cameo in Scream 2 and decades of rumors about his character Stu Machers fate, Lillard was unsure if he would ever reprise the role. Screenwriter and director Kevin Williamson initially suggested publicly that the franchise didnt need Lillards return, which crushed the actors hopes. However, Williamson later clarified that his comments were meant to keep Lillards involvement a secret until the movies release. Unfortunately, the news leaked early, forcing an official announcement.

Lillard expressed gratitude for being back and emphasized his priority was fans enjoyment. He praised the previous creative team, Radio Silence, who directed Scream 5 and Scream 6, calling their work fantastic and applauding cast members like Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega. However, he noted a difference in tone between the early films and the recent installments, describing the latter as more violent and less focused on the cat-and-mouse suspense that defined the originals. Williamsons return as both writer and director for Scream 7 brings back that original charm, something Lillard welcomes enthusiastically.

While embracing his return to the horror classic, Lillard is also ready to close the chapter on another beloved role. When asked about joining the upcoming live-action Scooby-Doo series on Netflix, he declined, saying that the days of playing a wily teenager like Shaggy are behind him. However, he remains supportive of the franchise and has offered to mentor the next actor who takes on the role. Lillard described Shaggy as a symbol of storytellings powerportraying a scared kid who overcomes his fears and emphasizing the importance of friendship, which has personal significance for him.

Looking ahead, Lillard shared details about his work with director Mike Flanagan on the new TV adaptation of Stephen Kings Carrie. Unlike the famous 1976 Brian De Palma film that focused on the prom scene, this adaptation delves deeper into the novels complex themes. Flanagan incorporates real-life incidents of bullying and presents the story from multiple perspectives: the parents, school faculty, and the students themselves. This approach modernizes the narrative, making it more relatable to todays audiences.

Lillard praised Flanagans storytelling skills and his ability to honor Kings work with honesty and character depth. The adaptation features a talented young cast. Lillards enthusiasm for this project highlights his ongoing commitment to meaningful and challenging roles beyond his cult favorites.
WGA secures tentative 4-year deal with studios. New contract includes AI protections, streaming residuals, and improved health benefits for writers.

AceShowbiz - The Writers Guild of America (Writers Guild of America) reached a tentative agreement with major studios and streaming platforms on Saturday morning. The new deal is set to last four years, extending beyond the traditional three-year term typically seen in such contracts.

While specific details of the agreement have not been fully disclosed, key issues that the WGA pushed for include improved health care benefits. The union demanded increased contributions to their Health Fund and Pension Plan to better support their members' well-being and financial security.

In addition, according to Deadline, the tentative contract also addresses protections related to artificial intelligence, alongside raising fees and residual payments specifically for streaming content. These provisions reflect the evolving landscape of media consumption and the growing importance of streaming services in the industry.

The previous contract for the WGA was set to expire on May 1. Although the tentative deal has been reached, union members must still vote to approve it. There is currently no announced date for when this vote will take place.

Notably, the WGA did not request authorization from its members to initiate a strike this time. This may be connected to the ongoing strike by 115 union employees of WGA West, who have been on strike for about seven weeks. These employees are primarily responsible for organizing any potential writers' strike on behalf of the guild.
Rick Ross critiques Pooh Shiesty's contract dispute with Gucci Mane, following an alleged armed studio takeover and robbery that could bring life sentences.

AceShowbiz - Rick Ross recently addressed the controversy surrounding Pooh Shiesty and his contract with Gucci Mane, offering a business lesson on how the situation should have been handled.

Following a serious incident on January 10, 2026, where Pooh Shiesty and Big30 allegedly led an armed takeover at a Dallas studio, the situation escalated to dangerous levels. Prosecutors report that nine individuals were involved in the coordinated event, during which Pooh Shiesty reportedly brandished an AK-style pistol and forced a victim to sign a release from their recording contract. Meanwhile, Big30 blocked the exit by physically barricading the door.

The incident reportedly included robbery of expensive items such as Rolex watches, jewelry, and cash, with one victim nearly choked unconscious. The severity of these actions has led to all nine suspects being arrested, facing potential life sentences if convicted.

Rick Ross weighed in on the matter, emphasizing that violence is never the answer in business disputes. "I don't like it for either side," Ross stated. He acknowledged that Gucci Mane did not deserve such treatment, and expressed concern for the future of Pooh Shiesty.

Ross highlighted the importance of negotiation over force, explaining that if an artist initially signs a contract for $100,000 but later has $10 million on the table, the correct path is to negotiate rather than resort to intimidation. "In business, you got to negotiate. Everybody wins, let's go. You can't muscle your way out of no s*** in no business," he said, offering a clear message on professional conduct.

At the time of the incident, Pooh Shiesty was reportedly on home confinement due to a prior firearms conspiracy conviction, adding complexity to his legal situation. The case continues to develop as authorities pursue charges against all involved.
Ride with Lucky Luke on Disney+! This new live-action series brings the iconic comic gunslinger to life with humor, history, and adventure in the Old West.

AceShowbiz - The Western genre continues to thrive on streaming platforms, and Disney+ has joined the fray with the launch of an eight-part series centered on the iconic character Lucky Luke. This beloved figure, who first appeared in a comic strip in 1946, has been adapted numerous times across various media including animated shows and live-action films. Now, the character steps confidently into the streaming era with a fresh take that is quickly gaining traction worldwide.

Lucky Luke stars Alban Lenoir as the titular gunslinger navigating the challenges of the Old West. Throughout the series, viewers encounter famous historical figures such as Jesse James and Calamity Jane, weaving real history into the fictional adventures.

This new Disney+ series retains the irreverent humor that fans of the original comics have long appreciated. It arrives nearly forty years after an animated adaptation and more than thirty years following a live-action film starring Italian actor Terence Hill.

The story in Lucky Luke follows the gunslinger on a mission to find a young womans missing mother, creating a compelling mystery within the sprawling Western landscape. The show also features performances by Billie Blain and Alice Taglioni, enriching the cast and bringing new energy to the series.

Disney+s timing aligns with a broader resurgence of Franco-Belgian comic adaptations, highlighted by last years release of an Asterix and Obelix animated series on Netflix. Fans of European comics are witnessing a renaissance on streaming platforms, broadening the appeal of these classic stories.

Despite not being available in the United States yet, Lucky Luke has already become one of the most-watched shows on Disney+ globally, according to data from FlixPatrol. This highlights the universal appeal of Western tales and the enduring popularity of the character.

As streaming services compete for original and engaging content, the Western genres revival is evident. Disney+s entry with Lucky Luke not only satisfies the demand for Western stories but also introduces a wider audience to a classic European comic hero. The combination of historical elements, humor, and adventure positions the series as a standout in the current television landscape.

Directed by Benjamin Rocher, the series launched on March 23, 2026, and combines comedy, Western, and adventure genres. Alongside Alban Lenoir, Victor Le Blond appears as Billy le Kid, with Billie Blain and Alice Taglioni rounding out the main cast. This ensemble helps bring the colorful world of Lucky Luke to life with contemporary appeal.
Explore Fakir Musafar, the pioneering force of Modern Primitivism who transformed body modification into radical queer art and spiritual ritual.

AceShowbiz - Fakir Musafar stands as an extraordinary figure in the realm of queer body performance and photography, though many remain unfamiliar with his pioneering work. From the mid-1940s until his passing in 2018 due to cancer, Musafar, born Roland Loomis, explored the limits of the human body through piercing, tattooing, and other transformative practices. His artistry involved piercing the skin, genitalia, and torsonot only his own but also that of consenting participantsusing knives, hooks, and other tools to manipulate flesh and skin in ways that challenged societal norms.

Fakir Musafar was a central figure in the "Modern Primitives" movement, a subculture that embraced extreme body modification as a blend of spirituality, ritual, and countercultural expression. This movement, deeply rooted in queer and sexually transgressive communities, has often been misunderstood or dismissed as self-harm or exploitation. However, filmmaker Angelo Madsen Minaxs documentary A Body to Live In sensitively reframes Musafars work, emphasizing the intentionality behind the acts and the deep artistry involved.

A Body to Live In uses a rich array of archival footage and personal testimonials to construct a nuanced portrait of Musafar. The film foregrounds his own voice alongside those of his devotees and loved ones, creating a complex web of influence and impact. Musafar sought to dismantle taboos by openly discussing his work in public forums and television appearances, striving to destigmatize body modification and the communities engaged in these practices.

Central to Musafars legacy is his profound commitment to bodily autonomy as an art form. This principle of self-determination over ones own body continues to resonate powerfully in contemporary conversations about identity, consent, and expression. Angelo Madsen Minax thoughtfully balances celebration with critique, acknowledging that some aspects of Musafars worksuch as his adoption of Indigenous practices and his chosen namewould today be recognized as cultural appropriation. Indeed, by 1993, leaders from Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota tribes explicitly forbade non-Indigenous people like Musafar from engaging in sacred rituals, concerned about misrepresentation of their traditions.

Despite these controversies, Musafar showed openness to these critiques. His life invites viewers to question initial assumptions about BDSM, body alteration, and queer sexual practices, encouraging a more respectful and dignified understanding. The film asserts that even niche or transgressive communities deserve recognition and respect, especially when their work centers on autonomy and self-expression.

A Body to Live In is a gentle yet compelling viewing experience, remarkable for how it humanizes a figure whose work might otherwise appear shocking or intimidating. The films deliberate pacing and focus on personal narrative help unpack the complexity behind Musafars extreme practices, revealing a tender portrait of a trailblazer who reshaped how we think about bodies and identity.

The documentary is set to premiere in Los Angeles on February 27, 2026, before embarking on a North American tour. For those interested in exploring the intersections of art, queerness, and bodily sovereignty, A Body to Live In offers an essential and timely perspective.

With a runtime of 98 minutes and directed by Angelo Madsen Minax, the film features appearances by Musafar himself and other influential figures in the body modification community, including Annie Sprinkle. The thoughtful presentation earned it an 8 out of 10 rating, reflecting its success in illuminating a complex subject with care and respect.

Ultimately, Fakir Musafars work underscores the importance of reclaiming the body as a site of artistic and personal freedom. In an era where conversations about identity and consent are more vital than ever, A Body to Live In reminds us that bodily autonomy remains a radical and necessary form of self-expression.
Explore Taylor Sheridan's intense spy thriller. Zoe Saldana leads a CIA program in this gritty, character-driven drama of moral ambiguity and covert ops.

AceShowbiz - Special Ops: Lioness creator Taylor Sheridan continues to broaden his television empire, balancing the sprawling neo-Western saga of Yellowstone with a sleek, intense spy thriller that remains a vital part of his output. While Special Ops: Lioness hasnt grown into the massive franchise that Yellowstone enjoys, it strikes with a focused precision that complements Sheridans signature storytelling style.

The series stars Zoe Saldana as CIA officer Joe McNamara, the leader of a covert program embedding female operatives within terrorist cells. Set against the backdrop of the War on Terror, the show brings a unique urgency to Sheridans body of work. However, what truly keeps viewers engaged is Sheridans trademark emphasis on complex characters and moral ambiguity, wrapped in procedural grit and realism. His creative fingerprints are evident throughout the series, highlighting the tough ethical dilemmas faced by those in the intelligence world.

As anticipation builds for new Yellowstone chapters, confirmation of Special Ops: Lioness season 3s imminent return underscores the shows growing importance within Sheridans expanding television portfolio. Though quieter than his Western juggernaut, the spy thriller remains a crucial piece of the creators broader narrative and thematic landscape.

Special Ops: Lioness season 2 ended in 2024 with a harrowing finale titled The Covenant, which left fans shaken. The dramatic climax of the Iran mission pushed Joe and her team to their limits, delivering a mixture of survival and sacrifice that only Sheridans writing could achieve. Despite the intense ending, updates on the shows continuation were slow to arrive, creating a palpable sense of anticipation among the audience.

Season 3 was officially confirmed in August 2025, though details about the production remained sparse for some time. This silence only heightened excitement, especially when compared to the frequent news drops about Sheridans other projects. Now, hope is renewed as Genesis Rodriguez, who portrays intelligence specialist Cruz Manuelos, revealed in February 2026 that filming for the new season is nearing completion. While a premiere date has not yet been announced, this milestone suggests a likely release in late 2026 or early 2027.

Fans eagerly await the continuation of the story following the fallout from the Iran mission. Special Ops: Lioness season 3 will likely escalate the geopolitical stakes, maintaining the shows commitment to exploring the complex realities of espionage. If past seasons are any indication, Sheridan will deepen the series exploration of moral complexity and unflinching realism. The long wait for new episodes is drawing to a close, and Special Ops: Lioness is poised to return with renewed intensity.

Taylor Sheridan is widely recognized for redefining the modern Western with Yellowstone, a series that has become a hallmark of prestige television. Its sprawling narrative has been expanded through spinoffs such as 1883 and 1923, which trace the Dutton family legacy across generations. Yet, Sheridans creative vision extends well beyond the ranch and the frontier.

Special Ops: Lioness exemplifies this broader scope. Trading traditional Western motifs for espionage and covert operations, the show retains Sheridans hallmark intensity and character focus. It complements other non-Western series in his portfolio, including Mayor of Kingstown, starring Jeremy Renner as Mike McLusky, which tackles themes of incarceration and systemic corruption. Another notable project is Tulsa King, featuring Sylvester Stallone as a displaced mob boss rebuilding his empire in Oklahoma.

While none of these series fit the Western genre, they share Sheridans thematic preoccupations: power struggles, institutional decay, and flawed authority figures. Their success confirms that Sheridans influence is not confined to a single genre or setting. When Special Ops: Lioness season 3 debuts, it will further cement his reputation as a versatile storyteller whose audience is willing to follow him across diverse narratives, whether on horseback or in high-stakes intelligence operations.
Nexstar's $6.2B Tegna merger, backed by Trump, aims to create the largest U.S. local TV giant, reaching 80% of households. Deal set to close by June 30.

AceShowbiz - Perry Sook, CEO of Nexstar Media Group, expressed gratitude for the backing of President Donald Trump regarding the company's pending acquisition of Tegna in a $6.2 billion deal. This transaction, if completed, would create the largest local TV station owner in the United States, reaching approximately 80% of American households.

During Nexstars fourth-quarter earnings call, Sook addressed questions from Wall Street analysts about the mergers progress. He confirmed that the deal remains on track to close by June 30, marking the end of the second quarter. The combination of Nexstar and Tegna would significantly reshape the local television landscape, consolidating a vast network of stations under one corporate umbrella.

Support from President Trump was highlighted as a key positive development for the merger. Earlier in the month, Trump publicly endorsed the deal on his social media platform, Truth Social, emphasizing that the merger would foster increased competition against what he described as THE ENEMY, the Fake News National TV Networks.

The endorsement from a sitting president is unusual in the broadcast industry and demonstrates the political significance attributed to the merger. Nexstar and Tegna executives appear confident that with this level of support, regulatory approval and closing the deal by the targeted June deadline are achievable goals.

As the media landscape continues to evolve, this megadeal will likely have wide-reaching implications for local news distribution, advertising markets, and viewers nationwide. Industry watchers will be closely monitoring any further developments on the merger as the proposed closing date approaches.
Kyle Cooke breaks his silence on the Amanda Batula & West Wilson controversy, expressing concern for his estranged wife in a revealing street interview.

AceShowbiz - Kyle Cooke, known for his role on Bravos Summer House, has publicly addressed the recent controversy surrounding his estranged wife, Amanda Batula, and fellow cast member West Wilson. The situation has captivated fans and sparked intense discussion across social media platforms.

During a spontaneous interview with TikTok creator Adam Glyn on the streets of New York City, Kyle Cooke expressed concern for Amanda Batula amidst the backlash she has faced following the public confirmation of her relationship with West Wilson. The interview, released in three parts, highlighted Cookes perspective on the ongoing tension between the cast members.

In the initial segment of the interview, posted on Wednesday, Cooke revealed that he is "really worried about Amanda" and pointed out the contrasting public reactions toward the two. He noted that while West Wilson has experienced a surge of approximately 50,000 new followers on social media, Batula has been subjected to widespread cyberbullying.

"I understand people have all sorts of opinions, and I'm not justifying any behavior, but from where I'm standing, she's kind of getting cyberbullied," Cooke said. He further described Wilson as someone who appears to be "playing multiple women at the same time," implying a manipulative pattern in his behavior. The reality star expressed sympathy for Batulas situation, emphasizing how the social media reactions have been uneven and unfair.

The controversy erupted publicly after Batula and Wilson issued a joint statement on Tuesday confirming their romantic relationship, following weeks of rumors about their closeness. This announcement came after Batula and Cooke revealed their separation earlier in January. Notably, Wilson had previously dated Ciara Miller, another Summer House cast member and a close friend of Batula, which added complexity to the unfolding drama.

Before the official confirmation, both Batula and Wilson consistently denied the rumors. In fact, Cooke himself defended the pair in a March 10 episode of Watch What Happens Live, calling the allegations "outrageous," showing how quickly circumstances shifted.

In the third part of the interview released on Thursday, Cooke was questioned about the timeline of the relationship between Batula and Wilson. He admitted some uncertainty regarding the exact details but emphasized his priority is supporting Amanda through a difficult emotional period.

"There's a little murkiness as to our separation and when we put the announcement out that I think we'll have to address at the reunion," Cooke acknowledged. "Right now, I'm just honestly more concerned about Amanda's mental health than I am trying to get to the bottom of it, because I am worried about her." He expressed doubt that Wilson is able to provide the support Batula needs, highlighting his own decade-long role as her caretaker during their relationship.

Cooke also criticized Wilsons behavior on Summer House, suggesting that Wilson positioned himself as a champion for women, including Batula, while simultaneously making strategic comments to damage Cookes reputation. He described Wilsons approach as calculated, aimed at winning over the audience and improving his own image.

"West is smart enough to know who the audience is and he knows clearly what to say to women to win them over," Cooke said. "Everyone's like, 'Oh my God, look at his redemption arc,' and he was just piling on strategically, for sure." He explained that the show films confessionals after events occur, allowing Wilson to craft a narrative that benefited him while making Cooke look worse.

When asked about the reactions from other cast members, Cooke shared that many are "super disappointed" by the developments. He acknowledged the difficulty of the situation given his long relationship with Batula and her friendship with Ciara Miller, who also has personal ties with Wilson. Cooke suggested that Batula has borne the brunt of the backlash, while he believes Wilson is adept at manipulation, including of Batula, noting they are not yet officially divorced.

The Hollywood Reporter reached out to representatives for Wilson for comment but did not receive a response by publication time. Meanwhile, Ciara Miller has not publicly addressed the scandal directly but notably unfollowed both Batula and Wilson on Instagram following their joint statement. On the same day, Miller posted a video of her interviewing the cast of Your Friends & Neighbors, captioned with a pointed remark: "If you can't trust your Friends & Neighbors, who can you trust?"

Sources indicate that the cameras will not capture the fallout from this scandal during filming, which is set to occur in the coming weeks. Historically, Bravo has resumed production amidst controversies, as seen during the Vanderpump Rules season 10 cheating scandal famously dubbed "Scandoval."

Leading up to the announcement, cast members of Summer House shared subtle hints and reaction posts on Instagram Stories that seemed to foreshadow the confirmed rumors. Lindsay Hubbard, for example, posted a selfie with Ciara Miller alongside a shocked reaction image from the show. Several other cast members, including Carl Radke and KJ Dillard, shared meme-style responses, while Austen Kroll from Southern Charm also commented with a sarcastic Instagram Story referencing the drama.

On Thursday, Hubbard posted another Instagram Story expressing frustration with the situation, simply writing, "Welp... I'm about ready to throw my phone today..." In addition, Jesse Solomon responded to questions about prior knowledge of the relationship between Batula and Wilson, comparing it to the Vanderpump Rules scandal where insiders were aware but denied rumors multiple times.

"I heard the rumors, but they were denied to me multiple times," Solomon wrote in an Instagram comment, acknowledging the secrecy within the group.

The drama surrounding Amanda Batula, Kyle Cooke, and West Wilson continues to ripple through the Summer House cast and its fanbase. With the reunion filming on the horizon, many expect these issues to be addressed directly on screen, promising a tense and revealing season ahead.
The Toyota RAV4 has achieved spectacular success on the sales floor in 2025 as the best-selling car in the U.S., selling a total of 479,288 vehicles during the calendar year. This successful milestone is one that speaks to the RAV4's many strengths in the marketplace.

But when it comes to reliability, there are a number of SUVs that rate higher in this important area than the Toyota RAV4 does. In the JD Power 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, the Toyota brand finished in eighth place, while the Toyota RAV4 was not selected as one of the top three models in either the Small SUV, the Compact SUV, or the Midsize SUV categories. In fact, no other Toyota SUV was either. U.S. News and World Report recently released a report on their picks for the Most Reliable SUVs. The U.S. News ratings combined JD Power reliability scores for individual SUVs with their own Values Score to come up with what they believe are the most reliable SUVs currently available.

For the purposes of this article, we will cover the top five 2026 SUVs that scored the highest in U.S. News' rankings. Any SUVs that were discontinued after the 2025 model year will be eliminated, since there may or may not be any of these vehicles remaining on dealers' lots at the current moment.

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Read more: 10 Toyota Models With Terrible Resale Value

2026 Buick Encore GX - Most reliable SUV overall

Front 3/4 view of Buick Encore GX on beach by the sea - Buick

Buick did very well in the JD Power 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, coming in second place among the various vehicle brands. The Buick Encore GX, which U.S. News named its most reliable SUV overall, tied for third place in JD Power's Small SUV category with a reliability score of 90 points out of a possible 100. The U.S. News Value Score gave the Encore GX 4.9 points out of 10. In the words of U.S. News, "The Encore GX has elegant exterior styling and a welcoming cabin. The first row is spacious and comfortable, but the second row and cargo area fall short of class standards." Our review of the Buick Encore GX showed that it brought the luxury Avenir trim to a small SUV. Encore GX pricing starts at $27,995.

The Buick Encore GX is powered by two turbocharged three-cylinder engines of either 1.2 or 1.3 liters displacement. Horsepower increases from 137 to 155 horsepower with the larger engine, while a CVT handles transmission duties with front-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic is paired with all-wheel drive. Car and Driver performance testing of an Encore GX with the 1.3-liter engine and all-wheel drive produced a 0-60 mph time of 8.8 seconds, with a quarter-mile time of 16.9 seconds at 82 mph. Roadholding on the skidpad measured 0.81g.

Cargo space is adequate for a small SUV. The Buick Encore GX has 24 cu. ft. of space behind the second row, expanding to 50 cu. ft. with the second row folded.

2026 Hyundai Venue - Best budget SUV

Front 3/4 view of Hyundai Venue parked on dirt in front of mural - Hyundai

The 2026 Hyundai Venue was given the U.S. News best budget option in a reliable SUV award. The entry-level Venue SE is priced at $22,150 including freight. While the Hyundai brand as a whole placed 12th in the JD Power 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, the Venue tied for third place (with the Buick Encore GX) in JD Power's Small SUV category with a reliability score of 88 out of 100. The Hyundai Venue also received a U.S. News Value Score of 7.4 out of 10. The Hyundai Venue is the smallest SUV you can buy in the U.S. U.S. News commented that the Venue's, "...performance is much better suited to city traffic than highway cruising."

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This could have something to do with the power source for the Hyundai Venue being a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and driving the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission. Performance testing of the Venue, administered by Car and Driver, produced a 0-60 mph sprint that took 8.5 seconds, while the quarter-mile went by in 16.7 seconds at 83 mph, comparable to the Buick Encore GX above. Skidpad roadholding was recorded at 0.82g, also similar to the Encore GX.

The Hyundai Venue has a cargo capacity in line with its diminutive size. Behind the second row, the Venue has 19 cu. ft. of cargo space. Folding the second row enlarges the amount of space to 32 cu. ft. In this department, the Buick Encore GX offers more.

2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer - Best SUV for families

Front 3/4 view of Chevrolet Trailblazer on rock bank by a lake - Chevrolet

The 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer received the U.S. News best reliable SUV for families honors. Its JD Power reliability score hit 88 points out of 100, while its U.S. News Value Score was 7.4 out of 10. Just one short year ago, in 2025, the Trailblazer was named the highest-quality small SUV, according to JD Power, so this recognition is well-deserved. In addition, Chevrolet as a brand placed fifth in the JD Power 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. U.S. News praised the Trailblazer as, "...one of the most spacious subcompact crossovers on the market, with generous seating for five," but also commented that its, "Acceleration is sluggish regardless of which engine you choose..." Chevy Trailblazer pricing starts at $25,095.

Those Chevrolet Trailblazer engines that you can choose from include the same 1.2-liter and 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engines found in the Buick Encore GX, with outputs of 133 and 155 horsepower, respectively. Transmission choices are also the same, pairing a CVT with front-wheel drive while the AWD version gets a nine-speed automatic. Car and Driver did performance testing and got a 0-60 mph time of 8.7 seconds and a quarter-mile run taking 16.7 seconds, with a trap speed of 83 mph. As you might expect, these numbers are within a few ticks of the Buick Encore GX, which has similar drivetrain components.

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Cargo space in the Trailblazer is slightly larger than that of the Buick. It offers 25 cu. ft. behind the second row, improving to 54 cu. ft. with the second row folded.

2026 BMW X6 - Most Luxurious SUV

Front 3/4 view of BMW X6 - BMW

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The 2026 BMW X6 is the winner of the U.S. News most luxurious and reliable SUV award. The X6 has a J.D. Power Reliability Score of 89 out of 100, as well as a U.S. News Value Score of 6.4 out of 10. BMW ranked 11th in the JD Power 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, placing one spot above Hyundai. U.S. News stated that the BMW X6, "...has fantastic, user-friendly technology and a high level of build quality." Our review of the BMW X6 appreciated its solid performance and opulent interior. Pricing for the BMW X6 starts at $78,750, with a lengthy options list available for your perusal. The BMW X6 is also the highest-priced vehicle tested by U.S. News for its report on the most reliable SUVs.

The X6 xDrive40i (its full name) gets its power from a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine paired with a mild hybrid system producing a total of 375 horsepower, flowing through an eight-speed automatic transmission before being sent to all four wheels. The BMW X6 had its performance tested by Car and Driver, which revealed that it could do 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds, with a quarter-mile time of 13.4 seconds at 102 mph. Roadholding on the skidpad came in at 0.90g.

While the BMW X6 is an SUV, it is also an SUV Coupe, which means a sloping roofline that cuts into available space. There's 27.4 cu. ft. of space behind the second row, which grows to 59.6 cu. ft. with the second row folded.

2026 Ford Bronco Sport - Next most reliable SUV

Front 3/4 view of Ford Bronco Sport traversing bumps in the dirt - Ford

The 2026 Ford Bronco Sport is the next highest-rated SUV on the U.S. News list of most reliable SUVs. It arrives with a JD Power Reliability Score of 88 out of 100, along with a U.S. News Value Score of 6.8 out of 10. As a brand, Ford placed 19th in the JD Power 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. U.S. News stated that the Ford Bronco Sport, "...boasts impressive capability, and it's a relative bargain for an all-terrain SUV." Our review of the Ford Bronco Sport discovered that while it had more off-road capability than the competition, it was not the most fuel-efficient compact crossover.

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Power options for the Ford Bronco Sport start with a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and top out with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that puts out 250 horses. Whichever Bronco Sport engine you choose, the transmission is an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive is standard. In performance testing by Car and Driver, the Ford Bronco Sport made it from 0-60 mph in 8.1 seconds with the three-cylinder engine, improving to 5.9 seconds with the four-cylinder mill on board. The quarter mile took 16.2 seconds with the three and a quicker 14.5 seconds with the four.

Cargo space is better than you might expect, thanks to its boxy body structure. Behind the second row is 32.5 cu. ft. of storage, unless you get the optional off-road spare tire that raises the floor level. Folding the second row seat down opens up the storage area to a total of 65.2 cu. ft.

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At 70, Robert Earl Keen enjoys a revival. Championed by stars like Tyler Childers, he tours anew, proving the road truly goes on forever.

AceShowbiz - At 70 years old, Robert Earl Keen finds himself in the midst of an unexpected revival, continuing to tour and captivate audiences well beyond his announced retirement in 2022. Known for his classic anthem "The Road Goes on Forever," Keen is now being championed by a new wave of artists who grew up admiring his work, helping him reach fresh, enthusiastic audiences.

Keen credits this resurgence to the support of rising stars like Tyler Childers, Turnpike Troubadours, and Cross Canadian Ragweed, who regularly invite him on stage or introduce him to their fans. This camaraderie has brought Keen into new venues and spotlight moments, including a memorable debut at the Grand Ole Opry facilitated by Childers last summer.

In early 2026, Turnpike Troubadours had Keen open for their sold-out theater tour dates, while Cross Canadian Ragweed featured him in a stadium show in Texas during the previous summer. Tyler Childers has gone even further to elevate Keen, inviting him to support his upcoming concert at the 20,000-capacity Dos Equis Pavilion in Dallas and collaborating on charitable efforts.

One notable event was the 2025 Applause for the Cause benefit concert, co-headlined by Keen and Childers, which raised over $3 million for flood relief in the Texas Hill Country. During the festival, Childers performed a lengthy set backed by Keens band, demonstrating the mutual respect and creative synergy between the two artists.

Their connection dates back to 2018, when Keen first saw Childers perform at New Braunfels iconic Gruene Hall. Captivated by Childers bluegrass-inflected hit "Purgatory," Keen recognized the Kentucky songwriters unique talent and lyrical prowess, likening him to a blend of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Hank Williams. This friendship deepened over time, with Keen acting as a mentor as Childers rose to prominence.

Keen recalls advising Childers about the challenges of fame before the younger artists breakthrough, admitting his own naivety about managing crowds and public attention during his career peak. As Childers transitioned to arena and stadium headlining shows, Keen became a trusted sounding board and even opened for him at prestigious venues like Nashvilles Ryman Auditorium.

Musically, Keen embraced Childerss songwriting, incorporating covers like "Whitehouse Road" into his sets and admiring the fearless approach to the modern country music scene. He expressed confidence that Childers would succeed even when industry executives doubted records like 2022s Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven.

In celebration of Keens 70th birthday, a group of his musical peers surprised him with a tribute project titled Three 20s and a 10 Birthday Tribute, organized by Cameron Gott, a longtime collaborator and tour photographer. The tribute features artists such as Parker McCollum, Hayes Carll, Brent Cobb, and Turnpike Troubadours Evan Felker, who all recorded their versions of Keens songs. This heartfelt gift, kept secret until its release on Keens YouTube channel, stands as one of the best presents the songwriter has ever received.

Among the tribute performances, Felkers bluegrass rendition of "Feelin' Good Again" has gained particular attention, frequently reprised during Turnpike Troubadours shows. Felker sees this period as a golden age for the kind of authentic, roots-driven music Keen helped pioneer. He reflects on the legacy of earlier country artists who laid the groundwork, expressing gratitude that Keen himself is witnessing the impact of his contributions on the current generation.
Discover the one Disney horror remake that defies expectations. The Ugly Stepsister is a critically acclaimed, Oscar-nominated masterpiece.

AceShowbiz - Disneys recent foray into horror remakes has been largely disappointing, but one film stands out as a remarkable exception. Among many attempts to transform classic fairy tales into horror stories, The Ugly Stepsister has emerged as a critically acclaimed masterpiece, earning an Oscar nomination and redefining what a Disney horror remake can achieve.

Disneys legacy is deeply rooted in animated fairy tales, many of which have long entered the public domain. This has allowed various filmmakers to reinterpret these stories, often with a horror twist. Titles like Bambi: The Reckoning, Peter Pans Neverland Nightmare, and Pinocchio Unstrung have attempted to explore darker versions of these classics. However, most have faltered due to weak writing and a lack of fresh perspective.

In stark contrast, The Ugly Stepsister has succeeded both artistically and critically. Directed by Emilie Blichfeldt, this 2025 horror remake takes inspiration from the Brothers Grimms original Cinderella story but shifts the focus to one of the often-overlooked stepsisters. The film tells the story of Elvira (played by Lea Myren), whose mother Rebekka (Ane Dahl Torp) marries a widower named Otto (Ralph Carlsson). Rebekka, Elvira, and her sister Alma (Flo Fagerli) move into Ottos household, where Ottos daughter Agnes (Thea Sofie Loch Nss) treats them with disdain.

The plot thickens when a royal ball is announced, inviting all noble young women to attend so Prince Julian can select a bride. Elvira dreams of winning the princes heart but is cruelly deemed too ugly to succeed. In response, Rebekka subjects Elvira to harsh and primitive plastic surgery, a process intensified by Agness own ambitions to attend the ball.

The Ugly Stepsister blends body horror and psychological terror with dramatic storytelling, creating a complex protagonist in Elvira. The audience is left uncertain whether to sympathize with her or view her as a tragic figure shaped by cruelty. The film also enriches the Cinderella narrative by exploring the circumstances that turned Cinderella from a respected young woman into a servant, alongside her motivations to pursue the prince.

By maintaining the foundational elements of the classic fairy tale, yet focusing on a character traditionally cast as a villain, The Ugly Stepsister offers a fresh and thought-provoking perspective. It challenges traditional beauty standards and questions the unquestioned goodness of Cinderella, adding a darker layer of complexity to the familiar story.

Many Disney horror remakes have stumbled because they rely heavily on shock value without delivering substantive storytelling or character development. For instance, Peter Pans Neverland Nightmare features a criminal Peter Pan abducting children, but the film fails to explain his motives, leaving audiences disconnected. Similarly, Bambi: Reckoning is criticized for excessive gore with little narrative depth.

What sets The Ugly Stepsister apart is its originality and character-driven approach. Instead of merely frightening viewers with graphic content, it integrates horror into the story organically, allowing the disturbing elements to serve the narrative rather than overshadow it. The films gore is purposeful and tied to Elviras internal struggle, emphasizing psychological horror over gratuitous violence.

The success of The Ugly Stepsister is reflected in its 96% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and its recognition during awards season. The film has received multiple nominations, notably a nod for Best Makeup and Hairstyling at the 2026 Academy Awards. This is a significant achievement for horror cinema, a genre that often struggles for respect at the Oscars.

The 2026 Oscars are notable for their embrace of horror, with The Ugly Stepsister joining fellow 2025 horror hits Weapons and Sinners in receiving nominations. This shift signals a growing acceptance of horror as a serious cinematic form worthy of critical acclaim.

Whether The Ugly Stepsister will inspire a new wave of quality Disney horror remakes remains to be seen. However, its success offers a blueprint for future projects: honoring the source material while innovating with fresh perspectives, developing complex characters, and embedding horror elements meaningfully within the story.

In summary, The Ugly Stepsister is a standout entry in the niche of Disney horror remakes. Directed by Emilie Blichfeldt and featuring compelling performances by Lea Myren and the cast, the film is more than a simple retellingit's a bold reimagining that challenges conventions and elevates the genre. Its Oscar nomination marks a milestone for horror films and sets a new standard for how classic tales can be transformed for modern audiences.
Hit songwriter ERNEST signs major deal with Warner Chappell. Creator of "Flower Shops" & "I Had Some Help" readies new album 'Deep Blue'.

AceShowbiz - ERNEST has officially signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Warner Chappell Music Nashville, marking a significant milestone in his songwriting career.

Known for crafting hit songs, ERNEST rose to prominence with his breakthrough single "Flower Shops," which features fellow Warner Chappell writer Morgan Wallen. He also co-wrote the notable track "I Had Some Help," performed by Post Malone and featuring Wallen. Currently, ERNEST is preparing to release his third full-length project, Deep Blue, scheduled to arrive later this year.

In addition to his recording endeavors, ERNEST will be recognized at the upcoming CMA Triple Play Awards in April. He earned this honor for his songwriting contributions to three chart-topping songs in a single year.

ERNEST has built a reputation as a prolific songwriter with credits including Ella Langleys "Lovin Life Again," Jelly Rolls "Son of a Sinner," Wallens "You Proof" and "Im The Problem," plus Kane Browns "One Mississippi."

Austen Adams, president of Warner Chappell Music Nashville, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "Ern is an innovative songwriter and artist who consistently defies genre boundaries to find the heart of a great song. Having worked with him for some time, I can truly say he is a generational talent with an undeniable work ethic. Our entire Warner Chappell team is honored to be his long-term partner in this next chapter of his career."

ERNEST also shared his excitement about joining the Warner Chappell family, saying, "This next chapter with Warner Chappell feels like an extension and expansion of the family. I always loved working with Austen Adams while he was at Big Loud, and have loved getting to know the team here. Looking forward to everything that's ahead."

Previously, ERNEST was signed with Big Loud for publishing, making this new deal with Warner Chappell Music Nashville a fresh step forward in his songwriting and artistic journey.
Explore the acclaimed anthology series The White Lotus. From Hawaii to Thailand, discover the dark humor, social satire, and murder mystery that captivated a...

AceShowbiz - The White Lotus is a rare example of an anthology series that has maintained exceptional quality and audience engagement across all three of its seasons. Created by Mike White, the show premiered on HBO in 2021 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon, blending sharp social satire with dark humor and murder mystery elements. Its unique formula and ever-changing settings have kept viewers hooked from the lush beaches of Hawaii to the sun-soaked vistas of Thailand.

The first season of The White Lotus introduced audiences to a group of wealthy vacationers at an exclusive Hawaiian resort, with Jennifer Coolidges portrayal of Tanya McQuoida chaotic, emotionally fragile heiressearning widespread acclaim. The shows debut season dazzled critics and viewers alike, securing five Emmys and becoming one of the buzziest watercooler shows of its time. Originally designed as a limited series to suit pandemic-era filming constraints, its overwhelming success transformed it into an ongoing anthology series.

Following the Hawaii setting, the series relocated to Sicily for season two and then Thailand for season three. Each location acts as more than just a backdrop; the resorts themselves become characters, embodying the themes and social climates explored in each season. This geographical shift reinforces the idea that toxic behaviors and the dark underbelly of privilege can be found anywhere.

Maintaining quality across anthology seasons is notoriously difficult, as seen with series like American Horror Story and Black Mirror, where some seasons outshine others. Yet, The White Lotus has defied this trend by consistently delivering compelling storytelling and complex characters. Even as the content became more boundary-pushingparticularly with season threes controversial incest storylinethe show continued to raise its own standards.

Season one may appear comparatively restrained, but it revolutionized appointment viewing in an age dominated by binge-watching. Each week, viewers eagerly anticipated the next episode, fascinated by the entitled guests escalating antics and the mystery surrounding who would end up dead. By season two, the stakes were raised with a higher body count and a sharper focus on sexual politics, intensifying the discomfort and intrigue.

Season three ventured even deeper into darker territory, exploring themes of Eastern spirituality and death. This progression illustrated the shows ability to evolve conceptually while preserving the biting social commentary and tension that fans expect. Despite some criticism over sidelined characters in season threesuch as Lisas Mookthe series remains a masterclass in balancing salaciousness with thoughtful art.

One of The White Lotuss greatest strengths is its structural formula. Each season begins with a flash-forward scene that teases the central mystery, immediately hooking viewers and prompting speculation about the fate of the guests. The narrative then rewinds to the start of the week, allowing the story to unfold day by day. This "one day per episode" approach builds a steady rhythm, heightening tension as the characters worst traits emerge and conflicts escalate.

Every episode promises increased intensity, from wild behavior to violent confrontations, ensuring there is never a dull moment. The anthology format also allows for fresh new casts each season, packed with top-tier Hollywood talent. Viewers have enjoyed memorable performances from stars like Jake Lacy as a toxic mamas boy, Aubrey Plaza as a sardonic newlywed, and Parker Posey as a pill-popping Southern matriarch. These actors bring vibrant, complex characters to life without overstaying their welcome.

The varied locations further enrich the series. Each resort setting encapsulates the themes of its season while providing a luxurious yet claustrophobic arena where guests reveal their darkest sides. Whether in Hawaiis tropical paradise, Italys historic coast, or Thailands exotic landscapes, the show underlines a universal truth: privilege and cruelty are not confined to any one place.

With season threes finale setting new viewership records, the pressure is high for season four to continue the upward trajectory. The upcoming season will take place on the French Riviera, with a rumored connection to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, a fitting setting for a storyline exploring fame, celebrity, and art.

In summary, The White Lotus stands out as a rare anthology series that has managed to consistently deliver high-quality storytelling, complex characters, and sharp social commentary across multiple seasons. Its ability to evolve while maintaining the core elements that made it successfulengaging mysteries, rich character studies, and evocative settingsensures that it remains one of televisions most compelling and talked-about shows. With season four on the horizon, the legacy of The White Lotus as a masterful blend of salacious drama and artful critique looks set to continue.
I am using Western modernity as shorthand for all the ways in which life in the last hundred years has shielded many of us from the agonizing losses, pains, and sorrows that were part of human life since the dawn of humankind.  Charles Murray

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Social scientist Charles Murray, coauthor of the forthright lightning rod The Bell Curve on the impact of intelligence in our society, understands many of the ideas that lead people to doubt religion.

In Taking Religion Seriously, Murray offers a compact, engaging memoir and survey of various ideas he has gradually warmed up to across his lifetime, as he has learned more from people who, like him, were thoughtful and evidence-driven but further along in Christianity.

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An unfamiliar word creeps in by the close of the introductiontransubstantiation (the doctrine in some traditions that when people receive communion, the bread and wine become Christs physical body and blood)but dont be put off. This uncommon language isnt foreshadowing; its just one of the very few strays that Murray and his editors didnt trim. Murray writes the same way he would talk informally to anyone interested in his concerns about religion, especially those who share them.

Like me, when Murray was sure that Christian beliefs couldnt be true, he had people in his life whose strong Christian faith made that faith feel attractiveeven though he was certain they believed things he could never accept. He quickly introduces his wifes faith journey, which exerted that pull on him, and then backtracks to introduce his own.

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Following along on his journey, I, too, find it valuable to consider why there is something in the universe rather than nothing.

Im not especially persuaded by observations that the universe is finely tuned to allow life. Since one universe, in all its size and complexity, clearly can exist, why couldnt untold numbers of universes exist, with ours simply being the one in which the stars aligned to allow the life we now see? Extremely large or intricate realities create possibilities that we humans struggle to comprehendand yet they exist.

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Im more persuaded by the fact that long ago, men who didnt know modern science wrote a creation account in which the sequence unfolded uncannily like what we have only recently learned. More generally, Im awed that God presents so many facets of Himself to each of us. It seems that each of us is certain to find some that help persuade us. At every turn, God, while doing what is good, also does much that draws us closer to Him.

Murray notes that near-death experiences and terminal lucidity are well supported by evidence. Considering this, he concludes that there may be more to our consciousness than our brainsthat we may have souls.

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While working on Human Accomplishment, Murray found, to his surprise, that [i]n a very real sense, the Scientific Revolution was sponsored by the Roman Catholic Church. Further, the great contributions of individual Christians to the arts and sciences suggest that they may have understood things about Christianity that todays Western moderns do not.

Murray then discovered C. S. Lewis, beginning with Mere Christianity. He was persuaded by the universality of the moral law. I found this persuasive as well, long ago.

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As I read Lewis, I was further encouraged to remain alert for any small sign that God might exist. For me, this took the form of a kind of relief I hadnt experienced any other way but felt strongly when I prayed. Murray had experienced something similar much earlier.

Murrays discussions of the Gospels authorship, dates, and reliability are particularly strong, given his social science rigor. As an added bonus, readers see that scholarship can be shaped by investigators interests and limitationsand sharpened by outsiders cold-eyes reviews, such as Murrays.

Overall, this slender volume offers multiple useful perspectives from which to begin forming faith. Murrays journey is idiosyncratic and is shared gently and forthrightly. Even the smallest spark from such sharing is a gift, especially for thoughtful readers.

If some of the opening forays dont resonate, the value deepens as the book progresses, and the brief diversions are worth continuing through. In fact, it is the later contentwhere Murray most closely examines Jesusthat, for me, offers the greatest solidity and encouragement.

Not long ago, peoples grief and fear would quickly lead them to seek God. Today, premature death, disease, and disaster have receded for many. Yet Christian faith has proved uncannily congruent with insights from physics, biology, health, neuroscience, economics, and human flourishing. Murray touches on enough of this modern understanding to encourage readers to take the subject seriously for themselves.

Lewis and others mentioned by Murray provide more targeted guidance than most people we meet in person ever could. These gifted teachers can be gateways to richer lives. And to this distinguished group of literary companions, we can now add Charles Murray.

That is quite an achievementespecially for someone like Murray, who describes himself as having a deficit in perceiving spiritual realities. His experience suggests that with religion, as with cognitive therapy, when we change our thoughts, our feelings follow. The surest wellspring of faith may simply be to gain an increasingly true understanding of how God and Jesus have left their imprint on the hearts of those who came before us, then on those around us, and ultimately on us.

Image: Amazon screen grab. Fair use.
Unlike King Charles, by oath Defender of the Faith (Anglican), who skipped that thought this year, I do wish a Happy Easter to all who celebrate. I hope by the time you read this on Sunday, we will have even more good news to celebrate.

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In Iran, an F-15E was downed in a remote part of the country. The pilot was quickly rescued, but despite conflicting accounts, as I write this, it appears that the Weapons Systems Officer is still missing, and a significant search is ongoing to find and rescue him. (An A-10 was also shot down, and the pilot was rescued.) Every effort is being made in the rescue operation, including the presence of specialized aircraft designed for such purposes, and I have every reason to believe in its success. (The officer's rescue by courageous Special Forces troops has just been verified. A great piece of news to begin Easter morning.)

(Note from Andrea: Clarice was right to keep the faith.)

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Since the Iranian government, or what smatterings of it still exist on the lowest levels of power, cannot negotiate an end, the IAF and U.S. forces have now escalated to destroying its power-generating facilities, petro storage, and processing units. Friday night, most of Tehran was in total blackout. More tankers are moving freely through the Strait of Hormuz, seemingly because Iran has lost the possibility to destroy or interdict them. The fat ladys not sung yet, but shes offstage warming up her tonsils.

Iranians are cheering and celebrating. Residents of Tehran received a message that Pahlavis Immortal Guards are beginning their ground operations, and the people can now rise up.

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Because of security constraints and news blackouts, we are better able to see the progress of the Administrations domestic agenda than the progress in Iran. The Presidents payment to TSA workers and the deployment of National Guard troops to airports worked. Lines have pretty much disappeared, and travel is no longer disrupted. The Democrats hoped to use travel delays as blackmail on DHS funding and failed. Travelers were only briefly impeded. The President is reportedly considering how to ensure this threat never occurs again by privatizing security checks altogether, which, as a bonus, will probably save a lot of money.

The roundup of illegal aliens and those not entitled otherwise to remain continues.

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Last night, the niece and grand niece of deceased Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Major General Qasem Soleimani were arrested by federal agents following Secretary of State Marco Rubios termination of their lawful permanent resident (LPR) status. Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter are now in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. As identified by both press reporting and her own social media commentary, Soleimani Afshar is an outspoken supporter of the totalitarian, terrorist regime in Iran. Advertisement In addition to the termination of Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughters LPR status, Afshars husband has also been barred from entering the United States.

Who admitted them? Who permitted them to remain?

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As efforts to prosecute and end the Somalian fraudarama in Minnesota continue, the governments efforts to deal with even more outrageous welfare fraud in California are now underway. Vice President JD Vance is heading a fraud task force. HHSs CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) is revving up, and the DoJ is rounding up the perps.

Two hundred twenty-one fake hospice outfits in Los Angeles alone have been shuttered. Dr. Oz hopes to shut down 900 of them. The extent of the fraud -- billions, maybe trillions, of dollars by reasonable estimates -- is unbelievable.

If you believe that fraudsters skew heavily Democratic, and that some not insubstantial amount of the money finds its way back into Democratic campaign coffers (one way or another), then big problems loom. Ponder these questions. How many local, state, and federal officials on the left will be forced to retreat into defense mode instead of launching into campaign mode? How many must now be quiet little mice trying to stay out of the Task Forces crosshairs? How much untracked money -- the mothers milk of politics -- will be cut off and unavailable to the DNC?

I think the simplest way to understand Trumps strategy is that he doesnt believe in nipping at ankles. He aims higher up. In politics, that means cutting the supply of funds.

The attack on welfare fraud is important in itself and in what it means for the continued solvency of these programs, but when we consider the cutoff of funds funneled from these scams to Democrats and add them to the blocked funneling from USAID and the NGOs, it adds up.

Moreover, the Democrats already have a lot less money in their war chests for the midterms than usual. As of the latest FEC filings, the RNC has almost a 7-to-1 advantage over the DNC. It has an available account of about $109 million to the DNCs almost $16 million. Worse for the Democrats, the RNC is debt-free, while the DNC is in the red for $17.4 million.

And then theres the recently announced criminal investigation of yet another source of Democrat campaign funding -- ActBlue, which has been the Democrats main online fundraising vehicle. For some time now, independent investigators have documented major fraudulent transactions through ActBlue. So significant has been the disappearance of safeguards against fraud that it is difficult to deny that the system was designed and operated for the very purpose of abolishing normal and rational safeguards. Substantial documentation was made of illegal contributions from both straw donors and foreign donors. This week, it was reported by the New York Times that the organizations own Democratic counsel, Covington and Burling, warned them that officials congressional testimony about foreign donations made through the outfit may have been false.

In a congressional hearing in 2023, ActBlue was asked to describe what steps it took to prevent illegal foreign political contributions.

ActBlue, in response, wrote a letter to Congress stating that its approach to combating such improper contributions was multilayered, with checks and confirmations occurring throughout the donation process to verify donors and donor information. ActBlues own lawyers, however, felt that characterization was inaccurate. This presents a substantial risk for ActBlue, Covington & Burling wrote in a memo to the payment processor. The memo laid out how individuals who made contributions through third-party platforms such as Apple Pay, PayPal, and Venmo were, at the time of the letter, not required by ActBlue to submit documentation proving they could legally donate to U.S. political committees -- potentially contradicting its letter to Congress. Lying to Congress is illegal. Federal law also prohibits individuals who are not citizens or permanent residents from making donations to U.S. political committees. Kimberly Peeler-Allen, a member of ActBlues board of directors, attempted to downplay the criticism by telling the New York Times that less than 1% of the transactions it processed during the 2024 election cycle had signs that they originated in foreign countries. ActBlue processed over $3.8 billion in contributions during the most recent presidential election, according to OpenSecrets, meaning that nearly $38 million in donations fit that description. Originating in a foreign country isnt itself an indication of foul play, as some Americans do live abroad. That said, one of Covington & Burlings memos to ActBlue stated that its procedures created a substantial risk that some of the funds received were impermissible contributions from foreign nationals. Another memo Covington produced for ActBlue explicitly outlined the potential legal risks associated with statements to Congress that may be alleged to be false or misleading.

I imagine from now until the midterms, we will be seeing lifting of veils more absorbing and consequential than the seven Salome discarded in her dance.
On Easter, the holiest day of the year, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior, and Treasure. Just saying those words out loud  LordSaviorTreasure  it is easy to recognize why modern socialist governments find Christianity so threatening. For if He is the King of kings, then all of our would-be masters in this world are pale imposters. If He alone is the Way and the Truth and the Life, then the marble halls of Big Government are just false paths leading to false idols that promise false salvation. If He is the only Treasure, then all of the things that governments do to make us envious, resentful, and hateful toward one another are tricks and lies meant to blind us from the Truth.

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A Canadian writer named Dimpee Brar wrote a beautiful and insightful essay on this subject last month. In that essay, Brar draws attention to the more than eighty churches that have been set on fire across her country. She deftly describes how government-sponsored lies instigated these attacks on Christian houses of worship and argues persuasively that Marxist-globalist governments view Christ, Christians, and Christianity as foremost enemies.

Brar notes that the corporate news media routinely downplay these recurring acts of desecration by undercounting the number of churches set on fire and reporting on the crimes with intentionally vague language that obfuscates the perpetrators obvious motives. Canadian journalists report upon the church attacks as if they were random accidents happening inside of commercial businesses. She argues that each of these church fires should instead be seen as episodes in a larger campaign of a war being waged against the West.

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Brar points out that all of this destruction is based upon the government-perpetuated lie that mass graves of indigenous children have been found on the grounds of Christian schools. The lie has been exposed, but Canadian politicians continue to defend the actions of arsonists as understandable. To the Leftthe truth is secondary to the permission it grants. Hatred for Western civilization is disguised as justice. The attacks on Christian churches implicitly instruct the youngest generations that nothing is sacred. Canadas prime ministers elevate grievances over Gods enduring Truth.

Canadian citizens are not spontaneously burning churches to the ground. Canadian schools, cultural institutions, and businesses first taught citizens to despise their civilization. By teaching entire generations that all ways of life are equal; that any claim to superiority is a disguised will to power; and that distinctions between noble and base, just and unjust, good and bad, and above all, true and false, are instruments of oppression, anti-Western radicals replaced Jesus Christ with relativism. The Marxist-globalist orthodoxy that now oppresses us cannot countenance Western civilizations proclamation that our way of life is superior not by race or conquest, but because it is true; therefore, it is good, just, and noble.

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Demonstrating true intellect, Brar recognizes that our civilizational inheritance as Westerners includes the twin roots of Jerusalem and Athens: biblical revelation and reason. Although distinct sources of wisdom, both roots lead us to Truth by recognizing that there is a best way to live and a standard that exists both outside and above us. The gifts of Western civilization are therefore lasting impediments to leftisms need for tyrannical rule.

This is why our churches must burn, Brar concludes. The steeples are the most visible symbol of the biblical half of our inheritance.guiding our eyes, and with them our souls, upward to the highest things. Jesus Christ reveals the lefts moral relativists as false prophets because when there is God and Truth, then everything is not permissible.

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Here is where Brars argument reveals profound personal wisdom. She looks around at all the churches burning across Canada and recognizes that our enemies pay us great compliments. The lefts hatred and resentment reveal how much they fear us. If those of us committed to defending Western civilization were truly defeated, Marxist-globalists would treat us with pity and indifference. Instead, their rage is proportional to the threat they perceive. Leftists understand that Christianity remains the greatest obstacle to the tyranny they wish to institute.

Recognizing that leftists have unintentionally revealed what they fear most, Brar rallies Christians to stop hiding or apologizing. Instead, she charges, we must regain a seriousness equal to that of our opponents. If they judge this way of life dangerous enough to burn, then it is time we judged it once more worthy of living and defending in full.

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Do her words not light a spark within you? Does her call not embolden you to defend your Christian faith? Has she not revealed leftism as nothing more than a magicians trick or a deserts mirage? Has she not proved that Christs Truth is the Way?

How can we allow ourselves to ever feel defeated if we remain faithful followers of Christ? How could we stand with Him and worry that mortals such as Mark Carney, Barack Obama, Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, or Ursula von der Leyen could vanquish Western civilization with Marxist-globalisms moral relativism? Power does not rest with godless political leaders. Eternal Truth begins and ends with God. Jesus Christ defeated death. Why would we fear the legacies of politicians, bankers, actors, or musicians who demand to be worshipped in this life?

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The war being waged against the West is real. Every church that leftists burn to the ground is a reminder of the stakes. But a house of God is much more than bricks and stones. Arsonists can demolish walls and steeples. Only we can demolish our faith.

Thats a vital distinction. Leftist governments want to humiliate, demoralize, and enfeeble us. Moral relativists want us to feel weak and defeated. Marxist-globalists wish for us to accept that Western civilization is lost. What our enemies know  and what we too often forget  is that we alone decide whether to submit. We alone decide whether to give in to tyranny or to continue fighting it. We alone decide whether leftists really have the power to vanquish Reason, Truth, and Christ.

On one side stand those who wish to divide, diminish, and destroy. On the other side stands our Lord, Savior, and Treasure, Jesus Christ. On Easter, we remember His sacrifice. Let us also remember that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. So long as we sustain our faith, Western civilization will endure. It is leftism  false, resentful, and evil  that will die, wither, and fade away.

Image via Pixabay.
Remember how we used to think of France? Lafayette, we are here! are the words attributed to General Pershing on July 4, 1917 at Lafayettes tomb, not long after the Yanks arrived in Paris.

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After World War II, NATO was headquartered in the Paris suburb of Saint Germaine-en-laye, where, incidentally, my youngest daughter was born. General de Gaulle evicted us in 1966 when he pulled France out of NATO. President Lyndon Johnson reportedly asked him if he also wanted us to take the graveyards full of the American dead who had fallen in Normandy and Bastogne.

That special relationship never fully recovered.

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Nixon and Pompidou tried to revive it in 1972, when they signed a (still) secret nuclear weapons assistance pact. I called it a second marriage in my book The French Betrayal of America, and it ended in divorce in 2003, when French president Chirac preferred Saddam Husseins oil to his erstwhile American ally.

So yes, Special Relationships can definitely die. So can alliances as big as NATO.

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British prime minister Keir Starmer has repeatedly huffed and puffed in recent weeks about not joining the war with Iran, initially denying us the right to use the massive U.S.-U.K. air base on Diego Garcia that was built with U.S. taxpayer dollars.

He ultimately relented, and we moved B-2 Spirit bombers to the Indian Ocean. That shortened their flying time to Iran from thirty-six hours to just under six.

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Then, on March 20, Iran launched two 2,500-mile-range missiles toward the Chagos Islands. One of them failed mid-flight, and the other was shot down in the upper atmosphere by an SM-3 Standard missile fired from a U.S. warship.

Those missiles showed not only that Iran could hit Diego Garcia. They could also hit London.

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Since then, Prime Minister Starmer has not stopped wetting his pants. Not a day goes by without some slavish pandering aimed at the Iranian mullahs, and Muslims in general.

As I pointed out earlier this week on Londons GB television, Starmer appears to believe that because the Iranians have not yet launched missiles against London, the U.K. is safe.

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He appears to believe that if he slavishly tells the Iranians twice a day that Britain will not send warships to help the United States reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Britain will be safe from Iranian attack.

Of the twenty thousand targets hit in Iran since the war began, not a single one was taken out by the Royal Air Force or the Royal Navy, and Keir Starmer likes to remind the Iranians of this every single day.

He is truly the mouse that roared.

The U.S. and the U.K. once extolled our special relationship. Not only did we go to war together, repeatedly, but we also shared secrets. At one point, the U.S. and the U.K. shared intelligence they wouldnt dream of giving to Israel, even when it related to WMD threats to Israel from the likes of Saddam Hussein. You can ask Jonathan Pollard about that.

The U.K. and many other NATO allies have helped us in the past to defend international shipping from Somali pirates. As recently as December 2023, in Operation Prosperity Guardian, they helped us keep open the Red Sea by attacking the Houthis in Yemen.

Of course, at the time, Donald Trump was not in the White House, and Britain had a conservative prime minister, Rishi Sunak.

President Trump is understandingly furious with the U.K. and our NATO partners. No, the U.S. has never formally requested NATO assistance against Iran, but gee, youd have thought some of our NATO allies might want to join an effort to free the world of a terrorist threat menacing us all.

Well, you would have thought wrong.

Besides Israel, which is our full partner in this war, our best ally to date has been Nichervan Barzani, president of the Kurdish Regional Government in Iraq.

On March 17, Trump had special envoy Tom Barrack make a special request to Barzani. Would he consider reopening the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline so Iraqi government oil could flow to Turkey and from there to world markets?

That pipeline is a sore subject for the Kurds. They closed it down over three years ago because Baghdad was cheating them out of the oil revenues they were constitutionally pledged to divide between them.

Put simply, Baghdad stole the oil from the Kurds and pocketed the proceeds, without so much as a thank-you. (Kirkuk officially remains a disputed territory, claimed by both Baghdad and Erbil, but the Kurds consider it to be historically part of the Kurdish region.)

But Barrack told Barzani that the request to reopen the pipeline was coming directly from President Trump, and so Barzani immediately agreed. The very next day, Iraq started sending 250,000 barrels of oil per day through that pipeline to world markets. It was just one of many mitigating acts President Trump has taken to keep oil prices from skyrocketing.

Has the U.K. increased its oil production in the North Sea? Nope. In fact, it has been shutting down oil platforms, replacing them with wind and solar. Has the U.K. considered perhaps a waiver on its renewable energy policies in view of rising oil prices? Or perhaps just to help an ally?

No again. The U.K. and our NATO allies have been banging their tin pots for years to get the U.S. to pay for their war in Ukraine. During his first term, President Trump helped to rearm the Ukrainian army, supplying them with Javelin anti-tank missiles starting in 2018. Thanks to those missiles, the Ukes were able to smash the initial Russian armored column that was heading toward Kyiv in February and March 2022.

Altogether, we spent an estimated $350 billion to help our NATO allies defend Ukraine against the Russians. And they wont even send us a few minesweepers to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz so NATO can buy oil?

The president is understandably furious with the U.K., NATO, and our European allies  so much so that he has floated unilaterally withdrawing from the alliance.

Chuck Schumer was quick to tell the media that Democrats would never give the president the two-thirds vote in the Senate he needs to withdraw from a treaty organization. But the president already secured a legal opinion in 2020 arguing that as president, he has executive authority over treaties and can indeed withdraw without Senate approval  and see yall in court for the next twenty years.

The Special Relationship is dead, and not because of Trump. Yes, alliances can die, too.

Timmerman was nominated for the Nobel Peace prize in 2006 for his work on Iran. His latest book, The Iran House, is available here.

Image via Raw Pixel.
While Christmas -- the birth date of the Messiah, Jesus Christ -- marks the watershed of splitting calendar history into two epochs, B.C. and A.D., Easter marks the more important day for Christians and the world. Easter is the celebration of what is known as resurrection, which was living proof of Gods plan of life going beyond death for those who are redeemed, not by their works, but by their faith in the savior.

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The Meaning of Easter and the Resurrection

The resurrection on the third day after Christs death transformed the world forever, providing seeing is believing life after death.

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Easter is a uniquely joyful celebration among religious holidays because only Christianity has a founder who was the Messiah -- a rescuer and savior.

Christ is matchless in being the only person in history who was pre-announced starting a thousand years before he was born, with over 100 prophetic accounts from 18 different prophets, from the Old Testament between the 10th and the 4th centuries B.C., predicting the specifics of his coming birth, life, and death.

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Hundreds of years later, the details of Christs birth, life, betrayal, and death validated those prophecies in surprisingly accurate and minute detail.

One thousand years B.C., David prophetically wrote about the crucifixion of Christ at a time crucifixion was unknown as a means of execution.

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Every other consequential person of history came into the world to live.

The death of other religious leaders -- such as Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Muhammad, and Confucius -- brought an anticlimactic end to their lives and their work.

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But Christ came into the world as Gods son to die and pay the price for mans sin.

His sacrifice was the ultimate climax of his life, done for the benefit of all humankind -- opening the way to eternal life in heaven for all who believe.

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Christ showed the highest standard of love possible through compassion for outcasts and healing the afflicted, by performing miracles, by his teachings, and in making the ultimate sacrifice of his life.

God sacrificed his only son, Jesus Christ, to save humankind, bringing him back from the dead to provide seeing is believing evidence -- from a tomb to being alive.

Why People Can Trust that Christ was Truly Resurrected

The New Testament provides accounts from multiple sources who witnessed Jesus firsthand after the resurrection.

Jesus made at least 10 separate appearances to his disciples between the resurrection and his ascension into Heaven over a 40-day period.

Some of those appearances were to individual disciples, others were to several disciples, and once to some 500 at one time.

Most compelling is that there were no accounts of witnesses who came forth disputing these appearances, calling them a hoax. Nor do we find any historical record of any witness accounts that were contradictory.

While there are skeptics of the biblical Jesus, theres far more reliable historical evidence for his life, teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection than for the life of any other historical figure of ancient times.

The reliability of all ancient history accounts depends on three things: 1) the number of eyewitness accounts; 2) the shortest time lapse between the actual events and the written record of those accounts; and 3) the number of surviving manuscripts of the written record. The evidence based on these three criteria make Jesus Christ and all the events surrounding his life, death, and resurrection far more reliable than any other figure from ancient times.

About 1,000 times more manuscripts preserve the deeds and teaching of Jesus in the New Testament (about 25,000 total) than there are preserving other classical ancient works of historic figures who lived at approximately the same time, except for Homer, whose Iliad is backed by 1,800 manuscripts.

But that is still less than one-tenth the number of ancient manuscripts that back the authenticity of the New Testament.

Because of their experience with the resurrected Jesus, the apostles were in a unique position, knowing with certainty that Jesus was truly the Son of God.

They had been present for the life, ministry, miracles, and death of Jesus. If the claims about Jesus were a lie, the apostles would have known it.

That is why the Apostles commitment to their testimony was so powerful and compelling. Their willingness to die for their claims has tremendous evidential value, also confirming the truth of the resurrection.

No one will die for something he invented or believes to be false.

Seeing, talking to, and touching the risen Jesus transformed the apostles, who then committed the rest of their lives to evangelize the message of salvation through Christ. Eleven of the twelve apostles -- including Matthias who replaced Judas, the betrayer of Jesus -- died as martyrs for their beliefs in Christs divinity. The twelfth, John, was exiled to Patmos Island. There, he recorded the Book of Revelation.

Easter has its ultimate meaning in the resurrection and is one of ancient historys most carefully scrutinized and best-attested events.

Easter is foundational to the birth of the Constitution of the United States

If Christ had never been born, died and resurrected, all of history would have been different. For one thing, neither Columbus nor the Pilgrims would have received or have been motivated by the good news of salvation through Christ to explore or establish a new community with a higher purpose in the New World.

There would never have been a constitutional government created in the way and time that it was in America, without two necessary conditions: First, the foundation of recognizing mans unalienable rights of freedom and equality that came out of the teachings of Christ, fully recognized in the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century.

Second, the unprecedented collection of Christian human genius that came together -- amazingly at the same time -- people we call the Founding Fathers, who were deeply influenced by Christianity. In the deliberations at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 the Bible was quoted sixteen times more than any other source. The Founders knew the potential depravity that exists in everyone can lead to abuse of power and tyranny. For this reason, they structured the government with checks and balances between the three branches of government, but also through the federalist system of division of power between the states and the federal government.

The American Constitution was the first in all 5,500 years of human history that recognized that the people had inalienable rights that came not from the state, but from God, and that the primary role of government was to protect those unalienable rights of the people.

Additionally, the constitutional republic formed by the Founders provided for and protected individual rights of freedom and independence such that Americans were enabled to move closer to the divine image more than had been possible under any prior system. Another result was that Americans became blessed with material prosperity more rapidly than any other prior civilization.

Anyone with a cursory knowledge and appreciation of the main social, cultural changes in modern America recognizes that around the middle of the twentieth century, about 175 years after the nations founding, social and cultural life in America took a turn for the worse after God was progressively driven out of the culture.

While creating material prosperity and technological solutions for so many, our nation has become dangerously divided, dysfunctional governance has created a low-trust society, record high divorce rates have wreaked havoc on families, and suicide rates among the young are at record highs.

History shows that so many levels of human advancement were made possible by God who became man, born in the humble circumstances of a dirty stable in the small village of Bethlehem -- a speck in the vast Roman Empire. While that empire would crumble and fall, Jesus, who had neither an army nor won any military battles, went on to become the Lord and Savior for all people, inspiring the establishment of a nation that could serve the world as a Redeemer Nation, a City Upon a Hill, a Land of Opportunity.

The United States was raised up to be that nation. Fortunately, God is fundamentally about course correction and hope. With the 250th anniversary of Americas birthday -- the Declaration of Independence -- upon us, the time could not be better for spiritual revival. Let there be an awakening and rediscovery of the heart of the Lord's Prayer that reminds us that we flourish when we recognize the higher heavenly authority above our society and government, and align our lives with God's ways and purposes.

Scott S. Powell is senior fellow at Discovery Institute and a member of the Committee on the Present Danger-China. His timeless book, Rediscovering America, was a #1 Amazon New Release in the history genre for eight weeks. Reach him at [email protected]

Image: Pixabay
April 1, 2026: New York City. A gangbanger on a moped opened fire, apparently at rival gangbangers on a Brooklyn street. As is common in such attacks, no gangbangers were apparently hit, but Kaori Patterson-Moore, a 7-month-old baby, was killed.

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This kind of abomination is so common in Americas blue cities its barely worth mentioning. The few media outlets that do bother rarely follow up, and whatever outrage such barbaric crimes provokes quickly abates and flows down the memory hole. Its just the way things are in blue cities, the cost of livingand dyingthere.

Such atrocities also reveal, however briefly, the nature of the contemporary Democrat Party and the governancesuch as it isof Democrat machine politicians like New Yorks Islamist/Communist Mayor, Zhoran Mamdani. Mamdani took the opportunity to demonstrate hes at the very least a stereotypically mindless Democrat who sees all criminals as victims and never misses an opportunity to blame law abiding Americans for their crimes:

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"This is not our first family to know this pain," Mamdani said in response to a 7-month-old baby girl, Kaori Patterson-Moore, who was killed by a stray bullet on Wednesday afternoon when a gunman on a moped opened fire on a Brooklyn street in a suspected gang-related incident. "Too many children have never grown up into becoming adults. To parents whove had to bury those they love most. We cannot accept it as normal in our city. We cannot grow numb to this pain, and today is a devastating reminder of just how much more work there is to be done to combat gun violence across the city." Advertisement

If there is to be such a thing as gun violence, we must also decry motor vehicle violence, blunt object violence, knife violence and fist and foot violence, all of which take far more lives than criminals wielding guns. Neither guns nor any other inanimate object cause or commit violence. Theyre merely tools wielded by stupid, negligent or criminal people.

However, Democrats are adept at manipulating language to deceive, harass, and dominate narratives and debates. Theyre not combatting gun violence, theyre trying to deprive Americans of their Second Amendment rights, of their individual, unalienable right to self- defense against the criminals and terrorists they coddle, encourage and enable. New Yorkers like Daniel Turner are on to Mamdani:

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Graphic: X Post

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Yes. If only. A rare bird, a NYC Republican Councilwoman, is also on the side of the angels:

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Weve no idea so far, but its likely NYC prosecutors will run true to form and go easy on the two murderers.

[Manhattan Institute fellow Rafael A.] Mangual continued, "Framing this as a gun problem rather than an evil gangbanger problem is more familiar territory for a self-styled progressive whose political base is constituted by people simultaneously (if dissonantly) committed to the cause of gun control as well as efforts to reorient the criminal justice system to be more lenient toward the offenders who pull triggers. But, as the recent killing of Richard Williams illustrates clearly, criminals can and do take lives without any weapons at all."

Williams is referring to continuing murders in subways, incidents of criminals pushing innocents onto tracks in front of onrushing trains, and brutal beatings on the streets of our blue cities, beatings that often result in death:

Graphic: X Post

We dont know if the killers were illegal aliens, but if so, its likely theyll face little or no punishment in Mamdanis NYC. Its a virtual certainty the police wont be allowed to cooperate with ICE.

Little Kaori was black, and black Americans are often the victims of black criminals. If the two killers were white--from surveillance images, they appear to be black--we can be certain that fact would be trumpeted by the media. Yet another marker of how very far Democrats are from Normal American values and mere sanity.

Blacks are a traditionally Democrat favored victim group, but in recent years, trans, illegal aliens, and illegal alien criminalsparticularly Muslimshave risen higher on the Democrat victimization hierarchy than mere black Americans. Mamdani gives scant lip service to the murder of Kaori, but stays true to Democrat, anti-liberty/gun, narratives in blaming Americans who never harm anyone for the savage crimes of those Democrats favor.

New Yorkers wanted what Mamdani promised, and hes giving it to them--good and hard.

Become a subscriber and get our weekly, Friday newsletter with unique content from our editors. 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.
America doesnt lose great car collections in one dramatic moment. It loses them the way people lose a house to termites: slowly, quietly, and often while everyone involved swears theyll deal with it soon. The cars sit while probate drags, titles dont match reality, heirs disagree, storage costs balloon, and the physical condition slides from barn find romance into irreversible decay.

The hard numbers show the stakes are not theoretical. RM Sothebys reported $29,616,400 in sales for The Junkyard: The Rudi Klein Collection, with every lot sold, proving that even long-neglected collections can be worth massive moneyif theyre rare enough, and if someone can actually get them to market. Gooding Christies published $19,016,296 total sold and a 100% sell-through rate for Selections From The Mullin Collection, a museum-linked dispersal that preserved value but ended a public institution. Mecums Larrys Legacy auctiontied to the Klairmont museum collectionreported $16.5 million in total sales with every lot placed into new hands.

Those are the clean endings, executed with paperwork, authority, and logistics in place. The uglier reality is what sits between those headline auctions: stranded collections like the NASCAR-linked Circle Bar museum assets in Texas that, according to published reporting, have drifted into neglect and uncertainty after the owners death. This report explains the structural reasons collections decay, quantifies the financial and cultural losses, and lays out policy and preservation fixes that would stop turning American automotive history into rust and landfill.

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This investigation emphasizes primary or near-primary sources wherever possible. Auction totals and prices were taken from auction house releases and published prices realized pages, including RM Sothebys, Gooding Christies, Mecum, and VanDerBrinks posted results PDFs. Local news reporting was used to document real-world hoard logistics, including a New Mexico stations coverage of the Dorsey Mansion estate auction and the conditions described on-site.

For legal bottlenecks, the report relies on court guidance, statutes, and state DMV forms that govern how assets move (or fail to move) after a collector dies. These include a probate court handbook outlining personal representative duties and timelines, creditor-claim windows in California and Florida probate law, and multiple state title-transfer forms designed specifically for deceased owners.

For financial drivers, the report uses published storage price ranges and insurer eligibility guidance to show what holding a collection actually costs when done correctly. Environmental and decay analysis draws on EPA stormwater guidance for salvage-yard-like sites and corrosion research from professional corrosion engineering organizations to quantify why waiting destroys value. Museum capacity and funding constraints are documented using American Alliance of Museums reporting on the sectors economic impact and current financial stress indicators.

Case studies

Rudi Kleins Junkyard proves rarity can survive neglect

The Rudi Klein story matters because it demonstrates both sides of the same problem. On one hand, it shows how long a major collection can remain effectively inaccessible while rumors swirl and condition drops. On the other hand, it shows that the market will still pay serious money for historically irreplaceable cars, even after decades of non-museum storage, as long as the collection can be legally and logistically delivered to buyers.

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RM Sothebys stated The Junkyard: The Rudi Klein Collection brought $29,616,400 in sales and sold 100% of lots, nearly doubling the presale low estimate mentioned in the release. That outcome is the exception collectors love to cite, but the reports lesson is sharper: the survivor premium belongs to a narrow tier of vehicles, not the average stash of projects. People see the jackpot result and miss the warning, which is that most collections do not contain enough unicorns to justify years of degradation and delay.

Mullin Automotive Museum shows how the cars can survive but public access can die

The Mullin closure is a case study in cultural loss disguised as a successful sale. The museum announced it would close on February 10, 2024 following Peter Mullins death in September 2023, ending a public institution built around Art Deco-era automotive design. Even in the closure announcement, the plan included preserving legacy through targeted donations, including vehicles donated to the Petersen Automotive Museum.

From a market perspective, the dispersal was executed with uncommon clarity. Gooding Christies published Total Sold: $19,016,296 with a 100% sell-through rate for April 26, 2024. The cars found new homes and value was protected, but the public-facing place disappeared, which is a loss auction totals cannot replace. When museums close, the community doesnt just lose access to cars; it loses tourism, education, and a shared archive that cant be reassembled once dispersed.

Klairmonts Larrys Legacy auction shows what happens when liquidation is planned

Mecums Larrys Legacy is the best-case version of a museum-linked dispersal. Mecums own release reported $16.5 million in total sales, over 1,200 registered bidders, and every lot finding a buyer. That type of outcome requires organization, clear title, and a defined route to marketthree factors that are missing in most decaying collections.

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What makes this case useful is how it contrasts with stranded estates. When the paperwork is clean and the sale is structured, a collection becomes liquid fast. When titles are missing, heirs are divided, or property issues emerge, collections sit and rot while the family argues about a value they cant access.

The Slavens Corvette hoard exposes the brutal economics of projects

The Slavens Corvette auction provides the clearest numeric evidence that collector car value is not evenly distributed inside collections. VanDerBrinks published results show a 1963 Corvette Split Window with A/C selling for $144,720, and a 1953 Corvette Roadster selling for $99,900. Those are meaningful numbers that validate why heirs imagine the collection as a fortune.

Then the bottom falls out. Two 1973 Corvettes in the same event sold for $3,780 and $3,510, and an 1987 Corvette sold for $2,052, showing how quickly project status turns cars into low-value burdens. The same results sheet shows parts and components commanding real moneyfuel injection items and rare accessories selling for thousandsillustrating why parts theft and piecemeal liquidation become tempting when estates are cash-strapped.

This is where many collections die. A handful of top-tier cars may justify preservation spending, but the majority of vehicles in a hoard can become negative equity once deterioration sets in. When heirs cannot quickly sort assets worth saving from cars worth less than their storage bill, they delay, and the delay destroys what remains.

Dorsey Mansion hoard shows how logistics alone can freeze a collection

The Dorsey Mansion hoard in northeastern New Mexico demonstrates how large collections can become a supply-chain problem even when everyone agrees to sell. Local reporting described more than 500 collector cars and trucks and parts stored in five barns, with the collection built over decades by Sandra Henning and Dr. Roger Akers. The same report explained that Henning decided to sell most of the collection after Akers died the previous September, and detailed the viewing and auction timeline.

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This case illustrates why just sell it is not a real plan. Large hoards require identification, cataloging, title preparation, and coordinated removal windows with safe transport. Without a structured liquidation partner, collections dont wait, they decay, and the costs of eventual cleanup rise every month.

Circle Bar Truck Corral highlights how NASCAR-linked heritage can become stranded

For Backfire readers, the Circle Bar story hits differently because it involves racing history, not just random classics. Hemmings reported on an abandoned NASCAR team owners car collection tied to Tom Mitchell and Circle Bar Racing, describing a museum-like building with vehicles and memorabilia now sitting in a neglected state. Older travel-industry reporting described the site as a destination with a museum housing racing cars and boats tied to Circle Bar, which underscores how the collection used to have a public-facing purpose.

This is the nightmare scenario for heritage collections. A public-facing museum is born from one persons passion, but it is not built with governance that survives the founder. When continuity breaks and ownership becomes unclear, the collection doesnt just lose money; it loses meaning, because nobody can access it, interpret it, or preserve it properly.

Comparative table of major decay and dispersal cases

Case Type Approx. age of collection Approx. scale Documented value Legal status in reporting Storage condition Outcome Rudi Klein Junkyard Hoard / private collection Assembled from 1967 (reported) Unspecified lots; sold as event series $29,616,400 sales Professional auction placement Long-term yard/warehouse exposure Liquidated via RM Sothebys Mullin Automotive Museum Museum closure Founded 2010 Selections auction lots $19,016,296 Closure after death; planned dispersal Museum-grade before closure Sold via Gooding; some donated Klairmont / Larrys Legacy Museum-linked dispersal Unspecified 700+ lots $16.5M Planned auction Museum context Sold via Mecum Slavens Corvette hoard Barn-find hoard Lifetime accumulation (reported) Dozens of cars + parts Price spread: $144,720 to ~$2,052 Estate auction Mixed project condition Sold via VanDerBrink Dorsey Mansion hoard Multi-barn hoard Several decades 500+ vehicles/parts Unspecified Sale after owner death Stored in five barns; many under tarps Auction scheduled/underway Circle Bar / Tom Mitchell NASCAR-linked legacy museum Unspecified Unspecified Unspecified Post-death continuity unclear Reported neglect/inaccessibility Outcome unspecified

Legal bottlenecks

The first reason big collections decay is legal authority. Until a court issues letters and formally empowers a personal representative, many third parties will not accept instructions to insure, consign, transport, or sell estate property. Probate guidance used by courts is blunt about the personal representatives duties and potential liability, but it also illustrates why this role becomes a bottleneck the moment a collector dies.

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Probate also builds time windows into the process that can feel like enforced inactivity. Californias Probate Code sets creditor claim timing to four months after letters are first issued, or 60 days after notice is mailed or delivered, creating a built-in runway where estates must handle process before clean distribution. Floridas probate code similarly governs creditor claim limitations, embedding legal timelines that constrain how quickly assets can be cleared and sold.

Then there is the car-specific problem: title. Vehicles are not like furniture, and large collections often have decades of title errors, missing paperwork, and ownership ambiguity. States provide special toolsCalifornias REG 5 affidavit for transfer without probate and Floridas spouse transfer form are examplesbut these tools still require documentation, time, and strict compliance, and they are not designed for a 200-car estate with incomplete records.

Financial drivers and market dynamics

Decay accelerates because holding a collection is expensive when done correctly. National storage pricing guidance shows vehicle storage costs can range widely, with indoor units often running well over $100 per month depending on market, and climate control adding additional monthly cost. If you apply even conservative math, the carrying-cost problem becomes aggressive fast: a 100-car collection at $150 per month per car is $15,000 a month before security, insurance, transport, or maintenance enters the chat.

Insurance is another quiet pressure point. Specialty collector insurers often prefer enclosed, secure storage as a baseline risk-control measure, which means the moment a collectors dedicated building is locked, sold, or compromised, the estate can collide with stricter underwriting requirements. That forces a choice: pay for secure storage, or accept elevated risk and potentially coverage issues, neither of which families want to confront while theyre still fighting over the estate itself.

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Maintenance is where value quietly dies. Manufacturer storage guidance published through NHTSAs portal warns that long-term storage affects systems and components and recommends preventive measures to minimize degradation. Slavens results demonstrate exactly how the market punishes project status: the sale included a six-figure Split Window and a five-figure spread across desirable early cars, but it also included multiple complete vehicles selling for just a few thousand dollars. That gap is the rot-away mechanism in numbers, because once a car slips into needs everything, it can take more to fix than it will ever be worth.

Tax rules can also push families toward liquidation rather than preservation. IRS guidance on vehicle donations emphasizes that deductions are generally limited to the charitys actual sale price for the vehicle in many scenarios, which can make donate it and preserve the legacy financially less attractive than people assume. When museums are space-limited and deductions are complex, estates often default to auction, not philanthropy, even when the owners intent was public preservation.

Preservation ecosystem and barriers

The easy answer is museums should save these cars, but the museum sector is not built to absorb sudden, massive collections. The American Alliance of Museums reported that museums collectively contributed more than $50 billion in GDP, supported 726,200 jobs, and generated $12 billion in taxes in 2016, which underscores the economic role museums play when they are healthy. The problem is that the sector is under stress, not expansion.

AAMs survey reporting shows more than half of museums are seeing fewer visitors than in 2019 and describes an increasingly unstable financial outlook. That means even when a museum wants to preserve a collection, it may not have staff, storage, insurance capacity, or capital to do so. The Mullin closure illustrates this fragility; a world-class collection can still lose its public institution when the founder is gone, even if cars are donated and others are sold responsibly.

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Environmental and regulatory barriers can also lock collections in place. EPA guidance for automobile salvage yards highlights how vehicle storage and material handling can expose pollutants to stormwater, creating compliance pressure and potential contamination issues if fluids are not controlled. When a long-term storage site begins to resemble a salvage yardleaks, parts piles, derelict vehiclescleanup and regulatory uncertainty can delay sale or redevelopment, which keeps cars stuck longer and worsens their condition.

The physics of decay does not negotiate. Corrosion organizations have documented how corrosion imposes massive economic costs at national scale and varies with environment, exposure, and maintenance, reinforcing a simple truth: a collection that sits is not static. Rust is a compounding process, and every year of delay multiplies the cost and reduces the number of cars that can realistically be saved.

Policy recommendations

Collectors can cut the risk dramatically with planning that treats cars as a managed portfolio, not a pile of toys. The highest-impact move is inventory plus title hygiene, because if your heirs cannot prove ownership cleanly, your collection is already on the path to stagnation. Beneficiary designation tools like Texas motor vehicle transfer-on-death form exist specifically to reduce post-death friction, but most collectors dont use them until theyre already in trouble.

States should modernize and standardize title succession pathways for estates with multiple vehicles. Californias REG 5 process and Floridas spouse transfer form are examples of tailored tools, but they do not scale well for large collections with messy records. A bulk-transfer process for executorspaired with digital title reconciliationwould reduce the paperwork paralysis that causes collections to sit while assets deteriorate.

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Probate courts should also adopt a preservation-first playbook that allows limited, audited spending early in administration to prevent deterioration. Probate handbooks explicitly warn that personal representatives have duties and can face liability for mishandling estates, but many estates cannot fund secure storage or maintenance during the earliest, most chaotic period. A court-approved preservation bridge mechanismspending caps for storage, security, and stabilizationwould reduce the incentives to delay action until the cars are already ruined.

Tax policy should reward public access and conservation, not just liquidation. Vehicle donation rules that limit deductions to a charitys sale price often push estates toward auction, even when the collector wanted public preservation. A targeted incentive for museums that commit to multi-year public display and conservation standards could make donation a real option again, especially for collections that would otherwise be scattered.

Finally, local governments should treat abandoned collections as both a cultural opportunity and a compliance risk. EPA guidance makes clear that long-term vehicle storage can create stormwater pollution issues if handled like a junkyard without controls. A practical program would offer technical assistance or small grants to stabilize collectionsfluid removal, containment, secure storageso assets can move safely to new caretakers before they become environmental liabilities.

Conclusion

Abandoned millions is not a mystery, and it is not a story about laziness. It is a story about systems colliding: probate and title rules built for normal households slamming into collections scaled like small dealerships, while storage costs, insurance requirements, and corrosion punish every week of indecision. The auction record proves money still exists for the right cars$29.6 million for Rudi Kleins Junkyard, $19.0 million for the Mullin dispersal, $16.5 million for Larrys Legacybut those outcomes require authority, planning, and logistics that most estates do not have when the collector is gone.

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The bigger loss is cultural, and it is compounding. Museums play a documented economic and civic role, yet they are financially strained, which limits their ability to rescue surprise collections even when they want to. When NASCAR-linked heritage like the Circle Bar museum drifts into neglect, the loss is not just the carsits access, interpretation, and memory.

If America wants to stop watching automotive history dissolve into rust, the fix is painfully clear. Make title transfer easier at scale, give estates early authority to preserve, align tax incentives with public access, and build a preservation bridge between private hoards and institutions before the cars become liabilities. Because once a collection crosses the line from stored to decaying, the market doesnt just discount it. The marketand timeburies it.
America has evolved (devolved?) not to a democracy or constitutional republic, but rather into an entire nation run on polling. How else to explain some of the following contradictions:

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Biden's second term will go down in history as equal to or worse than Jimmy Carter's on an endless variety of topics. From a national security perspective, Biden very nearly cost us our country. Average polling for Biden's second term was 39-41%. This comes from large aggregated polling averages, such as The Hill/DDHQ and Ballotpedia's week-over-week index.



Trump's second term is less than 15 months old and is likely to be considered one of the most consequential presidencies in the last hundred years. Average polling numbers for Trump's second term have been 39% (currently 40.9%). This figure comes from the multi-poll aggregate published on April 3, 2026, which averages all major national pollsters.



For grins and gigglesKamala Harris' numbers: At the time she entered the 2024 race (July 21, 2024), Harris immediately polled at ~48% nationally in head-to-head matchups with Trump. At the end of the 2024 race (Election Day, November 5, 2024): Aggregated polling showed Harris ~48.5% vs. Trump ~47.7%, a Harris +0.8% national polling lead. Actual result: Trump won the popular vote 49.8% to 48.3% (Trump +1.5%).

The obvious conclusion is that polling (at least in national elections) is untethered to election outcomes or facts on the ground. 2024 was not a one-off either. It also happened in 2016. No other election in the last 12 years was polling so inaccurately that it led to the other guy winning.

What's the reason?

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Polling has built-in bias.

Acta Politica finds:

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Democratic bias in polls reached record highs in recent elections.

The study explores shy or socially pressured respondents and concludes that cross-pressured voters exist on both sides. Still, the net effect in recent U.S. cycles has leaned toward overstating Democratic support.

AAPORs audits of 2016 and 2020 found:

2016: National polls were close, but state polls systematically understated Trump.

2020: Polling errors were of unusual magnitude, the worst in 40 years, and again overstated Democratic support.

That leaves us with an open, but reasonable, questionwhy isnt the predictable and consistent misstatement in polls adjusted statistically beforehand to ensure accuracy? Would you be surprised that polls are already tuned (biased)? Pollsters adjust for nonresponse, education, turnout, and social desirability.

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Even given pollster adjustments, polling still consistently undercounts Republicansfull stop. Given that most pollsters are either unashamedly in the tank for Democrats or are mainstream media types with a dubious history of fairness and love for anyone on the right, Im a heck of a lot more than circumspect as to the veracity of the vast majority of polls.

Or, as this British comedy show explained:

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Despite their manifest ideological failings, polls have the power to change election outcomes that is not appreciated. Polling affects:

Voters

Donors

Media

Campaign strategy

Party elites

Narratives about momentum, viability, and inevitability

This is why polling is not a passive reflection of public opinion. It is an active force in the political ecosystem. Polling shapes perception, and perception shapes reality.

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Polling is not passive; it is an active tactic the left has used to influence voters in myriad ways. Low polling numbers take away a certain percentage of voters regardless of the issues.

Polling is not a passive snapshot of public sentiment; it has become an active political instrument that the left has learned to wield with strategic precision. By saturating the media environment with surveys showing Republicans trailing, polling shapes voter psychology long before ballots are cast. Low polling numbers reliably peel away a measurable share of soft or low-information voters who interpret those numbers as a signal of inevitability or futility.

This dynamic disproportionately harms Republicans, whose coalition includes more turnout-sensitive, institution-skeptical voters who are likelier to disengage when they believe their candidate is losing. In this way, polling doesnt merely report the political landscape  it helps construct it, reinforcing narratives that advantage Democrats while depressing Republican enthusiasm at critical moments. In the majority of cases, polling affects Republicans considerably more than Democrats, and it likely has skewed races in Democrats favor more often than we know.

Lets circle back to some of those earlier polling numbers we threw out:

Bidens second-term numbers are very close to Trumps. Think about that for a moment and imagine a pollster asking the key question:

Do you approve or disapprove of the way [PRESIDENTS NAME] is handling his job as president?

Frankly, its a meaningless question because the answer most people are giving is not a clean, rational evaluation of performance. Theyre giving a fast, emotionally filtered, identity-driven response, shaped by how the brain processes politics, inadvertently or on purpose, leading people away from reason and serious analysis.

Their brain reacts with:

tribal identity (my side vs. their side)

emotional memory (anger, pride, fear, frustration)

social cues (what people around me think)

media narratives theyve absorbed

Only after that does the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex  the reasoning center  try to justify the emotional reaction.

In other words:

People feel their answer, then explain it.

This is also intended and has led to our elections becoming popularity contests. As a society, weve crossed the Rubicon, where sound bites trump rational arguments and truth is never couched in black-and-white terms always subtle but consequential nuance, seldom in our favor.

Biden vs. Trump should be a 90-10 issue, but the fact that its not is all you need to know to understand how difficult our task is. Polling is an unfortunate reality we will continue to battle and are disadvantaged by. Understanding that polling is just another frontier we must overcome is todays takeaway.

Are we up to the challenge? Wed better be!

God Bless America!

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Author, Businessman, Thinker, and Strategist. Read more about Allan, his background, and his ideas to create a better tomorrow.
Europe has been taking a lot of flak in the last two months in the midst of the Iran War, raising the question of whether its members are capable of or interested in militarily defending themselves.

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An example is a serious conflict that arose recently when President Trump asked the Europeans to help the U.S. open the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait has been mostly closed to traffic by the Iranians, and Trump insists that the waterway should be an open and free passageway. Iran disagrees and wants sovereignty over it. The U.S. doesnt access the Strait very often, but Europe does. Unfortunately, European states refuse to engage their militaries to keep the Strait open. To make matters worse, those countries where U.S. bases are established wont allow the U.S. to use their territory or air bases. And Trump is furious at the European countries for their lack of cooperation:

The U.S.A. wont be there to help you anymore, just like you werent there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil! Advertisement

The fact that Iran has developed missiles that can reach the far reaches of Europe should be especially concerning. But Europe has stood firm. Although much has been said about the spike in oil prices due to the Straits near shutdown, prime minister of the U.K. Keir Starmer insists he wont get into the fight and that the nation will simply need to bear the escalating prices. He believes that diplomacy is the best way to resolve these issues.

The problems with defense of Europe are complex. Only a few nations, primarily France, actually have a military industrial complex. The U.S. wants Europe to conduct its own fighting but would be happy to provide weapons and armaments, which still creates the mindset of dependency.

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Europe has tried to be responsive to these latest demands by developing the ReArm Europe plan under the tutelage of the European Commission. Eight hundred billion euros will be put aside for defense, as well as additional funding from the E.U. Additional requirements include ensuring that 65% of items be issued from European companies.

Although this decision sounds optimistic, the pressure from Trump to buy American may discourage manufacturing and purchasing within Europe. In addition, these changes are mostly expected to be made over years, not months, and raise the question of whether Europe will be armed in time.

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To understand how complicated it will be to develop missiles alone, imagine this issue:

The United Kingdoms strategic capability is hampered by the fact that its Trident submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) are manufactured and serviced in the United States. This is a critical point of concern as the United States can stop supporting the UKs deterrent, thus leaving it vulnerable to leverage. And as the French missiles are incompatible with the UKs submarines, making a new system for the UK or retrofitting its submarines to use French missiles will require massive political and financial undertaking. Therefore, European nations such as Germany, Poland, and others interested in an indigenous European deterrent must unite to aid the United Kingdom and France politically, financially, and possibly technologically in achieving this goal. Advertisement

Along with this type of issue, there are questions of who will develop nuclear armaments and who will provide protection to the rest of Europe, how to develop independence from U.S. security protection, the dangers of Russia and China, overreliance on diplomacy to solve conflicts, and a reluctance to engage militarily.

By the time Europe gets its act in gear, it may be too late.

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Image: Old Photo Profile via Flickr, CC BY 2.0.
Im not a journalist. Im a real estate agent from Venice, Florida who served six years in the Air Force, whos been watching the news on Iran and noticing something  nobody seems to be asking the obvious questions. All I see is play-by-play and political rhetoric. So let me try something different. Let me connect some dots.

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Dot one: Iran, Venezuela, Greenland.

In the last several months, the United States has applied serious pressure to all three. Most people are treating these as separate stories. I dont think they are. Ask yourself what these three places have in common: oil, critical minerals, and strategic geography. Now ask yourself who has been quietly building influence in all three places for the last decade. The answer is China.

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China has been propping up Venezuela financially for years, essentially using it as a foothold in our backyard. China signed a 25-year cooperation deal with Iran and has been buying Iranian oil in defiance of U.S. sanctions. And the race for Greenland is really a race for Arctic shipping lanes and rare earth minerals  the same critical minerals China has been cornering globally for years.

Is it possible that what looks like chaos from Washington is actually a coordinated strategy to cut off Chinas resource lifelines before the real confrontation happens? I think thats worth asking.

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Dot two: The Strait of Hormuz.

Everyone is panicking about the Strait of Hormuz being disrupted. Gas prices are up, and the media are treating this like an unmitigated disaster. But lets slow down.

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The United States is energy independent. We dont need Hormuz the way we once did. So who actually gets strangled if that strait stays closed? China, Japan, South Korea, and India  massive percentages of their oil supply run through there. Our Gulf allies have options, too  Saudi Arabia has the East-West Petroline pipeline to the Red Sea, and the UAE built the Habshan-Fujairah pipeline years ago specifically as a Hormuz bypass. Theyre uncomfortable but not helpless.

China has no bypass. Its oil either comes through Hormuz or goes the long way around Africa, adding weeks and serious cost.

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So heres the question nobody in the media seems to be asking: Why would the United States rush to reopen a chokepoint thats hurting our main strategic rival more than its hurting us?

Dot three: Where is England?

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Historically, when the United States goes to war in the Middle East, the U.K. is right there with us. This time, its been noticeably quiet. France and the U.K. both blocked a U.N. Security Council resolution to protect shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz. France doing its own thing is nothing new. But the U.K. blocking something that protects open shipping lanes  shipping lanes that theoretically benefit everyone  deserves an explanation.

Im not going to claim I know exactly whats happening in back channels between Washington and London. But Ill say this: There are people who believe that Trumps real target isnt Iran; its the financial architecture that has run a lot of global dirty money for a very long time. The City of London operates under its own unique legal framework and has been connected to some of the shadiest financial flows in modern history. If theres any truth to that theory, youd expect exactly the kind of friction were seeing from the U.K. right now.

Im not saying thats whats happening. Im saying its worth asking.

Dot four: Why are my gas prices high if we have our own oil?

This one bothers me personally. Florida isnt exactly an OPEC nation, but were energy independent as a country  so why am I paying more at the pump?

Because oil is priced on the global market regardless of where its produced. When theres conflict and uncertainty, speculators drive the price up everywhere. American oil companies sell to the highest global bidder  not to American consumers at a discount. Until someone in Washington actually restructures how domestic oil is sold and priced, energy independence is a great talking point that doesnt fully translate to relief at your local gas station.

Thats not a partisan observation. Both parties have had decades to fix it, and neither has, which should tell you something about who funds their campaigns.

Im not a journalist, and Im not pretending to be. I dont have sources inside the Pentagon or the Treasury Department. What I have is the ability to read a map, follow money, and ask questions that the people with press credentials dont seem particularly interested in asking right now.

Maybe Im wrong about all of it. But Id rather be a regular guy asking the wrong questions than a credentialed journalist asking none at all.

Brian Wacnik is a licensed real estate agent and U.S. Air Force veteran based in Venice, Florida.

Image via Pexels.
When I served in the USAF as a security policeman, we were among the very few airmen or officers allowed to carry weapons on base. There are the rivet counters, airmen armed with riflesM-16s back then, M4s nowwho guard aircraft, missiles and related installations. And there are traditional police officers who in those days carried S&W Model 15 Combat Masterpiece .38 Special revolvers. We were issued 18 rounds of lead, round -nosed .38 special ammunition, and no speed loaders. Alert aircrew were allowed to carry revolvers, but only when climbing aboard their bombers and other aircraft.

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Then, as now, most military bases are protected by nothing more than chain link fences and the few military cops who try to cover enormous tracts of open land. Sure, there are several gated access points on bases, IDs are checked and there are a few other security measures, but searches of persons or vehicles are uncommon, and dangerous military members, like criminals everywhere, dont obey the law, particularly not while contemplating mass murder.

Most Americans dont know this. Our continental USCONUSbases, repositories for everything from pistols to heavy weapons to nuclear weapons, are scarcely safer than blue cities where Democrats do everything they can to strip the law abiding of arms while simultaneously coddling criminals. Aware of the issue, the first Trump Administration talked about doing something about it but didnt follow through. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, is following through.

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War Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memo on Thursday ordering a major shift in base security policy, allowing service members to request permission to carry personal firearms for self-defense amid growing concerns about threats on U.S. installations. In an announcement on social media, Hegseth said all American citizens have a God-given right under the Second Amendment to carry weapons for protection. Advertisement However, he said that right has not been extended to uniformed service members, who are "trained at the highest and unwavering standards." "These war fighters, entrusted with the safety of our nation, are no less entitled to exercise their God-given right to keep and bear arms than any other American," Hegseth said. "Our war fighters defend the right of others to carry. They should be able to carry themselves." Advertisement

Perhaps the most egregious attack, but far from the only attack, on a military installation was the Nov. 5, 2009 attack at Ft. Hood by Major Nidal Malik Hasan. An Army psychiatristtheres irony for youhe screamed Allahu Akbar and opened fire with a pistol, killing 13 and injuring more than 30. He was eventually stopped by civilian police officers employed by the Army.

Apparently, service members will have to request their rights and may be denied by installation commanders who will have to put denials in writing. Hegseth continued:

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"Again, the presumption is service members will be able to have their Second Amendment right on post," he said. "Not all enemies are foreign, nor are they all outside our borders. Some are domestic. Confirming your God-given right to self-protection is what I'm signing into action today, and I'm proud to do so."

Why might Hegseth adopt this policy now? Because Bidens Handlers let as many as 20 million illegal aliens into the country, a number that includes potentially hundreds of thousands of Islamist terrorists and Chinese special operators and spies. With likely few exceptions, we have no idea of the identities or locations of any of them. What we do know is military installations are prime targets for terrorist sleeper cells, and even individual Islamists like Major Hasan.

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Graphic: X Post

As one might expect, anti-liberty/gun cracktivists are screaming that soldiers will shoot it out over minor disagreements, and blood will run knee deep in the streets. These are the same hysterical screeds used to oppose concealed carry and constitutional carry legislation. None of their predictions came true, and no state that willingly adopted concealed or constitutional carryred stateshas ever repealed either. Blue states, due to the Supreme Courts Heller and Bruen decisions, have been dragged kicking and screaming into becoming shall issue states, and continue to write unconstitutional gun control laws.

Author: X Post

As always, the devil is in the details. We have no idea if there is appeal of a commanders denial, and military regulations will have to conform to states concealed carry laws, most of which require permit holders to be at least 21. There will likely need to be some uniform military training requirement, because pistol marksmanship and training on the use of deadly force is not a uniform requirement in our armed forces.

However, SecWar Hegseth is finally addressing a very real need for the personal safety of our troops, their families, and civilian DOD employees on our CONUS installations.

Become a subscriber and get our weekly, Friday newsletter with unique content from our editors. 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.
Could Marco Rubio be the one to take down the woke and seemingly untouchable Rep. Ilhan Omar?

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He seems to think that $40 million fortune of hers came from something different than wine sales from her winery.

Marco Rubio says the US State Department will no longer accept Congresswoman Ilhan Omar's sponsorship of foreign refugees after more than a dozen of the Minnesota fraudsters were found to be on her list.



"She allows people in who can pay a nice fee," said Rubio, "But she doesn't pic.twitter.com/HJ5bQ8mpIH  GRANDPAs FREE ADVICE (@GOP_is_Gutless) March 29, 2026

Which is shockingly direct. Usually, they don't state things so directly.

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But if it's true that Omar ran a pay-to-play refugee operation, it would surely be illegal. And who would be in a position to know this better than Rubio who runs the Department of State and all its adjacents?

With a confident tweet like that, it seems likely that he knows something. What's more, he's been after her for at least six weeks;

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Ilhan Omar's emergency bid to halt the DOJ probe into her enormous wealth surge was brutally DENIED by federal judge  no hearing, no mercy, doors sealed shut in seconds  as the Somali-born congresswoman faces imminent subpoena storm.



Sec. Marco Rubio: This isnt justice pic.twitter.com/wnKWa6npNR  C-Reason (@CreasonJana) February 28, 2026

None of this can be good news for Omar. Thus far, she seems to be saying nothing and maybe laying low,

Image: Screenshot from X video
This Passover and Easter season is a time of rescue, liberation, rebirth, and great hope. Here, in the non-religious realm, I cannot think of anything more aligned with this special season than yesterdays rescue of the weapons systems officer.

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Events unfolded on Friday, when a lucky Iranian shot hit a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet, manned by a pilot and a weapons systems officer (WSO). (Contrary to what ill-informed media outlets are saying, this was not a sign that the U.S. and Israel lack air supremacy over Iran. Even with complete air supremacy, it is still possible for an enemy to get lucky.)

Thankfully, both ejected safely, but once you eject, you land where you land. The pilot was able to land at a location from which U.S. forces rescued him with relative ease. However, all we know about where the WSO landed is that it was in mountainous terrain, with the best estimates placing it in western Iran, near the Iraqi border:

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Map by Sadalmelik. CC-BY-SA 1.0.

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At that point, exactly like a Hollywood movie (only with real stakes, not pampered actors doing a good job of pretending), the hunt was on, with U.S. forces and Iranian forces both trying to reach the WSO first. There are reports, although I dont know if theyre accurate, that Persians (that is, Iranians who oppose their government) sought to impede the Iranian action:

BREAKING: Iranian civilians in Dehdasht are reportedly blocking the streets to prevent Islamic regime forces from searching for the second pilot.



Iranian people are amazing. pic.twitter.com/HnjXTHdQec  Dr. Maalouf  (@realMaalouf) April 5, 2026

Increasing number of reports that the Iranian people in Dehdasht poured into the streets and physically blocked the roads during the search for the U.S. pilot, in order to prevent IRGC forces from reaching the pilots location. pic.twitter.com/a8U9nFczwI Advertisement April 5, 2026

Considering that Iran offered a bounty to any civilians who assisted with capturing the airman, if the Iranians really did seek to impede their own militarys efforts, that speaks volumes.

The U.S. launched a massive combat search and rescue. In addition to relying on satellite images, we know that it involved special operations forces, helicopters (both Black Hawks and Pave Hawks), drones and surveillance aircraft, and transport planes.

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The dry news is that the airman was rescued. Such details as have emerged are much more interesting and, indeed, uplifting. They speak to the extraordinary technical proficiency of the American military, the WSOs courage and training, which allowed him to escape the Iranian hunters, the same courage and training of our special ops forces, who carried out an almost miraculous rescue, and our militarys ethos, which is that we dont leave men behind.

OSINTdefender put together a lot of that information:

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Tonights operation in Southern Iran which resulted in the successful rescue of a Weapons System Officer (WSO) onboard an American F-15E Strike Eagle downed Friday over Iran, involved hundreds of special forces troops and other military personnel, including members of the U.S. pic.twitter.com/Ix7uJk6Sp2  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 5, 2026

Picking up after the ellipsis:

...Navys SEAL Team Six, dozens of fighter and strike aircraft, helicopters, and cyber, space and other intelligence capabilities, officials tell The New York Times. Senior military officials described the mission to rescue the airman as one of the most challenging and complex in the history of U.S. Special Operations given the mountainous terrain, the airmans injuries and Iranian forces rushing to the location in the mountains of Southern Iran. The WSO evaded Iranian forces for more than 24 hours, at one point hiking up a 7,000ft ridgeline, a senior U.S. military official said. U.S. attack aircraft dropped bombs and opened fire on Iranian convoys to keep them away from the area where the airman was hiding. As U.S. Special Forces converged on the downed airman, they fired their weapons to keep Iranian forces away from the rescue site, but did not engage in a firefight with the Iranians. In a final twist after the officer was rescued, two transport planes that would carry the commandos and the airmen to safety got stuck at a remote base in Iran. Commanders decided to fly in three new planes to extract all the U.S. military personnel and the airman, and they blew up the two disabled planes rather than have them fall into the hands of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Other source speak of a massive firefight and Israeli support.

Although no American lives were lost, the U.S. military lost two aircraft, one of which the American military had to destroy so it wouldnt fall into Iranian hands:

 Straight out of a war movie. Late night, US special forces locate the second pilot and land a transport for extraction but it gets stuck. Operators are forced to hold positions under fire as three more aircraft rush in for a high-risk rescue.



At the same time, a C-130 gets pic.twitter.com/5BdMojZ0ah  Defense Intelligence (@DI313_) April 5, 2026

... gets trapped in sand at a remote base in Iran. With no recovery possible, a Delta element destroys it on the spot. Two US aircraft gone in one mission.

This truly was an amazing operation. It also raises an important point, which is that, even though this mission went extraordinarily well, a perfect war, one without any combat deaths, is impossible.

So far, weve already lost 13 people with another 200 or so injured, whether in direct strikes or from sheer bad luck. In the context of warfare, while each death or injury is a tragedy, when you consider the scale of the operation, these numbers are miraculous. No war on this scale has ever resulted in such destruction rained down on the enemy compared to our own low casualty rates.

Nevertheless, death stalks war. The airmen might not have survived the crash or been rescued. The special forces might have died in the rescue, as is alleged to have happened during troop operations aimed at rescuing Bowe Bergdahl in Afghanistan after he walked away from his post. (Some claim that the troops died in unrelated military operations, not rescue operations. The military has remained silent on the matter.)

But heres the important thing: Every person who enlists in the military understands that death is a possibility. In the same way, every person who becomes a police officer, logger, commercial fisherman, small aircraft pilot, construction worker, lineman, or any other highly dangerous job that is almost entirely the exclusive domain of men, understands that death is a possibility. But they do the job anyway, because thats what men do, and what men have always done. You try not to dietraining, equipment, reasonable cautionbut you do it anyway.

For the left to pretend that our troops are victims is delusional, as well as demeaning and infantilizing to the men involved. Theyve taken on this risk and, when all goes well, theyve had an adventure, something young boys were once taught to crave.

And today, patriotic Americans celebrate that, after a harrowing adventure, everyone made it safely home.

UPDATE: This tweet has more detailed information, for those who are interested.

F15E SHOOTDOWN AND CSAR OPERATION  FULL VERIFIED BREAKDOWN



APRIL 3  THE SHOOTDOWN

F15E from the 494th Fighter Squadron out of RAF Lakenheath is hit over southwestern Iran.



Crash site confirmed in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad Province near Dehdasht.



Wreckage includes ACES II pic.twitter.com/SjElc0R4rv  Open Source Intel (@Osint613) April 5, 2026

Also, it appears that Israel was an active part of the rescue mission:

 BREAKING : Two Israeli commando units  Sayeret Matkal and Unit 5101 Shaldag  participated in the rescue of the American pilot near Isfahan, according to the latest reports.



Sayeret Matkal is the IDFs elite generalpurpose commando unit with deeppenetration and pic.twitter.com/aJuCxqizqr  Mossad Commentary (@MOSSADil) April 5, 2026

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Running for president in 2027, California's Gov. Gavin Newsom has begun putting women associated with him out front and center. He seems to have placed his bets that he can get the white-karen vote of college educated suburban women in the bag by trotting out his female talk.

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It's a disaster. First, he decided to dish about his ex-wife, Kimberly Guilfoyle, who is now honorably serving as the U.S. ambassador to Greece and is probably not in a position to reply to his claims, or perhaps refuses to dignify them with a reply, as they say in diplomacy.

He had this to say:

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TUNE IN: Gavin Newsom opens up about his ex-wife.



"I've got a marriage that starts to sort of fall apart because my wife at the time, Kimberly ultimately went to work for Fox News in NY That was not compatible with being First Lady of San Francisco."pic.twitter.com/TbywJWwooh  Resist the Mainstream (@ResisttheMS) April 4, 2026

... which drew this response:

They were no longer married when she went to work for Fox News. https://t.co/HK3Fehc0NM Advertisement April 4, 2026

So not only was his claim about not being suitable for San Francisco an insult to all conservative women out there, he managed to lie through his teeth about what happened in that strange marriage.

But we can guess that he was the problem -- based on his current wife, whom he is putting out there front and center. Unlike his claims about Guilfoyle, this one's truly a political liability.

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Get a load of her nutty paint-by-numbers logic:

NEW: Gavin Newsoms wife suggests Pam Bondi was fired because she is a woman, says Trump is declaring war on all women.



[Trumps agenda] is pushing us back into this straitjacket of femininity that is only in service of men, she said.



This woman might single-handedly pic.twitter.com/HlUmHswUxw  Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 4, 2026

Certainly a creative take no one else has had. She obviously goes where her nutty mind always goes, into the wokester weeds.

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Meanwhile, imagine raising sons her way:

Amazing.



All the fraud, corruption, and abysmal policy surrounding Gavin Newsom will look like nothing once Gavin Newsoms wife is done killing his campaign for president. pic.twitter.com/bnnfVP8Uyv  Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) April 3, 2026

Gavin Newsoms wife just confessed to psychologically castrating their sons.



Dolls for boys. Every male hero in books? She swaps he for she.



This isnt parentingits state-sponsored boy genocide. These poor children never had a chance. pic.twitter.com/w0lSH9sx2k  Liz Churchill (@liz_churchill10) April 3, 2026

Those kids are bound to be a wreck.

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Newsom probably is,too, even if he doesn't know it. Here, she discusses Gavin's "feminine energy" which ought to over great with blue collar voters /sss:

2017. Gavin Newsom and his wife talk about Gavin's feminine energy and the importance of splitting the household chores 50/50. pic.twitter.com/YgnTKokxMx  MAZE (@mazemoore) March 31, 2026

And here, she describes taking her kids on safari to the Deep South to point out to her kids all the racists:

Video Resurfaces: Jennifer Siebel Newsom Takes Kids to Southern Red States to Witness Racism, Misogyny, Bullying, and Sexism.



Condescending Siebel Newsom could tank her husbands Presidential ambitions.@CaliforniaGlobe link below pic.twitter.com/UC00qPHYto  California Globe (@CaliforniaGlobe) April 2, 2026

Jennifer Siebel Newsom is going to be a real problem for poor old @GavinNewsom's political ambitions. I'm telling you right now.



Roll the tape  pic.twitter.com/d4v7fDlbcM  Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) March 31, 2026

She went to Alabama as if she were going to a zoo.

I wonder what the specter of that trip was like, assuming it happened the way she said it happened?

And what a way to win over voters on a national stage.

As if that were not disgusting enough, the pair are also partners in crime:

 HOLY CRAP. Gavin Newsom and his wife are recipients of over $700K from California's largest public utility company, $300K of which went to his wife's NGO



Then when PG&E was fined $200M for starting wildfires, Gavin's board WAIVED THE FINE



Corruption.pic.twitter.com/zEtKfHuYNJ  Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 4, 2026

Does Newsom sound like White House material? His crazy wife manages to out-crazy even Tim Walz's crazy, woke, wife, the one who said she left the windows open in her house to enjoy the smell of burning tires from rioters burning Minneapolis down.

It's amazing that Newsom trots this stuff out, given how the less said the better it could for his prospects. But such is the ego of this fool, he thinks all of these bizarre scenarios with women are just normal.

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The United States has to be done paying for everything and everyone in the rest of the world.

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We have to go back to the Founders' vision of not entangling ourselves in foreign conflicts, unless it is clearly, absolutely in our best and vital interest to do so.

This is not a criticism of the decision to attack Iran, per se. Any reasonable person can see that there could be great benefit to knocking out or laying low a nation with Iran's destructive capabilities, a nation that has made it clear for almost half a century that it would love nothing more than to kill the Great Satan.

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But the United States must re-examine its role in NATO, which heretofore has been to pay for everything and protect everybody else in the organization.

That imbalance cannot long work for any nation, the United States included. It is also deeply unfair, unjust, and detrimental to the European nations themselves.

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Just as a complete and utter long-term reliance on welfare destroys an individuals motivation  and soul. It is, in a word, immoral. And, if we are being truthful, it is likely part of the reason Europe is as sadly enervated as it now is. Europe would be better off if it was able to defend itself. After all, it has a population much greater than that of the United States and a GDP many, many times greater than that of Russia.

That it can't, or hasn't, seen to its own defense is a pathetic travesty. When countries have the mindset of what they can't do, and what they shouldn't do, and self-flagellate, they become treasonous to their own citizens and worthless to everyone else. Call it the Dominion Syndrome. You have formally proud entities like the U.K. and Canada that are now nothing more than national versions of an unemployed, non-binary, non-viable tissue mass with blue hair and a nose ring.

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The U.N., which adores American dollars and is mostly funded by them, despises everything else American, and should be kicked out of New York. It is not rational to pay people to hate you, either on the part of the haters or the hatees to coin a word. Every culture that has ever lived until now has realized that obvious truth, just as they were eminently able to tell a man from a woman. Emasculated nations are not a good thing, not advanced, not progressive. They are useless at best and dangerous nearly always.

America has been the most generous country in the history of the world, and there is no runner up -- whether in money or blood. How many Americans have died for the freedoms of others? How many from other nations have died for the freedoms of Americans? It is about damn time we Americans were sick to death of this double standard. The other nations, in which it is so fashionable to trash America and Americans, simply and pathetically illustrate their envy and jealousy.

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Too many European nations seem to think that, for some reason, the United States needs to protect them with its lives and lucre. Yet, if and when the U.S. asks for their cooperation, they deny us use of the very military bases that we paid for and that they wanted on their soil for their protection. That is an insane level of ingratitude and entitlement.

It is high time we put a stop to it. For everyones sake.

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I wont say that Oxford, a town located in Oxfordshire County, England, is the first thing people think of when they think of England, but its certainly one of the main things they think of. The city grew up around a castle built by Robert DOyly, who came over in 1066 with William the Conqueror. It became a center of scholarship by the end of the 12th century, and a full-fledged university town by the beginning of the 13th century.

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For 800 years, Oxford University, like Cambridge University, was a primary center of European intellectualism, from the medieval era through the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and into the modern era. Each was the birthplace of uncountable British political and thought leaders. They were, for many, a microcosm of everything that was Great Britain when Britain was still great.

But times have changed. Oxford is an anti-Western, anti-British institution, and the county that hosts it is now banning the flag of St. George, which is the official flag of England. (The more familiar Union Jack is the flag of the United Kingdom.)

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To understand the rot in Oxfordshire, you need to appreciate the rot in Oxford.

In 2011, it floated a plan to rebrand its ancient theology department as a multi-faith department. (Oxford, like most European universities, started out as a theological school.) For the first time in 800 years, theology students would no longer be required to learn their Bible (both Old and New Testaments) but could instead focus entirely on Islam or Hinduism. By 2016, that plan was a reality, with Buddhism, feminism, and mysticism added as acceptable theological studies in lieu of the Bible.

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By 2017, Oxford banned a Christian group from setting up booths at its Freshers Fair, lest it harm those freshers. In 2021, one of its colleges apologized for hosting a Christian conference. In 2023, LGBT+ students were circulating lists of homophobic churchesthat is, churches that still preached a core biblical doctrine, which is that homosexuality is not right with God. By 2025, Oxford had dropped its ancient Latin graduation language, which used terms like ladies and gentlemen, to accommodate the it people demanding representation.

After the October 7, 2023, massacre in Israel and Israels subsequent determination to destroy Hamas, Oxford University itself adopted a neutral position. A large number of faculty members were not neutral. They were all in for Hamas. In addition, about 23 of the 39 colleges backed Hamas. And of course, as in America, the students were wildly antisemitic.

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In 2021, some bright minds at Oxford tried to cancel the entire canon of Western music. And in October 2025, the head of the Oxford Union, the organization that sponsors Oxfords famous debating society, a man named George Abaraonye (so you can guess how deep his British roots run), loudly celebrated Charlie Kirks assassination. Although Abaraonye was eventually driven from office, the fact is that he is a perfect symbol of modern academia in Britain.

In other words, Oxford, the most famous town in Oxfordshire, is rotten to the core. Its scarcely surprising, then, that the rot would have spread from town to county. And thats how we end up with what Spiked (a wonderful British publication) calls A fatwa on the England flag.

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The leader of Oxfordshire County Council issued a stern warning this week. Acts of intimidation, Liz Leffman said, had left residents feeling distressed, unwelcome and unsafe in their own communities. We will not hesitate to take further legal steps where necessary, she said, reassuring Oxonians that this outbreak of criminality would be met with the full force of the councils authority. This is very strong language. So strong, in fact, that you could be forgiven for thinking that Oxfordshire might be in the midst of an epidemic of burglary, knife-crime or drive-by shootings. You would be wrong. The crime Leffman is referring to is flying the English flag. Advertisement The widespread installation of flags by Raise the Colours is not a sign of patriotism, said Leffman, referring to the campaign launched last summer to flood Englands towns with national flags. Apparently, flag-raising is an act of intimidation and division that is having a real and damaging impact on our communities. Locals were left under no illusion as to the councils commitment to end the scourge of patriotism: The council has a responsibility to act where behaviour undermines community cohesion and the safe and inclusive use of public spaces. That is why we are taking firm action.

(Read the rest of this excellent essay here.)

For centuries, universities have been nations thought leaders. Where they led, whole cultures and political movements followed. Its time for that to end, because its very clear that Western academic institutions are leading us straight to cultural suicide and, if the Islamic jihad has its way, to the true Islamic goal: a worldwide caliphate.

I dont think the institutions can be reformed. They need to be abandoned, with normal people shying away from them and allowing them to rot into obscurity. Otherwise, just as is the case in Oxfordshire, well all be infected. There, the sun hasnt just set on the British Empire; the last remnant of the Empire is busy setting itself on fire, in an act of suicidal self-loathing.

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Epic Fury has become a source of contention among Americans, separating some conservative anti-globalists from other MAGA Republicans. It has also given Democrats another reason to oppose President Donald Trump, further fueling what some call Trump derangement syndrome. However, this weekend has provided hope and confirmation that our military forces have incredible reach, capability, and technological strength. This year, both Christian and Jewish holidays of redemption (Easter and Passover) occur during the same weeks. Such parallels should inspire increased spirituality within our nation.

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Friday morning, Iran shot down an F-15E Strike Eagle, the workhorse of the U.S. Air Force. This plane can carry both conventional and nuclear weapons. Although its design is five decades old, it remains dominant in the air. Its top speed reaches 2.5 times the speed of sound, and it has undergone numerous technological upgrades since its introduction in 1972, the same year as the last Apollo mission to the moon.

Within less than a day, rescue teams recovered the first pilot. These pilots train to hide and survive in all environments. They carry minimal weapons, usually a pistol, and limited food supplies to sustain themselves until rescuers arrive. After the President authorized a rescue mission, on Saturday morning, less than 48 hours after ejecting, the second pilotthe weapons officerwas also recovered.

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This second rescue involved members of SEAL Team Six, Marines, special forces, and other service branches. Such a coordinated mission requires hundreds of personnel and multiple aircraft to secure the area and support extraction forces.

This high-risk operation took place behind enemy lines, where Iranian IRGC forces were actively searching for the airman and offering a bounty for his capture. Several other aircraft (helicopters and planes) crashed during the operation, requiring additional successful rescues.

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The injured officer, a colonel, suffered injuries during ejection and had to hike 7,000 feet up a mountain to find a concealed position along a ridge. While details remain limited, he likely sustained back or leg injuries, as ejection forces can reach 5-7 times normal gravity. The human body is not designed for such extremes. Surviving such an event requires extraordinary mental strength. The military motto, we leave no one behind, proved true this week.

During this month of conflict with Iran, our forces, alongside the Israeli Air Force, have destroyed over 13,000 targets. Despite this high number of sorties, we have not lost any airmen to enemy fire. There have been casualties from friendly fire and accidents, but this military campaign will be studied for generations. A missile did penetrate a U.S. base in Saudi Arabia, causing casualties.

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Still, the remarkably low losses highlight our capabilities. This rescue required extensive planning and carried significant risk. The CIA participated in efforts to misdirect the enemy. Although the pilot carried a beacon, concerns arose that the enemy might have intercepted or replicated the signal. It is unlikely that another nation could have executed such a rescue. This demonstrates American exceptionalism.

Negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz are approaching a deadline on Monday. The President has indicated that bad-faith negotiations will lead to further strikes against Iranian infrastructure.

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Reports suggest that arms were sent to Iranian opposition groups through the Kurds, but the Kurds retained many of the weapons. This explains the hesitation to rely on Kurdish forces as a ground component against the IRGC. Regional issues, such as the creation of Kurdistan, can interfere with broader war objectives, including dismantling the Iranian regime.

Meanwhile, the Artemis II spacecraft is more than halfway to the moon. We can conduct military operations, advance space exploration, and grow the economy simultaneously. This weeks economic report showed over 175,000 new jobs and a lower unemployment rateall while oil prices increased by $1 per gallon during the month. The Big Beautiful Bill has delivered economic benefits that Trump promised. This, too, reflects American exceptionalism.

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Next, Congress must pass a reconciliation bill to address DHS funding gaps left unresolved by the Senate due to Democratic opposition. Governing effectively requires determination and coordination among Republican representatives in both chambers. This demands exceptional leadership. Perhaps the grown-ups are now in charge.

American exceptionalism depends on strong families, communities, and spiritual foundations. Traditional religions have fulfilled this role for 250 years. As our Judeo-Christian foundation faces challenges from non-assimilation and socialist ideologies, our national survival will depend on younger generations recognizing the risks of ideological indoctrination.

If they understand these threats, American exceptionalism will not rely solely on Trumps efforts to end mediocrity, strengthen foreign policy, and restore national strength. Future generations must ensure that America remains a beacon for humanity. By unleashing human creativitya hallmark of the capitalist systemwe can reach new heights. This is the redemption of American exceptionalism that our prayers and hard work can achieve.

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During the chaos of COVID-19, with churches shuttered and sanctuaries silenced, I made the trek to the now former Carmelite Monastery in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, a sanctuary soaked in generations of prayer, where Mass was still being celebrated but in the Latin Rite.

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In my youth, the tides of Vatican II swept through the Church, ushering in the Novus Ordo Mass spoken in the languages of the people and exiling the Latin that decreed the liturgy for centuries. The shift left many adrift in a liturgical landscape suddenly unfamiliar in a Church eager to seek ecumenism.

In the midst of the pandemic, it rekindled an unexpected and renewed encounter with tradition, proving that even in confusion and turmoil, grace finds a way.

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However, that wasnt its only revelation.

On that fateful day, what entered the chapel were boys, young men, really, all dressed in a jacket and tie whose bearing instantly set them apart as their posture, precision, and demeanor was reverent without pretension.

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It was as if someone had opened a window and a gust from the age of cathedrals entered carrying with it the sense that faith and formation still matter. They moved with the kind of quiet discipline that cant be faked and rarely appears in boys their age as they filed into the pews with a seriousness seldom witnessed.

When the group broke out into Gregorian chant as the High Mass began, it lifted the chapel into that ancient, resonant ambiance where every note seemed to breathe with the grandeur of St. Peters in Rome possessing the power to transfigure a soul in an instant.

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In a culture that often feels defined by drift, distraction, and the erosion of purpose, their presence felt like a small but unmistakable sign of hope.

They were inhabiting a tradition that had formed saints, scholars, missionaries, and martyrs. They were stepping into a stream that had never actually dried up  just diverted. The Latin, the reverence, the sense of the sacred  all of it was still alive, waiting for a generation willing to claim it again.

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And here they were.

They are students of St. Louis de Montfort Academy of nearby Herndon. The Academys vision is unapologetically clear and concise: to form young men who understand their faith intellectually and live it with courage and commitment. It is a credo that refuses to separate the mind from the soul and academic rigor from moral formation.

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What struck me then in the monastery, and strikes me still, is how rare such formation has become.

The Academys model is not just about producing dutiful students who excel. It is about shaping young men who can confront a culture that often encourages the opposite. Their daily pulse of prayer, scholarship, music and outdoor activities reflects a holistic formation. It is an arrangement that demands something and in return provides what the contemporary world struggles to offer: identity, discipline, and delight rooted in something greater than themselves.

The Academys commitment to mentorship remains central to its mission. With the schools trademark 5:1 student-teacher ratio it ensures that each student is known, guided, and challenged. In an era when education is often automated and impersonal, the results live through their students who grow in confidence, discipline, and intellect prepared not only to succeed in the classroom but to lead with character well beyond it.

Equally significant is the Academys resolve to keep education accessible. Through its Scholarship Committee, the school upholds affordability so that financial circumstances never become a barrier to a faith-centered education. This commitment reflects the Academys creed that its mission is not reserved for the few but is meant to serve families who desire something more substantial for their sons than the trappings of contemporary society.

When I witnessed that first day was the fruit of a formation model that refuses to compromise. It was a glimpse of what young men can become when they are given structure, meaning, and a mission worthy of their strength. In a time when so many institutions are unsure of themselves, the Academys confidence is almost startling. And for those of us who sometimes wonder what future awaits the next generation, it offers something rare and necessary  hope grounded in evidence.

In an era where institutions crumble under the weight of their own contradictions, this school stands like a lighthouse where education and faith still matters and students deserve more than the soft bigotry of low expectations.

Perhaps that is the true story in a world sprinting toward the next diversion, there is a school quietly teaching boys how to think critically and grow into the kind of men we can trust with the future.

The boys are not being prepared for a world that no longer exists; they are being prepared to rebuild the one that does. The Academy does not simply give me hope for the future. It reminds me that the future is already arriving, quietly, and reverently with one well-formed student at a time.

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The Archbishop of Canterbury called for an end to violence and destruction in the Middle East during her first Easter sermon as leader of the Church of England, as the US-Israel war against Iran enters its sixth week.

Speaking from Canterbury Cathedral, Dame Sarah Mullally called with renewed urgency for an end to the escalating conflict in the region and for all people of the Middle East and the Gulf to receive the peace, justice and freedom they long for.

The ongoing war has already claimed thousands of lives and triggered significant global repercussions, including a surge in fuel prices due to a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital international shipping route.

In a swear-laden rant on Sunday, Donald Trump told Iran to open the f***in Strait or face living in hell, with his deadline to make a deal by Monday afternoon closing in rapidly. He also threatened to hit Iranian power plants if his demands are not met by 2pm GMT on Monday.

The first female Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally (PA Wire)

Dame Sarah used her Easter sermon, which was just shy of a fortnight after her installation as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, to call for peace.

She told the cathedrals congregation: This week our gaze and our prayers have been turned towards the land where Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead.

Today, as we shout with joy that Christ is risen, let us pray and call with renewed urgency for an end to the violence and destruction in the Middle East and the Gulf.

May our Christian sisters and brothers know and celebrate the hope of the empty tomb  and may all people of the region receive the peace, justice and freedom they long for.

She also prayed for people dealing with personal struggles, from unemployment to bereavement.

She said: Perhaps you are here today standing in your own version of the dark, perhaps with your own heart shattered If you have been knocked off course by illness, bereavement, unemployment or any other human crisis  I pray you know that God walks with you through that darkness.

The Archbishop of Canterbury takes part in the Walk of Witness at Canterbury Cathedral (PA Wire)

Dame Sarah, a former chief nurse in England, gave special mention to those caring for others in society.

She said: Last night, in hospitals around the country, nurses tended to those who struggled to sleep.

In hospices, carers and loved ones will have held someones hand, letting them know they are not alone. Parents will have cradled their babies to sleep. This vigil of care is the work of remaining  of staying present in the quiet and the dark.

Dame Sarah, who was named one of 50 influential women on The Independents International Womens Day list, made history when she was named as the first female archbishop of Canterbury at the start of this year. She will be leading a global church with deepening divisions over issues such as sexuality and female leadership, and has vowed to talk openly about misogyny in a sphere that has long been seen as exclusively a male domain.

While the King is technically head of the Church, Dame Sarah is the most senior bishop and the spiritual leader of the Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion.

She is the Churchs first female Archbishop of Canterbury and was enthroned at a ceremony attended by the Prince and Princess of Wales last month.

Meanwhile, the leader of Catholics in England and Wales spoke of a humanity scarred by warfare.

Delivering his first Easter sermon since becoming Archbishop of Westminster, Richard Moth said: In our present times the world is so often confusing and conflicted, subject to ever-changing and often illusory demands and attractions.

Humanity is marked, scarred, by warfare and injustice, often instigated by greed and misguided power, bringing harm and death to so many and so often the most vulnerable.

Speaking at the Saturday vigil mass in Westminster Cathedral, he called on people to share the irresistible light, this all-embracing love and peace of the Risen Lord across our communities and beyond, even to the ends of the Earth.

Pope Leo also celebrated his first Easter Mass as pontiff with a call on Sunday to exercise hope against the violence of war that kills and destroys, adding we need this song of hope today as conflicts spread around the world.
Blake Lively also urged her social media followers not to be distracted by the digital soap opera - Eduardo Munoz/REUTERS

Blake Lively has promised to carry on her legal battle against a male co-star despite the majority of her claims being dismissed.

In a statement, the 38-year-old actress said she was grateful to the judge who threw out key parts of her sexual harassment claim against Justin Baldoni.

She said the ruling allows the heart of my case to be presented to a jury and for her to finally tell my story in full at trial.

Lively had sued Baldoni, who directed and starred alongside her in the 2024 film It Ends with Us, alleging he had harassed her by kissing and caressing her during filming.

Her lawyers claimed Baldoni was consistently inappropriate and kissed, nuzzled and touched her without her consent.

But on Thursday at a New York court, US District Judge Lewis Liman threw out her sexual harassment claims, concluding Baldoni was just acting in the scene.

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni starred alongside each other in the 2024 film It Ends with Us - Nicole Rivelli/Sony Pictures via AP

Sexual harassment was one of 10 claims brought by Lively, which also included conspiracy and defamation, to be dismissed by the judge.

Only three of her claims will be heard at trial: breach of contract, retaliation, and aiding and abetting in retaliation.

After the ruling, she wrote on Instagram: Im grateful for the courts ruling, which allows the heart of my case to be presented to a jury next month, and for the ability to finally tell my story in full at trial, for my own sake

But also for those who dont have the same opportunity to... many of whom I have known and loved deeply in my life, and the countless Ill never know.

She said she never wanted to launch her legal battle, but did so because of persuasive retaliation I face, and continue to, for privately and professionally asking for a safe working environment for myself and others.

I will never stop doing my part

Lively urged her followers not to be distracted by the digital soap opera, claiming that those who described her lawsuit merely as a celebrity drama were being irresponsible.

Writing on her social media account, she urged parents to protect children  some of the most vulnerable  who use phones by having conversations with them about the dangers of online abuse and digital warfare.

She added: It affects us all. Across the political spectrum. Pay attention to all the ways we can be manipulated online

The physical pain from digital violence is very real. It is abuse. And its everywhere. Not just in the news, but in your communities and schools.

She concluded: I will never stop doing my part to expose the systems and people who seek to harm, shame, silence and retaliate against victims. I know its a privilege to be able to stand up. I will not waste it. Your support keeps me going.

Blake Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds - Instagram

In his ruling, Judge Liman concluded that Baldonis conduct during filming appeared to be directed to Livelys character rather than Lively herself.

He wrote: Assuming he was improvising, the conduct was not so far beyond what might reasonably be expected to take place between two characters during a slow-dancing scene

Creative artists, no less than comedy room writers, must have some amount of space to experiment within the bounds of an agreed script without fear of being held liable for sexual harassment.

After the ruling, Sigrid McCawley, one of the actresss lawyers, said her client looks forward to testifying, and showing the efforts made to destroy her reputation because she stood up for safety on the set.

Baldoni has always denied Livelys allegations. He and his production company counter-sued her and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, the Deadpool actor, over claims that she had attempted to destroy his reputation. A judge dismissed Baldonis claims last June.
Caroline Dubois added the WBO world lightweight title to her WBC crown with a unanimous points victory over fellow Briton Terri Harper.

The London-born younger sister of heavyweight Daniel Dubois scored a 98-91, 97-92, 98-91 win to see off Harper at London Olympia on Sunday night.

Dubois struggled to get to her opponent initially, but floored her in the sixth round and never looked back as she moved a step closer to unifying the division.

Caroline Dubois has set her sights on unifying the world lightweight division after beating Terri Harper (Ben Whitley/PA) (Ben Whitley)

Asked afterwards if that was now her aim, she told Sky Sports: A hundred per cent. Thats the plan. I only want big fights from now on.

Ive got two more fights this year and I want to make them two of the biggest.

The fighters had traded verbal exchanges during the build-up to the contest with Harper shoving Dubois in a tense face-off on Wednesday, but she insisted there was nothing in the animosity on her part.

She said: It was never personal for me. It was always personal for Terri. Im a fighter and Im an entertainer, I put myself out there to show up for you guys, I talk the talk to be entertaining for you guys, and this is why this fight was the most talked about, the most exciting.

Terri Harper (left) was knocked down in the sixth round at London Olympia (Ben Whitley/PA) (Ben Whitley)

In a cagey opening round, neither fighter landed a meaningful blow of note with Harper easily side-stepping an expansive left hook from Dubois, although the 29-year-old did get a straight right hand through in the second.

Dubois enjoyed the better of the close-quarter action in the third round and as the tempo increased in the fourth, it was she who started to score, delivering a series of body blows and a solid right hook.

Harper largely managed to keep herself out of range, but was caught with a heavy left which sent her to the canvas with 11 seconds of the sixth round remaining, to Dubois clear delight.

Sensing an opportunity, the 25-year-old stepped up a gear and with Harper bleeding heavily after a clash of heads in the eighth, she went toe-to-toe with her opponent knowing she needed something special in the closing rounds.

Elie Scotney beat Mayelli Flores on points to become the undisputed world super bantamweight champion (Ben Whitley/PA) (Ben Whitley)

Both remained on their feet after an attritional final two minutes, but a confident Dubois ultimately got the verdict she wanted.

Earlier, Ellie Scotney had unified the super-bantamweight division by beating Mayelli Flores on points to take her WBA belt to go with the WBO, WBC and IBF world titles she already held.
After waiting for five months to be reunited with his 3-year-old after she crossed the U.S.-Mexico border with her mother, a young father learned what happened to her while in federal custody.

The girl was placed in federal custody after being separated from her mother, where her family says she had suffered alleged sexual abuse at the foster home she was placed in.

She was so long in there, said her father, who is a legal permanent resident in the United States. I just think that if they would have moved faster, nothing like that would have happened.

He spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to prevent identifying his daughter as a victim of sexual abuse.

President Donald Trumps administration began targeting detained immigrant children, like the mans daughter, last year when it implemented new rules and procedures, which were immediately followed by a dramatic jump in detention times.

The federal government intensified efforts to expand family detention indefinitely by motioning to terminate a cornerstone policy ensuring the protection of immigrant children in federal custody.

For months after the girl was placed in foster care, her fathers attempts to be reunited stalled as the government told him it couldn't make an appointment to take his fingerprints.

During that time, according to court documents, the girl said she was sexually abused by an older child staying with her in foster care in Harlingen, Texas.

President Donald Trumps administration began targeting detained immigrant children, like the mans daughter, last year when it implemented new rules and procedures (AFP via Getty Images)

A caregiver noticed the childs underwear was on backward, according to the lawsuit. The girl then told the caregiver she was abused multiple times and it caused bleeding. Federal Office of Refugee Resettlement officials told the father that there had been an accident and his daughter would be examined, he told the AP in an interview.

I asked them, What happened? I want to know. Im her father. I want to know whats going on, and they just told me that they couldnt give me more information, that it was under investigation," the father said.

The girl underwent a forensic exam and interview. Although the father wasn't told of the outcome, the older child accused of the abuse was removed from that foster program, according to the lawsuit.

The girl was forensically examined and interviewed, according to the lawsuit. The abuse allegations were reported to local law enforcement, said Lauren Fisher Flores, the lawyer representing the girl. The Associated Press does not typically name people who have said they were sexually abused.

To have your child abused while in the governments care, to not understand what has happened or how to protect them, to not even be told about the abuse, it is unimaginable, Fisher Flores said. Children deserve safety and they belong with their parents.

The ORR and its parent agency, the Department of Health and Human Services, were named in the child's lawsuit but did not respond to emails seeking comment.

The girl and her mother illegally crossed the border near El Paso on Sept. 16 of last year. When her mother was charged with making false statements and they were separated, the toddler was sent to the custody of the ORR, which cares for immigrant children in shelter or foster settings.

The ORR and its parent agency, the Department of Health and Human Services, were named in the child's lawsuit but did not respond to emails seeking comment (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Children in ORR's care are released to parents or sponsors who submit to a rigorous process that has grown more extensive under the Trump administration.

Stricter rules were imposed on documentation required for sponsors, border agents started pressuring unaccompanied children to self-deport before transferring them to shelters and Immigration and Customs Enforcement started arresting some sponsors in the middle of the release process.

Legal advocates filed lawsuits challenging the policy changes, anticipating that they would result in prolonged detention.

Average custody times for children cared for by ORR grew from 37 days when Trump took office in January 2025 to almost 200 days this February. The total number of children in ORR custody fell by about half during the same time period.

Attorneys are now turning to habeas petitions, which function as emergency lawsuits, to expedite the release of children to their parents and sponsors.

Fisher Flores, legal director of the American Bar Associations ProBar project, said that this year the organization has worked on eight habeas corpus petitions representing children who have been held in federal custody for an average of 225 days. They had not filed these kinds of petitions for children before the start of this Trump administration.

Fisher Flores said that legal intervention helped prompt the federal government to respond to the fathers sponsorship application.

Alleged abuse wasn't immediately disclosed to the father

After the monthslong delay, attorneys sent the government a letter in February and prompted them to allow the father to receive appointments for a fingerprinting background check, a home visit and a DNA test. Then ORR stalled again, offering no timeline on her expected release.

Attorneys filed the habeas petition in federal court and two days later, ORR released the girl to her father.

It was while the attorneys prepared the lawsuit that the father realized that the accident officials had told him about was alleged sexual abuse.

Increasingly, we have to turn to the federal courts to challenge these harmful legal violations and demand that children be released, Fisher Flores said.

The fingerprinting policy was challenged during the first Trump administration by legal advocates including the National Center for Youth Law. Other nationwide lawsuits are opposing more recent changes affecting the custody and care of immigrant children.

This represents yet another version of family separation, Neha Desai, managing director at Childrens Human Rights and Dignity at the National Center for Youth Law, said of the 3-year-old girls case.

A bipartisan Congress designed protections around the simple principle that children should be released to their family quickly and safely. This administration has been consistently flouting its legal obligations to release children to their families, profoundly jeopardizing childrens health and well-being, Desai added.

When the father finally reunited with his daughter, he cried. His daughter was happy to see him, too.

But after her five months in detention, he started noticing changes: She had nightmares and was easily upset. She was never like that before, her father said.

The pair now live in Chicago with the girl's grandparents while her case moves through the immigration court.
Harry Cobden belatedly rode his first ever winner in Ireland aboard Funiculi Funicula in the penultimate race at Cork on Sunday.

Having been announced as the new number one rider for owner JP McManus in Britain and Ireland from next season, Cobden will be making more frequent journeys across the Irish Sea in coming months and on Easter Monday will ride for his new boss in the Irish Grand National, partnering Colm Murphys Goraibhmaithagat.

The 2023/24 British champion jockey appeared to have an excellent chance of breaking his Irish duck at Cork with six booked rides for Willie Mullins  and while the first five were all beaten, including three at odds-on, he finally struck gold in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase.

Funiculi Funicula was an 8-11 favourite to break his duck over fences at he third attempt following placed efforts at Naas and Gowran Park during the winter and he knuckled down after the final fence to get the better of a protracted duel with Wingmen by three-quarters of a length.

Cobden said: It has been a long day and Ive had plenty of stick, so it was nice to get on the board! Im delighted.

When you ride six very short-priced horses you hope not to have to rely on the last one to get you on the board, but there were no hard-luck stories, they all ran well and Ive had a great day. It was lovely to come and meet so many nice people.

I was going out thinking I hope this one wins!. When you ride an 8-11 shot you just hope to steer them through the wings, but the horse was tough, it was a good race and Im a happy man now.

Im looking forward to the Irish Grand National tomorrow and it is a great ride. He has been a progressive horse on his last couple of runs. Ive not heard anything yet about the English National, but hopefully Ill ride something in the race.

Looking ahead to his new role with McManus, he added: Im very excited and looking forward to hopefully riding a few nice ones.

He has obviously got a tremendous bunch of horses, but at the same time Ill have lots of horses to ride in England and Ive got keep those people that have been so loyal to me happy as well.

Im looking forward to the new challenge. Ive obviously been with Paul Nicholls for pretty much my whole career, hes been fantastic to me and his owners have been unbelievable well.

Were starting a new chapter, but I certainly wont be forgetting the last one.

Cobden must have thought it was not going to be his day after being beaten at short odds aboard Mino Des Mottes (4-7), Absurde (5-6) and Kimi De Mai (4-7) earlier on the card, while Larzac was fourth as the 9-2 joint-favourite for the handicap hurdle won by his stablemate Sainte Lucie, who was providing conditional jockey Charlie ODwyer with his first winner for Mullins.

In the feature BAR 1 Betting Chase Cobden partnered Classic Getaway, but he finished last of three behind Ray Hacketts well-backed 4-5 market leader Nowwhatdoyouthink, who claimed the Grade Three prize by six and a half lengths under Liam Quinlan.

It looked like it was all going so well until the second-last, but he missed it and I panicked a little, said Hackett.

The one big worry we had was that we might have had to make the running, but maybe he has grown up and could do that now. Classic Getaway had been there and done it whereas we were on an upward curve.

Hell go for the Grade One novice chase at Punchestown now  well have to give him a crack at it.
Dan Levy has shot down the possibility of a Schitts Creek sequel after the death of his former co-star Catherine OHara.

Levy, the shows co-creator, had previously said that fan speculation had inspired him to consider a potential revival of the Emmy-winning comedy series, which aired from 2015 to 2020.

But after OHara  who played flamboyant matriarch Moira Rose on the Canadian sitcom  died from a pulmonary embolism in January at age 71, Levy said there is no way that the show could return without her.

No. We cant, Levy, 42, said in an interview with CBS News published Sunday. I was thinking about it. Yeah. It's tough. It's tough going back.

He told the broadcaster that it was awe-inspiring to work with the comedian on the show.

Dan Levy said he is not interested in doing a 'Schitt's Creek' sequel without Catherine O'Hara (Getty Images)

We had the best time. We had the best time. She had the best time, he said through tears. It's an amazing thing to be a part of something that she loved so much. You know, it feels very special. It's what you have to hold onto, is the memories of it all.

Schitts Creek, which was created by Levy and his father Eugene Levy, follows the wealthy and eccentric Rose family who are forced to relocate to a small town  the titular Schitts Creek  after previously buying it as a joke.

Eugene Levy played Rose family patriarch Johnny, while OHara starred as fading actor Moira. Dan Levy played son David, while Annie Murphy appeared as his spoiled sibling Alexis.

After the show took home seven awards during the 2020 Emmys ceremony, Levy discussed the possibility of rebooting the series as a film.

Heres the thing: Some people have been asking that, he said at the time. If there is an idea that pops into my head and worthy of these wonderful people, it has to be really freaking good at this point.

Annie Murphy, Eugene Levy, Catherine OHara and Dan Levy in front of The Rosebud Motel, as seen on Schitts Creek (Netflix)

He added, Fingers crossed that we get a really good idea coming into our heads soon, he said. I would love to work with these beautiful people again. This has been the most incredible experience.

After OHaras death, Levy described The Studio star in a tribute as family before she ever played my family.

He said on Instagram that he would cherish every funny memory I was fortunate enough to make with her, adding: What a gift to have gotten to dance in the warm glow of Catherine OHaras brilliance for all those years.

Having spent over fifty years collaborating with my dad, Catherine was extended family before she ever played my family. Its hard to imagine a world without her in it.
Deontay Wilder consigned British heavyweight Derek Chisora to defeat in his final fight but only after an exhilarating fight of the year contender at a raucous O2 Arena.

In the 50th bout of Chisoras eventful professional career, Del Boy showed remarkable powers of recovery to come back from a punishing eighth round and take former WBC champion Wilder to the distance.

After the American showed the power early on in London which once made him one of the most formidable punchers in heavyweight history, Chisoras farewell threatened to turned into a nightmare during a one-sided start.

Deontay Wilder came on top in a split decision (Adam Davy/PA) (Adam Davy)

However, Chisora rallied back in sensational fashion in a thrilling fourth and after he got up off the canvas in round eight, the 42-year-old made it through to earn a heros reception before, during and after the last three-minute round of his journey in the professional ranks.

It was not enough to seal Chisora one last victory after the judges scored the bout 115-111, 112-115 and 115-113 in favour of Wilder to earn the Bronze Bomber a split-decision triumph, which may put his name back in the mix for the biggest fights in the division.

Chisora lived up to his man of the people tag by riding on the London Underground to O2 Arena and he was soon greeted by little brother Anthony Joshua, who made a surprise first public outing since he was involved in a car crash in December which killed two of his close friends.

Anthony Joshua made a surprise appearance in support of Chisora (Adam Davy/PA) (Adam Davy)

The sound of the first bell signalled the start of a slugfest and Chisora immediately stalked Wilder, but got caught by an uppercut and the duo almost fell over the ropes after another coming together.

Round two followed a similar script with Chisora going after Wilder and being caught by a slick combination in the corner before a stumble by the British boxer was waved away.

On his farewell fight, Chisora survived to the bell but another big swing and miss allowed Wilder to wear down his rival some more.

Chisora remonstrated with referee Mark Bates at the end of the third before the tables turned when a Wilder slip was followed by a huge right hook flush on the face of the American to spark an enormous roar around O2 Arena.

Chisora was knocked down in the eighth round (Adam DAvy/PA) (Adam Davy)

Another occurred when Chisora launched a massive right in the fourth to wobble Wilder, who was grateful for respite on his stall.

A messy round five had an exhausted Chisora on the canvas twice, but neither were knockdowns and the 42-year-old then had more success with a right over the top.

Wilder regained a semblance of control in the sixth after Chisora dipped his head into trouble before both boxers went tumbling after another grapple in a low-key seventh.

However, a sensational eighth caught fire with Chisora on the verge of being stopped after Wilder finally sent him down, but Del Boy beat the count and showed incredible resolve to go from back-pedalling to remarkably forcing Wilder on to the ropes.

Chisora, right, and Wilder entertained the O2 Arena (Adam Davy/PA) (Adam Davy)

Wilder was also deducted a point as the Rocky theme tune fittingly echoed around the arena.

An even ninth was backed up by Wilder trying and failing to line up his rival in a round 10 which ended with a Chisora looping right landing.

Chisora was again almost through the ropes midway through round 11 before Wilder was down, but neither counted as knockdowns.

Despite the whole crowd being on their feet during the last three minutes of Chisoras career, no stoppage was delivered before the British fans favourite was serenaded one last time.
At least 15 people have been injured after an allegedly intoxicated driver plowed into a crowd of people celebrating the Lao New Year in Louisiana, according to police.

Deputies with the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office are investigating after a car struck multiple pedestrians during a parade, the office said in a statement Saturday.

Several people sustained injuries, some of which were believed to be serious. At least two people were airlifted to the hospital, according to Acadian Ambulance.

Todd Landry, 57, of Jeanerette, faces 18 counts of first-degree negligent injuring, driving while impaired and careless operation of a vehicle, among other charges, police said. Police do not believe the incident was an intentional act based on a preliminary investigation, officials said.

Images shared on social media appear to show several people sitting and lying on the ground next to a blue car that drove into the crowd on Saturday afternoon. Videos appear to show several people bleeding as emergency responders try to rescue a person stuck under the vehicle.

Allegedly drunk diver plowed through a crowd celebrating Lao New Year in Louisiana on April 4 (AP)

The annual Lao New Year Festival occurs over the Easter weekend in Lanexang Village outside of Broussard, roughly 140 miles west of New Orleans and home to a growing Lao community where refugee resettlement groups began assisting people more than 40 years ago.

The event celebrating Songkran is among the largest gathering of its kind in the U.S.

Organizers of the festival said they were profoundly saddened by news of the incident.

We are awaiting additional details from authorities as they become available. All security resources have been redirected to the scene, and we currently do not have security personnel available due to the circumstances, they said in a statement.

We are praying for the victims and for their families during this difficult time, the statement added.

Festival events are supposed to last through Sunday but were cancelled for the rest of Saturday following the incident in the interest of public safety.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry wrote on X that the government and his wife Sharon Landry are praying for all those affected, and are grateful for the first responders who have responded to the scene.

State Attorney General Liz Murrill posted a similar message of support, adding that she would be following up with local law enforcement on the issue.

Louisiana is no stranger to tragedy during New Year celebrations following the Bourbon Street terror attack in New Orleans on January 1, 2025.

Fourteen people were killed and 30 others were injured after Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove his truck into the crowded street. Jabbar, who was reportedly inspired by ISIS, was later killed in a fire fight with police.
TikToker @AmyBeth1968 is a teacher, and every spring, a mama duck returns to her school courtyard to lay her eggs, knowing its a safe place for her and her babies. When its finally time for them to head out, the school has the sweetest way of sending them off.

The students and teachers create a pathway for the duck family, leading them down hallways and out of the school towards life in the real world. Students quietly sit and watch as the mama and her brood parade down the hall. It's guaranteed to be the cutest thing you'll see today!

Our hearts can't take all this cuteness! What a magical day for the students! Amy says in the video's caption, "Every year this duck comes to our school's courtyard to lay her egg. Today, we released them to the great outdoors! And yes, there is water nearby!"

She also said that she looks forward to this day every year, and we can totally see why, because we'd feel the same way about watching the ducks!

Related: Annual 'Duck Parade' at PA School Returns and the Cuteness Is Truly Over-the-Top

SIGN UP to get pawsitivity delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends

Viral Video Sparks Cute Reactions to the Duck Parade

Nobody will be surprised to hear that Amy's adorable video went viral in a big way, racking up more than 10 million views, 1.7 million likes, and nearly 18,000 comments. People love this kind of wholesome, feel-good content!

This is the ninth year that students at Milton Hershey School in Hershey, Pennsylvania, have looked forward to the annual duck parade. We covered this story last spring in May, when a staff member at the school explained that not only is the duck family fun to watch, but the school also incorporates them into its curriculum.

The students get to observe the duck as she cares for her eggs, count how many there are and how many eventually hatch, and even do their own research about ducks. Then, when its time, they quietly cheer them on as the mama and her ducklings make their way through the halls and out to the pond.

Fortunately for the rest of us, the school shares the little family's parade through the halls each year, and it continues to brighten all of our days.

This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Apr 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Even Republican election officials say Trumps mail-in voting order will be shot down in court

Experts agree that Donald Trumps executive order aimed at restricting mail-in ballots will likely fail under court challenges due to the Constitutions provisions mandating state governments as the ultimate authority over elections in their jurisdictions.

Trump signed an order Tuesday that would ban the U.S. Postal Service from sending absentee or postal ballots to any voter who does not appear on a list of legal, documented citizens he has ordered the Department of Homeland Security to collect with the help of the Social Security Administration.

Two Republicans with experience overseeing elections themselves said as much on ABCs This Week on Sunday, saying they expect lawsuits challenging the order to result in Trumps mandate being tossed.

Al Schmidt, the Republican secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, said he was confident that Pennsylvanias legal challenge against the Trump administration would prevail.

Americans should rest assured ... that Pennsylvania, the birthplace of our republic, and Gov. [Josh] Shapiro are going to stand up for our voters, and know that the Constitution is on our side, Schmidt said.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at restricting mail-in ballots, which he has long criticized (REUTERS)

Stephen Richer, the former Republican elections chief in Maricopa County, Arizona, said the order is likely to be stopped very quickly.

Both men characterized Trumps order as an unnecessary attempt to address a problem that does not occur at a large scale: Noncitizen voting in federal elections.

They argue that Trumps order was meant to stir the pot and introduce further suspicion of a system he has undermined for years ahead of a midterm election season that is likely to decide the fate of his legislative agenda in his final years in office.

Trumps executive order follows his unsuccessful push for the Republican-controlled Senate to blow up the filibuster to pass a sweeping elections bill that would impose nationwide voter ID and proof of citizenship laws to register to vote (AP)

The order comes as Trump has fought unsuccessfully for weeks to see the Republican-held Senate do away with the 60-vote filibuster threshold and pass the SAVE America Act, a piece of restrictive voter ID legislation that many critics argue will disenfranchise poorer voters and those without easy access to identification documents.

Only five states currently print drivers licenses  the most common form of identification in America  that also indicate citizenship.

The SAVE America Act (or SAVE Act, another iteration of the bill) currently sits in the Senate unable to reach 60 votes with Democrats unified in opposition and at least one Republican senator currently against the legislation.

As a signature piece of Trumps agenda, the bills fate has weighed heavily on the president and he has demanded that the chamber not pass other legislation until it reaches his desk.

Pennsylvanias suit is one of several already filed against Trumps executive order, and the list is growing. Other litigants include the Democratic National Committee and American Civil Liberties Union, among others.

Once again, President Trump is attempting to rewrite the rules of our democracy through a blatant abuse of executive power, this time targeting mail-in voting, ACLU Voting Rights Project director Sophia Lin Lakin said this week.

He does not have the authority to dictate how Americans cast their ballots, and no executive order can override that fundamental limit, she added. This latest move is not about election integrity  its about injecting confusion and chaos into our elections as midterm season ramps up.

Trump remains convinced that large numbers of noncitizen voters contributed to his loss to Joe Biden in 2020, which his own attorney general and other top officials disputed at the time. To this day, he continues to insist at public events that the 2020 election was stolen and accuses Democratic election officials of committing fraud.
The astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus pitched the theory that the Sun sits at the centre of the universe to reform the ecclesiastical calendar - Science History Images/Alamy Stock Photo

We see it everywhere  on our phones, on the door of our fridges  and organise our lives around it. Yet the origins of the calendar which we obediently follow have a rich and twisted history that complicates the division between science and religion. Our calendar was shaped by a desire to fix a date to Easter by the kind of people who persecuted Galileo.

Trying to pin Easter to a fixed day is a problem dating back to ancient Judaism; the task transformed Renaissance churches from simple places of worship into astronomical observatories.

It all started with the Jewish Passover. According to the Torah, the holiday begins on the 15th day of the month of Nisan, which always falls on, or close to, a full moon close to the beginning of spring.

Since Jesus died when Passover began, and was resurrected on a Sunday, Christians soon established that Easter would fall the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox  when daytime and nighttime are equal.

However, knowing this rule is not enough. Christians need to know in advance when the spring equinox and the full moon would occur so that they can celebrate Easter on the same day. For this to work, Christians needed a calendar that would place the spring equinox on March 21 every year, which poses a complex scientific question.

Reforming the Christian calendar

Until the Renaissance, Christians used the calendar issued by Julius Caesar in 45BC. The Julian calendar was quite accurate: it acknowledged that the real year was slightly over 365 days by adding a 29th day in February every four years  the leap year we still have. However, by the 1500s, the calendar was already delayed by 10 days, with the spring equinox falling on March 11. Everyone knew the problem would increase with the centuries.

To put Easter back in its place, the Catholic Church needed better astronomical data and models, which made popes and cardinals the leading patrons of astronomy from the Middle Ages up to the Enlightenment.

When Copernicus published his groundbreaking heliocentric theory of the universe (that the Sun is at the centre of the universe), he pitched it as a contribution to the question of reforming the Ecclesiastical Calendar.

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII finally promulgated the Gregorian calendar  which is the one we use today. Using better data than the Romans, the Gregorian reform continues making every fourth year a leap, or bissextile, year, except for century years, unless the latter is a multiple of 400. For example, 1900 was not bissextile, but 2000 was.

Pope Gregory XII promulgated the reformed calendar that fixes the spring equinox to March 21 - The Picture Art Collection/Alamy Stock Photo

The Gregorian calendar always preserves the equinox around March 21. A 17th-century mathematics book explaining the calendar remarkably predicts this years date of Easter Sunday as April 5  and so forth up to 5,000 AD.

Despite the Roman Inquisitions condemnation of Galileo, cardinals and bishops continued supporting the search for better astronomical data, even after the Gregorian reform  in part to show the calendar was accurate. One of the ways to achieve that was by transforming churches into astronomical observatories, such as the Basilica of San Petronio in Bologna.

Astronomers projected a long line onto the churchs floor and placed a hole in the ceiling. A ray of sunlight would shine through the hole and cross the line at a different point every day, yielding valuable information about the altitude of the Sun and the timing of solar noon. These meridian lines still work, making Italian churches incredibly precise scientific instruments to measure the position of the Sun.

The Basilica of San Petronio in Italy had a hole pierced in the ceiling as religious leaders turned the church into an observatory - Metro Digital Imaging/iStockphoto

Unsurprisingly, not everyone accepted the new papist calendar immediately. But the resistance was political and religious, not scientific. However, Protestant astronomers such as Johannes Kepler praised its accuracy, and in time, science won over religious divergence. England adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1752, when Easter was already falling 11 days behind, and Russia followed suit in 1918, when its calendar was 13 days late.

Eastern Orthodox Christians, however, still determine the date of Easter using the Julian calendar, which is why their Easter falls on a different date almost every year. This Easter weekend, more eyes are likely to be on Nasas return to the Moon than on the origins of Easter. But overlooking that religious history means missing the crucial role that both religion and science played in establishing the calendars on our phones.

Nuno Castel-Branco is a historian of science at All Souls College, Oxford and writes the Stories of Science newsletter
Some people are relying on potentially risky workarounds to manage their finances, a report has found.

Friends, family, carers and neighbours are spending hours each month patiently helping others with basic banking tasks, yet many financial helpers are doing so without any formal authority and help is often based on trust, according to a survey.

The research was led by consumer finance expert Faith Reynolds, with support from cash access and ATM network Link.

YouGov surveyed nearly 850 people across the UK who had helped someone with their banking or money management between December 2024 and December 2025.

The report found that people being helped often log in themselves with a helper beside them.

But a quarter (26%) of people surveyed said the person they help shares passcodes or security details with them.

And 17% said the people they help allow them to log in on their behalf on the helpers device.

The report said: Financial help is increasingly essential because, as branches have closed and banking has become digital, the responsibility for navigating complexity and preventing fraud has quietly shifted from institutions to individuals and families.

More than half (54%) of people said they have no formal authority or access rights at all, meaning many people are relying on informal workarounds to provide the help needed.

While many helpers said they worry they will be accused of taking advantage of the person they are helping, 43% highlighted the risk of fraud and scams as a top concern for the person being helped.

Three in 10 (28%) said they had helped to stop or prevent scams or fraud.

The top tasks helpers selected include checking account balances, assisting with online payments or passcodes when shopping online, and making or scheduling payments.

To provide this support, financial helpers use mobile banking apps the most, followed by online banking via websites and ATMs.

The support provided is also not limited to banking, with 45% of helpers assisting others to use digital devices, 41% helping with managing utilities or bills, and 31% helping with using or setting up their television.

Nearly a third (31%) help setting up health appointments and 28% set up broadband or internet services.

Financial helpers are often fitting in helping alongside work and family commitments, such as children and jobs.

One helper told researchers they had been helping about five years when their bank branch closed They asked me for help after throwing their phone across the room because they couldnt even log in.

Another helper said: Because of the rise of AI and scams, my father fell victim to this and couldnt believe that the person wasnt real.

This is what made me realise he needed some help with any new payments because I needed to sense-check that they were genuine.

Faith Reynolds, director, Devon Fields Consulting, said: For many people digital banking feels complicated and in some cases scary. They are turning to trusted friends, family and neighbours to help them make sense of it all.

In turn, they have become the shadow infrastructure for the digital banking ecosystem, in some cases resorting to risky, informal workarounds to make things work.

John Howells, chief executive, Link, said: The scale of hidden help is further proof that digital banking doesnt yet work for everyone.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: As more and more banking services are delivered online, its increasingly important that older people who dont use online services can continue to manage their money safely.

This fascinating research explains how many lacking digital skills or access cope, and reveals a big gap between the theory and the reality of what happens when banks close down their physical services: instead of people simply adopting online services with ease, many will look for workarounds which are often high risk, such as sharing passwords or financial details with third parties.

She added that while the industry has done a lot to roll out banking hubs, where banks share services in one space, gaps still exist.

Ms Abrahams added: The result is that many people are forced into other ways of looking after their money, leaving digitally excluded, often-vulnerable customers at a significant disadvantage.

A UK Finance spokesperson said: The banking industry is committed to supporting all customers by ensuring that products and services are accessible and easy to use for everyone, while also protecting them from fraud.

As fewer people are using bank branches, banks have closed some and are offering face-to-face support through the Post Office and the expanding network of shared banking hubs.

They also continue to provide guidance and financial education to help people manage services confidently, so customers should speak to their bank about the support available to them.
North Coast could be the flag-bearer for Joseph OBriens three-year-old colts this season, with the French 2000 Guineas on the radar.

The Starman colt was a six-length winner of the Tyros Stakes in the summer and ended his first campaign with a terrific effort at the Breeders Cup when third to Gstaad.

I think were probably looking at something like the French Guineas. I think hes our highest-rated two-year-old from last year, said OBrien. Id have no problems about him getting a mile and weve been quite open that he can go on beyond that as the year goes on.

Hes a horse we think we might be able to travel a bit with later in the year.

Hardy Warrior impressed at the Curragh on his reappearance, having finished fourth to Puerto Rico in a Group One in France in the autumn, and is another with Classic aspirations.

Were just planning around where he goes next, but were thinking he could be a horse for an Irish/German Guineas with one run somewhere between now and then, said OBrien.

He was obviously good on his reappearance in what I think will probably work out to be a decent race. I like the horse of Johnny Murtaghs (Take Charge Star) that was second. I think hell go out beyond a mile as the year goes on.

OBrien went on: Among the fillies for the trials I suppose Thundering On has the pedigree and the form, I wouldnt be looking too much further than her.

Weve a nice filly called Yaupon De Replay, she probably wont go that far and will stick to sprinting, but shes a nice filly. Weve Green Sense, who won the Prix Robert Papin last year, but shes in a tough spot and might have to go out in trip a little as she has a penalty.

Al Riffa once again leads the way among OBriens older horses, despite a disappointing run in Dubai.

OBrien said: Al Riffa could head out to France for a Group One. It didnt happen for Al Riffa on the day in Dubai, but Sons And Lovers ran a good race and could run in something like the Belmont Gold Cup. There are some good American staying races I think hed be suited to.

Assessing his powerful string further, OBrien said: Leinster will probably go down the Saval Beg route. Emit will too, hes a smart horse rated 111.

Tennessee Stud could be one for Melbourne. I know he didnt run well in Saudi, but that didnt work out for him. Hed be an obvious one to go down that route with. Hell probably head for the Listed and Group races rather than Group Ones.

Goodie Two Shoes had a break having not run in Saudi, shell be aimed towards Melbourne and is now back cantering.

Omni Man could go to the Alleged Stakes at the Curragh, I think he could be a Caulfield Cup horse this year.

Galen ran great in Bahrain and ran great in Hong Kong, but was below par in Saudi, so hes had a break and hell be aimed towards the Wolferton (at Royal Ascot), which he was second in last year.

Tower Of London is quite a good horse and could start off in the Ormonde at Chester, hes rated 117 which is very high but if he gets close to that hell be a nice horse.

OBrien has also taken charge of Alncantor, formerly trained by Andre Fabre.

Alcantor looks a nice horse, a miler. Weve been looking at the Heritage Stakes, but if he doesnt make that theres another mile race at Leopardstown in early May. I think he probably likes going around a bend. Hes a talented horse and a good one to get, said OBrien.
Police officers block a road near Kanjiza in Serbia, after explosives were reported to have been found near the TurkStream pipeline. Photograph: Ministry Of Defence Republic Of Serbia/EPA (Photograph: Ministry Of Defence Republic Of Serbia/EPA)

Serbia has said it found explosives of devastating power near a pipeline that carries Russian natural gas to Hungary and beyond, sparking claims by Hungarys leading opposition candidate of a possible false flag operation aimed at influencing the countrys elections.

On Sunday, Hungarys prime minister, Viktor Orban, said he had been informed by Serbias president, Aleksandar Vucic, of the discovery near an extension of the TurkStream pipeline, which transports Russian gas through the Balkans to central and eastern Europe.

An investigation is under way, Orban said on social media, adding that he had convened an emergency meeting of the countrys defence council.

The incident comes one week before Hungarians are due to cast their votes in a pivotal parliamentary election, in which Orbans 16-year hold on power is facing an unprecedented challenge from Peter Magyar, a former top member of the ruling Fidesz party.

Related: Feels like history is being made: will young Hungarian voters oust Orban?

The election has pitted two versions of Hungarys future against each other, as Orban and Fidesz seek to convince voters that the war in Ukraine poses a deep threat to the country and that Orban is best placed to handle this risk, while Magyar and his Tisza party urge voters to focus on economic stagnation, fraying social services and corruption.

Vucic said on Sunday that the Serbian army and police had found two backpacks containing two large packages of explosives with detonators in the northern Serbian municipality of Kanjiza, a few hundred metres from the gas pipeline.

He said he had informed Orban of the initial results of the investigation into what he described as a threat to the critical gas infrastructure. The explosives could have endangered many lives and caused significant damage to the pipeline, Vucic added.

He did not detail the origins of the explosives, saying instead that there were certain traces he could not disclose. Our intelligence services did a good job, he said.

The incident, coming as Orban trails in the polls, prompted political scrutiny across Hungary. On Sunday, Magyar said on social media that he and the Tisza party had been warned by multiple sources that something might happen in Serbia around Easter, possibly involving a gas pipeline, and allegedly carried out with Serbian and Russian assistance. And now it has, he said.

He called on Orbans government to stop spreading panic and causing disruption. Hungarians have every reason to fear that the outgoing prime minister, following the advice of Russian agents, is attempting to instil fear in his own people through false-flag operations, he said. I also want to make it clear that he will not be able to prevent next Sundays election.

Related: Why US and Russia are backing Viktor Orban in Hungary election

The scepticism was echoed by Mujtaba Rahman, the managing director for Europe at Eurasia Group, a political risk consultancy. Looks like a seemingly convenient threat of terrorist action, he said on social media. Designed to whip up further fear of military action against Hungary, for which Ukraine will no doubt be blamed.

The campaign heated up in February after Orban claimed, without providing evidence, that Ukraine was plotting to disrupt Hungarys energy system and said he had dispatched troops to safeguard the countrys energy infrastructure.

Orban has also repeatedly accused Ukraine of intentionally delaying repairs to the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline, which brings Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia via Ukraine, and blocked EU approval of a 90bn loan to Ukraine over the feud.

Rahman said Brussels and EU capitals have been expecting a false-flag operation by Orban  citing a national security risk  as grounds to postpone next Sundays elections that he looks set to lose. Could this be it?

On Sunday, Hungarys foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, singled out Ukraine but stopped short of blaming them outright for the latest incident.

In the past few days and weeks, the Ukrainians organised an oil blockade against us, and then tried to put us under a total energy blockade  And now we have todays incident, he said in a post on Facebook.

Orban, posting on social media after the defence council meeting, said that what was so far known of the incident pointed to a prepared act of sabotage. While he did not directly blame Ukraine for the incident, he said: Ukraine has been for years trying to cut off Europe from Russian energy.

Ukraines foreign ministry said on Sunday that it rejected any attempt to link Kyiv to the incident. Ukraine has nothing to do with this, it said on social media, adding that it had most probably been a Russian false-flag operation as part of Moscows heavy interference in Hungarian elections.

Akos Hadhazy, a Hungarian independent MP and longtime critic of Orban, cast doubt on the news from Serbia. This is completely transparent and pathetic, he wrote on social media.

Related: Hungary elections: what is at stake and who is likely to win?

But lets not forget that propaganda still works, he added. Nor should we forget that next week, quite brutal things could come from the struggling regime.

Szabolcs Panyi, one of the countrys most prominent investigative journalists, also urged people to treat Sundays revelations with caution. Weeks earlier, he and other journalists had been told by sources in Hungarian government circles of a Russia-backed false flag attack in Serbia targeting the gas pipeline to Hungary, Panyi said on social media.

The Serbian claims could rock the final days of the campaign, just as the White House gears up to have JD and Usha Vance visit the country in an apparent effort by the US vice-president to bolster Orban in the polls. The US administration has long rallied behind Orban, with Donald Trump repeatedly endorsing him and describing him as a fantastic guy and a strong, powerful leader.

In recent weeks, questions have swirled about the US effort to keep Orban in power, particularly as Russia appears to also be working to sway the election in Orbans favour.

The Washington Post reported recently that Russian intelligence operatives had proposed staging an assassination attempt on Orban to boost his chances of winning, while the Guardian found that disinformation networks with links to Russia were publishing content aimed at undermining Orbans main opponent.
Immigrant seeking citizenship hospitalized after ICE violently rear-ended him in Baltimore car crash, attorney says

A 32-year-old man was hospitalized with a concussion and significant injuries after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents rear-ended his vehicle in Baltimore, according to his attorney and a U.S. senator.

Ever Alvarenga Rios vehicle was violently rear-ended by ICE agents Thursday morning, his attorneys told WMAR-2 News. Now, hes in the hospital after sustaining significant injuries to his head, chest, back and hands, according to Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland.

After the accident, he was detained & ICE now refuses to allow his attorneys to meet with him privately, a clear denial of the due process rights afforded to all under our Constitution, Van Hollen wrote on social media on Saturday. ICE tactics are endangering our communities & violating the Constitution.

The senator described Rios as an asylum seeker. WMAR-2 News reports that Rios is from Honduras, came to the U.S. 12 years ago and was in the process of seeking permanent citizenship.

The Department of Homeland Security responded directly to Van Hollens post and said ICE agents conducted a targeted operation to arrest Rios. The agency described him as an illegal alien from Honduras with a final order of removal from a judge.

Ever Alvarenga Rios was hospitalized after ICE agents violently rear-ended his vehicle, his attorney said (AFP via Getty Images)

The agency accused him of driving recklessly and ignoring officers during a vehicle stop.

He allegedly slammed on his brakes, causing a multi-car pileup, and attempted to flee on foot and continued to disobey law enforcement commands, according to the agency.

Alvarenga Rios and two officers were then transported to a local hospital for treatment, according to DHS.

His wife Lurbin Vasquez said he had a concussion and his arm was in a cast and he was in pain, according to The Baltimore Banner.

His attorney Adam Crandell, who has represented Alvarenga Rios for several years, says he has not been able to visit his client since the incident.

ICE continues to deny us access to our client, he told The Independent in an email on Saturday night. If we were allowed to speak with him, we would be able to update as to his condition.

He told WMAR-2 News that he was initially told that there was a medical issue that he needed to be stabilized before Alvarenga Rios could accept visitors or legal counsel.

Then the story changed and we were told today that there was an issue with the paperwork, he told WMAR-2 News on Friday. Even more recently, I was told that so long as he remains hospitalized, ICE will not allow us access to him.

Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland says the Honduran immigrant experienced significant injuries to his head, chest, back and hands (Getty Images)

When asked about the incident, the Baltimore Police Department confirmed officers responded to a two-vehicle crash just after 7:30 a.m. on Thursday.

One of the vehicles was being operated by a Department of Homeland Security officer. Both drivers sustained injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital, a department spokesperson said in a statement to The Independent.

Alvarenga Rios first entered the United States in 2014 and has continued to pursue avenues to regularize his status since his arrival, Crandell told The Independent.

In 2018, an immigration court judge issued him a final order of removal, according to DHS. He had every chance to leave the United States but chose to continue to break the law and remain in the country illegally, the agency said in a statement.

The incident is at least the second crash involving federal immigration agents in Maryland alone within the last week.

ICE agents were involved in a crash in Annapolis on Wednesday, according to the citys police department. No one was injured.

The Independent has requested additional comment from Crandell and Homeland Security.
Jeanine Pirro refused to answer if shed prosecute Trump for shooting someone in the middle of Pennsylvania Avenue

Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, reportedly refused to answer when asked if she would prosecute President Donald Trump if he shot somebody.

The exchange was detailed in a recent New York Magazine profile by the magazines Washington, D.C. correspondent Ben Terris, who spoke to Pirro while her spokesperson, Tim Lauer, was also present.

If Donald Trump were to shoot someone in the middle of Pennsylvania Avenue, would you prosecute him? Terris asked.

The question referenced Trumps infamous 2016 claim that he could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and still would not lose voters.

Pirro ultimately declined to answer Terris question after a back-and-forth with her spokesperson, according to the report.

Jeanine Pirro refused to say whether she'd prosecute President Donald Trump if he shot someone 'in the middle of Pennsylvania Avenue' (Getty Images)

Ill use Donald Trumps own words, Pirro replied, before addressing Lauer. Youre going, No.

This should focus on our office and our work. I dont know we should be getting into hypotheticals, Lauer said.

Tims going to kill me. Do you know what Im going to say? Pirro asked.

Lauer said he did know, adding, Its off the record, and youre not using it.

Then Im not going to say it if he doesnt want me to, she said.

Sources who know the U.S. attorney have said she wants to be Trumps next attorney general, after Pam Bondi was fired from the role on Thursday, according to New York Magazine.

Jeanine Pirro, a former Fox News host and judge, was tapped to lead the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C., last year (Getty Images)

The judge is very close to the president, talks to him all the time. And shed been trying to put the knife in Bondi, saying shes not a prosecutor and doesnt have control of the building, one source told the magazine.

When asked whether Pirro is a contender to replace Bondi, Trump told New York Magazine theyre both great people.

Pirro has also denied having that goal, according to the report.

The Independent has contacted Pirros office for comment.

Pirro  a 74-year-old former judge, prosecutor and Fox News personality  was tapped by Trump to lead the U.S. Attorneys Office in Washington, D.C., last year.

But her tenure has been marked by controversy, including failures to secure some high-profile indictments.

In February, a grand jury reportedly rejected her offices attempt to indict a group of Democratic lawmakers who made a video urging members of the military and intelligence communities to refuse illegal orders.

Pirros office also repeatedly tried and failed to land criminal indictments in cases stemming from the Trump administrations federal takeover of the nations capital, which saw a surge of federal law enforcement officers and National Guard troops patrolling the city streets to purportedly combat crime and illegal immigration.

Her office failed to land a felony charge against a man accused of throwing a sandwich at a federal agent last summer. The case received nationwide attention, and the man was quickly dubbed Sandwich Guy.

The charge was downgraded, and a jury later found him not guilty of misdemeanor assault.

Federal prosecutors also failed to persuade three different grand juries to indict Sydney Reid on felony charges for allegedly assaulting an FBI agent. They could not get a jury to agree to any of the charges against her until reducing the case to a single, lesser misdemeanor charge. A jury then acquitted Reid after a brief trial.
John Lithgow has opened up about aging alongside his new Harry Potter co-stars.

Lithgow, 80, is taking on the role of Albus Dumbledore in HBOs forthcoming TV reboot of the famous film franchise. In the films new documentary, Finding Harry: The Craft Behind the Magic, Lithgow spoke about the realities of filming the role at his age.

I knew that while I did the first season of Harry Potter, I would be turning 80 years old, he explained. That meant that I would age to about 88 before it was all over.

This is an extremely difficult thing to contemplate, he continued.

They're gonna grow up in this. And I'm gonna grow older with them.

John Lithgow spoke about the Harry Potter reboot in the series' new documentary (Getty Images)

Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout will star in the Harry Potter reboot with Lithgow (Getty Images for HBO Max)

Lithgow also praised his new co-stars  young newcomers Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout taking on the roles of Hermione, Harry and Ron, respectively  saying theyre an amazing ensemble who all adore each other.

Each season of the series will be based on one of Rowlings seven books, with the first eight-episode season due out later this year covering the events of Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone.

Last week, HBO dropped the first trailer for the highly anticipated show, offering a glimpse of Harrys journey from living under the stairs to discovering a new world as the Boy Who Lived. The two-minute clip became the most-watched HBO trailer in history. It amassed more than 277 million organic or nonpaid views across platforms in its first 48 hours online.

The series has come under fire for several reasons, including continued backlash over author J.K. Rowlings views on gender.

Lithgow previously said he was upset that hes being criticized for joining the series, clarifying that he believes Rowlings views on transgender rights to be ironic and inexplicable.

In a new interview with the New Yorker, Lithgow explained that he is excited to take on the role of Dumbledore as the great, big, large project of doing another version of Harry Potter that is basically retelling wonderful stories that Rowling created.

John Lithgow appears as Albus Dumbledore in the new Harry Potter series (Lara Cornell/HBO)

They are very stirring stories, he said. I think there are reasons why theyve resonated with young people, and young people who have grown up and are still obsessed with Harry Potter.

The headmaster of the wizarding school Hogwarts is a wonderful role, he said.

Doing it in England, with half the crew who worked on The Crown, there was everything attractive about the job, and job security into my late years. You dont ignore those issues, Lithgow added.

Lithgow went on to say that by the time the whole subject of Rowlings imputed prejudice came up, he had already agreed to star in the show. I was urged to walk away, he added. And I was not about to do that.

Asked by New Yorker editor David Remnick how he came to that decision, Lithgow said: The reasons to do it were much, much stronger than the reasons to protest against what Rowling has done and said. I do disagree with much of it, much of it I think has been twisted and misrepresented, and she has doubled down on it at her own cost.

When Remnick mentioned that he had been surprised by the ferocity and cruelty of Rowlings response to criticism, Lithgow replied: Im surprised by it, too, and disappointed.
The crew of the Artemis II mission, already heralding a new era of lunar exploration, is poised to set a new distance record for human spaceflight.

Having launched last week on the first human journey to the Moon since 1972, the four-person crew  comprising three Americans and one Canadian  aims to surpass Apollo 13's record for the greatest distance from Earth.

This manoeuvre will establish them as our planet's most distant human emissaries as they complete a non-stop swing around the Moon on Monday before heading back to Earth. The approximately six-hour lunar flyby is expected to offer unprecedented views of the Moon's far side, an area previously too dark or challenging for the 24 Apollo astronauts to observe. Additionally, the crew anticipates witnessing a total solar eclipse, where the Moon will obscure the Sun, revealing glimpses of its shimmering corona.

Well get eyes on the moon, kind of map it out and then continue to go back in force, said flight director Judd Frieling. The goal is a moon base replete with landers, rovers, drones and habitats.

A look at Artemis II's up-close and personal brush with another world  our constant companion, the moon.

In this photo provided by NASA, Commander Reid Wiseman looks at the Earth from a window aboard the Orion spacecraft Integrity during the Artemis II mission en route to the moon on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (NASA via AP)

Apollo 13s astronauts missed out on a moon landing when one of their oxygen tanks ruptured on the way there in 1970.

With the three lives in jeopardy, Mission Control pivoted to a free-return lunar trajectory to get them home as fast and efficiently as possible. This routing relies on the gravity of Earth and the moon, and minimal fuel.

It worked for Apollo 13, turning it into NASAs greatest successful failure. (For the record, flight director Gene Kranz never uttered Failure is not an option. The line is pure Hollywood, originating with the 1995 biopic starring Tom Hanks.)

Tom Hanks in Apollo 13 (Universal Pictures)

Commander Jim Lovell, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert reached a maximum 248,655 miles (400,171 kilometers) from Earth before making their life-saving U-turn on Apollo 13.

Artemis IIs astronauts are following the same figure-eight path since they are neither orbiting the moon nor landing on it. But their distance from Earth should exceed Apollo 13s by about 4,000 miles (, 6400 kilometers).

Artemis IIs Christina Koch said late last week that she and her crewmates dont live on superlatives, but its an important milestone that people can understand and wrap their heads around, merging the past with the present and even the future when new records are set.

This photo provided by NASA shows the moon seen from a window on the Orion spacecraft Integrity during the Artemis II mission on Friday, April 3, 2026. (NASA via AP)

During the flyby, the astronauts will split into pairs and take turns capturing the lunar views out their windows with cameras.

Because they launched on April 1, the rendezvous wont have as much of the far lunar side illuminated as other dates would have. But the crew still will be able make out definite chunks of the far side that have never been seen by humans, said NASA geologist Kelsey Young, including a good portion of Orientale Basin.

Theyll call down their observations as they photograph the gray, pockmarked scenes. There's a suite of professional-quality cameras on board, and each astronaut also has an iPhone for more informal, spur-of-the-minute picture-taking.

Youngs team made lunar geography flashcards for the astronauts to study before the flight. Theyve practiced for many, many, many months on visualizations of the moon, she said over the weekend, and getting their eyes on the real thing, Im really, really looking forward to them bringing the moon a little closer to home on Monday.

Nasas Orion spacecraft as it orbits above the planet during the Artemis II test flight (Nasa/AP) (AP)

The upside of the April 1 launch is a total solar eclipse. The eclipse wont be visible from Earth  only from the Orion capsule  treating the astronauts to several minutes worth of views of the sun's outermost, radiating atmosphere, the corona.

The astronauts will be on the lookout for any unusual solar activity during the eclipse, Young said, and will use their unique vantage point to describe the features of the solar corona, or crown.

All four astronauts packed eclipse glasses to protect their eyes.

This image provided by NASA shows a downlink image of Earth taken by NASAs Artemis II astronaut commander Reid Wiseman inside the Orion capsule on Friday, April 3, 2026. (NASA via AP)

Orion will be out of contact with Mission Control for nearly an hour when its behind the moon. The same thing happened during the Apollo moonshots.

NASA is relying on its Deep Space Network to communicate with the crew, but the giant antennas in California, Spain and Australia wont have a direct line of sight when Orion disappears behind the moon for approximately 40 minutes.

These communication blackouts were always a tense time during Apollo although, as Frieling points out, physics takes over and physics will absolutely get us back to the front side of the moon.

This image from video provided by NASA shows the Artemis II crew Commander Reid Wiseman, second from left, thanking the families of the crew while speaking with NASA Mission Control in a video conference while en route to the moon, Thursday, April 2, 2026, as Canadian astronaut and mission specialist Jeremy Hansen, far left, looks on and mission specialist Christina Koch and pilot Victor Glover, far right, make hearts with their hands. (NASA via AP) CORRECTION: headed to the moon, not in moon's orbit

Once Artemis II departs the lunar neighborhood, it will take four days to return home. The capsule will aim for a splashdown in the Pacific near San Diego on April 10, nine days after its Florida launch.

During the flight back, the astronauts will link up via radio with the crew of the orbiting International Space Station. This is the first time that a moon crew has colleagues in space at the same time and NASA cant pass up the opportunity for a cosmic chitchat. The conversation will include both members of the first all-female spacewalk in 2019: Koch aboard Orion and Jessica Meir, on the station.
Shabana Mahmood has vowed to push ahead with her migration reforms - Wiktor Szymanowicz/Getty

Ministers concerned about Shabana Mahmoods migration crackdown have teamed up with rebel MPs in an effort to water down the plans.

The Home Secretary is reportedly facing a challenge to her overhaul of Britains broken asylum system, raising the prospect of another Labour policy reversal.

Ms Mahmood has vowed to push ahead with a radical package of migration reforms announced last year, which include forcing people to wait longer before being granted the right to stay in the UK.

She is facing a backlash from dozens of Labour MPs, who have urged her to abandon plans to apply the change retrospectively to more than a million migrants already in Britain.

A number of ministers are said to be working behind the scenes with concerned backbenchers to secure more exemptions to the rules, which are currently out for consultation.

This could force the Government to reverse another flagship policy after a string of humiliating about-turns on welfare reforms, digital ID and support for pubs.

Angela Rayner, the former deputy prime minister, has denounced the Home Secretarys reforms as un-British.

A Home Office source told The Telegraph that they did not recognise the claims about ministers working with MPs, while a spokesman insisted: The Governments position has not changed.

However, Downing Street sources told The Guardian that the reforms were always subject to consultation, including the plans to apply the new rules retrospectively.

Under Ms Mahmoods proposals, most migrants would have to wait twice as long to qualify for indefinite leave to remain in the UK  with the threshold raised from five to 10 years.

The Home Secretary also intends to apply the change retrospectively to the 1.6 million people who arrived after 2021 under Boris Johnsons leadership, in the so-called Boris-wave.

Indefinite leave to remain gives a person the right to live, work and study in the UK for as long as they like and to apply for benefits if they are eligible.

Ms Mahmood has insisted that the plans are necessary because of the unprecedented number of people who arrived in Britain during Mr Johnsons premiership. In February, a source insisted that she was 100 per cent committed to the reforms.

However, dozens of Labour rebels, along with the UKs biggest trade union, have urged her to rethink the proposals  and particularly the consequences for migrants already in the UK.

A Labour Party insider previously said rebels risked ignoring the voters at their peril.

Voters have been crying out for action on immigration and have felt ignored, he added. It is on us to make sure that we are seen to be addressing the voters concerns, and actually dealing with them.

One leading Labour rebel said that abandoning the retrospective element of the plans could quell backbench anger, while another said the majority of the cohort would accept that compromise.

But others, such as Dame Emily Thornberry, the Labour chairman of the foreign affairs committee, are said to be demanding a raft of changes.

A Home Office spokesman said: The Governments position has not changed. We will always welcome those that come to this country and contribute to our national life. But the privilege of living here forever should be earned, not automatic.

Between 2021 and 2024, this country experienced levels of migration it had historically seen over four decades. We must be honest about the scale and impact of hundreds of thousands of low-skilled migrants getting settlement.

The Government will double the route to settlement from five to 10 years. As announced in November, we are consulting to apply this change to those in the UK today but have not received settled status. We are currently reviewing the 200,000 responses and will outline our response in due course.
Diego on My Mind, 1943, by Frida Kahlo. Photograph: Frida Kahlo/Banco de Mexico Diego Rivera Frida Kahlo Museums Trust/VEGAP (Photograph: Frida Kahlo/Banco de Mexico Diego Rivera Frida Kahlo Museums Trust/VEGAP)

One of the worlds most important collections of 20th-century Mexican art, including works by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, is set to be exported to Spain under an agreement with Banco Santander, sparking outrage among Mexicos cultural community.

Nearly 400 cultural professionals have signed an open letter calling on the Mexican government to offer greater clarity on what the deal means for the masterpieces, particularly the works by Kahlo, which the Mexican state has declared an artistic monument.

Its a very serious issue, said Francisco Berzunza, a historian and one of eight people who published the open letter. She [Kahlo] is the most important artist in the history of our country and its easier to see her work outside of Mexico than in Mexico itself.

The row centres on a collection of 160 works from the Gelman collection, rebranded as the Gelman Santander collection. Originally owned by the collectors Jacques and Natasha Gelman, the paintings, sketches and photographs were bought by the Mexican Zambrano family in 2023.

As well as Kahlo and Rivera, the collection includes works by Rufino Tamayo, Jose Clemente Orozco, Maria Izquierdo, and David Alfaro Siqueiros, and a selection of Mexican photography.

Under the Santander deal, the collection, currently on public display in Mexico for the first time in nearly 20 years, will return to Spain this summer where it will become a cornerstone of the banks new cultural centre, the Faro Santander.

In announcing the agreement in January, Santander said it would be responsible for the conservation, research and exhibition of the collection. But the ambiguity of the announcement, which did not say how long the works would remain in Spain, sparked concern.

The concern turned to indignation when Faro Santanders director, Daniel Vega Perez de Arlucea, told El Pais that legislation governing the works was flexible and that the collection would have a permanent presence at the new cultural centre.

Members of Mexicos cultural community fear the deal means the works may never return to Mexico and say the law is unambiguous when it comes to these national treasures.

Gabriela Mosqueda, a curator and another one of the letters initial signatories, said: Current legislation is very protective of these works, specifically those designated as national artistic monuments. It deems them to be of significant value to Mexican identity and to the history of Mexican art.

The dispute is particularly pertinent to Kahlos works, which received the artistic monument status in 1984: the presidential decree states clearly that her oeuvre may leave Mexico only temporarily and that the countrys National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature (Inbal) is responsible for repatriating any works held in private collections overseas.

Artists, curators and others in Mexicos cultural scene say that with the Santander deal, Inbal, which owns only four of Kahlos 150 or so pieces, has done just the opposite.

Berzunza said: This decree was specifically intended to put a lock on private collections. To ensure they would not leave the country or be dispersed. Thats why were defending it so vigorously.

In response to the uproar, Mexicos president, Claudia Sheinbaum said: Our desire is for [the collection] to remain in Mexico.

The minister of culture, Claudia Curiel de Icaza, said: The collection is Mexican; it wasnt sold  its only leaving temporarily. She said the artworks would return to Mexico in 2028.

Santander issued a statement emphasising that the deal does not imply, under any circumstances, either the acquisition of the collection or its permanent removal from Mexico and that the works will return to Mexico at the end of the temporary export period.

But cultural figures in Mexico remain up in arms. They say the deal signed between Inbal and Santander is ambiguous and overly favourable to the Spanish bank.

The contract between the two institutions, seen by the Guardian, states that although the export is temporary, Faro Santander will have charge over the collection at any point between June 2026 and 30 September 2030, a term that may be extended by mutual agreement through the extension of the present contract.

Berzunza said: If the works were not to return, a fundamental part of this artists body of work  and her history  would be lost. She is, after all, the most important female Mexican artist in history. These pieces are fundamental to telling her story, and they are fundamental to understanding our identity as Mexicans.

 This article was amended on 6 April 2026 to correct a picture caption. Portrait of Natasha Gelman, 1943, is the work of Diego Rivera, not Rufino Tamayo as an earlier version said.
Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, has led the governments attempts to toughen its approach on immigration. Photograph: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing/Getty Images (Photograph: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing/Getty Images)

A number of ministers concerned about Shabana Mahmoods immigration changes are working behind the scenes with backbenchers to secure more exemptions, the Guardian has learned.

Keir Starmer is consulting on the proposed changes, which would make it harder to achieve settled status in the UK, and is under pressure from within his own party to say the measures should not apply to people who have already entered the UK.

Under the plans, most people would have to wait 10 years to qualify for indefinite leave to remain, rather than the existing five-year period. The Guardian revealed last month that Starmer was already looking at whether to exclude migrants working in the public sector from the changes, as well as those who are on the verge of being settled.

However, the prime minister is still being urged to go further if he wants to avoid widespread anger on the backbenches. The main demand by Labour opponents of the proposals is that the government exempts people who have already arrived in the country, as suggested by the former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and others.

One leading backbench rebel said they believed that stopping the changes applying retrospectively would be enough to calm the anger of most opponents  though several, including the foreign affairs select committee chair, Emily Thornberry, have said that a raft of changes is needed, including on the earned settlement element of the changes.

I personally disagree with all of the changes to indefinite leave to remain, but I think that the majority of the cohort would accept that compromise, another MP said.

Downing Street sources said it had always been the case that the changes were subject to consultation, including the retrospective element which, as it stands, would mean people who have entered the UK in the last five years would need to wait longer to be given settlement.

Labour MPs have also been particularly angered by briefings against one of the coordinators of the letter, Tony Vaughan, the MP for Folkestone and Hythe, who was the subject of a Sun article that criticised his record as a human rights and immigration barrister.

The attorney general, Richard Hermer, who has been the subject of similar attacks, is said to have been incensed by the briefing, which Home Office sources have denied came from them. The article included a quote from an anonymous Labour MP criticising Vaughan.

Several said they believed the Home Office had not effectively managed concerns. If youve signed the letter you just get rung up and shouted at, said one MP. Another said they had received no reply to a private letter sent to Mahmood. I wrote more than a month ago and its not been acknowledged.

Another MP said there was a degree of contempt for MPs expressing concerns because they would not be able to vote against the changes  which do not require a parliamentary vote.

London MPs have also raised how much the indefinite leave to remain changes are featuring in the Greens campaigning literature in London. One leaflet in Islington accuses Labour of changing the terms of indefinite leave to remain and punishing hardworking migrants and says the Greens are anti-racists and pro-migrant rights.

Mahmood, the home secretary, has led the governments attempts to toughen its approach on immigration as it responds to the rise of Nigel Farages Reform UK. However, many Labour MPs are anxious that the Green partys victory at the Gorton and Denton byelection shows Labour faces as much of a threat on its left as its right.

A group of 100 Labour MPs signed a letter opposing the measures when they were announced, arguing: You dont win back public confidence in the asylum system by threatening to forcibly remove refugees who have lived here lawfully for 15 or 20 years.

Sarah Owen, a leader of the centre-left Tribune group of Labour MPs, has compared the threat of force against children to Donald Trumps use of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Rayner echoed many of those criticisms in a speech last month to the Mainstream campaign group, during which she criticised the changes to settled status. We cannot talk about earning a settlement if we keep moving the goalposts, she said. Because moving the goalposts undermines our sense of fair play. Its un-British.

Asked about those pushing for changes to the proposals, a Home Office spokesperson said: The governments position has not changed. We will always welcome those that come to this country and contribute to our national life. But the privilege of living here forever should be earned, not automatic.

Between 2021 and 2024, this country experienced levels of migration it had historically seen over four decades. We must be honest about the scale and impact of hundreds of thousands of low-skilled migrants getting settlement.

The government will double the route to settlement from five to 10 years. As announced in November, we are consulting to apply this change to those in the UK today but have not received settled status. We are currently reviewing the 200,000 responses and will outline our response in due course.
Police work the scene after several people were injured when a vehicle struck people at a parade celebrating the Lao New Year in Louisiana. Photograph: AP (Photograph: AP)

At least 15 people were injured on Saturday after an alleged drunk driver ploughed into pedestrians at a Louisiana parade celebrating the Lao New Year. Some of the injuries are believed to be serious, authorities said.

Louisiana state police said a man had been charged with driving while impaired, careless operation and 18 counts of first-degree negligent injuring after the incident in New Iberia.

He is also accused of having an open container with an alcoholic beverage in the vehicle.

Acadian Ambulance posted on social media that it transported 13 people to hospital. Two of them were airlifted, the ambulance service wrote on X.

Videos posted to social media showed a chaotic scene with several people on the ground near a blue vehicle.

On X, Louisiana governor Jeff Landry wrote that he and his wife were praying for all those affected. He also expressed gratitude for the first responders.

Organizers of the Louisiana Lao New Year festival said on Facebook they were cancelling Saturday nights music concerts, as well as alcohol sales.

We are profoundly saddened by the news of the incident near the festival grounds, the organizers said on Facebook. We are praying for the victims and for their families during this difficult time.

The three-day festival held every Easter weekend includes live music, parades and other activities celebrating the Lao New Year.
Resident doctors on the picket line at St Thomas' hospital in London during a strike last November. Photograph: Guy Smallman/Getty Images (Photograph: Guy Smallman/Getty Images)

The NHS is urging patients not to put off seeking the care they need when resident doctors press ahead with strike action from Tuesday, a stoppage that the health secretary has called disappointing.

Tens of thousands of resident doctors in England are to stage a six-day strike after the government took a key part of its offer off the table.

The Department of Health and Social Care said last week that an offer of 1,000 extra training places would no longer be financially or operationally possible.

NHS England said hospital teams across the country would be working to minimise disruption for patients during the stoppage, which is expected to be particularly challenging because of a shorter notice period.

Related: Unions privately voice misgivings over BMA pay demands and doctors strikes

Patients have been advised to attend planned appointments unless they have been contacted to reschedule, and those with life-threatening emergencies should still call 999 or attend A&E.

Prof Ramani Moonesinghe, the national clinical director for critical and perioperative care at NHS England, said: Staff across the NHS will be doing everything they can this week to keep patients safe and ensure people can continue to get the care they need.

We know this round of industrial action will be difficult, coming straight after the Easter weekend, but patients should come forward as normal and attend any appointments unless they are contacted otherwise.

The NHS remains open for you this week  as ever, please call 999 or come to A&E in an emergency, and use 111 online first if you need urgent but not life-threatening help.

The British Medical Association is pushing for a pay rise higher than the 3.5% offered to doctors by the government.

The health secretary, Wes Streeting, said: It is disappointing for patients and staff alike that the BMA has decided to press ahead with strikes this week, despite the deal we put to them which would have seen resident doctors 35.2% better off, on average, than they were four years ago.

My attention and that of leaders across the NHS is now on protecting patients and staff by minimising disruption to the health service.

Thanks to the dedication of talented NHS staff, the health service delivered almost 95% of planned activity during December strikes, and I want to reassure patients that the NHS will be there for you when you need it this time too. My heartfelt thanks go out to all those hard at work this week.

Staff at the BMA union are due to go on strike to coincide with the six-day resident doctors strike on Tuesday. The BMAs most recent pay offer to its staff of 2.75%, lower than the latest recommendation to resident doctors.

Dr Jack Fletcher, the chair of the BMAs resident doctors committee, said: The health secretary may well be disappointed but he is failing to acknowledge a deal was taking shape until his government quietly watered it down, reducing the money on the table, then stretching what was left over too many years to make it worthwhile.

Resident doctors are as keen as he is to bring an end to the strikes, but his government needs to put an offer on the table that we can accept and which doesnt change at the last minute.
Kanye West has been blocked from coming to the UK to perform at the Wireless Festival and the three-day event in London cancelled.

The Government refused the controversial rapper entry on the grounds that his presence would not be conducive to the public good.

West, also known as Ye, had made an application to travel to the UK via an Electronic Travel Authorisation.

But the Government stepped in to deny him an ETA, stopping him from being able to come to Britain, after days of criticism over him being named as the headline act at the festival.

Sir Keir Starmer said: "Kanye West should never have been invited to headline Wireless.

"This Government stands firmly with the Jewish community, and we will not stop in our fight to confront and defeat the poison of antisemitism."

West had been set to play to 150,000 people as the main act on three consecutive days.

But shortly after the news he had been blocked from entering the UK broke, the festival organisers Festival Republic said the event due to be held in Finsbury Park in July had been axed.

The cancellation came soon after the pre-sale tickets for the event sold out in under an hour on Tuesday.

In a statement Festival Republic said: The Home Office has withdrawn YE's ETA, denying him entry into the United Kingdom. As a result, Wireless Festival is cancelled and refunds will be issued to all ticket holders.

As with every Wireless Festival, multiple stakeholders were consulted in advance of booking YE and no concerns were highlighted at the time.

Antisemitism in all its forms is abhorrent, and we recognise the real and personal impact these issues have had. As YE said today, he acknowledges that words alone are not enough, and in spite of this still hopes to be given the opportunity to begin a conversation with the Jewish community in the UK.

The US rapper had earlier sought to defend his planned headlining of the music festival, saying he wanted to bring unity, peace and love to London.

But a Cabinet minister rejected Wests statement and said he should not be performing at the festival.

This is someone who wrote, recorded and released a song called Heil Hitler...who plastered that slogan across T-shirts and has done so with his enormous fame, influence and reach at a time when there are rising levels of antisemitism in this country and many others, Health Secretary Wes Streeting told ITVs Good Morning Britain.

Against that backdrop, to put out a mealy-mouthed, self-serving statement about love, unity, hope and change, Im sorry, get real.

In order to earn forgiveness you have to do it through actions not words and he should have been doing that well ahead of trying to get back on a stage again.

Speaking before West was denied an ETA, Mr Streeting, MP for Ilford North, said it was appalling that he might be given such a prominent role and accused the festivals promoters of putting money before morals.

But responding to the backlash, the singer insisted: My only goal is to come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace and love through my music.

He added: I would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the UK in person, to listen.

"I know words aren't enough - I'll have to show change through my actions.

"If you're open, I'm here."

Kanye West has been booked to headline the Wireless Festival across three nights (PA Archive)

The promoter of Wireless Festival claimed West had a "legal right to come into the country and to perform" following the calls for him to be barred from entering the UK over antisemitism.

The musician, also known as Ye, has drawn widespread criticism in recent years after he began voicing admiration for Adolf Hitler and made a series of antisemitic remarks, for which he issued an apology in January.

Sir Keir hit out at the music festival for allowing West to headline, saying it was deeply concerning that the musician has been booked.

Breaking his silence on the controversy, Melvin Benn, managing director at Festival Republic which promotes Wireless Festival, described himself as a "deeply committed anti-fascist" and "person of forgiveness".

Mr Benn condemned Wests abhorrent remarks about Jewish people and Hitler, but asked people to offer some forgiveness and hope to the rapper.

He added: "We are not giving him a platform to extol opinion of whatever nature, only to perform the songs that are currently played on the radio stations in our country and the streaming platforms in our country and listened to and enjoyed by millions.

Kanye West (PA Archive)

But the Campaign Against Antisemitism said there was a clear case to ban West from entering the UK.

The campaign group made the demand as MPs also said the Home Office should prevent the controversial rapper from entering the country to headline the festival this summer due to his previous antisemitic comments.

Diageo has joined Pepsi in withdrawing sponsorship of the festival over the organisers decision to book the rapper to headline the event. Rockstar Energy has also withdrawn its sponsorship, Sky News reported.

Four ambulances belonging to the Jewish community were targeted on March 23

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp had urged the Government to stop him from entering the country.

The senior conservative MP said the musicians comments were not a one-off lapse, but a pattern of behaviour that has caused real offence and distress to Jewish communities.

Soft drinks giant Pepsi was the main sponsor of the festival, promoting the event under the branding "Pepsi presents Wireless".

But on Sunday a Pepsi spokesperson confirmed "Pepsi has decided to withdraw its sponsorship of Wireless Festival."

Then on Sunday evening it was joined by Diageo, owner of spirits Johnnie Walker and Captain Morgan, with a spokeperson saying: We have informed the organisers of our concerns and as it stands, Diageo will not sponsor the 2026 Wireless festival.

Sky News also reported that it is understood PayPal, a payment partner for the festival, will not appear in any future promotional materials.

Sir Keir Starmer says Kanye West should never have been invited to headline the Wireless Festival

Londons Wireless Festival is the UKs largest rap, hip-hop and R&B music festival, attracting around 50,000 revellers per day.

It has booked West, 48, at a time of growing antisemitism in the UK and when Londons Jewish community has been on high alert following a major arson attack on four ambulances belonging to the Jewish volunteer organisation Hatzola in Golders Green on March 23.

Last year, West released a song called Heil Hitler, a few months after advertising a swastika T-shirt for sale on his website.

In March, four ambulances from a Jewish community-run service were set on fire in north-west London.

Two men and a 17-year-old boy were remanded in custody on Saturday after appearing in court accused of torching the vehicles.

A man arrested at the court on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and has since been bailed to a date in May.

In October last year, two men were killed in an attack on a Manchester synagogue.

Jewish community organisations also called for the Wireless Festival to think again about allowing West to headline.

Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said it was absolutely the wrong decision to allow West to play.

The musician apologised in January for his antisemitic remarks in a letter published as a full-page advert in the Wall Street Journal.

In his letter, he apologised to Jewish and black people, and said his bipolar disorder led him to fall into a four-month long, manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behaviour that destroyed my life.
Pope Leo implored the Lord to grant his peace to a world ravaged by wars in his Easter address from St Peters Basilica - Alberto Pizzoli/AFP

The Pope used his first Easter address to urge world leaders to abandon every desire for conflict, domination, and power and instead choose peace.

The American-born Pope Leo XIV did not mention Donald Trump by name, but alluded to the war on Iran in his remarks from the Vatican.

Let those who have weapons lay them down. Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace. Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue. Not with the desire to dominate others, but to encounter them, the Pope told around 50,000 faithful who gathered in the bright sunshine of St Peters Square.

He added: On this day of celebration, let us abandon every desire for conflict, domination, and power, and implore the Lord to grant his peace to a world ravaged by wars and marked by a hatred and indifference that makes us feel powerless in the face of evil.

About 50,000 people gathered in St Peters Square to hear Pope Leos first Urbi et Orbi blessing - Antonio Masiello/Getty

With the US-Israeli war on Iran now in its second month and Russias offensive continuing in Ukraine, the pontiff reflected on what he called a growing indifference to hatred and violence.

We are growing accustomed to violenceIndifferent to the deaths of thousands of people. Indifferent to the repercussions of hatred and division... Indifferent to the economic and social consequences they produce.

The papal Urbi et Orbi blessing, Latin for to the city and the world, has traditionally included a litany of the worlds woes. Pope Leo followed that formula during his Christmas blessing, but failed to name any particular countries or conflicts on Sunday.

The leader of the worlds 1.4 billion Roman Catholics, who was elected in May 2025, also paid tribute to Pope Francis, his predecessor, whose final public appearance was on Easter Sunday last year  a few hours before his death.

Pope Leo addressed the faithful during Mass from an open-air altar lined with white roses in front of the main entrance to St Peters Basilica.

Earlier in the week, he was more strident in his opposition to the US-Israeli attacks in Iran. Without naming Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, the pontiff questioned those who call on Americans to pray every day for a military victory in the name of Jesus Christ.

The 70-year-old pontiff told pilgrims at St Peters on Palm Sunday last week that God does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them and in a tit-for-tat response, Karoline Leavitt, the White Houses press secretary, defended Mr Hegseth and promoted prayers to protect US troops.

On Tuesday evening, the Pope went a step further and implored Mr Trump to do more. Im told that President Trump has recently stated that he would like to end the war. I hope that hes looking for an off-ramp, he told journalists.

At the end of his Easter address, Pope Leo greeted the global faithful in 10 languages, including Arabic, Chinese and his native English, which drew cheers from the crowd. He later greeted people in the piazza from his Popemobile as it travelled to the River Tiber and back.

Easter celebrations elsewhere in the world were more subdued. In Israel, traditional ceremonies revered by Christians were scaled back and Armenian Christians celebrated Easter at a church in Tehran on Sunday, despite five weeks of bombing since the US and Israel launched the war on Feb 28.

Restrictions also dampened the recent Muslim holy month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr holiday, as well as the Jewish festival of Passover in Israel. On Sunday, the Jewish priestly blessing at the Western Wall  normally attended by tens of thousands  was limited to 50 people.

On Friday, Isaac Herzog, the Israeli president, and the Pope had a lengthy telephone call in an attempt to ease recent strain and promote dialogue.

The Vatican complained to the Israeli government last week when police prevented two of the Churchs top religious leaders, including Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch, from celebrating Palm Sunday at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Robert MacIntyre leads the Texas Open (Getty Images)

The third round of the Texas Open has been suspended until Sunday because of bad weather.

Scot Robert MacIntyre had seen his lead reduced from four shots to two by playing partner Ludvig Aberg through six holes when storms caused play to be stopped at the PGA Tour event.

The delay extended to six hours and the decision was eventually made to suspend play at 4.55pm local time.

MacIntyre went into Saturday with a commanding lead after following up an opening 66 with a 64.

A steady start to his third round saw him pick up a birdie on the par-four fifth to reach 15 under par, while Ryder Cup team-mate Aberg birdied the first two holes as well as matching MacIntyre at the fifth.

Two eagles helped Matt Wallace climb into a share for third, with the Englishman on seven under through 14 and sitting a further two shots back.

Japan's Ryo Hisatsune is also on 11 under while England's Marco Penge birdied six straight holes to move into a share of fifth place a shot further adrift.

The event is the final tune-up before next weeks Masters at Augusta, with Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy among those electing not to play in San Antonio.

PA
News / Health

by Amanda Ncube

PATIENTS admitted to private wards at United Bulawayo Hospitals have complained over the poor services they are receiving, claiming they were so poor they think there was no difference with what is being offered at the general wards. UBH has private wards where those admitted are mandated to pay a deposit of $300, equivalent to five days admitted to the hospitals.However, some of the patients who declined to be named fearing victimisation, said even after paying the money, they are required to buy their own medication.They added that even the state of the rooms at the wards were deplorable."The private ward is supposed to be better compared to the general wards since we are paying more money but in our case it's not. The rooms have not been renovated and it looks like work to renovate them stopped some time ago."In my room, there are electrical wires hanging and I am even afraid that there could be an electrical fault," said one patient at the institution.Some patients said the food was not good and authorities were serving them the same meals every day."There is no variety, what you ate yesterday is what they will serve you the next day. What is the difference then with those in general wards?" asked another patient.Some nurses at the institution told Sunday News that in most cases relatives were chipping in although under normal instances it must be the duty of the health institution to cater for the patients."We are also not happy with the food that our patients receive in the private wards considering the fact that they are paying more money. Patients get the same type of breakfast, lunch and supper. This means that in between meals they do not get anything like snacks which they are entitled to. This means that in between meals they are supposed to be providing for themselves," said a nurse who also asked not to be named.UBH chief executive officer Mrs Nonhlanhla Ndlovu said the institution was facing financial problems like any another hence some works on the wards had not been completed."We are struggling to finish the renovations because we do not have enough money and supplies," said Mrs Ndlovu.On the rates the hospital is charging, she said they were gazzetted by Government and patients were receiving food in line with the set standards.
The wreckage of an aircraft in central Iran. Photograph: Sepah News/AFP/Getty Images (Photograph: Sepah News/AFP/Getty Images)

The second crew member of a downed F-15E fighter jet has been rescued from an Iranian mountain by US commandos overnight, ending a two-day search after the warplane crashed in south-west Iran.

The crew member, a colonel and weapons systems officer, had been wounded but was successfully rescued from a mountain hideout by US special forces, Donald Trump first announced in a social media post soon after midnight.

The US president called it one of most daring search-and-rescue operations in US history  and claimed that not a single American had been killed or wounded in the operation.

Trump said he would hold a press conference in the White House on Monday with the Military to provide more detail. In a subsequent social media post, he threatened Iran with the bombing of its power plants and bridges on Tuesday if Tehran did not open the strait of Hormuz to merchant shipping.

Open the Fuckin Strait, you crazy bastards, or youll be living in Hell, he wrote. In a subsequent interview with the Wall Street Journal the president added that all the countrys power plants would be destroyed, adding that Iranian civilians wanted that to happen because they were living in hell.

Trump also described the F-15 crew member as seriously wounded, and really brave on Sunday. The officer was a highly respected Colonel who had been picked up in the type of raid is seldom attempted because of the danger to man and equipment.

Once located hiding in the mountains, having at one point climbed a 7,000ft (2,135-metre) ridge, the colonel was rescued by a 200-strong special forces team under a hail of heavy covering fire. Three Revolutionary Guards were killed, according to Iranian sources.

Irans military said on Sunday that it had destroyed four US aircraft involved in the search operation and that the Americans had used an abandoned airstrip south of Isfahan as a base. State media shared images of charred wreckage scattered across a desert area, with smoke still emanating from the site.

Two $115m (85m) modified Hercules had to be destroyed in Iran because they had run into difficulties, having become bogged down in the ground, according to US media. Three more transport planes had to be flown in to complete the extraction.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament, highlighted the cost of the lost aircraft with an apparent photograph of the wreckage: If the United States gets three more victories like this, it will be utterly ruined. Iran also said two Black Hawk helicopters were destroyed on the ground while a Reaper and Hermes-900 drones were shot down from the sky.

Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated the US leader. The Israeli prime minister said: As a nation that repeatedly carried out daring rescue operations, and as someone who was wounded in such a mission and lost a brother in the Entebbe rescue, Israelis and I, we know what a bold decision you took.

Footage emerged of what was said to be night-time clashes in Irans Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, near the city of Dehdasht, about 30 miles from the coast in the south-west of the country, the area where US searches had been taking place.

The pilot of the aircraft had been rescued on Friday, after the F-15E Strike Eagle became the first US plane to be downed over Iran during the five-week-long war. On Sunday, Trump said the pilot had been rescued in broad daylight having spent seven hours on the ground in Iran.

The US air force had launched a massive search-and-rescue effort, using low-flying Pave Hawk helicopters and specialist C-130 Hercules transport planes.

The CIA took more than a day to locate the missing airman and launched a disinformation campaign in Iran to give the impression that he had been found in order to fool Iranian forces on the ground.

Uncrewed Reaper drones were used to protect the crew member once he had been located, by striking Iranian military-aged males believed to be a threat who got within three kilometers, according to a correspondent with the US Air & Space Forces Magazine, who said he had been briefed on the operation.

Once found, using what Trump called beeping information, there were for a time concerns that the airman was in Iranian captivity and rescue commandos were being lured into a trap.

Military pilots said the missing F-15 crew member would have been trying to hide for as long as possible from the Iranian military. If possible, the colonel would have tried to transmit their location relative to a known secret point in the hope that US special forces coming in via helicopter would be able to rescue them.

Iran said it had shot the F-15 down on Friday, a point confirmed by Trump who told Axios it had been hit with a shoulder fired missile. The US military is yet to publicly comment. Trump previously said the episode would not affect efforts to negotiate a peace settlement with Iran.

The US military had not had a jet shot down by enemy fire in more than 20 years  since a warplane was downed during the 2003 invasion of Iraq  retired air force Brig Gen Houston Cantwell told the Associated Press.

Iranian media released pictures of the wreckage of a plane, including a distinctive F-15 tail fin, and a used ejector seat on Friday, with state media and businesses in the country offering a bounty if the missing crew member could be captured.

It also emerged that a Pave Hawk helicopter was hit by fire from the ground during the rescue of the pilot on Friday, but was able to fly away. Another combat plane, an A-10 Warthog attack aircraft, crashed near the strait of Hormuz with Iran claiming it had shot it down. Its pilot was rescued.

The loss of the F-15 and other aircraft had come as a relative surprise, given the air superiority the US and Israel have established over Iran from the beginning of the five-week-long war. But it demonstrated that after thousands of bombing missions, Iran still has the capacity to inflict high-profile damage on the US.

Trump said the US would never leave an American warfighter behind, committing the countrys military to similar rescue efforts if any more planes are brought down.

Meanwhile, heavy bombing of Iran continued. Israel attacked several facilities at Mahshahr, a petrochemical complex in Khuzestan province, on Saturday, and on Sunday Iranian officials said that production there had been shut down. Five people were reported killed and 170 injured.

Israel also attacked Lebanon, having issued a warning that people should evacuate at least 300 metres away from a building in southern Beirut that it said was affiliated with Hezbollah. Eleven people were recorded by the Lebanese authorities as killed in a strike on Kfar Hatta, 30 miles north of the border with Israel.

A fire broke out at the Borouge petrochemical plant in the United Arab Emirates after falling debris from a missile interception caused a blaze, prompting operations at the facility to be suspended. A fire was extinguished at a storage tank belonging to Bahrains state energy company, the company said on Sunday.

A building in Haifa, northern Israel, was destroyed by an Iranian missile and an 82-year-old man seriously injured on Sunday. It also emerged that the Aero Sol drone factory in Petah Tikva had been destroyed by an Iranian missile on Thursday.
Every day has been a struggle for Catherine OSullivan since her son went out with friends more than two years ago and never returned home.

Her first thoughts when she wakes up in the morning are about Jack, and her last thoughts before she goes to sleep. She spends the time in between in a silent house, drained of the close-knit familys once warm energy, and merely existing rather than living.

Her sole focus is on keeping up hope in her determined search for her son  pursuing leads, following up on potential sightings, hiring private investigators  as she accuses police of failing the family, and most importantly, Jack.

Ms OSullivan told The Independent: Out of our family, Jack and I are incredibly close. I felt privileged to have such a close relationship with my children. Wed talk about everything, all his plans. Jack is very ambitious and really had a plan and a firm idea of what he wanted to do with his life. Hes really funny and quite mischievous. We had quite a lot of banter here as a family.

Now, the house is just silent. Theres no energy here any more. It feels like weve all lost our way, because were missing a very key part of it. Its desperately sad.

Jack OSullivan went out with some friends in Bristol just over two years ago, on 1 March 2024, first to the pub and then on to a party at someones house  but did not come home (Catherine O'Sullivan)

Kind, caring Jack OSullivan, who turned 25 last Saturday, went out with some friends in Bristol on 1 March 2024, first to the pub and then on to a party at someones house. Ms OSullivan described that evening as normal, with her sons last message telling her not to wait up and that he would take a taxi back to the family home in Flax Bourton, just outside of Bristol.

However, she woke at 5.30am to find he had not returned, which was seen as completely out of character for the law student. Frantic messages and calls were not responded to, and searches by Jacks brother Ben, 29, and father Alan, 60, turned up nothing.

The 54-year-old said: Not much has changed for me [since then], other than time has moved forward. Every day is sad, every day is a struggle. But weve all built up resilience to keep going.

Its really, really hard. Its hard to keep the momentum up, my physical health, mental health. But I dont feel like I have a choice... My sole purpose is finding Jack. Then doing my best with the rest of my time to be a good mother to my other son and wife to my husband.

We support each other really well. Its different levels of strain on each of us.

From left to right: Jack, Ben, Catherine and Alan OSullivan (Catherine O'Sullivan)

After the family made a missing person report, it was established that Jack was last seen in the area of Brunel Lock Road and Brunel Way in Bristol at around 3.15am on 2 March 2024.

But Ms OSullivan claims total incompetence from Avon and Somerset Police is at least partly to blame for the familys ongoing lack of answers. She says they have been left without support and forced to investigate themselves, after the force allegedly missed CCTV of Jack twice, and did not retain some footage, take some key witness statements, or follow up on some sightings.

Were desperate to find any information that can help  we cant write this off as being one of those things, we have no idea what happened, she said. Weve hired private investigators, digital experts, there are external things weve had to source  things wed never know about in the normal world and that police should be doing. I dont think the public have any idea of the failings of this situation.

We feel like we have no voice here at all, and more importantly, Jack doesnt.

Jack was last seen in the area of Brunel Lock Road and Brunel Way in Bristol at around 3.15am on Saturday 2 March (PA Media)

Ms OSullivan ended up reaching out to the charity Missing People, and was put in touch with a support worker called Belen, who she describes as my angel.

Missing People has now launched SafeCall  a free, confidential, round-the-clock service for the 72,000 children who go missing in the UK every year  after The Independent surpassed its 165,000 fundraising target. Ms OSullivan gave a moving speech to an audience gathered to raise money for the charity last month.

She told The Independent: You just feel like youre walking along a tightrope and then youre going to fall off  everything is so uncertain, its a cruel way to live. If Jack could tell someone where he is or that he's OK, or if someone could do that on his behalf, then that would be my ask.

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: We know how difficult it is for Jacks family that, despite extensive enquiries, we have not yet been able to find him or provide the conclusive answers they so desperately need. From the outset, weve always had a shared aim of finding Jack and this intention has been at the heart of every action weve taken and decisions weve made.

Ms OSullivan gave a moving speech to an audience gathered to raise money for Missing People last month (Missing People)

Alongside our ongoing investigation, we have also drawn on specialist expertise and independent agencies to review, test and assure our work, ensuring that any further opportunities for enquiry are fully explored. At every stage, we have been led by the evidence and pursued the relevant lines of enquiry.

Its important to stress that this remains a live investigation. If anyone has information that could assist our enquiries, please contact us online through our website, or call 101, quoting reference number 5224055172.

Following a complaint made by Jacks family, the spokesperson said that an internal investigation found there was an acceptable level of service in 10 of the 11 allegations, while the force fully accepted the lessons for the 11th. It said an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) review agreed with the majority of our findings.

Anyone with information on Jacks case is asked to reach out to his family here.

Please donate now to The Independent and Missing Peoples SafeCall campaign, which has raised 165,000 to create a free, nationwide service helping vulnerable children find safety and support. For advice, support and options if you or a child you love goes missing, contact safecall.org.uk
The most significant day of the liturgical calendar is here - Romolo Tavani/iStockphoto

The great silence and stillness of Holy Saturday have passed; the most significant day of the liturgical calendar has arrived. Pope Francis put it well in his last public address: From the empty tomb in Jerusalem, we hear unexpected good news: Jesus, who was crucified, is not here, he has risen. In each year, the cycle is repeated, and even those who do not share the Christian faith are reminded of its message, and the call to pay heed to concerns beyond the immediate present.

Amid the celebration of the resurrection, the long bank holiday weekend, the displays of chocolate eggs and the joy of time with friends and family, it is good to think, also, about the need to spend the hours we are allotted wisely. In his meditations for Lent, the French bishop and theologian Jacques-Benigne Bossuet observed: How right we are to say that our time passes! Truly it passes, and we pass with it. I have little time, I have a long road to travel, perhaps I have less further to go than I think: I will think not about what passes, but with great care, great courage, and great diligence about what remains.

Almost 1,400 years ago, Bede wrote, as King Edwin of Northumbria sat with his council discussing these concerns, one member compared the life of man to a sparrow flying swiftly through a hall; Now during the time when he is inside, he is not touched by the winters storms; but that is the twinkling of an eye and the briefest of moments, and at once he comes again from winter into winter. In such a way the life of man appears for a brief moment; what comes before, and what will follow after, we do not know. Therefore if this doctrine offers anything more certain or more fitting, it is right that we follow it.

The intervening years have not diminished the relevance of the message or the hope that it carries. Concerns which can seem overwhelming, problems which are insoluble, grief which will never fade, will diminish. Time, like an ever-rolling stream, bears all its sons away. No matter how bleak the Friday may be, no matter how silent the Earth on Saturday, Sunday will come, and bring with it renewal.
Storm Dave is set to ease during Sunday (PA) (PA Wire)

Travel disruption persists across the UK after Storm Dave, despite yellow weather warnings lifted early on Easter Sunday. Three alerts for northern England, Scotland, and Wales, due until midday, were rescinded by 7:30 am as conditions improved.

Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services on Scotlands west coast faced disruption; motorists encountered fallen trees blocking routes. Storm Dave swept in on Saturday, with an amber wind warning for northern England, north-west Wales, and southern Scotland expiring 3 am Sunday.

The strongest gust overnight was 93mph at Capel Curig in North Wales, while gusts of 75mph were recorded at Emley Moor in West Yorkshire and St Bees Head in Cumbria, and one of 73mph was recorded at Buchan in Aberdeenshire, the Met Office said.

Marco Petagna, a Met Office spokesman, said: The winds eased down a bit more quickly than forecast across Scotland, northern England and Wales.

Storm Dave is pulling away and the warnings are easing more quickly than forecast so the yellow warnings were no longer warranted.

Before the severe amber weather warning was lifted, the Met Office had forecast severe gales across central and northern areas of the country overnight into Sunday.

Network Rail Scotland put speed restrictions in place on some routes, with the last of these lifting at around 8am on Sunday.

The Amber warnings for Storm Dave (Met Office)

The Humber Bridge linking East Yorkshire with north Lincolnshire reopened after being closed in both directions to high-sided and vulnerable vehicles early on Sunday due to strong winds, National Highways said.

Network Rail Manchester announced rail replacement bus services would run between Manchester Piccadilly and Chester due to overnight conditions.

The Met Offices forecast for Easter Sunday said: Storm Dave will clear north east on Sunday morning, leaving sunshine and widespread showers across the UK.

Northern areas will see the heaviest blustery showers and feel cold, while temperatures elsewhere stay closer to average for early April.

As of 9am on Sunday, there were three flood warnings and eight flood alerts in place in Scotland.

In England there was one flood warning and 23 flood alerts, and Wales had three coastal flood alerts.

The Energy Networks Association, which represents electricity network operators, said on Saturday: The storm has the potential to affect local power infrastructure, increasing the risk of a power cut and fallen power lines.

Network operators are increasing staffing for operational teams, and moving spare equipment to where the weather is expected to be most disruptive, so its ready to use if needed.
Cranes being used to construct the new White House ballroom are seen around the White House. Photograph: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP (Photograph: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)

A judges order to stop construction work on the White House ballroom poses security risks, the Trump administration argued in an emergency motion that seeks to set aside the ruling.

The emergency motion argues that US district judge Richard Leons decision has left the executive mansion open and exposed and is threatening grave national-security harms to the White House, the President and his family, and the Presidents staff.

Leon on Tuesday ruled that construction work on the White House ballroom must pause while a lawsuit works its way through the courts. The lawsuit seeks to halt the $400m project on the site of the recently demolished East Wing, with plaintiffs arguing that it needs approval from Congress to proceed.

Halting $400m White House ballroom project is national security risk, Trump officials say

Time is of the essence! the administrations lawyers wrote in the motion, citing materials that will be installed to make a heavily fortified facility.

The ballroom construction also includes bomb shelters, military installations and a medical facility, according to the filing. The ballroom is part of Trumps plans to remake Washington.

Read the full story

Search for missing US crew member of downed fighter jet enters second day

US search and rescue efforts for the missing second crew member of the downed F-15E fighter jet continued into a second day. A pilot had been rescued on Friday after the F-15E Strike Eagle became the first US plane to be downed over Iran during the five-week-long war, but the second of the two-strong crew has not been accounted for.

The US military had not had a jet shot down by enemy fire in more than 20 years  since a warplane was downed during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, retired air force Brig Gen Houston Cantwell told the Associated Press.

Read the full story

Federal judge halts White House effort to collect university data on applicants race

A federal judge on Friday halted efforts by the Trump administration to collect data that proves higher education institutions arent considering race in admissions.

The ruling from a US district court in Boston granting the preliminary injunction follows a lawsuit filed earlier this month by a coalition of 17 Democratic state attorneys general. It will only apply to public universities in plaintiffs states.

The federal judge said the federal government likely has the authority to collect the data, but the demand was rolled out to universities in a rushed and chaotic manner.

Read the full story

How will US prices stand as war in Iran surges on?

As consumers watch the price of gasoline and airline tickets rise, experts say that the war in Iran will continue to drive up prices across the economy.

The good old days are gone, said Christopher Tang, a professor at the UCLA Anderson School of Management who studies global supply chain management. Right now we see the gasoline prices going up, but that is only part of the story. Everything will be more expensive.

The price of oil has risen steadily since the war began at the end of February, with crude oil prices surging past $110 per barrel, this week. Fuel prices have risen in part because Iran controls access to the strait of Hormuz, a narrow passageway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman where about 20% of the worlds oil travels through.

Read the full story

What else happened today:

Donald Trump appears to be on a quest to become the US president with the most things named after him . Less than 18 months into his second term, Trump has seen his name, face and signature daubed across government buildings, institutions and currency at an unprecedented rate.

As vice-president JD Vance prepares to travel to Hungary ahead of crucial elections, questions have begun to swirl as to why the US and Russia appear to agree on the need to keep Viktor Orban in power.

Catching up? Heres what happened on Friday 3 April
U.S. forces sought to arm Iranian protesters earlier this year after the country was rocked by demonstrations over dire economic conditions but saw those arms largely fall into the hands of Irans Kurds, President Donald Trump said on Sunday.

The president began his Easter Sunday with a series of revelations and proclamations about the Iran war, including a bizarre, cursing threat to begin targeting Iranian power plants on Tuesday if a deal was not reached to open the Strait of Hormuz.

Open the F***in Strait, you crazy b*****ds, or youll be living in Hell, he warned.

But in an interview over the phone with Foxs Trey Yingst on Sunday morning, the president made another piece of news: The U.S. was directly involved in efforts to destabilize and overthrow the Iranian government weeks before strikes were launched across Iran, and as U.S. negotiators were engaging with senior Iranian governmental officials in Europe. Those protests began shortly before the new year and lasted for weeks, ending in the violent subjugation of protesters by the Iranian government.

We sent them a lot of guns. We sent them through the Kurds, and the president says he thinks the Kurds kept them, Yingst said on Fox News, paraphrasing the president.

Anti-government protests in Tehran in January (Getty)

Iranian Kurdish exiles have lived in a semi-autonomous region of Iraq, near the border of Iran, for decades following the Islamic Revolution in 1979 that saw the U.S.-backed Shah of Iran overthrown and the installation of the supreme leader by Irans new government. In the years since, the Kurds fought against Saddam Husseins government in Iraq as well as with the Iranian government since the latest conflict began. Some Kurdish groups still remain across the border in Iran.

In that same interview, Trump told Yingst that Iranian officials had allegedly killed more than 40,000 civilians in the crackdown ending those protests this year.

Trump conducted two other interviews on Sunday morning with ABCs Rachel Scott and Axioss Barak Ravid. He briefly spoke with The Independent on Friday.

On Sunday he repeated his vow to unleash a wave of destructive attacks targeting civilian infrastructure across Iran if the Strait of Hormuz was not opened. Doing so is generally considered to be a war crime unless the targets in question are actively being used for military purposes.

Very little is off the table if a deal isnt reached, Trump told ABC. "If happens, it happens. And if it doesn't, we're blowing up the whole country.

The president slurred through an address to the nation on Wednesday that didnt make any major news about the war with Iran (Getty Images)

Speaking with Axios, he also gave more details about the rescue of an American service member whose F-15 was downed over Iran on Friday. The crew member was confirmed to have been rescued late Saturday evening after a days-long search. According to the president, U.S. officials feared the service members capture and the possibility that a beacon pinging his location was actually a trap.

He once again leaned into language that many seem as overtly racist as he described Iranians as savages in their hunt to detain the downed American crew member: "Thousands of these savages were hunting him down," Trump told Axios. "Even the population was looking for him. They offered people a bonus if they captured him."

The successful return of the downed American is a bright spot in an otherwise murky picture of Trumps Iran war. The president and his top officials continue to insist that the Iranian military has been destroyed and that the U.S. has already essentially achieved victory, only to continuously fail to convince Irans government (which still appears to be intact) to re-open the Strait of Hormuz or strike a formal agreement to end the conflict.

A U.S. F-15 jet was shot down over Iran on Friday, with both crew members recovered alive by U.S. forces (via REUTERS)

Oil prices continue to rise as the choking of a major shipping route drags on and weeks pass by while the White House insists that the end of the war is coming in days.

Ahead of an address to the nation on the conflict this past Wednesday that largely ripped from old Truth Social posts, the president faced a perception problem: A CNN poll found that as many as two thirds of Americans do not believe that he truly has a plan for ending the war.

Trump continues to deny this, even as his goals have publicly shifted to re-opening the strait and away from the U.S. acquiring Irans supply of enriched uranium. He insisted once again on Sunday, however, that the permanent end of Irans nuclear weapons program remained a sticking point as he sought a diplomatic resolution to the war he started.
President Donald Trump began his Easter Sunday with another blustery warning to Iran and claimed that U.S. forces would begin a series of strikes against Iranian civilian infrastructure targets in two days.

The U.S. president wrote early Sunday morning on Truth Social that Tuesday would be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day for American forces selecting targets in the region, adding: Open the F***in Strait, you crazy b*****ds, or youll be living in Hell.

Praise be to Allah, Trump concluded his Easter Morning statement to Americans. That line earned him a mock-up on the conservative site Drudge Report, which depicted the president bearded, wearing Islamic garb.

U.S. forces continue to conduct strikes within Iranian airspace as the president has vowed to unleash a more devastating salvo of attacks if the key waterway which serves as a crucial passage for a large fraction of the worlds oil traffic is not opened up by Iranian forces. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has caused global oil prices to spike past $100 per barrel.

Theres little sign that Trumps threats have been effective, however, and Iranian officials maintain that peace talks are not happening in any meaningful sense. The issue has angered the president, who has spent the past week making sequentially angrier and more severe threats to Irans military and civilian population. Like other messages Trump has sent recently, Sundays indication that Trump is considering targeting Iranian civilian infrastructure is a suggestion that the U.S. military could violate international law by expanding to include non-military targets.

Donald Trump made a new threat against Irans infrastructure on Sunday (AP)

On Saturday, he wrote that hed reign down hell on Iran if the Strait wasnt opened, his latest messaging flub as the White House and broader administration hope to sell the presidents expanding war to a skeptical American public and Congress, where the Pentagon is asking for billions to fund the war effort.

Trump and his allies continue to insist through all of this bluster that the war is actually won already, and that Irans military might has been devastated.

Never in the history of warfare has an enemy suffered such clear and devastating, large-scale losses in a matter of weeks, Trump told Americans during a primetime address last week, before claiming that the U.S. was winning and now winning bigger than ever before. That address ripped largely from his Truth Social posts.

Even so, the downing of a second American fighter jet and the continued inability of the U.S. to say it has reached its military objectives  either pertaining to the Strait of Hormuz, Irans ballistic missiles, or other factors  cheapen that view.

A U.S. airman was rescued from Iranian territory late on Saturday after being shot down in an F-15 days earlier, with Trump making that announcement shortly after midnight Sunday morning. The crew member had been missing since Friday.

On Sunday, Trumps latest threat evoked a wave of head-shaking and exasperation from Washington as it becomes clear that few outside of the presidents core base of support trust the White Houses judgement as it relates to the war.

Marjorie Taylor Greene, a former MAGA congresswoman who publicly broke off from the president in 2025 over a disputer over the Epstein files, urged Republicans in the White House to pray for forgiveness on Easter Sunday.

Everyone in his administration that claims to be a Christian needs to fall on their knees and beg forgiveness from God and stop worshipping the President and intervene in Trumps madness, she wrote on X. I know all of you and him and he has gone insane, and all of you are complicit.

A US F-15, similar to the one shot down, is seen supporting Operation Epic Fury (via REUTERS)

The Straits closure has become a central point of the war as the presidents critics question why the administration did not plan for Iranian forces mining the area and shutting down sea traffic indefinitely. With the war now in its second month, U.S. predictions of a timeline for ending the conflict seem inaccurate and Trumps own angry messages suggest that the White House is largely out of ideas to that effect.

The president separately claimed on Saturday that another U.S. strike had killed a number of senior Iranian military commanders. And in an interview Sunday with Foxs Trey Yingst, he simultaneously claimed that Iran was on the verge of surrender and would accept a deal with his administration by tomorrow.

On NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday, Sen. Tim Kaine reacted to the presidents threat and called it juvenile.

"I hope the White House  I doubt the president will  but please dial back the rhetoric, because you dont need to put people like these pilots more at risk, said the Democratic senator from Virginia. He added that he didnt believe the threat, or others to bomb Iran back to the Stone Age were effective, labeling them embarrassing.

Its people trying to act like they are puffed up and tough when what we really see from this administration is the absence of a plan, the absence of a clear rationale, no effort to get our allies onboard, and thus deep unpopularity of this war with the American public, Kaine added.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also reacted on X Sunday afternoon: Disgusting and unhinged Easter message from Donald Trump. Something is really wrong with this guy.
A boat used by migrants to cross the Mediterranean Sea is towed from Tripiti beach to the port of Gavdos, Greece, July 7, 2025 after hundreds were rescued near the island and the island of Crete in separate incidents.

Dozens of people are missing after a migrant boat capsized in the central Mediterranean, the NGOs Mediterranea Saving Humans and Sea-Watch said Sunday on social media.

Two people died and 32 were rescued from the boat, which had left Libya on Saturday afternoon with around 105 people on board, according to Mediterranea Saving Humans.

"Tragic Easter shipwreck. 32 survivors, two bodies recovered and more than 70 people missing," the NGO wrote on X, adding that the boat capsized in a search-and-rescue zone handled by Libyan authorities.

Sea-Watch said two commercial ships saved the survivors and took them to the Italian island of Lampedusa.

Ieri #SeaBird2 si e trovato sulla scena di un naufragio. Alcune persone chiedevano aiuto su una barca capovolta, altre erano in acqua. 32 persone sono state salvate da 2 mercantili e sbarcate stamattina a Lampedusa dalla @guardiacostiera. 71 persone sono disperse. Unaltra strage pic.twitter.com/HZfg1zSdDG  Sea-Watch Italy (@SeaWatchItaly) April 5, 2026

An aerial video it posted showed two men clinging to the hull of the capsized vessel, and the approach of one of the commercial ships.

Mediterranea Saving Humans said the accident was "the consequence of policies by European governments that refuse to open safe and legal pathways" for migrants.

Read moreDozens of migrants presumed dead after boat capsizes off Libyan coast

Lampedusa is a key entry point for migrants crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe.

Since the start of 2026, at least 683 migrants have lost their lives or gone missing on attempts to cross the sea, according to the UN's migration agency IOM.

According to the Italian government, 6,175 migrants arrived on Italian territory over the same period.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Two more people have been arrested on suspicion of murder following the fatal shooting of a 14-year-old boy in southeast London.

Eghosa Ogbebor was killed in Woolwich on Thursday.

A 16-year-old boy and 19-year-old man have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in custody.

A 46-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and remains in custody.

Two boys, aged 14 and 16, and an 18-year-old man, who were arrested on Friday in connection with the incident have since been released on bail while enquiries continue.

Officers were called to the scene in Lord Warwick Street, which is close to the Woolwich Ferry and Woolwich Dockyard train station, at around 3.40pm on Thursday.

Eghosa was pronounced dead at the scene and police said his family are being supported by specialist officers.

Detective chief inspector Lucie Card, of the Metropolitan Police, said: "Our team of dedicated detectives are continuing enquiries to investigate Eghosa's tragic death.

"Residents in Woolwich may have noticed a large amount of police activity last night, as officers arrested three further people in connection with the investigation.

"We appreciate the concern that Eghosa's death has caused, particularly among the local community who will continue to see an increased police presence around the area."

Read more from Sky News:

M&S boss issues stark warning over worsening crime

Two men arrested after girl, 9, killed in crash

DCI Card added: "There may be people who have heard information or witnessed suspicious activity in the area but not yet contacted police. We urge these people to contact us and assist with the investigation.

"We will continue to support and update Eghosa's family as the investigation continues and our thoughts remain with them at this incredibly difficult time."

Following the killing, London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said: "My thoughts are with the family, friends and wider community in Woolwich following the appalling fatal shooting of 14-year-old boy.

"There is absolutely no place for this heart-breaking violence.

It was the second fatal shooting in the capital in less than a week.

Nahom Medhanie, 26, was shot dead while sitting in a car near Euston station in central London at around 11pm on the previous Saturday.
Walker Smith lsot his job over a shoplifting incident (Facebook)

A long-serving Waitrose employee says he has been left devastated after losing his job of 17 years for intervening when a suspected shoplifter filled a bag with luxury Easter eggs.

Walker Smith, 54, was working at the supermarkets Clapham Junction branch in south London when a shopper alerted him to the alleged theft.

They told me someone had filled up a Waitrose bag with the eggs, he said.

Smith said the suspect was known to staff and had targeted the store before. He confronted the individual and grabbed the bag, but the person pulled it back, leading to a brief struggle.

The bag split during the scuffle, sending Lindt Gold Bunny Easter eggs, worth 13 each, crashing to the floor. The shoplifter then fled the store.

Smith said one of the chocolate bunnies shattered. In a moment of frustration, he picked up a piece and threw it out of frustration towards some shopping trolleys, not aiming it at the shoplifter, he told The Guardian.

He was reprimanded by a manager and apologised, but the situation was escalated and ultimately led to his dismissal.

Smith said he had previously been instructed not to challenge shoplifters, but years of witnessing repeated theft pushed him to act.

Ive been there 17 years. Ive seen it happen every hour of every day for the last five years, he said.

Its everybody from drug addicts to teenagers nicking bits and bobs or walking out with bottles of wine in their arms. Were not allowed to do anything.

He also claimed security provision had been reduced, with no guards on duty at the start of the week.

Shoplifting incidents arent reported enough, he said, adding that this left ordinary staff dealing with the issue.

Despite defending his frustration, Smith said he regretted how he handled the situation.

When I got home I was punching myself and thinking Why did I do that, he said.

Days later, he was called into a meeting with two managers and feared the worst.

I had a feeling about what was going to happen, he said.

He made a final appeal, telling them Waitrose is like my family, but was dismissed regardless.

I tried to stay strong and I didnt say a word but inside I was crying. They led me out the back door by the bins. I just felt demoralised, he said.

Smith, who has been diagnosed with anxiety, said his managers were aware of his condition.

Having recently moved into his own studio flat after years of house-sharing, he now fears for his future.

Im not too sure whats going to happen with this place now. I might be homeless. My confidence is on the floor right now, he said.

Waitrose is like my family. My friends are there. I was there for 17 years, I must have been doing something right. Im not a bad or violent or aggressive person. I just got frustrated seeing this day in and day out and not seeing Waitrose do much about it.

The case comes amid a wider surge in shoplifting across the UK.

Official figures show there were 519,381 shoplifting offences recorded in England and Wales in the year to September 2025, a 5 per cent rise on the 492,660 logged the previous year, according to the Office for National Statistics.

That total is just below the record 530,643 offences recorded in the 12 months to March 2025.

Retail union Usdaw warned in February that workers are facing unacceptable levels of abuse, with evidence showing that two-thirds of attacks on retail staff are being triggered by theft or armed robbery.

Pressure has also been mounting on ministers to act. On Friday, Marks & Spencer chief executive Stuart Machin urged the government and Londons mayor to take tougher action, warning shoplifting has become more brazen, more organised and more aggressive.

A Waitrose spokesperson said: We take the safety and security of our customers and our partners incredibly seriously and to do this we have policies in place which our partners are aware of and required to follow.

In reference to the point on guarding  we make absolutely sure that our shops have appropriate levels of guarding and this is constantly adjusted according to the level of risk.
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

Deep divisions at public hearings

Toxic political environment under scrutiny

Concerns over violence during hearings

Legal arguments take centre stage

Calls for a national referendum are growing as public hearings on the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3) continue across the country, with citizens raising constitutional, political and ethical concerns over proposed changes to term limits.In a strongly worded submission to Parliament, Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi and AttorneyGeneral Virginia Mabhiza, concerned citizen Kennedy Kaitano urged lawmakers to halt the process and return the Bill to Cabinet for redrafting to include a referendum.Recent hearings have revealed sharp divisions. Supporters of the Bill argue that extending terms of office for councillors, MPs and the President from five to seven years would allow leaders more time to complete development projects.Critics, however, dismissed these arguments as weak and selfserving. One proponent's remark - that some legislators had not yet "celebrated" their 2023 victories - sparked outrage and became symbolic of what opponents describe as misplaced priorities.Kaitano argued that such sentiments reflect deeper systemic issues, including alleged neglect of constituents and reliance on patronage politics.Supporters of the Bill also claim that Zimbabwe's "toxic" political climate disrupts governance cycles, with disputes over election results dominating the first year of a term and preparations for the next election consuming the final year.Opponents counter that this toxicity is manufactured, accusing ZANUPF and state institutions of perpetuating violence, intimidation and electoral irregularities.Kaitano's submission traces this pattern back decades - from the 1990s shooting of Patrick Kombayi, to the violent elections of the early 2000s, the disputed 2008 polls, and the 2018 postelection shootings investigated by the Motlanthe Commission, whose findings critics say remain largely unpublished.The current consultation process has also been marred by reports of violence, intimidation and suppression of dissent. Incidents cited include assaults, confiscation of phones and disruption of speakers.Particular concern has been raised over the incident involving Douglas Coltart, whose phone was reportedly snatched during proceedings.Critics argue that the lack of accountability undermines the credibility of the entire process.Opponents stress that extending terms of office - especially where incumbents benefit - triggers strict constitutional requirements, including the need for a referendum. Some legal interpretations suggest multiple referendums may be required.Kaitano emphasised that termlimit provisions are constitutional safeguards against the overconcentration of power, warning that altering them without direct public consent would be unconstitutional.As hearings continue, calls for a referendum are gaining momentum among civilsociety groups, legal experts and ordinary citizens."The central demand is clear: any significant constitutional change must be decided directly by the people," Kaitano said. "Zimbabwe needs a new approach that removes political toxicity and restores democratic integrity. Let's go for a referendum."
White House officials are firmly denying that Donald Trumps apparent absence is health-related and insisting that the president is working overtime amid the hunt for a missing U.S. fighter pilot in Iran after rumors swirled online about the presidents whereabouts.

There has never been a President who has worked harder for the American people than President Trump, White House communications director Steven Cheung wrote on X. On this Easter weekend, he has been working nonstop in the White House and Oval Office. God Bless him.

The administrations rapid response X account also shut down speculation on the missing president.

Deranged liberals cook up insane conspiracy theories when @POTUS goes 12 hours without speaking to press, the account wrote. Fear not! President Trump literally never stops working.

Trump has not been addressed the public about the search-and-rescue operation, and he last appeared publicly at the Supreme Court on Wednesday, after which he delivered a national address about the war. He is staying at the White House through Easter weekend, rather than at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, and does not have any public events scheduled.

Rumors have swirled online about the whereabouts of Donald Trump, with White House officials firmly denying that his apparent absence is health related and insisting that the president is working overtime amid the hunt for a missing US fighter pilot in Iran (AP)

In a brief Friday phone interview with The Independent, the president declined to say what his course of action might be if Iranian forces get to the downed airman, marking the first U.S. pilot shot down behind over enemy territory since 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Asked what hed do if the pilot is captured or harmed by Iranians, Trump replied: Well, I can't comment on it because  we hope that's not going to happen, and ended the call shortly thereafter.

The press lid  a cutoff for White House press pool reporters covering the presidents activities  was called at 11 a.m. Saturday, driving speculation about his whereabouts. The presidents official schedule for Sunday lists only executive time at 8 a.m. and a Family Easter Dinner with the First Lady Melania Trump at 7 p.m.

The US is in a desperate race to find an airman believed to have been shot down over Iran (Getty Images)

A desperate race to find the airman is stretching into a third day as the war enters its 37th.

Iranian authorities are offering a bounty to anyone who hands over the missing pilot alive, a state television anchor announced. White House officials have remained largely silent so far on the search, though the situation remains fluid.

Trump did, however, find time to post on his social media platform Truth Social, where he shared video of a massive strike on Tehran.

Many of Irans Military Leaders, who have led them poorly and unwisely, are terminated, along with much else, with this massive strike in Tehran! President DONALD J. TRUMP, the president wrote Saturday afternoon.
The Archbishop of York, the Most Rev Stephen Cottrell: We thirst for peace between the warring nations of the world - Danny Lawson/PA

The Archbishop of York has called for an end to the literally pointless conflict in the Middle East.

The Most Rev Stephen Cottrell used his Easter Sunday sermon to a congregation at York Minster to make the statement about the war in Iran and criticise the erosion of international law.

He made the comments as the war, launched by the US and Israel on Iran at the end of February, enters its sixth week. The conflict has already killed thousands and it is unclear whether it is any closer to an end.

In his sermon, he likened the thirst of Jesus Christ on the cross to the things that people thirst for in the modern day.

He said: We thirst for peace between the warring nations of the world and on this Easter morning, cry out for an end to the literally pointless conflict consuming the Middle East at the moment.

We thirst for justice in a world where norms of international law are eroded and ignored, where basic human rights are denied.

We thirst for unity within the church of Jesus Christ, itself so painfully divided by the conflicts of the past and an easy acceptance of a scandalous status quo in the present.

The conflict has resulted in soaring fuel prices amid a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, one of the worlds most important shipping routes.

The Archbishop has frequently attracted criticism for wading into matters of state. He has been a vocal critic of the previous governments policy to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda and he has also spoken out against the Assisted Dying Bill, warning that authority over death belongs to God alone.

Pope calls for peace through dialogue

Pope Leo XIV used his first Easter address to urge world leaders to abandon every desire for conflict, domination, and power and choose peace.

The American-born pontiff did not mention Donald Trump by name, but alluded to the war on Iran being waged by the US president.

Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace. Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue, the Pope told around 50,000 faithful who gathered in St Peters Square in brilliant spring sunshine.

With the US-Israeli war on Iran now in its second month and Russias offensive continuing in Ukraine, the Pope reflected on what he called a growing indifference to hatred and violence.

We are growing accustomed to violenceIndifferent to the deaths of thousands of people. Indifferent to the repercussions of hatred and division... Indifferent to the economic and social consequences they produce.

Without indicating any specific conflict, Pope Leo quoted his predecessor, Francis, who during his last public appearance from the same loggia last Easter, reminded the faithful of the great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, also used her first Easter Sunday sermon at Canterbury Cathedral to pray for an end to violence and destruction in the Middle East.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally: Our gaze and our prayers have been turned towards the land where Jesus was crucified - Gareth Fuller/PA

Dame Sarah, the first woman to hold the role in its 1,400-year history, officially became the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury at a ceremony at the cathedral last month.

In her first Easter sermon, the Archbishop reflected on the ongoing wars around the world, particularly in the Middle East and the Gulf.

She called for peace in the region and said: This week our gaze and our prayers have been turned towards the land where Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead.

Today, as we shout with joy that Christ is risen, let us pray and call with renewed urgency for an end to the violence and destruction in the Middle East and the Gulf. May our Christian sisters and brothers know and celebrate the hope of the empty tomb  and may all people of the region receive the peace, justice and freedom they long for.

The US and Israel began air strikes on Iran at the end of February in an effort to incapacitate the regime.

Iran retaliated by targeting key energy infrastructure, firing missiles into the Gulf states including Dubai, and shutting the Strait of Hormuz, causing an oil crisis that threatens global trade.
Pipe Up for Pipe Organs has predicted that the number of church organs in Britain will halve over the next 10 years

Pipe organs in churches across Britain will fall silent within 50 years, a report has claimed.

The charity Pipe Up for Pipe Organs has predicted that by 2070, there will be no pipe organs left playable... outside the elite cathedrals, Oxbridge colleges and a small number of concert halls and well-funded churches.

It said that of some 15,000 surviving instruments, only half were playable while, every week, about five were dumped in landfill or scrap, and a further four stopped working for lack of repair.

The charity said it was sounding the alarm for this national crisis.

Pipe Up predicted that the instruments will halve in number over the next 10 years, warning: One of the glories of Britains heritage, once found in churches of all denominations  pipe organs will be lost to most communities.

George Allan, the chairman of Pipe Up, said: Its utterly shocking. They are on the path to extinction. The amount of funding available for organ repairs every year is tiny.

Village organs are dying out everywhere. Every morning, I look at my emails and theres a couple more notifying us that they are at imminent risk or unwanted.

He added that organ music was the sound of weddings and some of lifes most significant moments: And yet, we are sleepwalking into the mass extinction of these national assets as, tragically, some churches lack the motivation or means to keep them in use.

In March, an East Yorkshire church founded in the 12th century gave away its 100-year-old organ  to Norway. St Marys in Beverley could not afford to repair its instrument for an estimated cost of up to 2.3m, although that figure was questioned yesterday by experts.

The Norwegians were not only prepared to fund the renovation, but they covered the expense of dismantling the large structure, which includes some 6,000 pipes measuring up to 32ft in length, and installing it in Oslos Holy Trinity Church.

Holy Trinity Church in Oslo will become home to a 100-year-old organ from east Yorkshire - Ryhor Bruyeu /Alamy

The organ had not been working properly  and latterly not at all  for approximately five years, St Marys said. Raising over 2.3m for the organ would be almost impossible. We have already raised over 3m to restore the crumbling stonework and we need to raise another 10m to make sure our incredible, nationally significant church is restored

It was really amazing to hear from Holy Trinity Church, Oslo. It meant these pipes were not being thrown into landfill, as happens to other redundant organs.

Removing the organ has opened up space for meetings, youth work and community outreach. Reports of a coffee shop were denied.

Norman Lebrecht, a music expert and former Telegraph columnist, wrote on his Slipped Disc blog that, just as a new Archbishop of Canterbury is installed, this is a wretched example of the Churchs neglect of its heritage.

Pipe organs are traditionally known as the King of Instruments. In 1800, there were about 800 in churches. By 1915, numbers had risen to about 40,000, but more than half have since disappeared.

The Pipe Up report, titled Silencing the King? The future of Britains Pipe Organs, notes that Britain was once a powerhouse of organ-building and that the instruments had a profound influence on Britains musical life, enabling even small communities to perform masterpieces such as Handels Messiah.

Pipe Up fears that many redundant organs are being scrapped and sent to landfill

Yet countries from Portugal to the Philippines are now snapping up this part of Britains heritage.

Mr Allan highlighted Deux-Sevres, a rural department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of south-western France, where about 40 village churches have organs that were unwanted in Britain.

Referring to the National Churches Trust 2025 survey, which estimated that 400 churches a year were closing, the Pipe Up report noted: The majority of these have organs. Many of these churches are then sold for development and the organ is then trashed. The lead pipes may fetch token amounts as scrap, but the wooden parts go to landfill.

It said that many of the instruments could be fixed with a couple of days work by an organ builder.

Stephen Lomas became custodian of the organ at St Leonards in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, long after the church closed in 1976. He was to discover an organ in a poor state with numerous silent keys because half of the instrument was dismantled and sent to another church. The job was not done by a professional organ company, but a jobbing joiner, he said.

The other church later despatched its share of the organ to landfill. On the rare occasions that St Leonards is used for weddings and other events, he struggles to perform on what is left of the organ.

St Marys is among churches that instead rely on a digital organ to support their choral tradition. Mr Lomas said that such instruments could not compare and that much depended on the amplification system: Digital organs tend to sound better in larger, more resonant church buildings Put them in a little village church and they dont sound very good at all. They sound very electronic. Theres also a limited lifespan to [them].

He added: Thats not to say that pipe organs will last forever but, with regular maintenance, they will last longer than a digital organ.

This is where many churches are falling down. Theyve not had the pipe organs regularly tuned and serviced, as they would with their car.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, right, during a visit to his estate at Loch Duich

The billionaire ruler of Dubai has claimed he did not know that he needed planning permission to construct a new home on his Highland estate.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is building a three-storey house with 15 bedrooms, a large living room, a dining room and a conservatory at Inverinate, in Wester Ross.

The estate is on the banks of Loch Duich, which is a special area of conservation and home to wildlife including deer, Eurasian otters, pipistrelle bats and western European hedgehogs.

The designs were changed after the Highland council granted permission for the new home last year. Sheikh Mohammeds representatives are now seeking retrospective planning permission for the changes, which include a utility room extension, a chimney breast, a fireplace, a modified front entrance with a sandstone arch, resized windows and roof lights.

Documents seen by The Telegraph said that Sheikh Mohammeds representatives were unaware planning permission was required for the amended works.

Plans for Sheikh Mohammeds home in the highlands where the design has changed since it was granted approval

The 76-year-old bought the estate  which has three helipads and a swimming pool  more than 20 years ago and usually visits once or twice a year.

He has undertaken a major expansion of the site in recent years, including building several large homes, a cottage, two lodges and the helipads. His representatives said that more room was needed for guests and staff.

A planning statement submitted to Highland council said: The owners of Inverinate estate typically travel in large groups of immediate and extended family and friends.

In recent years, their travel to Inverinate has been limited by a lack of accommodation. Additional staff accommodation was completed in 2022 to create infrastructure that would support greater use of the estate.

It added: The proposals do not alter the fundamental scale, use, or overall design intent of the previously approved scheme.

The Sheikh, centre, typically travels to the Scottish estate with large groups, according to the planning statement

But one resident said that it beggars belief that the Sheikh and his family werent aware of the planning permission procedure.

They added: Of course, hes always welcome here and has been good to the local community, but surely they would aware of our laws regarding building, especially with all the building work in recent years?

Another pointed out that Sheikh Mohammed rarely spends any time here, but constantly expands the estate, adding: Whats the point in all the work with so few visits?

Roddy Macleod, who lives next to the estate, previously said: Nobody realises just how much of a massive great structure this will be. He just seems determined to keep going with this. It has been a real strain.

The estate is in a special area of conservation and is home to wildlife including Eurasian otters - Karl Weller/iStockphoto

Last year, The Telegraph reported that Sheikh Mohammed had erected solar panels on the estate without planning permission. The council later allowed him to keep them.

In 2020, he won a planning battle to build a six-bedroom lodge at the estate after the Scottish Government overruled the council, which blocked the application following more than 30 objections.

The application was approved on the condition that Sheikh Mohammeds property firm, Smech Management, paid 30,000 towards local affordable housing.

Sheikh Mohammeds UK racing company, Godolphin Management, also lodged plans last year to create two tarmac helipads at Warren Place, the Newmarket racing stables he bought from the trainer Sir Henry Cecil in 2015.

But Anglian Water objected, saying it was concerned about the potential threat to nearby water sources and aquifers as a result of fuel spillages from helicopters and other contaminated materials.

Sheikh Mohammed, who also owns large estates in Essex, Surrey, and Suffolk, is one of the UKs biggest landowners and one of the worlds richest men, with a fortune valued at 11bn.

Planning agents for Sheikh Mohammed have been approached for comment.
Frank Duffy at his DEGW office, where he did not have an office, or even his own desk  just a cubic metre of personal storage space, like everyone else here - Courtesy of family

Frank Duffy, who has died aged 85, was president of RIBA, the Royal Institute of British Architects, from 1993 to 1995, and Britains leading guru of office design. In the 1980s he helped to prepare the City of London for the computer revolution and the Big Bang; in the 1990s he was a leading thinker on the possibilities of hot-desking and tele-cottaging, as remote working was then called.

Sir Peter Parker, sometime head of British Rail, hailed Capability Duffy as one of the leading revolutionaries in the world of work: Here is a man who has changed our mind.

As an architecture student in the 1960s, Duffy had been a rarity among his peers for his interest in offices, which were considered drearily unheroic and, to his largely socialist cohort, tainted by capitalism. As Duffy put it: How much more challenging and entrancing is designing for the poor or for the handicapped than for the bureaucratic apparatus of the state or, even worse, of commerce. Office designers were considered the scum of the profession.

But his passion was fired by the 1950s West German invention of the Burolandschaft, or office landscape. Previously, offices had fallen into two rigid types: a cellular warren of private offices, or the classroom-like open-plan office with desks in serried rows, much favoured in America, a hangover from the time-and-motion theories of Charles Taylor, who treated humans as automatons to be measured.

The landscaped office revealed a third way: an open-plan space that was thickly carpeted, humane and civilised, with the desks were scattered in organic groups and broken up by free-standing screens and potted plants. The regimented break of the tea trolley was replaced by a domestic-feeling corner for refreshment, where employees could go when the whim arose.

Duffy: People like to meet face to face, he said. Thats how business is best done - Courtesy of family

After visiting Germany in 1963, Duffy brought these ideas to wider attention in Britain with an article in the Architectural Review, followed in 1966 by a monograph on office landscaping that had, he later joked, a touch of the messianic about it. By the early 1970s, the mania for office landscaping had seized Britain, with British Petroleum one of the first to try it. But by then Duffy, who had spent time in the United States designing offices for a firm of space planners who used top statisticians to assess the particular needs of each business, had begun to harbour doubts.

Why, he wondered, were all office landscapes the same? Surely, he wrote, there should be a range of possibly types of layout, each reflecting the particular eccentricities or the special demands of, say, lawyers versus insurance brokers, or electronics firms versus banks.

His practice, DEGW, which he co-founded in London in 1974, became one of the first space planners to take such differences between users seriously. Too many architects, he said, were retreating into the skin trade, the abdication of responsibility for deciding what the building is for, how it is going to be used and how it will be serviced.

Architecture, he provocatively suggested, should be thought of as a branch of interior design, with buildings designed from the inside out. It was an idea he later saw realised to perfection in Richard Rogerss Lloyds building, which by wearing its services on its sleeve, could best adapt to changing information technology needs and avoid the malaise of premature obsolescence that had come for the offices built in the 1960s and 1970s boom.

Modern businesses, he argued, should dispense with vast and costly premises that only satisfied dinosaur egos - Courtesy of family

In the 1980s the City of London was forced to rebuild a third of its office stock to ready itself for entry into the interconnected global markets after the Big Bang of deregulation. Duffy hoped to avoid obsolescence in this next generation of intelligent buildings, partly by foreseeing change  such as the need for cooling, which increased by at least 10 times in the City over 20 years thanks to the explosive growth of computing  and partly by making more flexible buildings better able to adapt to unforeseen change.

His ambition was to create the software to the hardware of architecture, notably with DEGWs pioneering, multi-client 1983 report Orbit (Office Research: Buildings and Information Technology), which established specifications to help offices adapt to technology and avoid the pitfalls of rampant cabling, straining air-conditioning systems and computers choked with dust. Later, DEGW developed the equivalent of a Which? test for scoring office buildings.

DEGW also briefed on significant 1980s developments, including the International Business Park at Stockley, innovatively halfway between a factory and an office, and Broadgate Circus in the City of London. The latter was a million square feet of office, speculatively built based on market research  a tactic then unheard of. Designed to be as attractive as possible to prospective tenants from international finance, it offered heightened security, flexible internal space, powerful cooling systems and a low-rise groundscraper profile arranged around three courtyards.

Duffys 1997 book

In the 1990s Duffy was at the forefront of debates about what the office had to offer in an increasingly virtual world. As he put it: What can place really do that cyberspace cannot? Modern businesses, he argued, should dispense with vast and costly premises that only satisfied dinosaur egos and instead focus on offering what nomadic tele-cottaging could not: the human connection that sparks creativity. People like to meet face to face, he said. Thats how business is best done.

At DEGWs Kings Cross headquarters, Duffy did not have an office, or even his own desk  just a cubic metre of personal storage space, like everyone else here. Instead, the office was streamlined into shared areas for different modes of working: club rooms for casual conversations, meeting rooms, and cubicles for peace and quiet.

If we can persuade more companies to go the way we have, Duffy told The Guardian in 1998, wed see an end to what appears to be the inexorable rise of the phallic office tower We can change the face of our cities, make them altogether more civilised places, by redesigning the way we work.

The youngest of four children, Francis Cuthbert Duffy was born in Berwick-upon-Tweed on September 3 1940, the son of Austin Duffy, a headmaster, and his wife Annie, nee Reed. The family was Roman Catholic, largely Irish, and both Franks brothers became priests.

Duffys 1992 book

His father died in 1945; during his long illness Frank was raised by his mothers family in South Shields. His mother then started a grocery shop, and Frank, who suffered from spina bifida and a hole in the heart, remained with her rather than boarding. At St Cuthberts Grammar School, Newcastle, where he was two years behind the future postmodern architect Terry Farrell, Frank was forbidden from games and spent his time in the library instead.

In 1959 he was awarded a Leverhulme Scholarship to the Architectural Association, then worked for three years at the National Building Agency  set up by the Tories to encourage the building of 500,000 houses a year  where he published Generic Plans, a developers manual for two- and three-bedroom houses of quality.

In 1968 he took an Architectural Association Harkness Fellowship to Berkeley in California, where the campus was subject to curfew after anti-draft demonstrations had been countered with tear gas by the National Guard. He then moved to Princeton, and a placement at a New York space-planning firm, JFN, which allowed him to study the corporate world. Space planners were far from chic, even in the US, he recalled.

In 1971 he opened a branch of JFN in London, above a piano studio in Wigmore Street, but when the parent company faltered in the 1973 oil crisis, he took his clients with him to his new practice, DEGW.

Duffy stood back from chairing DEGW in the early 2000s - Dominic Harris / RIBA Collections

In the early 1990s he served on Arts Council chairman Peter Palumbos Round Table for encouraging good architecture, alongside Grey Gowrie, Jocelyn Stevens, Norman St John Stevas, Philip Dowson and Richard Rogers. Out of this arose the principle that no lottery money should be given to any proposed building unless it had a designated champion  so that, to put it crudely, somebodys butt will be on the line, wrote one critic.

As RIBA president, he rebuffed government proposals to deregister the title of architect and to shorten the five-year training. In 1997 he was appointed CBE.

In the early 2000s Duffy stood back from chairing DEGW, which had expanded to branches in Madrid, Milan, New York, Paris, Athens and Sydney, and moved to Manhattan, where he taught at MIT and Princeton.

His books included Planning Office Space (1976), The Changing Workplace (1992), The New Office (1997), Architectural Knowledge (1998) and Work and the City (2008). He was also co-author of The Changing City (1989), The Responsible Workplace (1993) and New Environments for Working (1998).

In 1965 he married Jessica Baer, who survives him with their three daughters.

Frank Duffy, born September 3 1940, died February 21 2026
Michael Gove told BBC Radio 4 listeners that Ms Mahmood was gorgeous and fantastic - Andrew Crowley

Michael Gove has admitted to having a crush on Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary.

The former Conservative minister said that his infatuation with the senior Labour figure stretched beyond the political.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4 listeners, Mr Gove said that he thought Ms Mahmood was gorgeous and fantastic.

When he was asked whether his thoughts were political or romantic, he replied: Both.

Mr Gove said he would be worried that if Shabana Mahmood had access to my browsing history, she would discover that quite a lot of my browsing is me typing in Shabana Mahmood images or Shabana Mahmood history.

Speaking to the Matt Forde Focus Group programme, he said: I think shes gorgeous.

Im a huge fan. Ill have to tell my girlfriend about this, he added.

Mr Gove held several ministerial positions in Conservative governments between 2010-2024 but returned to his original profession of journalism as editor of the political magazine The Spectator in 2024.

He had been married to Sarah Vine, a Daily Mail columnist, for 20 years until they divorced in 2021. The couple had two children together. In the years since, he has been photographed with a number of women.

Shortly after the divorce, pictures circulated of Mr Gove leaning in for a kiss in a London restaurant with his then partner, Dr Lola Salem, an Oxford lecturer more than 25 years his junior.

Shabana Mahmood was appointed Home Secretary last year - ANDY RAIN/EPA/Shutterstock

Since Ms Mahmood became a Labour MP in 2010, she has climbed the party ranks and was appointed Home Secretary in September 2025.

Since then, her relationship status has been unreported, with an aide close to her indicating she wishes this to remain the case.

She was born in Birmingham to Kashmiri Pakistani Muslim parents. During an interview with The Sunday Times in November 2024, Ms Mahmood said: My faith is the centre point of my life, and it drives me to public service, it drives me in the way that I live my life and I see my life.

She is also a member of the socially conservative Blue Labour faction.

Mr Gove has tipped Ms Mahmood as a future Labour Party leader and interviewed her at the Labour Party conference in September 2025 for The Spectator.

She had just taken up the post of Home Secretary and was the face of the Governments rollout of its proposed digital identification scheme.

Ms Mahmood has championed a centralised approach to the state, an issue which Mr Gove grappled with when he worked on a vaccination passport scheme as a minister during the Covid pandemic.

After Ms Mahmood made the case for digital IDs, Mr Gove said: I think thats the single best case that any government minister has made for this policy, prompting applause from the crowd.
An aerospace start-up company has proposed a constellation of satellites designed to reflect sunlight on the Earth - Reflect Orbital

Deploying mirrors in space to create on-demand daylight could affect humans sleep, researchers say.

Officials in the US are considering plans by Reflect Orbital, an aerospace start-up, to illuminate parts of the Earth at night using reflective satellites, as well as from Elon Musks SpaceX to put up to one million more satellites in Earths low orbit.

However, the presidents of four international scientific groups, representing about 2,500 researchers from more than 30 countries, are among those to write to the US government with concerns.

The letter, written by the presidents of the European Biological Rhythms Society (EBRS), the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms, the Japanese Society for Chronobiology and the Canadian Society for Chronobiology, said: The proposed scale of orbital deployment would represent a significant alteration of the natural night-time light environment at a planetary scale.

The experts warned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which regulates satellites and space policy, that altering the natural rhythm of light and dark could have untold consequences on biological clocks that regulate sleep, and hormone secretion in humans and animals.

They also warned that it could impact migration of nocturnal species, seasonal cycles in plants and the rhythms of marine phytoplankton that underpin ocean food webs.

They urged the FCC and other regulators to conduct a full environmental review and set limits on satellite reflectivity and cumulative night sky brightness.

Prof Charalambos Kyriacou, a geneticist at the University of Leicester and president of the EBRS, told The Guardian: Were saying, please think before you go through with this, because this could have global implications for things like food security. Plants need the night. You cant just get rid of it.

The proposals by Reflect Orbital involve using satellites equipped with large mirrors to redirect sunlight back on to Earth on demand.

The idea would be to light up an area of five to six kilometres to boost solar energy production, provide lighting for construction projects, disaster responses and agriculture, the company says. The brightness would be adjustable from full moon to full noon.

Ruskin Hartley, the head of DarkSky International, a non-profit focused on protecting natural night skies, which has also written to the FCC, told The Guardian: While ideas like mirrors on satellites beaming sunlight on demand to Earth or mega-constellations of up to one million satellites for AI data centres may sound like science fiction, these proposals are very real.

He added: Scientific studies have already shown that the existing number of satellites in orbit has increased diffuse night sky brightness, or sky glow, by roughly 10 per cent.

Experts say the number of satellites and debris in the atmosphere are to blame, and that it will only get worse if current satellite launch rates continue.

SpaceX wants to launch up to 1 million satellites to create a solar-powered computing network designed to run artificial intelligence workloads.

Elon Musks SpaceX wants to launch a million satellites to create an AI network in space - Denis Balibouse/Reuters

Mr Hartley said it could lead to a night sky where satellites outnumbered visible stars.

He also warned that plans to introduce mirrors risked the possibility of intense glare or blinding flashes, particularly if systems malfunction or drift off target.

A separate letter from the presidents of the World Sleep Society, European Sleep Research Society, Sleep Health Foundation, Australian Sleep Association and Australasian Chronobiology Society said that circadian disruption is not mere inconvenience; it is a physiological mechanism driving major adverse health consequences.

We do not argue against space innovation, the letter said. The alternation of light and dark is not a trivial background condition. It is one of the oldest organising principles of life on Earth.
Kanye West has voiced admiration for Adolf Hitler and made anti-Semitic remarks - Scott Dudelson

Sir Keir Starmer has been urged to block Kanye Wests visa to stop him performing in the UK.

The Prime Minister said it was deeply concerning that the controversial US rapper had been booked to headline a London music festival despite his history of anti-Semitism.

He has now been urged by Labour MPs and senior political figures to go further and look at banning the musician from Britain altogether.

West, legally known as Ye, is due to headline Wireless Festival in Finsbury Park, north London, from July 10-12  his first UK performances in 11 years.

The booking has provoked a backlash in light of the rappers previous anti-Semitic remarks and praise of Adolf Hitler. Last year, he released a song called Heil Hitler, a few months after advertising a swastika T-shirt for sale on his website.

Mr Wests appearance has prompted Pepsi and Diageo to withdraw their sponsorship of the festival. Pepsi had been promoting the event under the branding Pepsi presents Wireless.

Kanye West will perform at Wireless Festival in July - Ian West/ 2026 PA Media, All Rights Reserved

It is understood that West was yet to make a visa application for his trip to the UK as of last week. However, the Government has been urged to block the attempt if and when it is made.

Luke Akehurst, the Labour MP for North Durham, told The Telegraph: Its certainly an option we should be looking at given hes gone from being one of the worlds most impressive artists to releasing a song called Heil Hitler.

Another Labour MP, who is Jewish, said the potential to block Wests visa should certainly be explored.

The Government has the power to ban people from the UK who are non-conducive to the public good. The decision is at the discretion of the Home Secretary, but official guidance says grounds for exclusion can include extremism and unacceptable behaviour.

It would not be the first time West had been banned from a country over his anti-Semitic behaviour. Last year, his Australian visa was revoked after the release of the Heil Hitler song, which included lyrics praising the Nazi dictator.

Lord Austin of Dudley, a former Labour MP who is the UKs trade envoy to Israel, said the prospect of the rapper being cheered by thousands of kids on a British stage was a complete disgrace.

The organisers should cancel his invitation and if not, the council should not allow the festival to go ahead, he said. But either way the Government should prevent him from coming to the UK.

Nimco Ali, the Governments former adviser for tackling violence against women and girls, said: We should be united in demanding that Wireless Festival reverses this decision immediately. But it cannot stop there. The UK Government must also act. Allowing Kanye West entry into the country risks giving him a platform to amplify hate on British soil.

We know the pattern: inflammatory statements followed by claims of victimhood when consequences follow. Accountability is not persecution. It is the minimum standard in a society that claims to stand against racism in all its forms.

If we are serious about protecting the British Jewish community not just in words but in action, then we must be clear. There is no place for this kind of hatred here.

Earlier, the Prime Minister told The Sun: It is deeply concerning that Kanye West has been booked to perform at Wireless despite his previous anti-Semitic remarks and celebration of Nazism.

Anti-Semitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted clearly and firmly wherever it appears. Everyone has a responsibility to ensure Britain is a place where Jewish people feel safe and secure.

A spokesman for the Campaign Against Antisemitism said Sir Keir was right to be deeply concerned about the booking, but insisted that he was not a bystander in the situation.

They added: Pepsi has done the right thing by dropping its sponsorship of the festival, but if management are adamant that they want to headline Kanye West, it is only the Government that can stop them.

Wests apology

West apologised to the Jewish community in a full-page advert in The Wall Street Journal earlier this year, in which he blamed his behaviour on a frontal lobe injury he had sustained in a car crash in 2002.

In the letter to Those Ive Hurt, he said: I am not a Nazi or an anti-Semite. I love Jewish people.

He had previously apologised for anti-Semitic remarks made in 2022, which included saying he was going death con 3 on Jewish people and I see good things about Hitler.

In December 2023, he said he deeply regretted any pain caused. However, he retracted his apology a little over a year later, writing on X: Im never apologising for my Jewish comments. I can say whatever the f--- I wanna say forever.

Sir Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, sought to distance himself from the booking on Tuesday.

A spokesman said: We are clear that the past comments and actions of this artist are offensive and wrong, and are simply not reflective of Londons values. This was a decision taken by the festival organisers, and not one that City Hall is involved in.

In 2015, another rapper  Tyler, The Creator  claimed to have been banned from the UK because of his music.

Baroness May of Maidenhead, then the home secretary, was said to have refused him entry based on lyrics that encourage violence and intolerance of homosexuality and fosters hatred with views that seek to provoke others to terrorist acts.

While not naming the artist directly, a Home Office spokesman said at the time: Coming to the UK is a privilege, and we expect those who come here to respect our shared values.

The Home Office refused to comment on individual cases.

Wireless Festival was contacted for comment.
Jamie Dimon on a television show

The head of America's largest bank (1) has a bold vision for what artificial intelligence will do to your working life  and an equally frank warning about the pain it could cause along the way.

In a recent interview with CBS, reported by Business Insider, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon painted an optimistic long-term picture of AI's impact on society, saying he believes that 30 years from now, your kids will "probably be working three and a half days a week (2)."

Must Read

"They'll probably live to 100, and a lot of the diseases that afflicted a lot of us, they won't get. There'll be cures for cancer, cars will be safer, planes will be safer."

It's a vision Dimon has been articulating for years. He made a nearly identical prediction in fall 2023, telling Bloomberg that the next generation would live to 100 (3), "not have cancer because of technology" and would "probably be working three and a half days a week."

The catch: Getting there could be rough

But the rosy long-term picture comes with a significant near-term caveat. "The risk is if it is too fast," Dimon told CBS (4), noting the chance of AI driving widespread job displacement before workers and institutions have time to adapt.

He said governments and businesses need to collaborate to find ways forward. "To cry in spilled milk isn't going to fix it," he added.

That concern is backed by data. Goldman Sachs research estimates that if AI adoption continues for roughly a decade, around 67% of the U.S. workforce could be displaced during the change (5). If adoption happens sooner, the labor market impact would be considerably bigger.

Joseph Briggs, co-lead of the company's global economics team, believes "the big story in 2026 in labor will be AI."

Goldman Sachs also notes that younger workers in tech-exposed roles are already seeing disproportionate effects (6): unemployment among 2030-year-olds in those occupations has spiked by nearly three percent since early 2025.

And entry-level job postings have fallen sharply, too, down roughly 35% since January 2023, according to Revelio Labs (7).

In a separate Fox News interview, Dimon noted JPMorgan already has a retraining and redeployment plan for its own workforce, and he'd like to see a similar federal-level approach (8).

"We have had some job losses because of AI," he said. "But most of those people are offered jobs elsewhere. They're smart, they're devoted, they're patriots."

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Read More: 5 essential money moves to make once youve saved $50,000

What's important for young workers

Asked by CBS what young people can do in the AI era to get ahead, Dimon gave practical advice that has nothing to do with coding (9).

"Learn to think. Talk to everybody. Have deep curiosity about the world." He also emphasized that communication, teamwork, emotional intelligence, work ethic and a sense of purpose will matter.

"Their lives are going to be more complex than ours were," he predicted, adding that future workers should expect to hold more jobs throughout their careers.

A growing chorus of tech optimists

Dimon isn't alone in predicting an AI-driven transformation of work. According to Fortune, Elon Musk has claimed that work will eventually become "optional" within 10 to 20 years, comparing having a job to growing vegetables in your backyard  something people do by choice, not necessity (10).

Musk also predicted that saving for retirement would become "irrelevant" as AI creates so much abundance that traditional nest eggs won't be needed (11).

Additionally, Bill Gates believes AI could address issues like doctor shortages easily and inexpensively, Business Insider notes (12), although he isn't sure about the impact on people. "What will jobs be like  should we just work two or three days a week?" he asked.

For everyday workers, the takeaway from Dimon's remarks is a split reality: an optimistic long-term horizon, and a near-term transition that could be disruptive in ways that fall unevenly on different workers.

The question of whether governments and businesses move fast enough to cushion that transition may be the defining financial issue of the next decade.

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Article sources

We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.

Financial Despot Insurance Corporation (1); Business Insider (2, 4, 9, 12); Bloomberg (3); Goldman Sachs (5, 6); Revelio Labs (7); Fox News (8); Fortune (10, 11)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Donald Trump giving an address.

President Donald Trump on April 3 submitted the largest military budget request in modern American history: $1.5 trillion for the Department of War, a 42% increase over the current year.

To pay for part of it, the White House proposed $73 billion in cuts to non-military programs  a 10% reduction that would hit medical research, public schools, low-income heating assistance, and more (1).

The budget isn't law. It's a proposal  a wish list that signals the administration's priorities before Congress writes the actual spending bills. Lawmakers rejected many of Trump's proposed cuts last year and may do so again. But as a roadmap for where the White House wants to take the country, the numbers are hard to ignore.

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The big picture

The $1.5 trillion defense request breaks down into $1.1 trillion in standard Pentagon funding and $350 billion that the administration wants passed through budget reconciliation, which requires only a simple majority in Congress.

That's separate from a $200 billion emergency supplemental request the Pentagon has floated for the war in Iran, which has been running an estimated $1 billion per day since strikes began Feb. 28. If both pass, the total military ask approaches $1.7 trillion.

The White House says the increase is necessary to maintain American dominance in what it calls the most dangerous global security environment since World War II. The money would go toward the Golden Dome missile defense system, 34 new Navy ships, critical minerals production and a 5-7% pay raise for troops.

On the other side of the ledger, civilian federal workers would receive no pay raise (2).

What's being cut  and why the administration says it should be

The White House frames the $73 billion in domestic reductions as getting rid of "woke, weaponized, and wasteful programs" and handing responsibilities back to state and local governments. Critics say many of these programs provide essential services that states can't easily pick up on their own.

Medical research  $5 billion cut to the National Institutes of Health. The administration says NIH "broke the trust of the American people" with "wasteful spending, misleading information, risky research, and the promotion of dangerous ideologies that undermine public health."

NIH is the world's largest public funder of biomedical research  cancer, Alzheimer's, heart disease, diabetes and infectious diseases.

Low-income energy assistance  gone. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps roughly 6 million households pay heating and cooling bills. The White House would zero it out entirely, saving an estimated $4 billion. Most recipients are seniors, people with disabilities or families with young children.

Education  The budget continues to push the Department of Education toward what the administration calls a "path to elimination." Federal student aid, Title I funding for low-income school districts and teacher training grants would all take hits. The administration says education is a state-level job.

Health emergency preparedness and community services  The budget cuts $356 million from the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, the agency that handles pandemic and bioterror readiness. It also eliminates both the Community Services Block Grant and the Community Development Block Grant, which fund affordable housing, job training, small-business lending, and anti-poverty programs at the local level.

Clean energy  $15.2 billion in grants cancelled. The administration is pulling Department of Energy grants established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act  what the White House calls ending "the Green New Scam."

Agriculture  19% cut. USDA would lose $4.9 billion, hitting food safety inspection, crop insurance and rural development programs.

NASA  23% cut. The budget would divert $5.6 billion from NASA, reducing its budget to $18.8 billion. The administration wants to kill 40 missions  including Mars Sample Return  to save roughly $3.4 billion. The Artemis moon landing program survives, with $731 million allocated to get astronauts on the lunar surface by 2028.

National Science Foundation  55% cut. NSF would drop to about $4 billion, one of the steepest percentage reductions among agencies. The budget eliminates funding for the entire division that supports research in social sciences and economics.

State Department  30.4% cut. Billions would come out of humanitarian assistance and global health programs, though consular and border security functions stay intact.

Labor Department  25.9% cut. The budget eliminates Job Corps, the $1.6 billion job training program for low-income young adults, and replaces several workforce programs with a new block grant called Make America Skilled Again.

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Corporation for Public Broadcasting  gone. The budget wipes out the $595 million agency that funds NPR and PBS.

IRS  $1.4 billion cut. The administration already slashed IRS staffing by 27% (3) and now wants to take the agency's budget from $11.2 billion to $9.8 billion. The White House says it's "unwinding" a Biden-era hiring surge. Tax policy experts warn that a smaller IRS means slower refunds and less enforcement of tax cheating  and the agency's own data shows a $696 billion annual gap in uncollected revenue (4).

Health and Human Services  12.5% cut ($15.8 billion). HHS oversees Medicare, Medicaid, the CDC, the FDA and NIH. It's the largest percentage cut of any major department outside of the EPA (52%) and the Small Business Administration (67%) (5).

Read More: 5 essential money moves to make once youve saved $50,000

What's getting more

It's not all cuts. Besides the Pentagon, a handful of agencies would see real money added.

The Department of Veterans Affairs would get a 9% bump in discretionary funding, with extra money for medical care, mental health services and $4.2 billion to resume rolling out a new electronic health records system.

The Department of Justice would get a 13% raise  $40.8 billion total. The FBI alone would jump $1.9 billion to $12.5 billion, with new funding for counter-drone operations, counterterrorism and security prep for the 2028 Olympics. The Bureau of Prisons would get $1.7 billion more, including $152 million for the first year of rebuilding Alcatraz as a working federal prison  a project ordered by executive action.

The FAA would get a $481 million boost for air traffic controller hiring and $4 billion to build a new air traffic control system the administration calls BNATCS. And the budget sets aside $10 billion for beautification projects in Washington, D.C., through a new Presidential Capital Stewardship Program at the National Park Service.

One notable bright spot inside an otherwise shrinking Department of Energy: the National Nuclear Security Administration would get a 12% increase to $32.8 billion for nuclear warhead development and stockpile modernization.

What Americans think

Most of these proposed cuts are unpopular  and not just the health care ones.

A KFF Health Tracking Poll found that 84% of Americans oppose major cuts to Social Security, 79% oppose cuts to Medicare and 76% oppose cuts to Medicaid  including 55% of Republicans on Medicaid alone. About three-quarters (74%) oppose cuts to mental health and addiction services (6). A separate KFF poll found that 82% of Americans  including a majority of Trump voters  want Medicaid funding to stay the same or increase (7).

Public broadcasting has durable support too. A Pew Research Center survey found 43% of Americans want NPR and PBS to keep getting federal funding, compared with 24% who want it cut. A Harris Poll put support for public radio funding at 66%, including 58% of Republicans (8). Congress already rescinded CPB's $1.1 billion in funding last summer over bipartisan objections.

On science, Congress rejected nearly identical cuts to NASA and NSF last year by overwhelming margins  the FY2026 spending bills passed 397-28 in the House and 82-15 in the Senate  restoring most of the funding the White House tried to strip (9).

On the military side, an AP-NORC poll found that about 59% of Americans say U.S. military action in Iran has gone too far, and 45% are now very concerned about being able to afford gas  up from 30% in a November 2024 poll conducted shortly after Trump won reelection (10). A CNN/SSRS survey found that 71% oppose the Pentagon's proposed $200 billion in additional war spending (11).

What happens next

The president's budget is a starting point, not a done deal. Congress writes the actual spending bills, and lawmakers in both parties rejected many of Trump's proposed cuts last year. Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) has already pushed back on the new proposal, calling out "unwarranted funding cuts in biomedical research" and the elimination of LIHEAP and TRIO, a program that helps low-income students pursue higher education (12).

The real question is whether Congress treats this budget the way it treated last year's  as a statement of intent to be largely ignored  or whether the war in Iran and its mounting price tag give the White House the leverage to force a different outcome.

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Article sources

We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.

The White House  Fiscal Year 2027 President's Budget (1); Federal News Network (2); Internal Revenue Service (3); Internal Revenue Service  Tax Gap Projections (4); Government Executive (5); KFF  Health Tracking Poll, April 2025 (6); KFF  Health Tracking Poll, February 2025 (7); Pew Research Center (8); U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation (9); AP-NORC (10); CNN/SSRS (11); Roll Call (12)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Seven people who were killed when a speeding haulage truck ploughed into bystanders at an accident scene at Mawabeni Business Centre in Matabeleland South province have been accorded State-assisted burials, authorities have confirmed.The victims, whose identities had not yet been released by last night, had gathered at the scene of an earlier accident when the truck struck them at around 10pm on Friday.Matabeleland South Civil Protection Committee chairperson Zachariah Jusah confirmed that Government would assist with funeral arrangements for the deceased.National police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said investigations into the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident are ongoing.According to police, the victims were standing near a previous crash site involving three vehicles when a chain of collisions led to the tragedy."The ZRP confirms a fatal road traffic accident in which seven pedestrians were killed after being hit by a truck on 3 April 2026, at around 10pm at the 57-kilometre peg along the BulawayoBeitbridge Road," said Commissioner Nyathi."The victims were at an accident scene involving three other vehicles  a Nissan March, Toyota Probox and a Toyota Baby Quantum. The Nissan March, which had three passengers on board, had been hit from behind by a Toyota Probox and both vehicles stopped in the roadway. The drivers and passengers disembarked to assess the damage."A Toyota Baby Quantum then approached at high speed and struck people at the scene, resulting in three people being injured. Moments later, a truck approached and ran over the stationary vehicles and pedestrians, killing five people on the spot, while two others died upon admission at Esigodini District Hospital."In a statement, Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe expressed grief over the tragedy and extended condolences to the bereaved families."This is a devastating loss, not only to the bereaved families but to the entire province. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected during this difficult time," he said."May the souls of the departed rest in eternal peace. It is particularly distressing that the victims were bystanders at an accident scene, only to fall victim to a second, avoidable tragedy. This incident serves as a painful reminder of the critical importance of road safety and responsible driving at all times."Authorities have since intensified road safety campaigns across the country, with the Zimbabwe Republic Police and other stakeholders urging motorists to strictly adhere to traffic regulations in a bid to reduce road traffic accidents.
5 April 2026 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

The recent presidential decree to establish the Western Industrial Park marks a decisive step in Azerbaijans industrial transformation. By focusing on the expansion of iron ore processing and deepening the metallurgical value chain, the country is signaling its intent to move beyond raw material exports and toward a more diversified, resilient economy. This initiative is not simply about building factories; it is about reshaping Azerbaijans economic identity in a global context where metals are becoming increasingly strategic.

For decades, Azerbaijans economic narrative has been dominated by oil and gas. While these resources have provided immense revenue, they have also created a dependency that leaves the economy vulnerable to global energy price fluctuations. The Western Industrial Park represents a conscious pivot: instead of exporting iron ore as a raw commodity, Azerbaijan aims to process it domestically, producing steel and other metallurgical products with higher added value. This shift is crucial because it transforms the country from a supplier of raw materials into a producer of industrial goods, capturing more of the value chain and strengthening its trade balance.

The decree highlights the modernization of facilities in Dasksn and Gdby, as well as the exploitation of deposits in liberated territories. These measures carry significant social and political weight. By investing in regions that have long been underdeveloped or affected by conflict, Azerbaijan is not only stimulating local economies but also reinforcing national cohesion. Industrial projects in these areas will generate thousands of jobs, improve infrastructure, and create new opportunities for small and medium enterprises that support the mining and metallurgical sectors. In this sense, the Western Industrial Park is both an economic and a social project.

The timing of this initiative is particularly important. The global economy is undergoing an energy transition, with renewable technologies, electric vehicles, and digital infrastructure driving demand for metals. Iron and steel remain fundamental to construction, manufacturing, and energy systems. Azerbaijans geographic position along the Middle Corridorlinking Europe and Asiagives it a logistical advantage in supplying these markets. By expanding its metallurgical capacity, Azerbaijan can position itself as a reliable supplier of processed metals to both regional and global partners, enhancing its geopolitical relevance.

The decree emphasizes the need for stronger links between extraction and processing, coordinated infrastructure decisions, and expanded publicprivate partnerships. This approach is pragmatic. The state provides strategic direction and initial investment, while private companies bring efficiency, innovation, and capital. Such collaboration is essential to ensure that the Western Industrial Park does not become a statedriven project with limited competitiveness, but rather a dynamic industrial hub capable of attracting foreign investment and integrating into global supply chains.

No industrial transformation is without risks. The modernization of mining and metallurgical facilities requires substantial capital, and global metal prices are notoriously volatile. Environmental concerns also loom large: mining and metallurgy can have significant ecological impacts if not managed responsibly. Azerbaijan will need to adopt strict environmental standards and invest in cleaner technologies to ensure that industrial growth does not come at the expense of sustainability. Moreover, the success of the Western Industrial Park will depend on the countrys ability to train a skilled workforce capable of operating advanced metallurgical processes.

The broader significance of this initiative lies in its contribution to economic diversification. Azerbaijan has long recognized the need to reduce its dependence on hydrocarbons, but progress has been uneven. The Western Industrial Park offers a tangible pathway to diversification by building a new industrial pillar alongside energy. If successful, it will not only strengthen the economy but also enhance resilience against external shocks. In the long run, a diversified economy will provide Azerbaijan with greater stability and flexibility in navigating global uncertainties.

The establishment of the Western Industrial Park is more than an industrial policy; it is a strategic leap forward for Azerbaijan. By deepening the metallurgical value chain, investing in regional development, and aligning with global demand trends, the country is laying the foundation for a more balanced and sustainable economy. The challenges are realfinancial, environmental, and logisticalbut the potential rewards are substantial. If Azerbaijan can manage these complexities, the Western Industrial Park may well become a symbol of the nations transition from resource dependency to industrial maturity, securing its place in the global economic landscape.
5 April 2026 10:23 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Work is underway in Azerbaijan to integrate electronic consignment notes into other systems.

Anar Jabbarov, Chief State Tax Inspector under the Economy Ministry, said this while speaking at the Tax and Accounting Summit held in Baku.

He noted that there are currently certain technical and system-related issues in this area, and discussions are ongoing to address them.

Efforts are continuing to integrate electronic consignment notes into the systems of other institutions, including the Azerbaijan Land Transport Agency under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport. Although automatic integration of systems is envisaged in the future, no specific implementation timeline has yet been determined, he said.
5 April 2026 21:11 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

Talqat Aldbergenov, chairman of the board of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, has inspected ongoing construction on the MoyntKzljar railway line, a key segment of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor).

AzerNEWS reports via Azertag that the project will significantly enhance the development of the Trans-Kazakhstan railway route and the Middle Corridor, which connects Central Asia with Europe via the Caspian region.

The new line, spanning over 300 kilometres, traverses the Ulutau and Karaganda regions. Once operational, it is expected to shorten freight transport distances by 149 kilometres, reduce congestion on the MoyntJarq section, and increase the speed of container trains.

Construction progress is substantial: formation of the railway bed is 90% complete, with 14.3 million cubic metres of earth moved. Track-laying is underway from Moynt and Kzljar stations simultaneously.

The project involves more than 1,500 specialists and over 580 units of equipment, underscoring Kazakhstans commitment to improving regional transport connectivity and trade efficiency.
5 April 2026 12:20 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

A presentation of the Uzbek-language edition of The Woman in Black (Qora libosli ayol tashrifi) by Peoples Writer, State Prize laureate and prominent public figure Maqsud Ibrahimbeyov was held at the Azerbaijan Cultural Centre named after Heydar Aliyev under the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Uzbekistan.

AzerNEWS reports via Azertag that the publication was produced as part of a joint project between the Ministry of Culture and the Azerbaijan Cultural Centre in Uzbekistan.

The event was attended by figures from science and literature, cultural representatives, members of the public, journalists, students and members of the Azerbaijani community living in Uzbekistan.

At the beginning of the ceremony, a short documentary video dedicated to the life and work of Maqsud Ibrahimbeyov was screened.

Speaking at the event, Director of the Cultural Centre Akif Marifli noted that the publication was carried out in line with a decree by Ilham Aliyev marking the 90th anniversary of the writer. He emphasised that Ibrahimbeyov held a special place in Azerbaijani literature and was also distinguished as a playwright, screenwriter and director. He described The Woman in Black as an important literary work reflecting the inner world of individuals and the complexities of life through profound artistic expression. According to him, the publication in Uzbek will help introduce Azerbaijani literature to a wider audience and strengthen academic and literary ties.

Speakers at the event, including Tashkent City Council deputy and professor Jamila Shermukhammedova and Executive Director of the UzbekistanAzerbaijan Friendship Society, Professor Erkin Nuriddinov, highlighted the literary qualities of the work, noting its deep and expressive portrayal of human psychology and lifes dramatic aspects.

Other speakers, including Professor Niginakhon Shermukhamedova of the National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek, members of the Writers Union of Uzbekistan, poets Gulbahor Saydiganiyeva and Dilarom Abrahmanqizi, as well as the books translator Shahlo Kosimova, stressed the importance of the translation and its contribution to the development of literary ties between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

During the event, the writers wife Anna Ibrahimbeyova spoke about the key features of his work, noting his ability to depict human destinies with deep psychological nuance. She also answered questions from participants.

As part of the presentation, the Kharibulbul theatre troupe of the Azerbaijan Cultural Centre performed a scenic composition based on the work, while the Karabakh Victory dance ensemble presented choreographic performances showcasing Azerbaijani folk dances.

The event concluded with a book signing ceremony.
5 April 2026 15:33 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Following heavy rainfall in recent days, traffic has been suspended on the Badamdar20th Area road due to increased activity in the landslide zone on the Badamdar slope. Relevant authorities have been deployed to the site.

AzerNEWS reports, citing the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES), earlier this morning the Minister for Emergency Situations, Colonel-General Kamaladdin Heydarov, visited the area.

The minister assessed the situation on the ground, held discussions with officials and specialists from relevant agencies, listened to proposals, and issued the necessary instructions.
5 April 2026 18:26 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

During and following the meeting held in Moscow on April 1 between Vladimir Putin and Nikol Pashinyan, Russian officials made public remarks touching upon issues that are strictly internal to Azerbaijan.

In this regard, Azerbaijans positionthat the use of its Karabakh region for political speculation is unacceptableand its expectation that such rhetoric be halted were conveyed via diplomatic channels to the Presidential Administration, the Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia.

Despite this, the issue continues to feature in the official political discourse of the Russian side.

AzerNEWS reports that this was stated in a commentary by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan in response to recent statements made in Russia regarding the countrys Karabakh region.

Today, the Press Secretary of the Russian President, Dmitry Peskov, in an interview with the Vesti channel, once again commentedwhile discussing ArmeniaRussia relationson the question of whether Russia or Armenia was the first to recognise Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan.

The fact that the Karabakh region is an integral part of Azerbaijan is based not on the decision of any state, but on history, international law and justice. This was reaffirmed and fully established as a result of the 44-day Patriotic War in 2020 and the one-day anti-terror operations in 2023.

We would like to remind the Russian side once again that no country, including the Russian Federation, has ever questioned Azerbaijans territorial integrity, including the Karabakh region.

We reiterate our expectation that issues related to Azerbaijans sovereignty will not become a subject of public discussion in the context of ArmeniaRussia relations, particularly at a time when those relations are not straightforward, the statement emphasised.
5 April 2026 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

The Artemis 2 astronauts have passed the halfway point between Earth and the Moon on Saturday as they sped toward a planned lunar flyby, with NASA releasing initial images of Earth taken from inside the Orion spacecraft, AzerNEWS reports, citing Arab News.

Astronaut Christina Koch said the crew had a collective expression of joy upon being told of the milestone, which was hit around two days, five hours and 24 minutes after the spacecraft blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

We can see the Moon out of the docking hatch right now, it is a beautiful sight, Koch said around 11 p.m. (0400 GMT) Friday, according to the space agencys official live broadcast.

NASAs online dashboard showed early Saturday that the Orion spacecraft carrying the astronauts was more than 229,000 kilometers (142,000 miles) from Earth.

The space agency earlier released images from Orion that included a full portrait of Earth, featuring its deep blue oceans and billowing clouds.

After a flurry of high-stakes activity including a dramatic blast-off and an engine firing that catapulted them on their historic trajectory to circle the Moon, the four astronauts aboard were able to catch their breath, even as they continued to perform a variety of equipment checks and tests.

There has been a tremendous amount of disbelief for me, its just so extraordinary, said Canadian Jeremy Hansen during a Q&A session with press late Thursday.

I really like it up here, said Hansen, on his first ever journey to space. The views are extraordinary.

Its really fun to be floating around in zero gravity, he added. It just makes me feel like a little kid.

Hansen is on the crew with Americans Koch, Victor Glover and Reid Wiseman.

They are due to loop around the Moon early next week  a feat not accomplished in more than 50 years.

NASA official Lakiesha Hawkins praised the photographs taken by commander Wiseman, calling them amazing during a briefing Friday.

We continue to learn all about our spacecraft as we operate it in deep space with crew for the first time, Hawkins said.

Its important to remind ourselves of that as we learn a little bit more day by day.

Great spirits

Fridays to-do list includes a CPR demonstration and medical kit checks, the US space agency said, as well as preparation for the scientific observations theyll need to document when they are closest to the Moon on day six of their journey.

NASA officials reported Friday that all systems were performing well, and that the astronauts were in great spirits and had spoken to their families.

The next major milestone of the approximately 10-day journey is expected overnight Sunday into Monday, at which point the astronauts will enter the lunar sphere of influence  when the Moons gravity will have stronger pull on the spacecraft than Earths.

If all proceeds smoothly, as Orion whips around the Moon the astronauts could set a record by venturing farther from Earth than any human before.

There is nothing normal about this, said mission commander Wiseman late Thursday.

Sending four humans 250,000 miles away is a Herculean effort, and we are now just realizing the gravity of that.

The Artemis 2 mission is part of a longer-term plan to repeatedly return to the Moon, with the goal of establishing a permanent lunar base that will offer a platform for further exploration.
5 April 2026 12:50 (UTC+04:00)

Two Black Hawk helicopters and one C-130 military transport aircraft have been shot down over Irans Isfahan province during an operation to rescue the pilot of a U.S. F-15 fighter jet, according to Iranian sources, AzerNEWS reports.

Irans Armed Forces Headquarters Khatam al-Anbiya released a statement confirming the incident.

According to the statement, Iran launched a coordinated response to ongoing U.S. military operations. The operation reportedly involved multiple branches, including air force units, ground troops, volunteer forces, the Basij militia, and police personnel.

It should be noted that on February 28, the United States and Israel initiated military operations against Iran. Strikes were carried out on major cities, including Tehran. The White House justified the attacks by citing missile and nuclear threats originating from the Islamic Republic.

Iranian authorities claim that the strikes resulted in the deaths of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several other senior figures. In response, Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced a large-scale retaliatory operation against Israel.

Iran has also reportedly targeted U.S. positions across the region, including in Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Syria, using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The conflict has placed regional energy infrastructure and maritime transport under severe risk. Security tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have triggered a sharp increase in global oil prices. Iran is said to have tightened control over the strategic waterway, allowing only selected vessels to pass.
5 April 2026 15:18 (UTC+04:00)

Since February 28, Irans energy sector has sustained damages exceeding 250 trillion rials (approximately $191 million) amid U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, according to Iranian officials, AzerNEWS reports.

Citing local media that the statement was made by Mostafa Rajabi Mashhadi, Deputy Energy Minister of Iran and CEO of TAVANIR.

Mashhadi said that nearly 1,900 incidents have been recorded in Irans electricity sector as a result of the strikes carried out by the United States and Israel. Despite the scale of the damage, he emphasized that power sector workers have managed to address the most severe consequences.

According to the official, the bulk of the damage was concentrated in Tehran Province, where disruptions to electricity supply were largely contained, with outages lasting no longer than one hour at most.
Taiwan people retrace roots on mainland on tomb-sweeping festival

Xinhua) 09:19, April 05, 2026

A ferry linking Fujian Province on the mainland with Kinmen approaches a passenger terminal in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

Direct ferries linking Fujian Province on the mainland with Kinmen and Matsu and carrying flocks of passengers across the Taiwan Strait have been especially busy this weekend as China's three-day Qingming (Tomb Sweeping) Festival holiday kicks off on Saturday.

At the ports of Fuzhou, Xiamen and Quanzhou in Fujian, travelers from Taiwan have arrived to honor their ancestors and enjoy spring outings during one of the most significant festivals in Chinese culture.

Chiang Wei-wen, originally from Taoyuan in Taiwan and now working in Kinmen, joined the travelers for his first ferry trip from Kinmen to Quanzhou, despite having frequently traveled to Xiamen by ferry in his spare time.

Like many people in Taiwan, Chiang's family moved from Fujian generations ago to settle down on the island. Although he does not know the exact location of his ancestors' origin, he said, "I'm certain that we're Minnan people."

As their name -- literally meaning "southern Fujian" -- suggests, the Minnan people are predominant in Fujian's southern cities of Quanzhou, Zhangzhou and Xiamen, where they have developed a distinct culture featuring a unique dialect, culinary traditions, and the worship of the sea goddess Mazu. They make up a majority of the ancestors of people in Taiwan, with migration believed to date back centuries.

On Friday, the Quanzhou-based China Museum for Fujian-Taiwan Kinship hosted an exhibition focused on tracing the roots of Taiwan residents in Fujian, featuring more than 160 items from its collection, including genealogical records and family letters exchanged across the Strait.

Since its opening in 2006, the museum has helped more than 300 people from Taiwan trace their roots and reconnect with relatives, said Zhuang Xiaofang, director of the documentation and information center of the museum.

At Huangqi port in Fuzhou, extra ferries linking Matsu have been added to meet the demands of ancestor-honoring rituals among travelers from Taiwan.

"We brought our child here to honor our ancestors together, so he will understand that our roots are here, and we should never forget about that," said Lin Tsai-yun, who arrived in Fuzhou by ferry ahead of the Qingming Festival.

According to the Fujian Maritime Safety Administration, 16 passenger vessels will operate on four ferry routes linking Fujian with Kinmen and Matsu over the Qingming Festival holiday from Saturday to Monday. It expects an estimated 19,500 passengers, up 8.3 percent from the same period last year.

In Fujian and across several regions of the mainland, multiple events commemorating the common ancestors and celebrating the same origin of both sides of the Strait are scheduled for the weekend.

In Quanzhou, the ancestral halls of two long-history family clans have invited their relatives from Taiwan for joint ancestor-worship ceremonies. In the northwestern Shaanxi Province, a ceremony honoring the Yellow Emperor, or Huangdi -- the legendary common ancestor of the Chinese nation -- will be held with participants from across the Strait.

In Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius in eastern Shandong Province, a cross-Strait cultural festival commemorating the esteemed ancient Chinese philosopher and educator is underway, with more than 900 participants from Taiwan.

"The wisdom of the sage shines for us on both sides of the Strait, who share the same roots," said Kung Tsui-chang, a 79th-generation descendant of Confucius. "Confucianism is our shared cultural heritage, and together we will pass on the memory of our nation through generations."

Passengers taking a direct ferry linking Fujian Province on the mainland with Kinmen leave a passenger terminal in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 3, 2026. (Xinhua/Jiang Kehong)

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
News / National

by Staff reporter

A Bulawayo man accused of stealing 21 bank cards from unsuspecting members of the public while pretending to assist them withdraw money has appeared in court facing fraud charges.Caleb Murahwa, of Mpopoma suburb, appeared before Bulawayo provincial magistrate Themba Chimiso. He was not asked to plead and only confirmed his personal details and the charges being levelled against him.Murahwa was remanded in custody to April 8 for the commencement of trial.Prosecutor Rumbidzai Gwishiri told the court that on March 31, Murahwa allegedly targeted Martha Maphosa (53) at a bank in Bulawayo's city centre.She said Maphosa had attempted to withdraw money from an automated teller machine (ATM) but encountered difficulties."Murahwa approached Ms Maphosa and offered to assist her. She handed him her bank card and he pretended to help her. However, he allegedly swapped the card before fleeing from the bank," said Gwishiri."The complainant quickly realised that her card had been stolen and alerted bank security personnel. Security officers, together with members of the public, pursued and apprehended him before taking him to a police station, leading to his arrest."The court heard that Murahwa was searched and allegedly found in possession of 21 debit cards from different banks belonging to various individuals."Ms Maphosa later discovered that the accused had given her a different bank card belonging to a man identified as Prince Mapupu," said Gwishiri.In a related case, James Malolo of Emthunzini suburb was recently found in possession of 78 active Zimswitch cards belonging to various companies and individuals. He allegedly used the cards to make fraudulent purchases at supermarkets and wholesale outlets.Card cloning has reportedly become increasingly common in Zimbabwe, with criminal syndicates taking advantage of the growing use of plastic money by businesses and the public.Fraudsters often need only a brief distraction to pass victims' ATM cards through skimming devices to create duplicates.Malolo's alleged activities came to light after a Harare woman was alerted by a vigilant till operator at a local wholesaler that someone had used her banking details to make a US$12 000 transaction.After verifying the transaction and reviewing closed-circuit television footage, the wholesaler reportedly identified Malolo as the suspect and noted that he was a regular customer.
5 April 2026 14:24 (UTC+04:00)

In a post on X, he shared a picture of what appears to be the destroyed US aircraft. Earlier this morning, the Wall Street Journal reported that two US Special Operations MC-130J planes were destroyed in the mission.

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated on Sunday that "ff the United States gets three more victories like this, it will be utterly ruined," referring to the earlier rescue mission to save two aviators of the downed F-15 fighter jet, AzerNEWS reports.

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5 April 2026 19:55 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated on Sunday that the United States and Israel are "crippling the Iranian terror regime and making the world a safer place", AzerNEWS reports.

In a post on X, Saar congratulated US President Donald Trump and the American military for saving two aviators from the downed F-15 fighter jet.

"Israeli and American pilots and crew members are the best and bravest in the world, flying long distances and operating over the skies of Iran," he assessed.

The comment came after the report that two US rescue planes were destroyed during the mission. Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf noted that "if the United States gets three more victories like this, it will be utterly ruined."
5 April 2026 17:57 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Sunday that Kiev can help in reopening the Strait of Hormuz by sharing expertise gained in the war with Russia, AzerNEWS reports.

"The Food Security Corridor is under our control and it works," Zelensky wrote on X, citing his interview with the Associated Press.

He stressed that allies did not seek military help from Ukraine regarding Hormuz, but only expertise.

He noted that Moscow shared satellite intelligence with Tehran, revealing the coordinates of Israeli energy facilities, "It resembles the lives of Ukrainians under Russian attacks, when they target our energy grid or water supply systems," he said.

The Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed on March 2, 2026, following a major escalation in conflict involving Iran, the US, and Israel.

The IRGC declared the waterway closed, and traffic dropped by over 95%, with insurance companies removing war risk coverage. It is closed to Western shipping but selectively open to others.
5 April 2026 16:10 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

A sharp escalation in tensions between the United States and Iran has unfolded amid competing military claims, retaliatory strikes and mounting warnings of a wider regional conflict, AzerNEWS reports via Aljazeera.

Iranian state media said on Sunday that its forces had downed two US C-130 aircraft and two Black Hawk helicopters, broadcasting footage it claimed showed the wreckage of one of the planes. The claims have not been independently verified, and there has been no immediate confirmation from Washington.

The announcement came just hours after the US president, Donald Trump, declared that an American airman who had gone missing following the downing of an F-15E fighter jet inside Iran had been successfully rescued and was safe and sound.

In a further escalation of rhetoric, Trump warned that all hell would break loose if Iran failed to reach a peace agreement and reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz by Monday. Tehran swiftly rejected the ultimatum, describing it as helpless and nervous.

The intensifying standoff has been accompanied by a widening pattern of strikes across the Gulf. An  drone attack struck a storage tank at Bahrains main fuel facility, sparking a fire, while authorities in the United Arab Emirates reported multiple blazes at a petrochemicals plant following further Iranian attacks.

Iran, for its part, said US and Israeli strikes had killed five people and injured 170 at the Mahshahr Petrochemical Zone. Officials also claimed that more than 30 universities had been targeted since the beginning of the conflict, though these assertions remain difficult to independently confirm.

The latest developments point to a rapidly deteriorating situation in which military confrontation, economic pressure and political brinkmanship are converging. With critical energy infrastructure now in the line of fire and the Strait of Hormuz at the centre of the dispute, concerns are growing over the risk of disruption to global oil supplies and a broader regional destabilisation.
5 April 2026 17:19 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Russia has evacuated most of its personnel from Irans Bushehr nuclear power plant, as concerns grow over the safety of critical infrastructure amid escalating conflict in the Middle East, AzerNEWS reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

The head of Russias state nuclear corporation Rosatom, Alexey Likhachev, said on Sunday that the main wave of evacuations, comprising 198 staff, was under way and heading towards the Armenian border.

I very much hope that by tonight they will already be on the territory of the Republic of Armenia, he said, adding that a further evacuation of personnel was planned for next week.

Some employees, however, have chosen to remain at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant to continue monitoring operations despite the risks. Likhachev stressed that the reactor remains operational and is vital for Irans energy supply.

He also urged all parties to the conflict, as well as international organisations, to avoid any actions that could endanger the facility, warning of the potential consequences of escalation around an active nuclear reactor.

The evacuation follows a sharp deterioration in regional security after the United States and Israel launched joint military operations against Iran earlier this year. Tehran has since responded with drone and missile strikes across the region, while tensions have increasingly threatened key energy and transport routes.

Russias involvement in Bushehr dates back decades. After the project was abandoned following Irans 1979 revolution, Moscow stepped in during the 1990s to complete the plant, which became operational in 2011. Further agreements to expand the site with additional reactors were signed in 2014.

The partial withdrawal of Russian personnel highlights growing fears that the conflict could endanger not only military targets but also civilian and energy infrastructure, raising the stakes for regional and global security.
5 April 2026 18:44 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

Today, Turkiyes foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, paid an official visit to Syria for talks centred on reconstruction, security and the wider regional fallout from the Middle East conflict, Turkish diplomatic sources have said.

Discussions are set to focus on bilateral relations and cooperation in rebuilding Syrias war-damaged infrastructure, with both sides expected to review ongoing and planned projects, as well as efforts to strengthen institutional capacity within the country.

A key item on the agenda will be the integration of north-eastern Syria into the central administration, in line with agreements reached in January 2025 and January 2026. Officials are expected to assess progress on implementation amid ongoing political and security challenges.

The talks will also address security threats facing Syria, alongside the impact of the broader regional conflict, which has intensified in recent months. Developments in neighbouring Lebanon and other regional flashpoints are also expected to feature prominently.

In a notable diplomatic development, Fidan is expected to take part in a trilateral meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is also due to visit Syria, and Syrias president, Ahmad al-Sharaa. The meeting signals an expanding diplomatic format at a time of shifting alliances and overlapping crises across the region.

The visit underscores Turkiyes growing role in shaping post-conflict arrangements in Syria, as regional and international actors seek to navigate a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.
5 April 2026 19:13 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

A Ukrainian delegation led by Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, along with a Turkish delegation headed by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, visited Syria, where they met with Syrias Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani.

The visit of Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Syria alongside Hakan Fidan marks a highly unusual and strategically layered diplomatic move, reflecting the growing overlap between the war in Ukraine and the evolving geopolitics of the Middle East.

At face value, the trip appears to be part of a broader diplomatic engagement with Syrias new leadership, including talks with Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. Discussions are expected to centre on reconstruction, regional security and political stabilisation. Yet the presence of the Ukrainian president signals a deeper set of objectives that go well beyond bilateral relations.

The trip also reflects Ukraines effort to align itself more closely with regional powers such as Turkiye. Ankara has played a complex role throughout the Ukraine war, maintaining ties with both Kyiv and Moscow while positioning itself as a mediator. By appearing alongside Turkiyes top diplomat, Zelenskyy is signalling a willingness to engage in broader regional diplomacy and potentially leverage Turkiyes influence in reshaping political dynamics in Syria.

Another important dimension is security. The Middle East conflict has increasingly intersected with global power competition, with Russia, the United States and regional actors all deeply involved. Ukraine has repeatedly accused Iran of supplying drones to Russia, making Tehran a central factor in Kyivs war calculus. Engaging in Syriawhere Iranian and Russian interests have been deeply entrenchedmay offer Ukraine an indirect channel to influence or at least better understand these networks.

For Syria, the visit is equally significant. Hosting delegations from both Ukraine and Turkiye points to a gradual shift in its diplomatic posture, as it seeks to diversify its international relations amid changing regional dynamics. For Ankara, the trilateral format reinforces its role as a central broker in regional affairs.
5 April 2026 21:40 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has issued a stark warning over the safety of Irans nuclear facilities, urging immediate de-escalation amid ongoing attacks by the United States and Israel.

Writing on the social media platform X, Tedros said: I join the International Atomic Energy Agency in raising the alarm again over the safety of nuclear facilities in Iran. The latest incident involving the Bushehr nuclear power plant is a stark reminder: a strike could trigger a nuclear accident, with health impacts that would devastate generations.

His warning followed attacks on Saturday targeting the Bushehr nuclear power plant as well as major petrochemical hubs, including the Mahshahr and Bandar Imam special petrochemical zones.

The escalation comes after the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on 28 February, which has so far claimed more than 1,340 lives, including that of then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Tehran has responded with drone and missile strikes against Israel, as well as US military positions in Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries.

Tedros described the rising threats as alarming and urged world powers to step back from further military action to prevent a potential nuclear catastrophe.
5 April 2026 22:23 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

Three people, including a 10-month-old girl, died on Sunday after a large tree was toppled by high winds during an Easter egg hunt in northern Germany, police said.

Around 50 attendees from a nearby residential facility for new mothers, pregnant women, and children were participating in the event in a wooded area near the town of Satrupholm at about 11 a.m. when a 100-foot tree fell on the group.

Four people were trapped beneath the fallen tree. A 21-year-old woman and a 16-year-old girl died at the scene, while the womans 10-month-old daughter succumbed to her injuries later in hospital. An 18-year-old woman sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to hospital for treatment.

The facility, which is part of the state-funded child welfare system, provides support for pregnant women and new mothers in need, according to its website. Police said grief counselors were dispatched to the site to assist those affected by the tragedy.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident, and warned that high winds continue to pose risks in the region.
5 April 2026 22:57 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

A multi-storey residential building collapsed in Makhachkala following severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall, authorities reported, with several other buildings now at risk of collapse.

AzerNEWS reports that the foundation of the building on Qazoprovodnaya Street was washed away by floodwaters. Witnesses reported that the structure began to collapse and fell while people were possibly still inside.

Emergency services from the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia are conducting search-and-rescue operations, while the city administration confirmed that at least four other multi-storey buildings are at risk. Around 300 residents have already been evacuated from these vulnerable buildings.

Authorities have declared a state of emergency in Makhachkala. The prosecutors office has launched an investigation into the collapse.

The heavy rainfall has caused widespread flooding across the region, leaving more than 1,000 homes submerged and damaging buildings in Makhachkala, Derbent, and Khasavyurt.

VIDEO by Caucasian Knot
News / National

by Staff reporter

Police in Manicaland Province have warned the public against boarding unregistered and private vehicles following a spate of robberies targeting passengers in Mutare and Headlands.Acting provincial police spokesperson Wiseman Chinyoka said suspects are posing as taxi drivers before robbing unsuspecting commuters."The armed robbers are usually in pairs or groups of four and they are mostly operating along highways," he said.In one incident, Bradley Runoza (27) of Natview Park, Mutare, was on Monday robbed of US$400 and a Samsung A05 cellphone after boarding a Toyota Mark X in Chimanimani en route to Mutare.Runoza reportedly got into the vehicle, which had four occupants, at Wengezi Bus Stop around 6pm. The driver later diverted from the main road near 16 Miles in Zimunya, claiming he was picking up a relative.One suspect allegedly grabbed him by the neck while the others searched him and stole his wallet and phone before dumping him by the roadside. Nothing has been recovered.In a separate incident, police in Headlands are investigating a robbery that occurred on Sunday along the HarareMutare Highway.Taurai Kayeruza (40), of Phase 2, Mutare, boarded a silver Toyota RunX with two male occupants at Macheke Bus Terminus.Upon reaching the 130km peg, one of the suspects allegedly produced a knife and demanded cash and valuables. The robbers took a Samsung M14 cellphone, a wallet containing US$33, a leather belt and a denim jacket before ordering him out of the vehicle and driving off.No injuries were reported in either case, and police said investigations are ongoing.Authorities have urged members of the public to avoid boarding unregistered vehicles and to use only recognised public transport operators to reduce the risk of falling victim to such crimes.
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Mary Kay McCloskey, longtime principal of Becket Washington School, will retire at the end of the school year after 26 years in education, including nine years in the leadership role. She leaves behind a close-knit school community and looks forward to spending more time with family while the district searches for her successor.
There was a significant increase in the number of wildfires and burnt areas of land in Ireland last year, as new figures show 2025 was the EUs most destructive wildfire season on record.

Over 5,000 hectares of land were burnt by wildfires in the Republic during 2025 after a comparatively low level of incidents the previous year.

A report by the European Commissions Joint Research Centre shows 99 separate fires were recorded in Ireland last year compared to 10 in 2024.

Last years wildfires in the Republic covered an area of 5,013 hectares, mostly on natural open spaces with sparse vegetation  up from 200 hectares the previous year.

Almost a third of land affected by wildfires in Ireland last year were on Natura2000 sites  protected ecological areas.

The 1,657 hectares located within protected EU habitats in 2025 represent 0.14 per cent of protected sites in the country.

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Records show the most number of fires as well as related damage occurred in the month of April with the majority of wildfires occurring between March and May.

More than 4,000 hectares were burnt by 30 large wildfires that individually covered an area of at least 30 hectares.

It was the highest annual number of large wildfires in the past 15 years and the largest area of damage caused by large wildfires since 2017.

The JRC report said overall wildfire statistics in Ireland last year were in line with the average of recent years.

Large wildfires were recorded during 2025 in Wicklow, Wexford, Roscommon, Dublin, Kerry, and Donegal.

Last week, Coillte, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and fire services issued an appeal for people to be extra careful and vigilant at the start of the high-risk period for wildfires.

Coillte  the State-owned commercial forestry company  said it had recorded more than 300 fires on its lands over the past five years which had resulted in more than 2,500 hectares of land being damaged.

At this time of the year, particularly in the uplands and in woodlands, the vegetation can be very dry, and it only takes one or two days of consecutive dry weather for that vegetation to fully dry out and become very flammable, said Coillte spokesperson, Pat Neville.

Our wonderful habitats, our peatlands, and our forests that take decades or centuries to grow can be wiped out overnight from one careless campfire, said Mr Neville.

The NPWS confirmed it is operating helicopter surveillance flights again this year to spot wildfires as soon as possible.

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Under the Wildlife Act it is illegal to burn lands between March 1st and August 31st.

The JRC said a record number of wildfires broke out across the EU last year with over 1.07 million hectares  equivalent to approximately the area of Cyprus  ravaged by fire across several member states.

The figure more than doubled to over 2.2 million hectares when other areas in the Middle East and North Africa which are monitored by the European Forest Fire Information System are included.

The JRC said the level of burnt area was up 20 per cent on the previous year and almost 2.5 times more than 2023.

It noted the most affected country last year was Ukraine with over 9,000 wildfires accounting for around 30 per cent of all damage mapped across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.

The intensity of wildfires across Europe peaked in August with very large fires spread across several Mediterranean countries.

A prolonged heatwave in the first three weeks of August triggered 22 very large fires in Portugal and Spain almost simultaneously.

More than 460,585 hectares of land in both countries were burnt, accounting for 43 per cent of the total burnt area in the EU last year.

Only two EU countries recorded no incidents of wildfires last year  Luxembourg and Malta.

The JRC said the level of area burnt by wildfires last year was nearly double the annual average over the previous two decades.

Record levels of wildfires were recorded in Germany, Spain, Cyprus. Kosovo, the UK, and Slovakia.

Approximately 39 per cent of the area damaged by wildfires in the EU in 2025 were protected EU habitats, according to the JRC.

The most significant damage proportionately was caused in Portugal where 2.2 per cent of all its protected nature areas were destroyed by fire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that a prolonged US-Israeli war on Iran could further erode Americas support for Ukraine as Washingtons global priorities shift.

Ukraine desperately needs more US-made Patriot air defence missile systems to help it counter Russias daily barrages, Mr Zelenskyy said, speaking to the Associated Press in an exclusive interview.

Russias relentless pounding of urban areas behind the front line after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago has killed thousands of civilians.

It has also targeted Ukraines energy supply to disrupt industrial production of Ukraines newly developed drones and missiles, while also denying civilians heat and running water in winter.



Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky (Khalil Hamra/AP)

We have to recognise that we are not the priority for today, Mr Zelensky said. Thats why I am afraid a long (Iran) war will give us less support.

The latest US-brokered talks between envoys from Moscow and Kyiv ended in February with no sign of a breakthrough. Mr Zelensky, who has accused Russia of trying to drag out negotiations while it presses on with its invasion, said Ukraine remains in contact with US negotiators about a potential deal to end the war and has continued to press for stronger security guarantees.

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But even those discussions reflect a broader loss of focus from Ukraine, he said.

His most immediate concern is the Patriots  essential for intercepting Russian ballistic missiles  as Ukraine still lacks an effective alternative.

The US systems were never delivered in sufficient quantities to begin with, Mr Zelensky said, and if the Iran war does not end soon, the package  which is not very big for us  I think will be smaller and smaller day by day.

Thats why, of course, we are afraid, he added.

Mr Zelensky had been counting on European partners to help make the Patriot purchases despite tight supply and limited US production capacity.

But the Iran war, now in its sixth week, has sent shockwaves through the global economy and pulled in much of the wider Middle East region, further straining already limited resources, diverting stockpiles and leaving Ukrainian cities more exposed to ballistic strikes.

For Kyiv, a key objective is to weaken Moscows economy and make the war prohibitively costly. Surging oil prices driven by Irans closure of the Strait of Hormuz are undermining that strategy by boosting the Kremlins oil revenues.



Volodymyr Zelensky met Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday (Turkish Presidency/AP)

In his interview with the AP, Mr Zelensky said Russia draws economic benefits from the Middle East war, citing the limited easing of American sanctions on Russian oil.

Russia gets additional money because of this, so yes, they have benefits, he said.

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To keep Ukraine on the international agenda, Mr Zelensky has offered to share Ukraines hard-earned battlefield expertise with the US and allies to develop effective counter-measures against Iranian attacks.

Ukraine has met Russias evolving use of Iranian-made Shahed drones with growing sophistication, technological ingenuity and low cost.

Moscow significantly modified the original Shahed-136, rebranded as the Geran-2, enhancing its ability to evade air defences and be mass produced. Ukraine responded with quick innovation of its own, including low-cost interceptor drones designed to track and destroy incoming drones.

Mr Zelensky said Ukraine is ready to share its experience and technology with Gulf Arab countries targeted by Iran, including interceptor drones and sea drones, which Ukraine produces  more than are used  with funding from the US and its European partners.

In return, these countries could help Ukraine with anti-ballistic missiles, he added.

In late March, as the Iran war escalated, Mr Zelensky visited Gulf Arab states to promote Ukraines experience in countering Iranian-made Shahed drones, leading to new defence co-operation agreements.

He has also positioned Ukraine as a potential partner in safeguarding global trade routes, offering assistance in reopening the Strait of Hormuz by sharing Ukraines experiences securing maritime corridors in the Black Sea.

He was in Istanbul for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a day after the Turkish leader spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Mr Zelensky said they discussed peace talks and a possible meeting of leaders in Istanbul. He also said there could be new defence deals signed between the two countries soon.
US President Donald Trump made new, expletive-laden threats to escalate strikes on Iran and its infrastructure if it doesnt open the Strait of Hormuz by his deadline, after American forces rescued an aviator whose Iran-downed plane had fallen behind enemy lines.

A defiant Iran showed no sign of backing down, striking economic and infrastructure targets in neighbouring Gulf Arab countries and challenging the USs account of the rescue.





In a social media post, Mr Trump promised strikes on Irans power plants and bridges. He vowed the crazy bastards would be living in Hell if the strait, a crucial waterway for global trade, isnt opened to marine traffic by Tuesday.

He ended with Praise be to Allah.

Mr Trump has issued such deadlines before but extended them when mediators have claimed progress toward ending the war, which has killed thousands, shaken global markets, cut off key shipping routes and spiked fuel prices in just over five weeks.

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Iranian culture minister Sayed Reza Salihi-Amiri told visiting Associated Press journalists: It seems Trump has become a phenomenon that neither Iranians nor Americans are able to fully analyse.

He said that the president constantly shifts between contradictory positions.

Both sides have threatened and hit civilian targets like oil fields and desalination plants critical for drinking water, bringing warnings of possible war crimes.

Irans joint military command warned of stepped-up attacks on regional oil and civilian infrastructure if the US and Israel attack such targets there, according to state television.

The laws of armed conflict allow attacks on civilian infrastructure only if the military advantage outweighs the civilian harm, legal scholars say. It is considered a high bar to clear, and causing excessive suffering to civilians can constitute a war crime.

The rescue of the US airman followed an intense search after Fridays crash of the F-15E Strike Eagle, while Iran had promised a reward for anyone who turned in an enemy pilot.



Wreckage is shown of what Irans state TV claimed was the site of a downed American transport plane and two helicopters involved in a rescue operation (Sepahnews via AP)

Mr Trump said that the service member was seriously wounded and really brave and rescued from deep inside the mountains of Iran.

The president said a second crew member was rescued in broad daylight within hours of the crash. The fighter jet was the first known American aircraft to crash in Iranian territory since the US and Israel launched the war with strikes on Iran on February 28.

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Iran also shot down another US military plane, demonstrating both the perils of the bombing campaign and the ability of Irans degraded military to hit back.

The other plane was a US A-10 attack aircraft. Neither the status of the crew nor where it crashed is known.

On Sunday, Irans state television aired a video showing what it claimed were parts of a US aircraft shot down by Iranian forces, along with a photo of thick, black smoke rising.

The broadcaster said that Iran had shot down a transport plane and two helicopters that were part of the rescue operation.

However, a regional intelligence official briefed on the mission told The Associated Press that the US military blew up two transport planes because of a technical malfunction and brought in additional aircraft to complete the rescue.





President Donald J. Trump to hold a major news conference alongside our Military in the Oval Office, Monday at 1:00 P.M.



God Bless our great MILITARY WARRIORS!  pic.twitter.com/RHjVKLyYEH  The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 5, 2026

Irans military joint command on Sunday said that four US aircraft were destroyed during the operation and warned of stepping up retaliatory attacks on regional oil and civilian infrastructure if the US and Israel attack such targets in the Islamic Republic, according to state television.

A spokesman said in comments published by the IRNA news agency: We once again repeat: if you commit aggression again and strike civilian facilities, our responses will be more forceful.

Mr Trumps deadline of 9pm on Monday (1am GMT Tuesday), centres on growing alarm over Irans grip on the Strait of Hormuz.

The waterway is a critical choke point for commercial trade, especially oil and gas moving from the Persian Gulf to Europe and Asia, and is key to the delivery of humanitarian supplies.

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Disruptions have shaken markets and pushed oil and gas-importing countries to seek alternatives.

General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, with Irans joint military command, responded to Mr Trumps warnings by threatening all infrastructure used by the US military in the region.



(PA Graphics)

Diplomatic efforts continued, seeking to calm the situation.

Omans Foreign Ministry said that deputy foreign ministers and experts from Iran and Oman met to discuss a number of visions and proposals to ensure smooth transit through the strait.

Oman has often served as a mediator between the US and Iran in the past.

Egypt said that Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty had spoken by phone with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, as well as with Turkish and Pakistani counterparts who are helping to mediate.

Pakistans Foreign Ministry said it had conveyed to Mr Araghchi that Islamabad supports all efforts aimed at de-escalation.

Last week, Islamabad said that it would soon host talks between the US and Iran.

A proposed compromise includes a cessation of hostilities to allow a diplomatic settlement, according to a regional official involved in the efforts and a Gulf diplomat briefed on the matter.

An escalation, however, could see Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen resuming attacks on vessels in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key waterway for global traffic to and from the Suez Canal.

In Kuwait, Iranian drone attacks caused significant damage to power plants and a petrochemical plant. They also put a water desalination station out of service, according to the Ministry of Electricity.

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It said that no injuries were reported.



Smoke rises from a building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon (Mohammed Zaatari/AP)

In Bahrain, a drone attack caused a fire at one of the national oil companys storage facilities and a state-run petrochemical plant, the kingdoms official news agency said.

In the United Arab Emirates, authorities responded to fires at a petrochemical plant in Ruwais that they said were caused by intercepted debris, halting operations.

The strikes came a day after Israel struck a major petrochemical plant in Iran that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said generated revenue used to fund the war.

The petrochemical industry is a key sector in many Gulf states, converting oil and gas into products like plastics and fertiliser and bringing billions of dollars in export revenue.

Meanwhile, more than 1,900 people have been killed in Iran since the war began.

In Gulf Arab states and the occupied West Bank, more than two dozen people have died, while 19 have been reported dead in Israel and 13 US service members have been killed.

In Lebanon, more than 1,400 people have been killed and more than 1 million people have been displaced. Ten Israeli soldiers have died there.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Uncertainty continues to surround Thomas Mapfumo's proposed farewell show in Harare, which was initially slated for April but remains unconfirmed and unpublicised.Three months ago, the Chimurenga music legend indicated he would return to Zimbabwe for a final performance to bid farewell to his fans ahead of retirement.However, there has been no official announcement or promotional activity for the event.Speaking in a telephone interview from his base in the United States in February, Mapfumo said there were no stumbling blocks surrounding the show."The show is on. Let me make that very clear," he said."There are no problems, in April, we will be in Harare, and we will perform."Despite the assurances, it has since emerged that authorities, including the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ), have not been notified of the planned event, raising further doubts about its status.In terms of the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe Act [Chapter 25:07], show organisers are required to notify NACZ of an impending event at least 30 days in advance, submitting details such as the venue and list of performers.Mapfumo has previously dismissed reports questioning the concert, strongly refuting claims linked to alleged family disputes and his absence from his brother Lancelot Mapfumo's funeral in Guruve in 2022.The veteran musician maintained that the farewell show would go ahead and expressed willingness to return to Zimbabwe despite the prevailing political environment.He also rejected claims about financial instability and denied reports suggesting his live performances were unsuccessful."Everything is moving according to plan," he said."We are rehearsing, we are preparing, and we are looking forward to giving Zimbabweans a proper farewell show."Mapfumo further dismissed suggestions that political or security concerns could prevent his return."I have always spoken my mind, and I will continue to do so," he said."But right now, there is no issue stopping me from coming to perform for my people."However, with April already underway, there is still no confirmed venue, official announcement or visible preparations for the much-anticipated farewell gig.The musician, popularly known as Mukanya, had not responded to questions sent to him via WhatsApp by the time of going to print.
The US says it has rescued a service member missing behind enemy lines since Iran downed a fighter jet, as Donald Trump escalated pressure on Tehran with renewed threats to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The American president wrote in a social media post that the aviator is injured but will be just fine, adding that the rescue involved dozens of aircraft and that the US had been monitoring his location in the lead-up to the rescue.

This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, he wrote.





The airmans extraction followed a frantic US search-and-rescue operation after the crash of the F-15E Strike Eagle on Friday, as Iran promised a reward for anyone who turned in an enemy pilot.

A second crew member was rescued earlier.

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The fighter jet was the first US aircraft to crash in Iranian territory since the start of the war, now in its sixth week.

Mr Trump said last week that the US had decimated Iran and would finish the war very fast.

Two days later, Iran shot down two US military planes, showing the perils of the bombing campaign and the ability of a degraded Iranian military to continue to hit back.



Wreckage at what Irans state TV claimed was the site of a downed American transport plane (Sepahnews/AP)

As Iran continues to exert control over the Strait of Hormuz, Mr Trump, in an expletive-laden post on Sunday morning, issued another threat, promising strikes on Irans power plants and bridges.

He vowed the crazy bastards would be living in Hell if the waterway is not opened to marine traffic by Tuesday.

In a previous post, he threatened to unleash all Hell if the Strait is not opened by Monday. He has issued such threats before and extended them when mediators claimed progress towards ending the war on agreeable terms.

The other jet to go down was an A-10 attack aircraft. Neither the status of the crew nor where it crashed was immediately known.

On Sunday, Irans state TV aired a video showing thick black smoke rising into the air, claiming its forces had shot down an American transport plane and two helicopters that were part of the rescue operation.



Donald Trump said the service member is injured but will be just fine (Alex Brandon/AP)

However, a regional intelligence official briefed on the mission told the Associated Press that the US military had blown up two transport planes due to a technical malfunction, forcing it to bring in additional aircraft to complete the rescue.

The waterway is a critical route for global energy shipments, especially oil and gas moving from the Persian Gulf to Europe and Asia. Disruptions there have injected volatility into the market and pushed oil and gas-importing countries to seek alternative sources.

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The doors of hell will be opened to you if Irans infrastructure is attacked, General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, on the countrys joint military command, said late on Saturday in response to Mr Trumps renewed threat, state media reported.

The general threatened all infrastructure used by the US military in the region.
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CultureMusicMusic festivals Pepsi drops sponsorship of London music festival headlined by Ye Michael D. Shear April 6, 2026  7:49am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

London: Pepsi said on Sunday that it was withdrawing its sponsorship of the three-day Wireless Festival in London this summer, which is being headlined by Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West. Yes participation at the festival was part of an effort by the artist to distance himself from a half-decade of antisemitic and racist controversies. Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, is to appear at Londons ultimate summer music festival. AP The decision by Pepsi came just hours after Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was deeply concerned that Ye had been booked to perform at what organisers call Londons ultimate summer music festival. Antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted firmly wherever it appears, Starmer told The Sun newspaper in an article published on Sunday morning. Everyone has a responsibility to ensure Britain is a place where Jewish people feel safe.

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The festival had been advertised as PEPSI PRESENTS WIRELESS. But a statement issued by the company on Sunday said: Pepsi has decided to withdraw its sponsorship of Wireless Festival. It is not clear what Pepsis decision will mean for the festival, which also lists Budweiser, PayPal, Beatbox and several other major companies as corporate partners on its website. Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, performing in Los Angeles on April 1. The New York Times Ye apologised earlier this year for recent antisemitic behaviour, including posting death con 3 ON JEWISH PEOPLE and conducting an interview while wearing what appeared to be a Black Ku Klux Klan robe. He said in an ad in The Wall Street Journal that he hoped to be forgiven by those Ive hurt. Since then, the rapper has been seeking to return to public view in ways that do not create controversy. On Wednesday and Friday, Ye performed at SoFi Stadium, near Los Angeles, to promote the release of his new album, Bully. In addition to the appearance at the London festival, he is scheduled to perform in Italy and Spain this summer.

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But the rappers effort at public rehabilitation has prompted outrage from many public figures in Britain. Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said last week that Britains home secretary should ban him from coming to this country. Related Article Analysis

New music Kanyes new album is stirring controversy ... for being completely uncontroversial It is not clear whether Ye has applied for entry into Britain. For Starmer, the issue of antisemitism is a personal one. Before becoming prime minister, he made a name for himself in politics by vowing to purge the Labour Party of antisemitism in its ranks. Starmer, a former human rights lawyer, helped push out Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour leader who had been accused of unlawful acts of harassment and discrimination against Jewish members of the party. Additionally, Starmers wife, Victoria, is Jewish.

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Since becoming prime minister, Starmer has been under pressure to do more to combat antisemitic attacks and harassment in the country, which have increased sharply since the war in the Gaza Strip began in 2023. A terrorist attack on a synagogue in Manchester, England, last year increased that pressure. But the prime minister has also been criticised by Palestinian activists, including members of his own party, who want him to demonstrate more robust support for their safety in Britain. Sundays comments by Starmer suggested the prime minister did not believe Yes latest apology was sincere. In 2023, the rapper apologised for the deathcon comment and other behaviour in a social media post written in Hebrew, saying that it was not my intention to offend or demean. But in February of last year, he withdrew the apology in a profanity-laced rant on social media in which he declared that he is a Nazi and professed his love for Adolf Hitler.

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Im never apologising for my Jewish comments, he said on the social platform X, formerly known as Twitter. In his most recent apology, Ye blamed what he said was untreated bipolar I disorder, caused by a brain injury he suffered in a car crash in 2002, for his behaviour. But in 2025, he said he had been diagnosed with autism. The New York Times Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.

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Exclusive NationalNSWCity life Developers want to build 280 luxury units in Sydney. Theyll take the governments help Megan Gorrey April 5, 2026  7:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Construction of more than 300 Sydney apartments will be brought forward under the state governments $1 billion scheme to help developers finance approved projects that have stalled. A $900 million complex of 280 luxury apartments in Pyrmont and a 30-unit block in Westmead are the latest projects to benefit from the Minns governments policy to act as guarantor for up to 50 per cent of off-the-plan dwellings in some eligible proposals, to help developers meet pre-sale hurdles. Developer Landream will leverage the NSW governments pre-sale finance guarantee to fast-track construction of 280 apartments in its $900 million Pyrmont Place project in Sydneys inner west. NSW government Planning Minister Paul Scully said fast-tracking the two projects would build momentum for the guarantee scheme and the states housing construction pipeline. NSW needs new homes sooner, he said. The pre-sale finance guarantee is breaking down barriers and fast-tracking the start of construction for hundreds of much-needed homes for our communities.

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The government expects to underwrite about 5000 dwellings, enabling delivery of about 15,000 homes over five years. The NSW Opposition has criticised the scheme as a very modest proposal, and a drop in the ocean given the states target to build 377,000 new homes by mid-2029. Related Article NSW budget What is Mookheys $1 billion housing guarantee, and how will it work? The first project to utilise the guarantee scheme was developer Perifa Groups divisive $285 million mixed-use Rozelle Village development, comprising 227 units, on the old Balmain Leagues Club site. The government last year created a revolving fund to allow developers to borrow to construct mid-rise housing projects with the certainty the government would buy any unsold homes, up to the value of $50 million per project. The scheme  an Australian first  reduces the number of units a developer needs to have pre-sold before a bank is prepared to give them a loan to start construction. Developers can typically only get lending approval for a project once they hit about 80 per cent of pre-sales.

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Since October, eligible developers with approval for developments and some initial pre-sales have been able to submit an expression of interest to have the government act as guarantor on up to 50 per cent of the dwellings, which can be valued at up to $2 million each, in each project. If approved, the developer must start construction within six months. If the developers do not pre-sell the homes, they can call on the guarantee, and the government will purchase the completed dwellings at a discounted rate before selling them on the private market to buy or rent or using them for social or affordable housing. If the developer secures the pre-sales, the guarantee is extinguished and the funds will go back into the $1 billion fund for another project. The Pyrmont Place mixed-use development will include apartments, public amenities and hotel accommodation near Wentworth Park and the new Sydney Fish Market. NSW government Developers have so far submitted 45 expressions of interest, with about one-third of those invited to prepare full applications. Further requests are being assessed that, if approved, could fast-track the construction of more than 130 new homes in regional NSW. Melbourne-based developer Landream is leveraging the guarantee for 38 of about 280 units in its Pyrmont Place mixed-use development opposite Wentworth Park. The fund will also support 13 flats in Gaby Groups Elodie complex, including six affordable dwellings, on Good Street in Westmead.

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The three pre-sale guarantees issued so far will accelerate the delivery of more than 540 new homes. Related Article Planning This NSW housing authority has been inundated with proposals. Only two have been approved Meantime, the government has appointed property investment executives Deb Coakley and Tim Hallam as chair and deputy chair, respectively, of its pre-sale finance guarantee advisory committee. Scully said the pair would bring their expertise in governance, finance and project delivery to the committee, which assists in providing robust and independent evaluations of applications. Opposition planning spokesman Chris Rath questioned Scully about the fund during a budget estimates hearing in March, asking: Are things really that financially bad in the housing construction sector that the government has to underwrite or guarantee individual projects?

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Scully responded it was not that they are financially bad. I think this speeds things up. Developers had raised the particularly high bar in terms of pre-sales in discussions with the government about projects which had been approved, but that hadnt begun construction, he said. Developer Gaby Group is using the scheme to guarantee almost half of the apartments in its Westmead unit complex, which includes a portion of affordable housing dwellings for low-income earners. NSW government/Gaby Group I think this is actually a really innovative approach to using the governments balance sheet without any up-front money from taxpayers. In the worst of all circumstances, we would end up as a government with a small number of dwellings, that we would acquire at a discount, that we could then use for social housing, for affordable housing, as rental housing for essential workers, or just to sell ourselves, Scully said.

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Related Article Planning The plan to revive Sydneys most divisive office block Scully said the scheme was being copied by South Australia, and examined seriously in New Zealand. Treasurer Daniel Mookhey previously said Treasury modelling showed the states property market would need to slump by 15 per cent before the government would lose money on the scheme. Mookhey on Sunday said Labor was using the NSW budget to help the household budget. In a dual cost of living and housing crisis, we are pulling every lever to support the delivery of desperately needed new homes, he said.

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NSW completed nearly 44,000 dwellings in the year to September 2025, well short of an annual target of 75,000 new homes. The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the days most important stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.
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NationalNSWEducation How many hours of childcare is best for kids, and how much is too much? Christopher Harris April 5, 2026  7:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Children who spend 40 hours a week in childcare face a higher risk of struggling with social competence and emotional maturity, a major study tracking the outcomes of 274,000 Australian children from birth to their first year at school has found. Attending a centre rated as lower quality was also linked with an increased likelihood of making a child developmentally vulnerable in at least one of five domains, which include physical health, language and cognitive skills. It comes as the Albanese government has made expanding financial support for childcare a signature policy, with households earning less than $535,000 now eligible for 72 hours of subsidised childcare per fortnight. Subsidised childcare is one of the fastest-growing costs to the federal budget, costing taxpayers about $4 billion in the three months to the end of December.

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The opposition is canvassing alternatives to subsidised childcare, including vouchers that could be used for nannies or family members instead of a centre-based subsidy, income splitting, extending paid parental leave and tax breaks. The federal Department of Education study released last December used childcare, census, tax, health and welfare data, and childcare financial data. That was matched against survey data collected by primary school teachers across the five domains. The research followed children from their early childhood years until 2018, their first year of full-time school, finding as children spent more than 30 hours in child care, their rates of developmental vulnerability increased. Developmental vulnerability can predict worse longer term mental health, wellbeing and academic outcomes. Children who were enrolled for more than 40 hours per week had the highest rates of developmental vulnerabilities, the report said.

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While longer hours in childcare were associated with elevated social and emotional risk, attendance was beneficial when it came to language, cognitive skills, communication skills and general knowledge. The five early childhood development domains Physical health and wellbeing  Childrens physical readiness for the school day, physical independence and gross and fine motor skills Social competence  Childrens overall social competence, responsibility and respect, approach to learning and readiness to explore new things Emotional maturity  Childrens pro-social and helping behaviours and absence of anxious and fearful behaviour, aggressive behaviour and hyperactivity and inattention Language and cognitive skills (school-based)  Childrens basic literacy, advanced literacy, basic numeracy, and interest in literacy, numeracy and memory Communication skills and general knowledge  Childrens communication skills and general knowledge based on broad developmental competencies and skills Blaise Joseph, director of the education program at conservative think tank The Centre for Independent Studies, said while research was consistently positive about preschool, this report showed the benefits of formal childcare were not uniform for all children of all ages and backgrounds. Attending a lower quality childcare is linked with poorer development outcomes. Getty Given the lack of a consistent educational benefit of formal childcare, the growing cost to both parents and taxpayers, and the fact that formal childcare simply doesnt work for many parents, we really should be open to alternative policy options that might better support children in informal care too, he said.

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Professor Karen Thorpe, from the Queensland Brain Institute at the University of Queensland, said the evidence was poor when it came to policies, such as using nannies. A prior trial under the Abbott government in Australia was unsuccessful, she said. While she said the government report was an important study, she urged caution about the results. My take is not necessarily to keep children home  remember cognitive and language outcomes were more positive for children in childcare. I would urge that we first look at the quality of provision for childcare from birth to three, she said. The number of children in childcare fell for the first time since the pandemic at the end of last year, after a litany of horrific abuse allegations were revealed.

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A 2024 Productivity Commission report found early childhood education and care can improve outcomes for children, particularly those experiencing disadvantage and vulnerability, throughout their lives and deliver net community benefit. This study mirrored those findings, with formal child care associated with higher rates of being developmentally on track in all domains for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from a single parent household and those with a language background other than English. Higher quality services reduced the average childs risk of developmental vulnerability by around six per cent, compared to attending lower quality care, the report found. Australian childcare centres are rated as either excellent, exceeding, meeting the standard, working towards or significant improvement required.

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After adjusting for other factors, the research found children not attending formal childcare, on average had a lower risk of being developmentally vulnerable in one or more domains, compared to a child who attended a centre with an at standard quality rating. The report underscored the benefits of preschool, with those who attended more likely to be developmentally on track in all domains, when compared with children who attended childcare in the same quality category. Advocacy group The Parenthoods Georgie Dent called for a renewed focus on boosting quality in the sector because for many families, reducing hours was not a realistic option. Georgie Dent, chief executive of advocacy group The Parenthood. Steven Siewert When a parent is blocked from the workforce, there is a much higher risk of financial insecurity ... and when mothers are engaged in work, it is often very good for their mental wellbeing, she said.

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Dr Caroline Croser-Barlow, chief executive of The Front Project, said poorer social and emotional outcomes may be linked with high staff turnover, as childrens brain development thrived on strong serve and return relationships with adults to whom they had a secure sense of attachment. When a child is doing four or five days in childcare, perhaps theyre seeing a lot more adults, and they dont have a relationship with just one single educator, they might be experience more of the churn of the workforce. Minister for Early Childhood Education Jess Walsh said on top of expanded access to subsidies, there was a $1 billion Building Early Education Fund to build more quality not-for-profit centres as well as a pay boost for staff. Our 15 per cent pay rise for educators is stabilising this important workforce because we know that a quality workforce is the foundation of quality early learning, she said. Opposition childcare spokesman Matt OSullivan said the government research shows that long hours in care can affect childrens emotional development and learning.

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Yet policy continues to push a universal, centre-based model that narrows options and does not suit every child, he said. More than half of children aged zero to five  51.2 per cent  do not use formal childcare, highlighting the gap between policy and how families actually care for their children. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalNSWWildlife We once napalmed this cute creature. Now its worth $1b Angus Dalton April 5, 2026  1:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Its raining bat poo  and that could be worth close to $1 billion. Scientists who sought to estimate the economic value of flying foxes have found that the activity of just one species, the grey-headed flying fox, is worth between $271 and $955 million annually to the timber industry alone. A colony of flying-fox bats is seen over the Peel River in Tamworth, NSW. The creatures make noisy neighbours but are critical to Australias status as bushy and biodiverse. Sam Mooy The study published in Scientific Reports also found flying foxes plant about 91 million new trees each year by dispersing seeds and pollinating flowers. We actually think that its an understatement, particularly for the number of trees, at least, because we only modelled for the grey-headed flying fox, University of Sydney research student and lead author of the study, Alfred Ortega Gonzalez, said.

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What about the other three flying fox species, and how much are they actually contributing? The extraordinary effect flying foxes have on Australian forests  which may have barren scars visible from space if it werent for the bats, the researchers speculate  is down to their unique biology. A family of flying foxes at Parramatta Park in January. Sitthixay Ditthavong A bat flies through a rain curtain sprinkler at Yarra Bend Park. The new research makes efforts to help cool bats during heatwaves all the more important. Alex Coppel They are able to carry more seeds, fruits and pollen throughout the ecosystem than many other species, such as birds, insects and other mammals, Gonzalez said.

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Grey-headed flying foxes are among the largest megabats in the world, and bats are the only mammals that truly fly rather than glide. Lifting their heavy bodies skyward requires a turbocharged metabolism and gorging on fruit each night to fuel their 50 to 100-kilometre journeys. As a result, one flying fox can defecate 60,000 seeds in a single night. Biologists call it seed rain. Using CSIRO data of 1200 bat roosts, the researchers estimate the scale and influence of flying fox activity  which they called the bat ripple effect. Ortega Gonzalez et al, Scientific Reports When you start adding those numbers up then you start seeing how important they become for Australia in general, Gonzalez said.

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Wildlife biologist Dr Alexander Braczkowski, who supervised the research, said the team used CSIRO data of 1200 flying fox colonies and mapped the range bats travel from each roost site. They calculated the grey-headed flying foxes alone help plant and pollinate native trees across an area the size of Sweden. They dubbed the animals area of influence the bat ripple. Braczkowski is known for his work in Uganda studying Jacob the three-legged lion. He says their analysis doesnt even consider other ecosystem services the bats undertake, such as carbon sequestration via the trees the bats plant. Dr Alexander Braczkowski, pictured with a sedated lion in Uganda, is known for his conservation research on the predators in Africa. University of Queensland

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Flying foxes may clash with their human neighbours in the suburbs, but without them, Australia may be far less bushy and biodiverse. Dont forget that Australia had bounties on flying foxes until the 40s, Braczkowski said. Theyd hit them with napalm. Flying foxes are at risk of mass die-offs during heatwaves. Alex Coppel The biologists hope their study underscores the value of flying foxes as populations collapse under the pressure of land clearing and extreme temperatures made more likely by climate change. The findings also make efforts to cool flying fox colonies during heatwaves all the more worthwhile.

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Giving a dollar value or currency to nature  personally, Im not very fond of the idea, although I see the importance of doing it. Nature should be valued for itself, but thats really a romantic idea, Gonzalez said. At the end of the day, money talks, right? The Examine newsletter explains and analyses science with a rigorous focus on the evidence. Sign up to get it each week.
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PoliticsFederalGender equality Opinion When women are driven from public life, democracy pays the price Licia Heath CEO of Women For Election April 5, 2026  12:30pm

April 5, 2026  12:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

It is not news to me that women in politics are targeted differently to men. But the frightening and specific stories I heard at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York last month left me with tears rolling down my cheeks. An MP in Uganda has men regularly visit her kids school, warning their mum to shut her mouth. A Thai candidate was targeted by 926 fake Twitter accounts established to attack her character and undermine her anti-corruption campaign. A woman councillor in Brazil was murdered as a warning to others not to speak up against police and militia violence in Rio de Janeiro. A UK MP, Jo Cox, was shot and stabbed outside a library by a man yelling this is for Britain. Illustration by Jim Pavlidis The message came through with striking consistency: across countries and political cultures, women described patterns of targeted, gendered abuse designed not just to wound, but to drive them out of public life. While the methods vary, the objective does not: silencing women already serving, deterring women considering a run, and narrowing who is willing to participate. Public life becomes too hostile, too punishing, too unsafe. Women for Election sees this at the earliest stage: capable women reconsidering office, recalculating the personal cost. In Australia, we must heed the international warnings. We like to think of ourselves as resilient: compulsory voting, an independent electoral system, robust traditions. But those strengths can breed dangerous complacency. We are not immune.

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We know about the violent death and rape threats levelled at independent federal MP Allegra Spender and NSW Liberal MP Kellie Sloane last year, after they condemned a neo-Nazi rally. Federal minister Anika Wells and her family were also the target of alleged death threats in 2025. These are just the tip of the iceberg. I am personally aware of dozens of women  from high-profile MPs to local councillors and mayors  who have been regularly and alarmingly targeted online and physically, requiring police intervention. Many have security increased, systems installed at their homes. These incidents are rarely publicised, for fear that attention will escalate the abuse or inspire copycat behaviour. UK MP Jo Cox was murdered by a man shouting this is for Britain a week before the Brexit referendum in 2016. AP Its important to note that while men in politics also face threats and abuse, women are often targeted in ways that are more gendered and sexualised, and more likely to invoke fears for their personal safety and that of their families. An Inter-Parliamentary Union study of women parliamentarians across the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, found 60 per cent of those surveyed had experienced online gender-based violence, including hate speech, disinformation, image-based abuse, and doxxing. The same study reported that 76 per cent of women MPs experienced psychological violence.

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These figures are alarmingly high and should be understood as a democratic warning sign. Related Article Opinion

Political leadership Now for the good news on women in politics: Australia is a beacon to the world Licia Heath CEO of Women For Election Representative democracy is at its strongest when institutions reflect the communities they serve. Better decisions are made when the widest possible range of experiences and perspectives are at the table. If talented women opt out before preselection, withdraw from campaigns, decline leadership, or leave office early, democracy loses before a ballot is cast. This is not a partisan issue. The health of democracy is measured not just by whether free and fair elections are held, but by whether diverse people can participate without being systematically driven out. We must stop framing abuse as a test of personal resilience. Women should not be expected to toughen up to endure hostility that deters many qualified candidates. Gendered political violence, especially amplified through digital and social media platforms, is a democratic resilience issue requiring a serious response.

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Practical measures exist. Some parliaments, including those in the UK, New Zealand and Canada now have confidential reporting systems, dedicated support services, and stronger anti-harassment codes. The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) recommends clear complaints mechanisms, sanctions for perpetrators, candidate protection, and institutional support for women. Related Article Updated

AFL 2026 Garry Lyon apologises to Tanya Plibersek for AFL 360 hot mic moment In Australia, that should mean clearer party protocols, stronger candidate welfare and escalation pathways, better reporting and evidence collection, and closer attention from electoral and digital regulators to campaigns intended to intimidate participation. Parties must support candidates, particularly at entry, where women are most exposed. Platforms should be held to higher standards, and we need better ways to track tech-facilitated abuse. While Australia still has advantages that many democracies envy, these are not guarantees and our systems are exposed to attack from international forces. Democratic decline rarely happens overnight  it begins with warning signs that seem isolated until the pattern becomes impossible to ignore. The question now is whether we are prepared to act before the warning signs we see overseas become a reality here.

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Licia Heath is the CEO of Women For Election.

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Reviews & adviceTripologist $9000 v $2300: Is it worth going overseas for dental treatment? Michael Gebicki April 6, 2026  5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Key points Overseas dental treatment can cost a fraction of Australian prices, making major procedures far more accessible

Quality care is available in countries like India, but outcomes depend heavily on choosing a reputable, well-qualified clinic

Risks remain, especially around complications and lack of insurance coverage once you return home, and thorough research is essential

Katherine, a friend, went to the dentist a couple of weeks back. She had two dental implants, an extraction and a bone graft, several X-rays, a CT scan and had her teeth cleaned. She reported the side of her mouth was a bit numb for a couple of hours afterwards but had no pain. She slept well that night and there have been no issues since. She also had an extensive consultation with the senior dentist at the practice, who outlined the reasons Katherine was having so many problems with her teeth, specifically teeth cracking, and what needs to be done about it. Total cost was $2300. Australians often seek dental treatment overseas and save thousands, but there are risks. iStock The dentist is located in the southern suburbs of New Delhi, India. Katherine was inspired to seek overseas dental care after a visit to her regular Sydney dentist. For one dental implant including a bone graft, she was quoted almost $9000. In October, shell return to New Delhi to have further dental treatment, including having the crowns attached. The difference is stark. The cost of dental treatment in Australia can be astronomical, particularly for work such as root canal therapy, crowns and implants. Since its inception, our Medicare system has not included dental care, and private health insurance often covers only a fraction of the cost. Particularly as people get older and their teeth deteriorate, quite a few patients either delay treatment or go without. According to the article Dental Tourism in India published on website ResearchGate, in 2022-23, 2.3 million Australians skipped or delayed necessary dental care because of the cost.

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Some are hitting their superannuation to cover the cost of dental treatment and for others, seeking treatment overseas is the only way to get the care they need. According to Taylor Blackburn, an insurance specialist at Finder, When youre facing a $10,000 quote for dental work in Sydney, and a clinic in India or Thailand is offering the exact same procedure for $2500, even factoring in flights and accommodation the financial maths is impossible for many Australians to ignore. Sign up for the Traveller newsletter The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now. The next steps In Katherines case, after she received the quote for her implant in Australia, the possibility of medical treatment overseas seemed like an option worth exploring. So she went searching the internet and AI. She had an existing commitment requiring her to spend a few days in New Delhi in early March so that was the obvious place to look. A dentist in Varkala, India with a patient. File photo. Getty Images After checking reviews from patients  locals as well as foreigners  and whittling down the possible contenders, she got in touch with Dent Ally in South Delhi. They responded, followed by a phone hook-up which gave Katherine the confidence to book an appointment.

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Is it safe to have dentistry done in India? Quite a few Australian dentists are keen to stress the problems that can arise when patients seek dental care overseas. Next Smile Australia, a dental implant specialist, has a whole page on its website under the headline The Hidden Dangers of Dental Tourism. Related Article Tripologist Travel plans disrupted by the war? Your insurer is unlikely to help India has accredited, vetted clinics with world-class facilities and internationally trained dentists. The risks are real but manageable, and depend heavily on clinic selection. Many Indian dentists hold university degrees and a large number were trained or certified abroad in the US, UK or Australia. The Dental Council of India sets standards for education and practice, and top clinics are accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers. Leading clinics use 3D Cone Beam Computed Tomography and digital software to plan, fabricate custom surgical guides and place implants with high precision, on par with leading Australian practices. However, India and other developing countries lack uniform regulation over dental practitioners. There is often no single national framework for dental tourism specifically. Quality varies widely between clinics. If your treatment goes wrong and you have problems after you return home, Australian dentists may refuse to fix work done overseas, or the costs might be higher than if treatment was performed in Australia in the first instance. The key question isnt whether India is safe, but how to choose the right provider.

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The importance of doing due diligence cant be underestimated for anyone seeking dental or other medical treatment overseas. The recommendation of a friend or relative might be persuasive but its vitally important to dig deeper. Verify the practitioner is registered with the relevant medical board or regulatory authority in that country. Confirm their qualifications are genuinely from accredited institutions, check how long theyve been practising and their specific experience with your procedure. Related Article Opinion

Travel tips Theres now an easier way to find medical help overseas when you need it Michael Gebicki The Tripologist Check whether the hospital or clinic holds international accreditation. The gold standard is Joint Commission International, which applies rigorous standards. However, this accreditation is more usual for hospitals than dental clinics. Ask how many times the practitioner has performed your specific procedure youre looking to undergo, and the outcomes. What about travel insurance? Will travel insurance cover you if you have complications after you return to Australia following medical treatment overseas? No, according to Blackburn. Everyday travel insurance is designed for unexpected emergencies  like a sudden toothache or knocking out a tooth on a moped. It explicitly excludes elective procedures and any complications that arise from them, which falls under the banner of medical tourism, he said.

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On top of this, standard travel insurance policies cease to cover you once you return to Australian soil. If you get a crown or an implant in India and it fails or gets infected a week after you fly home, your travel insurance provider will not pick up the tab. There are specialised medical tourism insurance policies out there that you can buy specifically for going overseas for procedures, but they can be expensive, and you have to read the fine print very carefully regarding what complications they will cover once you return. The decision to seek dental treatment overseas comes down to a careful weighing of cost against risk. With the right provider, the treatment can be excellent, but this is not a decision to make lightly. The due diligence required is real, you can assume no insurance back-up and the consequences of a poor choice can follow you home. Dental tourism isnt a shortcut, its an alternative pathway and the best outcomes depend not just on where you go, but on how well you prepare before you get there.
News / National

by Bloomberg

ZIMBABWEAN President Robert Mugabe's ruling party is in the grip of a generational split over whether to improve relations with international financial institutions in a bid to rescue the battered economy, according to about a dozen senior party officials.The old guard including Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, 69, and Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa wants better relations with the International Monetary Fund to rebuild an economy blessed with diamond deposits, the world's second-biggest reserves of platinum and chrome, after South Africa, and fertile farm land.Younger leaders see better ties with the west as a threat to their chances of making money because legislation requiring the sale of assets to black investors would likely be softened, the people said.With President Robert Mugabe, 91, increasingly unable to direct policy due to his frailty, party leaders are feuding over Chinamasa's references to weakening legislation requiring that all businesses should be 51% black-owned because it has driven away investors, the people said.They asked not to be identified because the position of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front party is that there are no divisions.Zimbabwe Loses"The Zanu-PF factional wars are threatening this relationship-reconstruction exercise pursued by Chinamasa and there is only one loser: Zimbabwe," said Alex Magaisa, a constitutional lawyer who lectures at the University of Kent and advises investors in London on ownership laws in Zimbabwe.Zimbabwe had had its voting rights at the IMF revoked in 2003 because of arrears on payments and while those were restored in 2010 it still cannot borrow. It's now planning to clear arrears of US$110 million to the IMF, US$1,15 billion to the World Bank and US$601 million to the African Development Bank by April, Chinamasa said in an Oct. 9 statement.That would allow the country to resume borrowing from the lenders to finance infrastructure projects needed to boost power supply and repair neglected roads and water pipes. In total it has about US$10 billion in debt.Zimbabwe is wracked by drought, deflation and unemployment of 95% and is isolated from lenders and western donors because of disputes over forced seizures of white-owned farms and elections marred by violence and irregularities.Economic growth is expected to be 1,5% this year and 2,7% in 2016, Chinamasa said this month. The economy is half the size it was in 2000.Any change in current legislation that's compelled companies including Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. and Anglo American Platinum Ltd. to hand control to black investors would threaten the financial fortunes of younger government leaders."We can't expect to change the leadership of President Mugabe and we're going to congress to discuss economic revival, not any leadership change," Zanu-PF spokesman Simon Khaya Moyo said when asked about party splits in a phone interview from Harare, the capital."We elected President Mugabe to lead us into the 2018 elections. I don't know the factionalism you're referring to. We have one leader."The dispute has pitted older leaders like Chinamasa, 68, and Mnangagwa against officials such as Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Minister Patrick Zhuwao, 48, and local government minister Saviour Kasukuwere, 45.The younger leaders are allied with the president's wife Grace Mugabe, 50, who in December was appointed to Zanu-PF's politburo after she took over as head of the women's wing of the party."We heard some top politicians saying we will re-look at indigenisation. This means they're saying to myself and all of you that you should go home and sit," Zhuwao, who is also Mugabe's nephew, told government youth ministry officers in the eastern city of Mutare."Those who are talking about foreign direct investment are precisely saying we should go home."Revolutionary AimsChinamasa and his allies are working against the aims of the party's revolution by undermining efforts to disempower whites and foreigners for the benefit of black Zimbabweans, two of the senior party members said. Control of the economy needs to be handed to black Zimbabweans, with or without IMF approval, they said.Seven calls to Chinamasa's mobile phone and office weren't answered when Bloomberg News sought his comment.Chinamasa is trying to "mend bridges," Magaisa said. He, and allies like Mnangagwa, are "really looking at a post-Mugabe era by re-building relations with the west."The faction that includes Zhuwao and Kasukuwere believes that the IMF wants to slim down the civil service.Chinamasa was forced to back down after Mugabe countermanded a Finance Ministry order to withhold bonuses in September.Mugabe also halted plans to cut back on a civil service wage bill that swallows more than 80% of Zimbabwe's revenue by saying state workers wouldn't be fired.The finance minister's opponents are "not presenting any viable alternative to what Chinamasa is trying to do," Magaisa said. "The argument that Zimbabwe can go it alone is empty, futile and not supported by facts."
By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association

The Tanaiste has expressed concern over anything that would dampen down the voices of communities, after reports that accommodation centres for asylum seekers could be made exempt from planning objections.

It is Government strategy to move away from a reliance on commercial accommodation for international protection applicants and establish more facilities on state-owned sites.

It was reported on Sunday that the Department of Justice is considering legislation that would curtail the ability of members of the public to object to several major proposed centres for asylum seekers across the country.

Asked about the report, Tanaiste Simon Harris said the proposal hasnt come to Government yet and added that it is important that communities have a voice.

Minister for Justice Jim OCallaghan (Brian Lawless/PA)

He told reporters at the annual 1916 Easter Rising commemoration: I read that report, and I look forward to being fully briefed in relation to this.

Theres obviously a balance here, but I do always think having an opportunity for communities to engage is very important too.

I think the voices of communities, engaging with communities, actually helps enhance social cohesion  and I would be concerned about anything that would in any way dampen down the voices of communities.

Irish people are good, theyre full of common sense, theyre decent, compassionate people, and I think actually hearing the voices of communities is a good thing.

Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan has previously brought a range of immigration reforms to Cabinet, including international protection applicants paying towards their accommodation, changes to family reunification rules, and timelines around eligibility for citizenship.
By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association

It would be premature and foolish to announce more cost-of-living measures at this time, the Tanaiste said as he dismissed requests to recall the Dail.

Simon Harris said current advice to the Government is that there isnt a particular concern about fuel supplies.

However, the Finance Minister warned that the situation is fast evolving with further damage to energy infrastructure occurring in the war in the Middle East.

He said it was prudent to put in place advisory measures for households and businesses on energy use.

We stand ready to consider further measures in the time ahead but Ive got to be honest with people: we have to prepare not just for the days ahead, but for the months ahead, for the year ahead  and thats why we have to take this step by step.

Mr Harris told reporters at the 1916 Easter Rising commemoration that the economic challenge would be lessened if the war concluded before winter.

Its a very different crisis in the summer months than it could be in the winter months.

Obviously, we hope to see this war end. I think its true to say theres an economic challenge no matter what happens.

The economic challenge, though, is easier to manage if the war comes to an end  at least then we have an end in sight and we work to rebuild.

My concern is, though, if this war continues through a winter period where theres always an increased demand on energy, that becomes a more challenging situation.

Duel pumps at a service station on Dublins northside (Brian Lawless/PA)

Asked about calls for the Dail to be recalled to introduce further measures on fuel prices, Mr Harris said: I have no interest in performative politics but what I do have in an interest in is working every single day on this extraordinary moment of economic challenge.

The world is going through an economic crisis, which is hard to overstate the significance of, and the energy crisis that were living through now is the worst the world has ever seen.

And its really important that day in, day out, hour in, hour out, Government works intensively with colleagues across state agencies and indeed across the world, as we seek to navigate this.

Mr Harris said the coalition would have a leaders meeting on the issue of energy in the week ahead, also involving Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Minister of State Sean Canney, who represents the independents who supported Government formation.

Thats a really important opportunity for us to be briefed and take stock on where were at from an energy supply and energy security point of view.

I would also say this to the Irish people: while this is a moment of challenge, this is not 2008.

The Irish economy is in a strong position. We have a country with full employment, our economy is growing and fiscal buffers built up.

He added: We will work our way through this and at this stage, it would be premature and foolish to rule anything further in or out.
THE Carlow branch of Down Syndrome Ireland donned crazy socks last Sunday morning, 22 March, for the annual Walk Your Socks Off fundraiser.

The event in Rathwood, Tullow attracted over 150 people, members of the organisation and the public. There was nobody that walked by that didnt throw in a few euro for raffle tickets, said committee member Olivia Flanagan.

Walkers head out through the woods in Rathwood during the 'Walk Your Socks Off'' event

It was such a positive morning, she said. The weather held out for us and all the members got an ice cream afterwards. Minister of state Jennifer Murnane OConnor and mayor of Carlow MD Paul Doogue attended the event that has become an important date on the Carlow calendar.

The fundraiser is huge for the organisation because we dont get government funding for our branch. If we want to support our children with speech and language therapy, we have to fundraise ourselves. We subsidise what parents pay and we give a respite voucher to each family every year, said Olivia.

Olivia and Keith Flanagan and their children Josh and Amelia

Jack and Marie Sheppard and their children Holly and Lauren

Edel Keogh with her children Holly, Shane and Laura

Ava, Rosie and Evie Bowes took part in the event

The walk to mark world Down Syndrome day is crucial for the organisation, she said. Its something to look forward to, a chance for the organisation to get together, have a nice time and being outdoors is lovely. She thanked all the committee members, as without them, nothing would be happening and Rathwood for facilitating the event each year.

Our members love it; they're really social beings and it was a great day out for everyone. My son was in his element, he loves socialising, said Olivia. She explained that wearing mismatched crazy socks represents the extra chromosomes that people with Down Syndrome have. Chromosomes under the microscope, apparently, look like socks.
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

MDC-T senator for Matabeleland South has said in true African tradition chiefs were not supposed to marry wives who had children with other men as the tradition does not allow a chief to share a wife with his subjects.She said at the moment when calls for Chiefs to be accorded respect is topping the agenda in the senate it was sad that some chiefs married wives who have even five children with various men.She said as the calls for the chiefs to be given respect she was worried who was supposed to give them that respect."I am trying to think who is supposed to give the chiefs that recognition. When I tried to look at the structure of the chiefs, I think we want to see a true replica of the original traditions because if we house our traditions in a certain institution, we want to feel that there is a true replica of the old traditions that we are proud of as a nation because we are diverse but we want to feel that the different chiefs represent us in that aspect. I should think if then that happens, the respect will just come on its own," Mlotshwa said."We want to see reality in the representation and we do not want to be forced to admit that there is. We want to feel it. If a respected person enters a room, you have to feel that somebody of high standard has entered the room. I think that is what is missing for everybody else to feel that the chiefs are there and they are representing our traditions, because we do not have any other way of showing traditions other than the representation that is done by the chiefs. In my case my mother is a direct descendant of Mzilikazi the king, so I am interested in these issues because of that."She said in tradition, a chief did not marry a wife that has children by some three or four men in the same community."It was like that and we want to see it like that because if you look at why it was not allowed to happen - it was because a chief was not to share a wife with his subject. But if a chief is now marrying a wife that has five children from different men then the respect is never there because those same men will say I have a child with the chiefas wife," she said. "The respect of chiefs goes down because at times they do things that our original forefathers who were the repositories of knowledge were not doing. There cannot be respect in the community if a chief is sharing a wife with four other men. It was done like that because they wanted a chief to be respected that the wife of a chief is a wife of a chief. In that regard I think our chiefs are misrepresenting our traditions."Mlotshwa said again if one look into the present Chiefs Council or the previous Chiefs Council after Independence, you will find that it is like the recognition and leadership of the Chiefsa Council only has to come from a certain region."The other regions do not have true chiefs that can lead the Chiefs Council. In that aspect when I look at it, I think we need to feel that all chiefs are the same. They represent those people of their areas. We do not want to see the other chiefs being belittled," she said.
Home News This week in Christian history: Battle of Lake Peipus; Bakht Singh arrives in Bombay; William Thomson dies

Throughout the extensive history of the Church, numerous events of lasting significance have occurred.

Each week marks anniversaries of impressive milestones, unforgettable tragedies, amazing triumphs, memorable births and notable deaths.

Some events, spanning over 2,000 years of history, might be familiar, while others might be unknown to many.

The following pages highlight anniversaries of memorable events from this week in Christian history, including the Battle of Lake Peipus, the death of William M. Thomson and the arrival of evangelist Bakht Singh in Bombay.
Home News Trump cites Gospel of John in Easter message to Christians worldwide 'Evil and wickedness will not prevail'

Quick Summary AI Summary President Donald Trump delivered an Easter video message, citing John 3:16.

Trump declared that 'evil and wickedness will not prevail' and described Jesus Christ's resurrection as 'the most glorious miracle in all of time.'

The message emphasized hope in God and the significance of faith in America. An artificial intelligence-powered tool created this summary based on the source article. The summary has undergone review and verification by an editor. See Summary

President Donald Trump delivered an Easter video message to Christians in the United States and around the world, quoting the Gospel of John and declaring that evil and wickedness will not prevail.

Describing the Resurrection of Jesus Christ as the most glorious miracle in all of time, Trump drew on one of the Bibles most widely cited verses to anchor his message.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, for whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life, he said, adding that the words were beautiful.

Trump said millions of Christians worldwide would be reminded this Easter that because of what Jesus did on the cross, all of us can live every day with hope in Gods promise, knowing that in the end, evil and wickedness will not prevail.

The message traced the significance of Christ through three moments.

In His life, Trump said, Christ displayed true humility. In His death, He modeled true love. And in His Resurrection from the tomb, He proved that even death itself will not silence those who place their trust in Almighty God.

The president also touted what he calls an "extraordinary resurrection of faith and religion in America," saying that church pews will be fuller, younger and more faithful than they have at any time in many, many years.

Religion is growing again in our country for the first time in decades, the president said, adding that national greatness requires religious faith. To be a great nation you must have religion, and you must have God, he said.

Separately, the White House issued a written Easter statement jointly from Trump and first lady Melania Trump, grounding the message in Christian theology and American national identity.

The statement said Christs Resurrection secured the promise of redemption and the hope of eternal life for all who believe in Him as Lord and Savior. It proclaimed that a new creation has been ushered in, and evil and death have been conquered forever through the unmatched power of Gods sacrificial love.

The written statement quoted the prophet Isaiah to convey the meaning of Christs suffering.

He was pierced for our sins, crushed for our iniquity  by His wounds we were healed, it read. Christs suffering won our victory, His love brings us life, and His Resurrection is our everlasting hope, the statement added.

The statement placed Easter within a longer arc of American history, saying the life of Jesus Christ and the truths of the Gospel have inspired our way of life and our national identity for 250 years.

It invoked the Christian patriots who won and secured our liberty on the battlefield and said the love of Christ has unfailingly guided our nation through calm waters and dark storms.

The statement also quoted Scripture to proclaim triumph over death, saying Death is swallowed up in victory, and closed with words Christians have repeated for centuries: He is risen.

Easter, one of Christianitys most important observances, marks the Resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after His crucifixion and is celebrated by more than 2 billion Christians worldwide.
Home News Young people leading the charge on non-religious identity, analysis claims; Bible Society responds

Days after YouGov retracted Bible Societys Quiet Revival data, a new analysis contends that non-religious identity among young people in the United Kingdom, particularly those under 35, is a permanent shift rather than a temporary phase, prompting a response from the nondenominational organization.

Humanists UK, a national charity that promotes secular humanism, published an analysis of the British Social Attitudes Survey 2024 conducted by the National Centre for Social Research between Sept. 16 and Oct. 17, 2024.

Based on 4,120 fully or partially completed responses, the BSA survey found that that 61% of 16 to 34-year-olds identify with no religion. Ninety-four percent of the 16 to 34-year-olds raised as non-religious still identified with no religion as adults, while 4% of people in the same age group raised as non-religious adopted any form of Christianity.

The data shows that non-religious identity is not a phase young people pass through  it is a settled and stable worldview, Humanists UKs analysis asserted.

Janet Ellis, the president of Humanists UK, asserted in a statement Thursday that the figures suggest young people are living thoughtful, values-driven lives without any religious framework at all, claiming that they are doing so with confidence and joy.

For young people, [labeling] them just as 'nones' or 'no religion' can be misleading because it implies an absence, the Humanists UK president stated. But what they actually have is a positive way of being in the world: looking for evidence to know whats true, and looking to friendships, hobbies, and relationships to give life meaning.

The data confirms what many of us already know: for a growing majority of people in Britain, humanism  the idea that we can live well and do good without gods  is simply how life is lived, Ellis said.

The BSA data also suggests that half of the population in the U.K. now identifies with no religion, and half of them were raised with no religion.

According to Humanists UK, the data reveals the near-total collapse of Church of England identity among younger generations.

While 21% of over-75s identify as Anglican, that figure falls to just 2.6% among 16 to 34-year-olds, the secular group noted. Across all respondents, only 10.7% now identify as Church of England  down from figures that once placed it as the majority faith tradition in Britain.

The publication of the analysis follows YouGov's retraction of research that reportedly found a rise in church attendance among young people in parts of the U.K., which the Bible Society described as a quiet revival.

YouGov, which carried out the research in 2024 for the Bible Society, announced in March that, after re-analyzing its data collection, it had discovered that the data sample for The Quiet Revival report contained a number of respondents who we can now identify as fraudulent.

Andrew Copson, chief executive of Humanists UK, argued that the data in the Quiet Revival report was always implausible, claiming that it contradicted the findings of other surveys, as well as attendance data from Anglican and Catholic churches.

The British Social Attitudes survey is the gold standard for a reason. It shows, clearly and consistently, that Britain has become a majority non-religious country, that younger generations are leading that change, and that there is no evidence of any reversal, Copson stated.

It is time for our public institutions, from Parliament to our schools, to catch up with the reality of who the British people actually are, he added.

In response to an inquiry from The Christian Post, a Bible Society spokesperson cautioned against concluding that young people who identify as non-religious lack spiritual beliefs, noting that this is an area of study in development.

The spokesperson referenced the Bible Society's latest report, "The Quiet Revival one year on: what's the story?," which he said provides counter-evidence to Humanist UK's claims.

According to the report, "measuring national church attendance accurately and consistently is incredibly complex" due to the lack of a comprehensive census of church attendance in England and Wales and the fact that few denominations and expressions regularly count attendance.

The introduction of digital church services and remote worship has also made it difficult to accurately measure attendance, the report argued.

While the Bible Society's report acknowledged that the Catholic Church and the Church of England have reported lower attendance numbers than before COVID, they have also reported "year-on-year growth" since the pandemic.

In 2024, there was a 21% rise in the number of baptisms of people over the age of 7 in the Catholic Church, "with more [baptized[ in 2024 than in any other year in the 11-year period for which data is available, by a considerable margin," according to a November 2025 report in The Tablet cited in Bible Society.

The Catholic Church had already seen the number of baptisms rise above pre-pandemic levels in 2023, and in 2024, the number of adults receiving Holy Communion for the first time increased by 44%.

"In the Church of England, teenage and adult baptisms rose by more than 1,000 (an increase of 11.5%) in 2024 compared to 2023  the highest increase since age categories were introduced. In the same year, confirmations increased by 5.3%," Bible Society's report noted.

Bible Society's latest analysis noted that the Evangelical Alliance reported an average increase of 13% attendance after surveying its members in 2025. The group's report also highlighted data showing that Pentecostal churches in the U.K went from 2,500 congregations in 2000 to 4,200 by 2020.

Those who believe a religious revival may be underway in the U.K. point to data collated by Christian publisher SPCK Group that found Bible sales rose sharply in 2025, with the group reporting record figures.

Publishing director at SPCK, Lauren Windle, has suggested the surge reflects growing engagement among younger readers.

"Maybe the generation that has everything wants more  more real, more truthful, more consistent, more outward facing, more generous and more peaceful. More God-like," she said.

While Bible Society CEO Paul Williams acknowledged YouGovs error in a statement on March 26, he asserted that the research firms mistake does not mean that all other findings are wrong.

Williams said his organization will continue trying to understand the changing landscape through research focused on attitudes toward faith and the Bible.

This wider picture is also supported by a number of other surveys, based on probability sampling, which point to an increased engagement in faith among young adults compared to older generations, the Bible Society CEO said.

Williams pointed to research such as the Ipsos MORI 2023 Global Religion Survey, which found that, on average across 26 countries, 40% say they believe in God as described in holy scriptures. Twenty percent said they believe in a higher power.

While religious identity overall is shifting from Christian to no religion, Christianity in Britain appears to be moving from a declining nominal faith to a committed and active one, as cultural shifts  especially among younger people  encourage a more proactive search for identity, meaning and purpose, the CEO said.

A spokesperson for Humanists UK directed CP to the group's response to the Bible Society's retraction last month. The representative of Humanists UK stated that "objective records of church attendance from both the Church of England and the Catholic Church show a large-scale decline in attendance."



The spokesperson added that the Ipsos MORI 2023 Global Religion Survey, which the Bible Society CEO cited in a March 26 press release, also appeared to show that religious attendance in Great Britain is declining.
Home Opinion First Amendment vs. counseling bans: SCOTUS delivers a definitive ruling

In 2018, the landscape was much different than today. Then, much of the public still bought into the messaging that social conservative positions were hateful. Thus, nobody wanted to touch issues that had received that label (thankfully, these tides are turning!). So, in 2018, when the Supreme Court signaled that counseling is protected by Free Speech, it wasnt on the minds of many to attack bans on conversion therapy.

Back then, when someone heard the term conversion therapy, the imagery that came to mind for many was the harmful, coercive, and forced versions that TV and movies had depicted. This led to blanket bans on any counselor who would provide services to help minors not feel attraction to the same sex or to help a minor align their self-perception with their biological sex. In the eyes of the public, these efforts could not be done in a loving or supportive way, despite the reality that most counselors provide services that are both.

In many jurisdictions, these laws would also require counselors to provide services affirming those perceptions, even if the counselor believed them to be harmful or against their sincerely held beliefs. It would be considered discriminatory to decline.

As a civil rights lawyer at the time, counseling bans were important to me. To me, there were two major concerns. First, some young people actually dont want to be same-sex attracted or to feel like they belong in the body of the opposite sex. For those people  never talked about  they deserve services to help them deal with their unwanted feelings. On the flip side, professionals should not be forced to provide services that do not align with their professional or religious beliefs.

This was particularly important to me because, as a Christian married to a Christian counselor, I did not want my wife to be put in the position to violate her beliefs or to face professional disciplinary actions. As a result, I began writing about the issue in 2015. To me, the bans clearly violated the First Amendment.

To those of us who were standing up to the bans, we were often treated with derision. And, even among prominent social conservative organizations, the position was to take on safer issues that were easier to message. In 2018, this was not a popular issue on any side. I experienced this firsthand, as many in the conservative movement would agree with me privately but would not stand alongside me.

In 2018, the Supreme Court signaled to everyone that the bans were illegal. But it was embedded in a case that had nothing to do with therapy. In National Institute of Family and Life Advocates v. Becerra, the Supreme Court struck down a requirement that forced pregnancy care centers to put up signage that would direct women to get an abortion. This was struck down as a violation of the First Amendment. But within that decision, the Court made a distinction that professional speech is still speech and, if a law discriminates against a particular point of view, it gets full First Amendment protection. And, there, the Court specifically referenced therapy as an example.

As an advocate for counselors and patients, I quickly recognized the possibilities. I wrote about it, and even The Christian Post interviewed me. And I quickly went to work trying to oppose new efforts to ban therapy in Pennsylvania through my work with the Pennsylvania Family Institute.

However, we still had trouble finding partners with larger outfits to sue. And, when I would appear at city or county council meetings, I would get laughed at or shrugged off by the elected officials who were still intent upon stripping patients and counselors of their rights. It was frustrating. Even with the law on our side, we were still not convincing progressive state and local governments to stop violating patient and professional rights.

Thankfully, Liberty Counsel also quickly saw the possibilities and sued elsewhere. Eventually, Alliance Defending Freedom got on board and handled the appeals. And, on the last day of March 2026, the Supreme Court finally did exactly what it signaled eight long years ago. The Supreme Court definitively stated that banning speech in the form of counseling or therapy  even in a professional setting  requires full First Amendment protection. This means that only under the most compelling of reasons can the government ban the speech.



Put more plainly, it is highly unlikely that states or local governments can ban therapy that helps minors align their feelings with their desired feelings. What a glorious day!

Today, even the liberal justices are on our side! It is not so scary to stand up to injustices that have been labeled hateful. This should also serve as a lesson for the larger legal outfits. Because Liberty Counsel took a bold step, we now have protected patient and counselor rights. But this would not have happened without taking the risk.

We should be bold in our efforts. We should trust that God will help achieve the desired outcome. Litigation should not be about PR when the law is on our side. We can win in both the court of law and the court of public opinion when our cause is just.



It is said that law follows culture, but when Christians take the lead, law and culture just might follow.
Home Opinion Is Easter a pagan holiday?

Most Christians consider Easter to be a sacred and joyous celebration of Christs resurrection. But what about the claim that Easter and its accompanying traditions originated from a pagan spring celebration?

In his treatise On the Reckoning of Time, eighth-century English monk the Venerable Bede proposed that the word Easter comes from the name of a pagan goddess: Eosturmonath has a name which is now translated Paschal month, and which was once called after a goddess of theirs named Eostre, in whose honour feasts were celebrated in that month. Modern pagans latched onto this idea, and further associated Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility, with Ostara, a Germanic goddess of spring.

There are multiple problems with this theory, however, the Venerable Bede notwithstanding. For centuries, the Church fought to turn people from paganism. Therefore, it is unlikely that one of the most important Christian holidays would be named after a pagan goddess. More importantly, there is no evidence, aside from Bede, of a goddess named Eostre, nor is there evidence for a Germanic goddess named Ostara. The name Easter is only used in English, and its cognate Ostern in German. Everywhere else, even in Germanic languages such as Dutch, Norwegian, or Swedish, the word is derived from Pascha or Passover. And, since Resurrection Day was celebrated for hundreds of years before the Anglo-Saxons or Germans were converted, it is unconvincing that its name points to a pagan origin of the holiday. More likely, Bede was mistaken, either following a folk etymology or simply guessing.

In fact, where the days name does originate is a bit more complicated. New converts, after receiving intensive instruction, were baptized on Easter. Easter Sunday was known as Dominica in albis, or the Sunday in white, after the white robes worn by the catechumens. It may be that albis was misunderstood to be the plural of alba, or dawn, which was then translated into Old High German as eostarum. The words Easter and Ostern most likely are derived from that.

Another common argument is that Easter traditions such as rabbits and decorating eggs were pagan fertility symbols. Some modern pagans even claim, without evidence, that the worship of Ostara involved these very things. However, the connection of these items to Easter is much less elaborate and far more recent than any mythical pagan past.

During the Holy Week fast preceding Easter, Christians were prohibited from eating eggs. The chickens kept laying, however. Eggs laid during Holy Week were considered Holy Eggs. The practice of decorating them began in the 13th century, many centuries after Europe turned from paganism. The egg was seen as a symbol of the resurrection, with Christ bursting from the tomb in the same way the chick broke free from the egg.

As for rabbits, the timing of their association with Easter also eliminates the possibility that they are a holdover from pagan ideas. During the Middle Ages, rabbits were seen as innocent, good, and harmless, and as such were sometimes used as a symbol of Christ. However, they were not associated with Easter until the 17th century.

Another version of the Easter has roots in paganism idea associates the celebration of the resurrection with the ancient Sumerian myth of Tammuz and Ishtar. This myth, which is an explanation of the annual cycle of death in winter, tells of Tammuz and Ishtar spending half a year in the underworld, before a new birth when they are released for six months each spring. The myth bears little resemblance to resurrection story, especially the three days Jesus spent in the tomb and his once-and-for-all resurrection from the dead.

Even so, this pagan story and others like it may, in fact, be connected to Christianity, just not in the way we normally think. In fact, we may have it the wrong way around. As C.S. Lewis described in Mere Christianity.

And what did God do? ... He sent the human race what I call good dreams: I mean those queer stories scattered all through the heathen religions about a god who dies and comes to life again and, by his death, has somehow given new life to men.

Lewis believed that these myths were hints that God gave to the pagan world of the person and work of Christ. In other words, the argument that myths are the source of the story of the Resurrection has it exactly backwards. The Resurrection actually happened, and is the reality to which these myths have always pointed.

And because the Resurrection actually happened, it is certainly worthy of celebration  with Hallelujahs, raised glasses, and lots of joy.

Originally published at BreakPoint.
Home Opinion The Jefferson Bible vs. the empty tomb: Why the resurrection wont stay buried

There was once an effort, quiet, deliberate, and telling, to reshape the story of Jesus Christ into something more palatable to human reason.



Thomas Jefferson, a man of brilliance and influence, took a razor to the pages of the New Testament and constructed his own version of the Gospels. Gone were the miracles. Gone was the supernatural. What remained of the person of Jesus was a great moral teacher, respected, but considerably reduced.



Jeffersons account ends with these somber words: There laid they Jesus and rolled a great stone to the mouth of the sepulchre. There, in his telling, the story ends.



More than a century later, the United States Congress printed and distributed this work among its members  not as Scripture, but as a reflection of Jeffersons religious philosophy. Still, the symbolism is striking: a version of Christianity with the resurrection carefully removed.



But here is the problem  one that no penknife, however precise, has ever been able to solve: the resurrection of Jesus Christ will not stay buried.



You can cut it out of a page, but you cannot cut it out of history.



For nearly 2,000 years, the claim that Christ rose from the dead has stood not as a myth whispered in the shadows, but as a proclamation declared in the open, anchored in eyewitness testimony, affirmed by an empty tomb, and sealed by the transformed lives of those who once doubted and feared.



If Jesus did not rise, then Jefferson was right to end the story at the grave.



But if Jesus did rise, then Jeffersons version is not merely incomplete. It is profoundly mistaken.



The evidence demands that we take that question seriously.



If the resurrection of Jesus Christ could be dismissed, it would have been dismissed long ago. It was first examined not by sympathetic believers but by hostile witnesses, skeptical authorities, and fearful followers. Still, the more carefully the evidence is examined, the clearer it becomes: something happened that no natural explanation can sufficiently explain.



Start with the tomb itself.



The body of Jesus Christ was placed in a known grave, sealed with a great stone, and secured under guard. The tomb was not left unattended or vulnerable to tampering. It was officially sealed  a mark of authority meant to prevent interference  and watched by trained soldiers. Yet on the third day, the tomb was empty.



This is not merely a claim made by Christians. It is a fact that even early opponents were forced to explain. They did not argue that the body remained. Instead, they said the disciples stole it. That explanation, however, collapses under its own weight. At the very time the theft was supposed to have occurred, the disciples were scattered, frightened, and in hiding  hardly the profile of men executing a coordinated deception under the watch of guards and sealed authority. In that sense, they had an alibi. Moreover, men in fear for their lives do not suddenly muster the courage to outmaneuver trained soldiers, break an official seal, and carry out a fraud they would spend the rest of their lives suffering and dying to defend.



That leads directly to the witnesses.



The resurrection was not proclaimed on the basis of a single vision or private experience. It was declared by many men and women, individuals and groups, over time and in various places. These were not mystical impressions, but genuine encounters. They spoke with Him. They touched Him. They ate with Him. The Apostle Paul would later write that more than 500 people saw the risen Christ at one time, many of whom were still alive, which was an open invitation to verify the claim.



Hallucinations do not happen to groups. Nor do they eat broiled fish.



Then consider the transformation.



Before the resurrection, the disciples were broken men. After the crucifixion, they hid behind locked doors, fearing for their lives. Yet within days, these same men stood in the streets of Jerusalem proclaiming that Jesus was alive, and they did so at great personal cost. Nearly all of them would suffer persecution and die as martyrs.



People will die for what they believe to be true. But no one dies for what they know to be a lie.



Something changed them. And nothing less than the resurrection sufficiently explains it.



Even more striking is the conversion of skeptics.



James, the brother of Jesus, did not believe in Him during His earthly ministry. Yet after the resurrection, he became a pillar of the early church and ultimately gave his life for the faith. Then there is Paul, a fierce opponent of Christianity, a man determined to wipe it out. Yet after what he testified was an encounter with the risen Christ, he became its most tireless advocate.



Men do not abandon power, reputation, and security for a message they know to be false  especially one that brings suffering in its wake.



Then there is the rise of the church itself.



Christianity did not slowly evolve in a distant land. It exploded into existence in the very city where Jesus had been crucified. Its central message was not a philosophy or even morality, but a fact: He is risen.This proclamation was made in the face of intense opposition from both religious and political authorities. Still, it spread rapidly, relentlessly, and irreversibly.



A lie does not ignite a movement that endures severe bouts of oppression and transforms the world.



Finally, there is the matter of the record itself.



The Gospel accounts bear the marks of authenticity. They include details that no fabricator would possibly invent  women as the first witnesses in a culture that discounted their testimony, the cowardice of the disciples, the doubts of those closest to Jesus. These are not the embellishments of legend, but the fingerprints of raw truth.

Taken individually, each of these lines of evidence is significant. Taken together, they are overwhelming.



The empty tomb.

The eyewitness accounts.

The transformation of the disciples.

The conversion of skeptics.

The birth and endurance of the church.



They converge on a single, unavoidable conclusion: Jesus Christ did not remain in the grave behind that stone.

Why the resurrection must be believed

Nevertheless, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely a matter to be examined  it is a truth that must be believed.



The Scriptures do not present the resurrection as an optional doctrine. It stands at the very heart of the Gospel itself. The Apostle Paul declared:



That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved (Romans 10:9).



To deny the resurrection is not simply to reject a miracle. It is to reject salvation.



Again, the Scripture is unmistakably clear:



And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins (I Corinthians 15:17).



If Christ did not rise, then sin remains unconquered. Death still reigns. The grave still holds its captives. Faith collapses, hope evaporates, and redemption is undone.



However, if Jesus did rise from the dead, and the evidence compels us to conclude that He did, then absolutely everything changes.



The resurrection is Gods declaration that the sacrifice of Christ  His blood shed on the Cross to atone for our sins, was accepted. It is Heavens affirmation that the debt for sin has been paid in full, that death has been defeated, and that eternal life is now offered freely to all who will simply believe.



This is why the earliest preaching of the church centered on this one, explosive truth: God hath raised Him from the dead.



Therefore, the question of faith becomes deeply personal. Will we turn from sin and trust in Christ and what He has done to redeem us? Everyone confronted with the claims of the Gospel must make a decision.



It is not enough to admire Christ.

It is not enough to study the evidence.

It is not enough to acknowledge Him as a great moral teacher.



One must come to Him in repentance and faith  trusting not merely in His life or His teachings, but in His death for sin and His victorious bodily resurrection from the grave.



For the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is the power that brings spiritual life to those who believe  and guarantees their resurrection yet to come.

What difference does it make?

An army chaplain once told of accompanying a regiment of soldiers on an overnight training mission. They camped in an open field, bedding down in neat rows. During the night, a light snow fell, followed by freezing rain. By morning, each soldier, bundled in his sleeping bag, had become a white, icy mound on the ground.



The chaplain rose early and looked out across the field. Row after row, the frozen forms stretched before him. He later said it looked eerily like a vast cemetery, countless graves lying silent under the weight of winter.



Then it happened.



The bugler sounded reveille.



All at once, those frozen mounds began to stir. One by one, men rose up  breaking through the crust of snow and ice  standing to their feet, alive and moving.



What a thrilling sight, the chaplain said. It was like witnessing the resurrection.



That is precisely the point.



If Jesus Christ is still in the grave, then the world remains a field of frozen tombs that are cold, silent, and without hope. Death has had the final word. The stone remains unmoved.



But if Christ has risen  and the evidence declares that He has  then the grave is not the end. It is only the place from which God calls His people to rise.



The same voice that summoned those soldiers from their icy sleep is but a faint echo of a far greater call  the voice of the Son of God, who said, I am the resurrection, and the life (John 11:25).



Jefferson stopped at the stone.



The stone did not hold.



One day, at the sound of a greater trumpet, all who are His will rise, breaking through the final frost of death itself because Jesus Christ did not remain in the grave.
News / Regional

by Stephen Jakes

Princess Andile Mabhena of South Africa, who attended Imiklomelo kaDakamela, has dismissed social media claims suggesting she was presented as a wife to Chief Dakamela."I wish to firmly address and dismiss the false and misleading claims currently circulating in the media and on social platforms regarding my attendance at Imiklomelo kaDakamela," she said in a statement."I attended the event solely as an invited guest. Any reports or insinuations suggesting that I was presented as a gift' or wife to Chief Dakamela are completely untrue, baseless, and a misrepresentation of both my identity and the purpose of my presence at the event."She said the claims were not only factually incorrect but also disrespectful and harmful."I strongly condemn the spread of such misinformation and urge media platforms and individuals to act responsibly by verifying facts before publishing or sharing content."I request that all media outlets and individuals who have shared or continue to spread these false allegations retract their statements and refrain from further dissemination."I remain committed to upholding my dignity, values and truth."
News / Regional

by Vusumuzi Dube

THE Bulawayo City Council has shortlisted four candidates for the post of town clerk, which they will forward to the Local Government Board for consideration, Sunday News has learnt.Although the city's Mayor Councillor Martin Moyo, who was leading the interviewing panel for the position, could not confirm or deny the shortlist, Sunday News has gathered that the front-runner for the top position in the city is Victoria Falls Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube.Former Tsholotsho Rural District Council chief executive officer, Mr Ronnie Dube is on the list that also includes Acting Town Clerk, Mrs Sikhangele Zhou and Hwange Colliery finance manager Mr Gift Sibanda.Clr Moyo said: "The process is still on, we are meant to call a special council meeting where the outcome will be discussed. Right now our human resources manager is compiling the minutes regarding the whole interview process, the scoring and the curriculum vitaes of all those who had applied for the position."It has also emerged that Bulawayo Provincial Administrator Mrs Khonzani Ncube and Chitungwiza Town Secretary Mr George Makunde did not apply for the position as had earlier been reported.Nonetheless, impeccable council sources revealed that the process was now complete confirming the four names that would be forwarded for consideration to the local government board."The whole process has been completed, interviews were conducted a couple of weeks ago now we will hold a special council meeting then the list will be forwarded to the Local Government board, but with the outcome of the interviews we expect the Victoria Falls Town Clerk (Mr Christopher Dube) to take over," said a source.The source further revealed that councillors wanted to fast track the appointment of the new town clerk amid fears that they could face the chop with the pending investigation on corruption allegations levelled against the councillors."The fear is that the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Saviour Kasukuwere could suspend all the councillors before they appoint the town clerk hence the move to fast track the whole process. Some councillors are however, sceptical as they feel that the Government might block the process with the whole corruption story dangling over them."However, responding to written questions, a couple of months ago, Clr Moyo had said they should have completed the whole process of appointing the new town clerk by end of last month, meaning the process is already one month behind."According to the laid down procedure the post is flighted in the print media. The applications will be received until the closing day, Thursday 31 March 2016. The process thereafter in terms of the Urban Councils Act will entail the shortlisting of the candidates by the General Purposes committee on the first or second week of April."Interviews will then be done by the General Purposes committee as the interviewing panel at a special meeting on the third or fourth week of April. The committee will then submit a report and recommendations to council for ratification on 4 May," Clr Moyo is quoted as saying.He said the local authority was meant to submit the name of the successful candidate to the Local Government Board in the second week of May after which the board was to conduct their on interview and subsequently communicate their decision to the local authority.
Oil prices edged higher Monday, after President Donald Trump doubled down on his threat to destroy Iran's civilian infrastructure if the Islamic Republic does not agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. West Texas Intermediate contract for May ticked up 0.78% to close at $112.41 per barrel. International benchmark Brent crude prices edged 0.68% higher to settle at $109.77 per barrel.

"We have to have a deal that's acceptable to me, and part of that deal is going to be  we want free traffic of oil and everything else," Trump told reporters at a press conference Monday.

Trump reiterated his demand that Iran open the Strait by Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET. The president said he believes the Islamic Republic's leadership is negotiating in good faith.

"I can tell you that we have an active, willing participant on the other side," Trump said. "They would like to be able to make a deal. I can't say any more."

Trump then threatened to decimate every bridge and power plant in Iran within four hours of his Tuesday deadline. "It will take them 100 years to rebuild," the president said.
Zohran Mamdani, mayor of New York, center, during a ground breaking ceremony for Timbale Terrace in New York, US, on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026.

Fears of a corporate exodus from New York City are likely to be a recurring feature of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's term, with each business real estate decision magnified as a potential tipping point signal that the Democratic Socialist's tax, real estate and wealth policies are pushing businesses away.

The debate was amplified last week amid reports that private equity giant Apollo Global Management was planning to add a second headquarters outside New York City, in a southern U.S. state like Florida or Texas.

Since being elected, Mamdani's administration has said it will look at every viable option to help raise revenue and fill a $5.4 billion budget deficit for the city, but his preference has not changed from what he ran on: "tax the rich." That has resulted in a political standoff with New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, who facing her own reelection campaign, has said she will not approve increased taxes on corporations and the wealthy.

"It's a fragile environment today and we should be careful with this budget," said Steven Fulop, Partnership for New York City president and CEO, on CNBC's "Squawk Box" Monday. His group represents corporate, investment, and entrepreneurial firms. In an op-ed he co-authored last week, Fulop warned that any plan to tax the rich and businesses will ripple through the cost equation for every New Yorker. "With New Yorkers already leaving the state in search of a lower cost of living, further raising prices could send even more folks packing and undermine the state's long-term economic growth," he argued in the Newsday piece.

"Large companies [are] certainly exploring other options: cheaper labor costs, lower taxes, less political uncertainty," Vikram Malhotra, managing director, real estate equities at Mizuho, wrote via email.

That's nothing new. Lower-cost regions like the U.S. South are increasingly attracting both businesses and workers with cheaper real estate, lighter tax burdens, and fewer regulatory hurdles.

Wall Street is diversifying its office space footprint

Finance firms are among the big corporations that have been heading south and expanding into Texas and Florida from both U.S. coasts.

JPMorgan just built a new office building in Manhattan, but has more workers in its Dallas offices than New York City. Cathie Wood's ARK Investment Management moved from New York City to St. Petersburg, Florida. Wells Fargo is moving its wealth management headquarters from San Francisco to West Palm Beach. Ken Griffin's hedge fund giant Citadel moved its headquarters from Chicago to Miami, a relocation announced back in 2022. Griffin remains involved in at least one major new project in New York City.

While all these moves reflect a longer-term trend that is a risk for New York City, data from commercial real estate firm JLL covering the first quarter of Mamdani's term shows that demand for office space and rents in Manhattan are up, while vacancies are down, continuing a trend that was in place at the end of last year before Mamdani's term began, though overlapped with his winning of the election. JLL says companies are continuing to sign leases and compete for high-quality space in top-tier buildings, which is allowing landlords to push rents higher.

Leasing volume for high-quality office space reached 8.5 million square feet in Q1, while vacancies dropped by 2.2 percentage points to 13.5%, according to JLL. Rents were up by 3.5% year-over-year.

While the commitments to long-term space are notable, the decisions are a mix of maintaining footholds and new growth. American Express announced in February it will build a new headquarters in lower Manhattan. Bank of America signed a 20-year commitment to its New York City office space in March.

"Even with the economic uncertainty increasing almost daily, first quarter 2026 NYC office leasing activity was strong, and a substantial commitment by American Express at 2 World Trade illustrates that New York is still the place where large occupiers need/want to be," said JLL vice chairman Evan Margolin in a statement.

An AI boom inside Manhattan building leases

Another major factor in the Manhattan office market's strength is the AI boom. According to JLL, leasing activity from AI companies in the first quarter represented roughly half of 2025's total leasing volume. JLL described the AI rush as one typified by firms racing to "lock in space."

Among the biggest AI deals in Q1: Nscale Global Holdings' lease at One Vanderbilt, which JLL says was the highest rent ever recorded in New York ($320 per square foot) and the first time an AI company earned that distinction. Booming legal AI firm Harvey signed a 92,000-square foot expansion at One Madison Ave.

But the AI boom implies another source of uncertainty for the city's real estate future. "The land grab for talent and space is immediate, but uncertainty is driving how they commit," JLL noted in its quarterly review. "AI companies in New York are taking significantly more space than their current headcount requires, in anticipation for the hiring they expect to do."

JLL added that a notable feature of these leases is AI firms "demanding flexible lease structures with built-in adjustment mechanisms and reconfigurable facilities."

The AI activity, Margolin warned, "is a trend that is reminiscent of the dot com boom (and we can all remember how that ended)." But he added "this time they're clearly focused on top-tier buildings in prime locations, which is pushing the class A market to new highs."

Business leaders are cautious, weighing the city's costs as new taxes are debated. Companies that rely on access to talent, capital, and clients may continue to stay in New York. At the same time, the next office, the next team, or the next expansion is more likely to land somewhere cheaper. "That's the reason why you will see some sort of gradual exodus over time," Fulop told CNBC.

Even with rents and net absorption of office space up, and vacancies down, JLL described the overall market demand as "stable" and the development activity as "measured."

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon issues warning for NYC

In his annual letter to shareholders released on Monday, JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon wrote "the truth is that while New York City has much going for it, particularly for financial companies (because of extraordinary local talent), it also has the highest city and state corporate taxes and the highest individual income and state taxes. People often make this a moral or loyalty issue, but it is not. Companies need to remain competitive in this very tough, fast-moving world."

The recent trend of locating more workers in places like Texas than in New York "will likely continue," he said.

"Sometimes this can be a disaster for a city. I am reminded that in the 1970s, nearly half of the 125 Fortune 500 companies based in New York City left. While mergers accounted for some departures, the price of doing business in New York City accounted for most: cost of taxes, office rents, labor and so on. No city  or company or country  has a divine right to success," Dimon wrote.

Any decision by a big corporation to leave New York has an impact on the city's economy, with the risks including higher unemployment and lower tax revenue, according to Malhotra. And for the office real estate market specifically, higher vacancy and lower rent growth pressures the businesses of commercial real estate companies, he added.

Fulop warned that policy decisions made now could determine whether New York captures future growth or continues to lose on the margins. "I think that disconnect is largely because of politics, and that's the kind of thing that we've got to push back on," he said.
OPEC+ may approve an oil output increase on Sunday, four sources from the group said, a rise that will largely exist on paper as its key members are unable to raise production due to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

The war has effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz  the world's most important oil route  since the end of February and cut exports from OPEC+ members Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Iraq, the only countries in the group which were able to significantly raise production even before the conflict began.

Other group members, such as Russia, are unable to increase output due to Western sanctions and damage to infrastructure inflicted during the war with Ukraine.

Inside the Gulf, damage to infrastructure from missile and drone attacks has also been severe. Several Gulf officials have said it would take months to resume normal operations and meet production targets, even if the war stopped and the Strait of Hormuz reopened immediately.

At its last meeting on March 1, just as the war began to disrupt oil flows, OPEC+ agreed to a modest output boost of 206,000 barrels per day for April.

A month later, the largest oil supply disruption on record is estimated to have removed 12 to 15 million barrels per day, or up to 15% of global supply.

Crude prices have soared to a four-year high, settling at $120 a barrel. Oil prices could spike above $150  an all-time high  if flows via Hormuz remain disrupted into mid-May, JPMorgan said on Thursday.

On Friday, U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures for May jumped 11%, or $11.42, to close at $111.54 per barrel. International benchmark Brent crude rose nearly 8%, or $7.87, to close at $109.03.

Sunday's meeting will discuss OPEC+ quotas for May, sources said.

An increase will have little immediate impact on supply but would signal readiness to raise output once Hormuz reopens, OPEC+ sources have said. Consultancy Energy Aspects called the increase "academic" as long as disruptions in the strait persist.
Nebius, which was spun out from Russian internet giant Yandex, provides graphics processing units or GPUs for training artificial intelligence models.

Tensions in the Middle East due to the U.S.-Iran war and elevated oil prices continued to impact the stock market this week. Investors with a long-term investment horizon should look beyond near-term challenges and capitalize on the ongoing volatility to pick stocks trading at attractive valuations.

Tracking top Wall Street analysts can help investors gain key insights, as these experts assign ratings after thoroughly analyzing a company's fundamentals and the macro and micro factors impacting its performance.

Here are three stocks favored by some of Wall Street's top pros, according to TipRanks, a platform that ranks analysts based on their past performance.

Amazon

We start this week with e-commerce and cloud computing giant Amazon (AMZN). Recently, J.P.Morgan analyst Doug Anmuth reiterated a buy rating on AMZN stock and raised his price target to $280 from $265, saying it "remains a best idea."

The 5-star analyst revised his estimates to reflect solid demand and capacity expansion in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud unit. In contrast, less favorable changes in forex, increased fuel prices, international growth initiatives, and incremental costs related to the accelerated launch of Amazon Leo adversely impacted the estimates.

Specifically, Anmuth now projects AWS growth of 29%, 30%, 29%, and 28% for Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 2026, respectively, followed by 26% growth in 2027. The analyst attributed his improved estimates to traditional workloads moving to the cloud and increased AI adoption. Anmuth also noted that AWS expanded its partnership with ChatGPT maker OpenAI to a $138 billion deal spanning eight years. He expects the AWS backlog to increase by $100 billion quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026.

Overall, Anmuth highlighted improving demand trends as Amazon catches up in the AI race. While higher fuel prices and international growth investments are expected to weigh on near-term operating income, the analyst is optimistic about AMZN's medium-term margin expansion, driven by North America inventory optimization efforts, same-day delivery, accelerated robotics and automation deployment, and ad business.

Anmuth ranks No. 352 among more than 12,100 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been profitable 57% of the time, delivering an average return of 15.3%. See Amazon Stock Buybacks on TipRanks.

SanDisk

Moving on to flash memory maker SanDisk (SNDK), which is gaining from robust AI-led demand for its products. Following meetings with the company's CFO Luis Visoso and other executives, Bank of America analyst Wamsi Mohan reaffirmed a buy rating on SNDK stock with a price target of $900, citing "secular opportunity as AI inference makes NAND more indispensable."

Mohan said that he is now more confident about the sustainability of NAND demand, given robust requirement of hyperscalers and AI inference. Interestingly, the analyst noted that SanDisk and its customers are keen on signing long-term supply agreements under a new business model that can offset cyclicality.

Pricing in these contracts has fixed and variable components. Mohan added that these long-term contracts are offered to SanDisk's customers across Cloud, Client, and Consumer segments, but the highest demand is in the data center business.

Among the key takeaways from the meetings, the analyst noted that given the risks associated with increasing capacity, management said SanDisk will not expand beyond the planned high-teens supply growth for 2026 to 2027. Moreover, the company remains focused on driving a shift in the mix to cloud. Additionally, management expects SanDisk to win market share in the higher-margin eSSD (enterprise solid-state drives) market, with BiCS8 eSSDs expected to boost revenue in the second half of 2026 and beyond.

Regarding concerns about Google's TurboQuant compression methodology reducing LLM (large language model) memory usage and negatively impacting SanDisk, Mohan believes that it might actually enhance the ROI (return on investment) of hyperscalers' capital spending, with enhanced efficiency potentially driving demand higher.

Mohan ranks No. 67 among more than 12,100 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been profitable 62% of the time, delivering an average return of 29.4%. See SanDisk Ownership Structure on TipRanks.

Nebius

Cloud computing company Nebius (NBIS) is also one of the beneficiaries of robust demand for AI infrastructure. The company recently announced a $27 billion five-year AI infrastructure agreement with social media giant Meta Platforms (META).

In reaction to the deal, D.A. Davidson analyst Alexander Platt reiterated a buy rating on Nebius stock and increased the price target to $200 from $150. The analyst noted that this new contract is in addition to a $3 billion deal announced by the two companies last year.

Platt highlighted that the new agreement comprises two parts  the first involving $12 billion of compute, where Nebius will be providing Meta with Vera Rubin systems in 2027; and a second part that allows Meta to purchase additional compute capacity of up to $15 billion. Given the scale and timing of these contracts, the analyst expects them to be placed across Nebius' new greenfield data center locations.

The 5-star analyst noted that Nebius' backlog now includes a Microsoft contract worth up to $19.4 billion and Meta Platforms' capacity agreements worth nearly $30 billion. Interestingly, Platt still believes that Nebius may sign at least one more large hyperscaler deal over the next 12 months. In this regard, the analyst emphasized that Nebius recently outlined its plan to deploy more than 5 GW of capacity by the end of 2030, supporting Platt's expectation of one more deal.

Overall, Platt believes that the Meta deal validates "Nebius as one of the leading neocloud players, alongside CoreWeave." The deal reinforces Platt's optimism about NBIS' growth trajectory and expectations of improvement in margins and unit economics.

Platt ranks No. 416 among more than 12,100 analysts tracked by TipRanks. His ratings have been profitable 88% of the time, delivering an average return of 100%. See Nebius Financials on TipRanks.
Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi : Combined Biotechnology Entrance Examination (CEEB) replaced as (GAT-B) 2026 https://career.webindia123.com/career/dates_and_events/entrance/science/jawaharlal-nehru-university-entrance.htm Details of Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi : Combined Biotechnology Entrance Examination (CEEB) replaced as (GAT-B) 2026 2026-3-20 2026-4-9 https://career.webindia123.com/career/images/exams.png India India Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi : Combined Biotechnology Entrance Examination (CEEB) replaced as (GAT-B) 2026 Science/ IT

Combined Biotechnology Entrance Examination, Jawaharlal Nehru University

Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi : Combined Biotechnology Entrance Examination (CEEB) replaced as (GAT-B) 2026 Category : Science/ IT Admissions 2026 Published : On March 20, 2026 By Webindia123 Editor

Important Dates

Start Date for Submission of Online Application 19th March 2026 Last Date for Submission of Online Application 9th April 2026 (upto 05:00 PM) Closing Date for Submission of Online Application Fee 9th April 2026 (upto 05:00 PM) Correction in the Particulars of Application Form Online only 11th April 2026 to 13th April 2026 Graduate Aptitude Test (GAT-B) 2026 17th May 2026 (Sunday) : 09:00 AM to12:00 Noon

GRADUATE APTITUDE TEST-BIOTECHNOLOGY (GAT-B) 2025

Graduate Aptitude Test - Biotechnology (GAT-B) is an All-India Entrance Examination to test the eligibility of bonafide Indian nationals for admissions to DBT supported Post Graduate programmes in Biotechnology and allied areas, at Participating Institutions/Universities in India. DBT supported Post Graduate programmes include: M.Sc. Biotechnology and allied areas; M.Tech. Biotechnology and allied areas; M.Sc. Agricultural Biotechnology and M.V.Sc. Animal Biotechnology.

GAT-B 2026 Score is valid for admission to the above-mentioned courses during the academic year 2026-27 only. Following the declaration of GAT-B 2026 results, an all India category wise merit list will be prepared as per the Reservation Policy of Government of India. Call for admissions, for GAT-B 2026 qualified candidates, will be advertised separately by participating institutions/universities as per institutional admission and selection norms. Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will not play any role and will not be responsible for the admission & selection process (transfer/cancellation/conversion of seats/fee refund policy) of participating institutions/universities. Any disputes arising will be subject to Delhi jurisdiction only.

Qualified candidates of GAT-B 2026, admitted to DBT supported Post Graduate programmes in Biotechnology and allied areas, at Participating Institutions/Universities in India will be paid stipend as under:

a) M.Sc. Biotechnology & Allied Areas - Rs.5000/-per month

b) M.Sc. Agricultural Biotechnology - Rs.7500/-per month

c) M.Tech./M.V.Sc. programmes - Rs.12000/-per month

a) M.Sc. Biotechnology & Allied Areas - Rs.5000/-per month b) M.Sc. Agricultural Biotechnology - Rs.7500/-per month c) M.Tech./M.V.Sc. programmes - Rs.12000/-per month Stipend will be disbursed through the participating institutions after due verification of students pursuing prescribed DBT supported Post Graduate programmes in Biotechnology and allied areas. Continuation of stipend for the second year of the programme is subject to satisfactory progress of the student, to be certified by participating institutions/universities.

Details of participating institutions/ universities for GAT-B 2026 examination is given in the website.

Formats of various Attestation/Undertaking certificates required for registration for GAT-B 2026 entrance examination are provided in this Information Bulletin

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Graduate Aptitude Test-Biotechnology (GAT-B) 2026

Only bonafide Indian nationals are eligible to apply for GAT-B 2026. Candidates meeting the minimum eligibility criteria of Participating Institutions/Universities are eligible to apply for GAT-B 2026 entrance examination. Candidates may further verify the eligibility criteria on the website of the Participating Institutions/Universities. Candidates who do not meet the minimum eligibility criteria of Institutions/Universities and still appear for GAT-B 2026 entrance examination will do so at their own risk. If at any stage it is found that a candidate does not fulfill minimum eligibility requirements of Participating Institutions/Universities, rules of cancellation or termination of respective Institutions/Universities shall be applicable. Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will not play any role and responsibility in the admission and selection process (transfer/cancellation/conversion of seats/fee refund policy) of Participating Institutions/Universities. Candidate who has either appeared or is due to appear in the final examination of their qualifying degree is eligible to apply for GAT-B 2026, under the result awaited (RA) category. Such candidate will have to submit the Undertaking/Attestation Form duly certified/stamped by the Head of the Institute (with address and name) from where the candidate is appearing for the qualifying degree. Failing to comply with this instruction will result in rejection of application.

RESERVATION POLICY

Reservation policy of Government of India will be followed for admissions of GAT-B 2026 qualified candidates to DBT supported Post Graduate Programmes in Biotechnology and allied areas at participating institutions/universities. Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will not play any role and responsibility in the admission and selection process (transfer/cancellation/conversion of seats/fee refund policy) of Participating Institutions/Universities.

MERIT LIST

GAT-B 2026 results, an all India category wise merit list will be prepared as per the Reservation Policy of Government of India. Call for admissions, for GAT-B 2026 qualified candidates, will be advertised separately by participating institutions/universities as per institutional admission and selection norms. Reservation policy of Government of India will be followed for admissions to DBT supported Post Graduate Programmes in Biotechnology and allied areas at participating institutions/universities. Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will not play any role and responsibility in the admission and selection process (transfer/cancellation/conversion of seats/fee refund policy) of participating Institutions/Universities.

TRANSFER POLICY

Transfer policy in participating institutions/universities is as per institutional admission and selection norms. Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will not play any role and responsibility in the admission & selection process of participating institutions/universities.

CONVERSION OF VACANT SEATS FOR ADMISSION

Conversion of vacant seats for admissions at Participating Institutions/Universities will be done as per institutional admission and selection norms. Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will not play any role and responsibility in the admission and selection process of Participating Institutions/Universities.

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MEDIUM OF EXAMINATION

The medium of Question Papers for the examination shall be English only.

PATTERN OF QUESTION PAPER

Graduate Aptitude Test-Biotechnology (GAT-B) 2026 Sections No. of

Questions No. of Questions to

be Attempted Marks Section A (Multiple choice questions of the level of

10+2 in the subjects: Physics, Chemistry,

Mathematics and Biology) 60 60 1x60 =60 Section B (Multiple choice questions of Graduate

/Bachelors level in the subjects: BasicBiology,LifeSci

ences,Biotechnologyandalliedareasaspersyllabusgiven) 100 60

3x60 =180 Total 160 120 240

FEE PAYABLE FOR GATE-B 2026

General (UR)/ OBC-(NCL)/ EWS : 1300/-

SC/ST/PwD : 650/-

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For more details refer institute information bulletin .https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s388a839f2f6f1427879fc33ee4acf4f66/uploads/2026/03/20260319564085673.pdf

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Barber shops have been fined nearly 3million for employing illegal workers - as calls grow for a fresh crackdown.

Sixty high street businesses received penalties of up to 90,000 after raids by Immigration Enforcement officers.

The Home Office regularly publishes lists of companies caught employing workers with no right to work in the UK.

Barbers alone received 2,735,000 worth of fines in the year to September, according to an analysis by the Daily Mail - with salons and car washes also featuring prominently.

A 50 per cent rise in the number of barbers since 2018 has prompted suspicions some could be linked to organised crime. Many brand themselves as Turkish, but are often run by Kurds, Iraqis and Iranians.

Last year, hundreds of premises were raided in an operation led by the National Crime Agency (NCA), leading to dozens of arrests for crimes ranging from money laundering and drug dealing to modern slavery.

The Home Office figures show two barbers - Master Fade Barber in Peterhead and Brothers Barber Shop in Hereford - were fined 90,000 each last year for employing illegal workers. This was the maximum penalty handed out.

Brothers Barber Shop in Hereford was fined 90,000 last year - the maximum penalty handed out

Master Fade Barber in Peterhead was fined 90,000 and Super Cutz in Hull 80,000

The city with the most barbers falling foul of Immigration Enforcement was London, with eight, followed by Glasgow, which had three.

Two of the barbers that received fines - Fade Zone Barber and New Style Barber - were on the same street in Bodmin, Cornwall.

The ability to work without papers has been cited as a major pull factor in drawing illegal migrants to Britain.

Fines start at 45,000 per worker, rising to 60,000 for repeat offenders.

Robert Bates, Research Director at the Centre for Migration Control, called for a crackdown on the Turkish-style barbers crowding Britain's high streets.

'It is little surprise that immigration enforcement has identified a strong link between certain types of barber shop and illegal working,' he told the Daily Mail.

'Much more should be done to clamp down on these types of business that seem to be blighting almost every high street in the country.'

'Those found to be employing illegal migrants should be facing much tougher sanctions and criminal prosecutions against unscrupulous directors should be pursued far more regularly.'

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Cut-throat competition: The towns saturated with barber shops

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*The shops in Porth and Sedgley pictured above are not accused of wrongdoing

Several towns now complain of being 'overrun' with barbers and hair salons.

Sedgley in the West Midlands now has more than 30 - equivalent to one for every 390 people.

The tiny town of Porth in South Wales got its latest barber shop last year, bringing the total to 14, or one per 400 residents.

Dozens of letters of objection failed to convince members of Rhondda Cynon Taf's (RCT) planning committee to refuse the application from a Kurdish businessman.

While none of the shops in either town have been linked to crime, locals fear that the rapid rise in numbers is unsustainable and risks driving out other stores.

During a debate before Rhondda Cynon Taf's planning committee, Councillor Loretta Tomkinson pointed out that many barbers were struggling to turn a profit.

Labour has now promised to hand councils new powers to block unwanted stores.

While unveiling its plans to give councils the ability to block unwanted shops, Labour namechecked betting shops, vape stores and 'fake barbers'.

Steve Reed, the Housing Secretary, said locals were right to be suspicious about barbers that remained open despite having few customers.

'In many places in the country, you'll get people reporting many barbers suddenly opening up and not many people going in and getting their haircut,' he told LBC at the time.

'Who knows what they front for, but neither the council nor the community has been able to stop them proliferating, but now they will have the power to restrict them.'

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Asked if he thought the shops were being used for criminal activities, such as drug dealing or money laundering, he said: 'Well, we know that some of them are.

'I'm not going to say that about all of them, but some are.

'The key point is that communities need the power to stop them proliferating where that's a problem.'

A Home Office spokesperson said: 'Illegal working undermines honest employers, undercuts local wages and fuels organised immigration crime. This government will not stand for it.

'In October, Immigration Enforcement joined the National Crime Agency and police in an operation targeting barbershops and other cash-based businesses which are commonly linked with illegal working, resulting in almost 700 arrests.

'Since coming into power, the Government has increased immigration enforcement action to the highest level in British history, with an 83 per cent rise in illegal working arrests and 77% rise in raids.'
It was colder than usual that Monday morning in late January 1979 and there was frost on the ground as nine-year-old Monica Selvig arrived at Cleveland elementary school in San Carlos, a pleasant suburb of the California seaside city of San Diego.

Out of the blue, Monica felt a sharp pain in her left side, and was thrown to the ground. She had been struck by a bullet.

Just moments later, another bullet struck eight-year-old Mary Clark in her stomach as she walked up the school path.

It went straight through her and bloodied her white top. Mary, who was incredibly shy, did not want to cause a fuss so she made her way into school and was eventually herded to safety with a group of other students.

At the same time Greg Verner, aged eight, was about to climb the steps to his classroom when a bullet pierced his green Toughskins jeans and hit his pelvic bone.

Though the small popping sound in the air was not immediately recognisable as gunfire, and while it was unclear where the danger was coming from, some children instinctively ran for cover, jumping behind parked cars or ducking into the office and under a window.

Some made it upstairs into a classroom but many were stranded in the open or stood and watched, waiting to be told what to do.

Ricocheting bullets echoed through the covered walkway that ran through the middle of the school, but these shots could not be heard by those still at the gates waiting to come in.

Cleveland elementary school in San Diego, California, was, in January 1979, the site of the first murderous school shoot-up in US history  and it was perpetrated by a 16-year-old girl named Brenda Spencer (pictured outside court later that year)

Pictured: A schoolboy who was evacuated by bus to a nearby high school after the shooting is greeted by unidentified women

In fewer than three minutes, five had been shot. Meanwhile, more and more pupils were arriving, unaware of the threat. Pictured: A SWAT team runs to the scene of the shooting

I will remember her evil smile for the rest of my life

I'm Tom Rawstorne, and nearly 30 years ago a 12-year-old murderer, with a gold crucifix hanging round her neck, gave me a moment I'll never forget. Sharon Carr is to this day Britain's youngest-ever female murderer, having killed an 18-year-old hairdresser in an unprovoked act of gruesome violence. I watched her up close in court for three weeks and it is something I'l never forget. I've written about it in The Crime Desk newsletter - sign up to read it for free.

Ten-year-old Crystal Hardy had just been dropped off by her mother when she heard shots.

'I thought some boys near me had firecrackers or something,' she later recalled.

As she looked around curiously, she was struck through her right wrist. She fell to her knees and began to cry, blood pouring from her arm.

Moments later the youngest victim, seven-year-old Audrey Stites, snatched at her right arm as she walked up the school driveway with her older sister Madeline.

They both stopped and saw Monica and then Greg on the ground.

Audrey was struck from behind through her bright puffy green ski jacket and into her right elbow.

They stood in shock for a moment before noticing other pupils running for cover and hearing screams all around.

Audrey ran crying and bleeding to her classroom. She had not noticed a second bullet had burned the inside of each thigh.

Madeline avoided injury only because the bullets passed through her coat pocket and were stopped by her binder and pencil case.

It was still unclear exactly where the shots were coming from, but it was apparent they were not from the school.

The shooter was outside the grounds and targeting pupils as they walked in.

Though no one could know it at the time, what was happening was the first murderous school shoot-up in US history.

There would be many more since then but Cleveland elementary on Lake Atlin Avenue is the original.

In fewer than three minutes, five had been shot. Meanwhile, more and more pupils were arriving, unaware of the threat.

Twelve-year-old Michael McDaniel heard gunshots from down the road as he walked towards the building and saw little puffs of dust on the embankment next to him.

'It didn't seem real,' he said.

Nor did it seem real to Burton Wragg, in his first year as principal of Cleveland.

He was having coffee with teacher Daryl Barnes in the office when they saw Monica and Greg on the ground and heard the whistle of bullets hitting the ivy outside the window.

Stunned, they watched the scene unfold before realising with horror that a sniper was firing on the school.

Wragg dashed outside, making a beeline for the first child on the ground with Barnes closely in tow.

The pair ran directly into the view of the shooter.

'Duck, you guys! Crystal, run!' was the last thing Wragg said as he was shot twice in his chest. He fell, spinning into an ivy patch.

Coming up behind him, Barnes could see the principal was dead.

With more shots ringing around him, Barnes continued down the drive and picked up wounded pupils Monica and Greg.

Then he turned his back on the shooter and made his way to safety, dropping them at the nurse's office.

Blood was gushing from Monica's abdomen as the nurse went to work as best she could. Barnes ran to tell school secretary Mary Smith to call the police ASAP.

Her desk faced the school's front window; she had seen the carnage as it was unfolding and was already ringing 911.

She could also see where the shots were coming from  a house directly across the road from the school.

From his room, school janitor Mike Suchar saw what was happening and darted out to help the wounded children lying on the ground outside.

Affectionately known as Mr Mike, he was a sturdy US Navy man who served in World War Two and Korea and was a popular figure.

Pupils saw him as a big strong protector who would do anything for the school.

Barnes shouted to Mr Mike as he dashed into the line of fire, but he was too late.

Some pupils made it upstairs into a classroom but many were stranded in the open or stood and watched and waited to be told what to do. Pictured: a classroom in the school in disarray following the shooting

Headteacher Burton Wragg (left) and school janitor Mike Suchar (right) were both shot dead during the tragedy

School secretary Mary Smith, whose desk faced the school's front window, saw where the shots were coming from  a house (pictured) directly across the road from the school

As Mike was lowering a blanket over the body of his boss, he was knocked to the ground by two bullets.

'My God, I've been hit!' he cried out as he fell into the shrubbery.

Children continued to arrive, unaware of danger. Eleven-year-old Kathy Voeks was wandering up the walkway when she saw Mr Mike as he gasped for breath.

She heard Barnes's cries for children to take cover and ran unharmed up the steps to her class.

Jennifer Engle, ten, recalled: 'I saw the principal and he was lying flat on the ground. He wasn't moving. And then I saw the janitor and he was groaning.

'Mr Barnes told me to run and as I was running, I heard this shot from a gun.'

It was extraordinary how many parents had no idea what was happening.

It was reported that one mother dropped off three of her children at 8.35am, which would have been the middle of the heaviest gunfire.

She knew nothing of what had happened till she was back home and told by a friend. For whatever reason, the shooter did not fire at parents or their cars.

In her classroom, teacher Miyoko Miyashita was two buildings away and also unaware of what was going on.

'I heard a bang-bang like firecrackers but never gave it much thought,' she said.

She was alerted by a colleague who ran from the scene and together they went looking for as many children as they could find in the playground and pulling them into classrooms.

'After all the kids were secured, I locked my door and we stood closely together in the back of the room away from the windows,' she added.

Outside, teacher Wanda Carberry was blowing her whistle to attract the attention of arriving children.

In the madness, she was trying to direct traffic and keep them out of the line of fire. 'The sniper seemed to pick them off easily as they ran towards the school,' she said.

Christy Buell, nine, was playing with a classmate on the grass in front of the school when she heard a popping noise and was shot in the stomach and lower back in rapid succession.

Blood began to soak her Winnie-the-Pooh T-shirt. 'It felt like my whole body was falling asleep,' she remembered.

Crying, 'I want my Daddy, I want my Daddy!' she crawled up the walkway keeping as low as she could and reached a classroom door.

The teacher heard her and let her in as bullets thudded against the door. She narrowly missed being shot a third time, later finding a bullet hole in her hood.

Still bullets were flying everywhere and the miracle was that dozens more were not hit.

The kindergarten class were unaware of the danger and beginning to assemble in an orderly line at the door to troop out into the playground and into the direct vision of the sniper before they were stopped just in time.

Police quickly descended on the scene  and one officer soon noticed movement at the front door of the house directly across the street from the school. Pictured: SWAT teams enter the property

And still the shots were ringing out. Nine-year-old Cam Miller strolled up to school, heard the noise and thought everyone was messing around.

He had a smile on his face as a bullet tore through his left shoulder and just missed his heart.

He managed to get round to the back of the school, saw his teacher and told her, 'I think I've been shot'.

She opened his puffy blue coat and saw blood all over his clothes.

By now, scores of police were flooding the campus. The first emergency call came into the main city police station at 8.25am.

All available units were given the 11-6 call  the police code for gunshots.

Officers took up positions in the parking area, helping pupils to find cover as shots rained in on them from across the road.

In trying to get to the principal and the janitor lying in the open, Officer Robert Robb was hit in the neck, the bullet nicking his carotid artery and lodging in his spine.

As Officer Ted Kasinak arrived on the scene he spotted a large white refuse truck.

He waved it down and drove it into the school grounds, blocking the shooter's view of the school entrance and providing a shield for officers to get more children to safety.

'A volley of shots was fired at us in the front of the school,' he recalled. 'Rounds were striking the front of the building and around us.'

As he peered out from behind the rear wheel of the massive truck he noticed movement at the front door of the house directly across the street from the school.

Rookie reporter Steve Wiegand, of the San Diego Evening Tribune, began calling houses near the school to track down witnesses  and struck lucky. The first number he phoned was that of the shooter, Brenda Spencer (pictured as a child)

Brenda (pictured) said she saw everything  it was a 16-year-old kid and the shooting was coming from 6356 Lake Atlin Avenue. 'Isn't that your address?' he asked. 'Sure, who do you think did it?' she responded with a laugh

Wiegand told her he was a reporter and wanted to ask a few questions. Brenda (pictured, when later escorted away by police) agreed to chat and the two began an extraordinary conversation in which she openly confessed what she had done

Meanwhile at the offices of the San Diego Evening Tribune, all available reporters were being dispatched to cover the huge breaking story.

Senior editor Bernie Hunt, a lifelong journalist from Britain (and incidentally my father), threw a phone directory to rookie reporter Steve Wiegand and told him to start calling houses near the school to track down witnesses.

The first number Wiegand called was the house from where the shots were being fired.

He struck lucky. 'When you are fishing for witnesses through the directory, you get very few results,' he recalls.

'So, just getting someone to answer the phone on my first call was a win.'

He was even more surprised that what he heard was the voice of a young girl. She identified herself as Brenda.

Wiegand asked if she had heard the shooting or if she knew anything about it. 'Yes, I saw the whole thing,' she replied.

What Wiegand could not know is that this was the sniper Brenda Spencer, 16, and she had paused her shooting to answer the phone.

He asked if she knew who did it and where the shots were coming from.

Brenda said she saw everything  it was a 16-year-old kid and the shooting was coming from 6356 Lake Atlin Avenue.

'Isn't that your address?' he asked, thinking she may have been confused by the question.

'Sure, who do you think did it?' she responded with a laugh, before hanging up the phone.

Wiegand's first thought was that she was a kid fooling around so he rang back to ask to speak to an adult.

The young woman answered the phone fairly quickly and Wiegand told her he was a reporter and wanted to ask a few questions.

Brenda agreed to chat and the two began an extraordinary conversation in which she openly confessed what she had done.

She told him she started shooting about 8.30am, as school started. She said she used a 22-calibre rifle her father gave her for Christmas.

For years she had practised shooting with a pellet rifle at cans and other small targets in the back yard or on trips to the mountains. She had become a brilliant shot.

Her father had decided that because of this, and as a reward for her hard work at school, she was ready for a rifle of her own.

He gave her a 10/22 Ruger carbine semi-automatic rifle with a scope and 500 rounds of ammo. She promised to take care of it and always keep it clean and in its case.

The Ruger 10/22 rimfire semi was more than half her height with an 18.5ins barrel and hardwood stock.

Weighing only five pounds, even with its four-power magnification scope it was easy to hold and load its 10-round rotary magazine.

Ruger advertised it as the perfect gift for an inexperienced or young shooter.

Brenda told the reporter she began shooting about 8.30am, as school started. She said she used a 22-calibre rifle her father gave her for Christmas. Pictured: the family room of Brenda's childhood home

With virtually no recoil and inexpensive ammunition, it had became America's most popular rifle, with over a million sold since it was introduced.

'I just started shooting. That's it. I just did it for the fun of it,' Brenda continued.

'I just don't like Mondays. Do you like Mondays? I did this because it's a way to cheer up the day. Nobody likes Mondays.'

When Wiegand asked why she opened fire on people she did not know, she responded: 'What's so different about that?'

The girl spoke about her father, giving his full name and place of work but said she did not know what he did there.

She said he was Wallace E Spencer and worked at San Diego State University but she did not think he was a professor.

Brenda added she was worried about what he would think and what would happen when he found out about the shootings.

'My dad's going to kill me when he gets home and finds out about this. He's going to flip. This will really blow him away,' she said.

Wiegand told the girl she might have shot three or four innocent people.

'I just started shooting. That's it. I just did it for the fun of it,' Brenda (pictured, after her arrest) continued. 'I just don't like Mondays. Do you like Mondays? I did this because it's a way to cheer up the day. Nobody likes Mondays'

'My dad's going to kill me when he gets home and finds out about this. He's going to flip. This will really blow him away,' Brenda (pictured) said

Meanwhile, an armed stand-off was shaping up. The sniper (pictured in 2018) was holed up in her house while outside a SWAT team was assembling  and the odds of a peaceful resolution did not look good

'Is that all?' she responded with disappointment. 'I saw lots of feathers fly.' She was sure she had hit more.

In the middle of a sentence, she stopped to say, 'Oh-oh, somebody's moving around outside.'

Police were approaching the house. 'If he gets close enough,' she continued, 'I'll shoot him too.'

Moments before hanging up for the second time, Brenda said: 'I nailed me a good pig and I want to shoot some more.'

Wiegand said: 'Her demeanour in both calls was calm and quiet, no shouting or hysteria.

'There was no slurred speech or much emotion at all. I believed what she was saying.'

After she hung up, Wiegand was instructed to start writing up the story of his conversation with the sniper for the first edition and another journalist, Gus Stevens, was given the number and told to call back and keep the girl talking. Brenda answered again.

Stevens introduced himself and to his surprise she was still interested in talking. She told him she had never shot anyone before but she had been in fights.

'They usually don't last long. I usually open up their skulls with a cleaver,' she said.

She added she had been in trouble with police before for burglary and shoplifting 'but it never went to court. I always got off'.

Stevens then asked why she was shooting at people. 'I don't know. It just popped into my head. About last Wednesday, I think,' she said.

She began talking about her older brother and sister; she also spoke about her mother and father being separated.

She made it clear that she was alone in the house. 'Do you think I would be doing it if someone was home?'

Stevens asked if she had chosen her victims at random or shot at particular people.

She replied: 'No one in particular. I kind of like the red and blue jackets,' before hanging up for the final time.

In this unassuming California suburb, an armed stand-off was shaping up.

Two people were dead, the principal and janitor, seven small children were wounded, none with life-threatening injuries though in several cases it had been a close call.

A police officer was critically wounded and fighting for life. Scores of pupils were in shock. Dozens missed death by a whisker.

The sniper  that teenage girl whose only explanation was that she didn't like Mondays  was holed up in her house while outside a SWAT team was assembling.

The odds of a peaceful resolution did not look good. One wrong move by police, one miscalculation of Brenda's hair-trigger mood swings and there could be an even greater bloodbath  as is revealed in Monday's Daily Mail.

As the news came out, Geldof hastily scribbled lyrics for hit

On the morning of Brenda Spencer's rampage, Bob Geldof and Johnnie Fingers from Irish band The Boomtown Rats were driving in LA.

They were meeting Paul Rappaport of Columbia Records at a radio station. News of the shooting was on local radio as they were travelling.

Once they arrived at the station, they asked for the teletype machine printouts of the latest reports.

The band were promoting shows as Geldof was desperate to crack the US market. Columbia had strongly suggested he write songs that would relate to Americans.

Geldof and Fingers went away and hastily penned I Don't Like Mondays, which Geldof then sang for Rappaport over the phone.

Rappaport told him: 'This is exactly what you need. You should go out and play this for people now.'

Geldof said he wrote the single because the crime appeared to be peculiarly Californian.

It lacked any reason or logic and was pointless, much like most of America to him.

The song topped the UK charts for four weeks. It also won Britain's Ivor Novello Award for Best Pop Song and Outstanding British Lyric of the year, beginning with the lines: 'And the silicon chip inside her head / Gets switched to overload / And nobody's gonna go to school today / She's going to make them stay at home.'

By coincidence, the Rats first two shows in the US were in San Diego.

Less than a month after the event, they debuted the song around the corner from the crime scene.

It sparked considerable controversy across the US, particularly as the video featured a classroom of children in uniform.

On the morning of Brenda Spencer's rampage, Bob Geldof (pictured) and Johnnie Fingers from Irish band The Boomtown Rats were driving to a meeting in LA. News of the shooting was on local radio as they were travelling

Once they arrived, Geldof (centre) and Fingers (left) went away and hastily penned I Don't Like Mondays. The song ended up topping the UK charts for four weeks. Pictured: The Boomtown Rats

Columbia was urged by Spencers lawyer not to release the single.

He also wrote to local radio stations urging them not to play it.

'It is extremely insensitive to the victims. It makes fun of a tragic situation and a very sick girl,' he said.

San Diego rock station KGB-FM did play it on August 14, 1979, to determine what locals thought.

'We got 400 calls from listeners and the poll ran 3-1 against,' said station manager Jim Price.

'Based on that, we do not plan to play it again and urge other stations to follow suit.'

Other San Diego stations agreed. 'I dont think it merits play,' KMJC, a family-orientated station, said.

'The subject matter and what it will remind people here of is very morbid. We will not play it even if there is an overwhelming response to it.'

I Don't Like Mondays was released as a single in the US in October 1979, followed by the band's full album.

KROQ in Los Angeles was the only radio station in southern California to sporadically play it.

Despite enormous sales in almost all other English-speaking countries, the album containing the song failed to break into the top 100 in the US Billboard chart.

The single peaked at 73 on the Hot 100 singles chart.

Adapted from I Don't Like Mondays by N Leigh Hunt, to be published on April 9 by Mirror Books at 10.99.  N Leigh Hunt 2026. To order a copy for 9.89 (offer valid to 18/04/26; UK P&P free on orders over 25) go to www.mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937.
I'm going to say something controversial but stick with me, because I promise I have a point.

Team Amanda.

I said what I said.

The latest reality TV cheating scandal - three attractive people on Summer House, one overlapping dating history, and a friendship that didn't survive it  has everyone choosing sides. This real-life saga in short: Ciara Miller and West Wilson's relationship fizzled and newly-single Amanda Batula, Ciara's best friend, swooped in and snatched him up.

The newly minted couple made it official with a statement last week and 'Scamanda' was born. Note where the judgement was levelled  not at West... at Amanda.

Because the internet collectively decided this was less about a man and more about a line between friends. The ultimate breaking of Girl Code, if you will.

Well, I'm just going to say it, Girl Code is a luxury rule.

Let me propose this very real question: at what point does someone else's ex stop being off-limits and start being fair game?

I'm just going to say it, Girl Code is a luxury rule

Ciara Miller (right) and West Wilson's relationship fizzled and newly-single Amanda Batula (center), Ciara's best friend, swooped in and snatched him up

Life is not that black and white and love is often messy.

Take my best friends from high school. Jackson and Kate were childhood sweethearts. They were the first couple to get together and were always the perfect twosome at parties and proms.

Then, in our first year out of high school, they broke up. We were all shocked, because I grew up in a small town where marriage and babies was the ultimate goal.

Within a week, scandal hit our small town. Kate was caught on a date with another guy in our friendship group.

The group split up. Everyone took sides. Well, not me - I was out of there as soon as I got accepted into a college far, far away. But word spread.

How could Kate date one of his closest friends? The horror.

But guess what? Twenty years later, they're still together. Happily married, with three kids.

Now, if she hadn't been brave enough to go against what society deems moral, their happy little family, and their very real love, would have never come to fruition.

So, to hell with Girl Code!

It's a luxury rule meant to be broken when emotions, timing and real connection come into play.

Sure, it works when life is calm and everyone is thinking rationally, but let's be honest, it breaks down when life - emotions, timing and real connection  gets involved.

And in the case of Amanda, her life before West was not running smoothly. Like many women who have faced the pressure of divorce, she was spiraling. And we don't exactly make smart decisions mid-spiral.

I know I sure don't.

A few years ago, a sexy Farmer, whom I had assumed was the love of my life, brutally dumped me on a night out with friends. And do you know what I did next? I stayed out with the group, drank a bottle of champagne and kissed his best friend.

Was it the smartest thing I've ever done? Nope. Was I not thinking straight? Oh yes.

Women in precarious situations tend to have low self-esteem from years in toxic relationships, and that makes us vulnerable. Suddenly that knight in shining armor, who happens to be in close proximity, rocks up and charms the pants off you, and for one brief moment you just want respite.

To get a deeper understanding of how these have played out long-term, and not just from my one friend who got her fairytale ending, I put the question out to my friends and followers, because if there's one thing women love, it's weighing in on a scandal like this.

One told me she fell for her best friend's ex after a year had passed. 'We tried to ignore it,' she said, 'but it just kept building.' They're now married and, plot twist, she's still friends with the original girl. She said once her friend found a new man, she was no longer bothered about what her ex was doing.

Another admitted she did the exact same thing and it detonated her entire friendship group. 'I lost three friends in a week,' she told me. 'And he still cheated on me.' Brutal.

And then there was the woman on the other side of it. Her best friend started dating her ex just months after they split. 'I felt physically sick,' she said. 'But if I'm honest, I didn't want him back, I just didn't want her to have him.'

Which, if we're being really honest, is a feeling more people relate to than they'd ever admit out loud.

The internet collectively decided this was less about a man and more about a line between friends. The ultimate breaking of Girl Code, if you will

In the case of Amanda, her life before West was not running smoothly. And we don't exactly make smart decisions mid-spiral

And before we all start pretending this is some rare moral collapse, it happens everywhere. Even in the most curated, PR-polished circles.

Zoe Kravitz is now dating Harry Styles - famously linked to her friend Taylor Swift. Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift have both orbited Taylor Lautner. Gigi Hadid dated Joe Jonas years after Taylor Swift. Nina Dobrev's ex Ian Somerhalder married Nikki Reed, and eventually the women were all smiling together at dinner.

Dear reader, this happens a lot.

Now, before anyone starts accusing me of encouraging friendship-ending behaviour, let me be clear.

Timing and context matters. There's no doubting some friendships won't survive this, and some probably shouldn't.

If your best friend is still crying over him, maybe don't show up to brunch holding his hand.

But there's a difference between being careless and being human.

I think the reason this topic makes people so uncomfortable is because it hits a little too close to home.

Most people have been somewhere in this situation. Maybe not exactly the same, but close enough to recognize the feeling.

We just prefer to believe we'd handle it better. That we'd be the exception. That we'd never cross that line.

But life has a funny way of blurring those lines especially when the person you weren't supposed to fall for ends up being the one you do.

People love rules, until their feelings don't follow them. And friend's ex or not, sometimes those damn feelings just don't let up.

The thing is, you can't control who you fall for.

If you could, I'd be happily married to a fabulous nerd with lots of cash, not constantly falling for the broke bartenders I'm convinced I can 'fix.'

No-one plans to fall for someone's ex. It usually all comes down to proximity and familiarity.

Sure, there are over 8 billion people in the world, but most of us just stick to our little self-made village. Especially after a breakup when you're raw and vulnerable.

So to everyone dusting off their pitchfork, ready to hunt down whatever poor woman broke Girl Code, just remember sometimes life just doesn't make sense.

Codes don't always apply and what were rules made for it not to be broken?
A(hole)-lister Blake Lively says she'll keep fighting in court to protect the dignity of women everywhere!

Oh, give it a rest, blondie. There's only one yellow-haired siren who occupies your every waking thought and I'm not talking about your ex-bestie Taylor Swift.

On Thursday, a federal judge tossed ten of Lively's 13 complaints against her equally obnoxious It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni, whose own self-regard shrinks only in comparison to his gargantuan Adam's apple.

When I read this news, I thought: 'Holy hell, this godforsaken thing is still going on?'

Yup, the $161 million odyssey has been sailing through the legal system for 16 months. Lively, 38, kicked it all off by accusing Baldoni, 42, of sexual harassment. He fired back with a $400 million countersuit that was dismissed in June.

But now, in what must be the sweetest irony in the history of all great Hollywood fart-sniffers, Lively's case appears to have largely crumbled under the weight of her over-inflated, sulfurous ego.

Judge Lewis Liman used Blake The Flake's own words against her, citing a June 2024 letter that she fired off to the Producers Guild of America (PGA). In it she pleaded desperately for producing credit in the movie  declaring that she had 'produced every moment of this film.'

According to the judge that means she can't sue Baldoni for sexual harassment under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, because she didn't work for the hairy beast.

A federal judge tossed ten of Blake Lively's 13 complaints against her equally obnoxious It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni

The $161 million odyssey has been sailing through the legal system for 16 months. Lively, 38, kicked it all off by accusing Baldoni (above with wife Emily), 42, of sexual harassment. He fired back with a $400 million countersuit that was dismissed in June

According to the Judge Lewi Liman, Lively cannot sue Baldoni for sexual harassment under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, because she didn't work for the hairy beast

If Perma-beard Baldoni had been Lively's superior, this would be a very different sequel, but 'Lady Boss' Lively wore the pants on set, apparently.

Plus, says Judge Liman, Baldoni was acting when he allegedly got handsy with her.

'Creative artists, no less than comedy room writers, must have some amount of space to experiment within the bounds of an agreed script without fear of being held liable for sexual harassment,' Liman wrote in his ruling.

Well, that's... right? Wrong.

If you assumed that this lawsuit Ended With This, then you'd never met an insatiable LA ego monster before.

Lively posted on Instagram Friday, 'I brought this case because of the pervasive RETALIATION I faced, and continue to, for privately and professionally asking for a safe working environment for myself and others.'

Even with a big, judicial middle finger waving in her face, Blathering Blake appears hellbent on moving forward, with a court date in May to litigate her claims that Baldoni's production company and studio breached her contract and ran a retaliation campaign against her in the media.

Ugh! I hate these streaming series. They're freaking endless!

If there's any consolation here, it's that the reputations (and bank accounts) of both these Tinseltown twits have been taxed by this celebrity hissy fit.

According to the judge, Lively can't sue Baldoni for sexual harassment under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, because she didn't work for him

Never forget that this drama appears to have marked, at least the beginning of the end of Lively's friendship with Taylor Swift.

Baldoni's lawyers were also able to dig out Lively's private messages during their defense, revealing a now infamous, toe-curling exchange, in which Lively appeared to refer to herself as the character from Game of Thrones, Daenerys Targaryen 'The Mother of Dragons' - and to Swift as one of her 'dragons.'

The whole ordeal left Swift reportedly feeling 'exploited' by her pal  and if she does, who can blame her.

Hey Blake, if that Taylor-Travis summer wedding invite doesn't arrive... I wouldn't be shocked.

Look, I'm going to call it as I see it  barring whatever new dirt is exposed in this ongoing courtroom cage-match  it seems like Baldoni beat Lively at her own game.

The best thing for Bougie Blake to do is squirm away, take the loss and hope to emerge from this legal trash heap a new woman, because right now she looks as fake as her hair extensions.

Trans-formation

Has Hollywood found her latest trans icon? 90s hunk David Duchovny was spotted in Hollywood in a see-through women's shirt, sequin mini skirt and a blonde wig.

We're told the feminine attire is just for show - could he be starring in the Bryon Noem story?

David Duchovny was spotted in Hollywood in a see-through women's shirt, sequin mini skirt and a blonde wig in Los Angeles

Swing and a miss

Police bodycam footage from Tiger Woods's recent DUI crash shows the troubled duffer humbly flexing to officers, 'I was just talking to the president.'

Let's hope he didn't recommend freshly available Pam Bondi to take over as Tiger's new attorney.

Footage from Tiger Woods's recent DUI crash shows the troubled duffer humbly flexing to officers, 'I was just talking to the president'

Smoking hot mess

Britney Spears is another celeb bitten by the DUI bug, turns out even when she's a passenger she's a hazard. Last week she was pictured flicking ash from her lit cigarette out the window of her G-Wagon while her minion pumped gas.

Brit, we know you want your career to blow up but this is NOT the way to go about it.

Celebxit

Nick Cannon is the latest black celeb to Walk Away from the Democrat party. He shared his frustration with the donkeys on his Big Drive podcast last week when he said: 'Democrats don't care about black people.'

Ouch, that's a loss for the libs. When Cannon's children come of age they'll be one of the largest voting blocks in the country!

Nick Cannon shared his frustration with the Democrats on his Big Drive podcast last week when he said: 'Democrats don't care about black people'

Ooh la la

There's a new French dating trend where horny frogs forego small talk on first dates and jump right into describing their sex lives.

That's really skipping the foie gras and heading face first into the beef bourguignon!

Chaste, sober American singles seemed perplexed when they heard about the trend, asking, 'Sex? What's that?'
Lord Ashcrofts new poll, which The Mail on Sunday publishes exclusively today, reveals an extraordinary, unprecedented state of affairs in British politics.

Three parties  the Tories, Reform UK and the Greens  are level with each other. Each has the support of 21 per cent of the voters.

Meanwhile the Labour Party, which currently holds a huge Parliamentary majority and forms the Government, can only count on the backing of 17 per cent.

Conservative forces in this country are going to need to think hard about how they respond to this news. Arithmetic of this sort could even put the Greens into office in some terrifying coalition.

This kind of thing may have been common for years in states with Proportional Representation (PR).

In such countries they either have perpetual weak government, shared out among an unchanging cast of professional politicians, or they have stifling grand coalitions in which healthy opposition is eliminated.

Until recently, our First- Past-The-Post system preserved us from such things. It used to grant us blessings that PR cannot give  a clear two-way choice between distinct parties, strong, decisive government between elections and the ability to get rid of leaders we dont like. But, especially since the Blair era, and even more so since the Brexit referendum, the major parties no longer mirror the divisions in opinion in this country.

It is time they did, but thoughtfully, not by pandering to extremes or chasing the nearest crowd.

In a three-way deadlock, the Tories, Reform UK and the Greens are currently neck and neck, with each party commanding 21% of the electorate in the polls

The Daily Mail urges the Tory Party and Nigel Farage's Reform UK to explore constructive co-operation

This is why we urge the Tory Party and Reform UK to explore constructive co-operation while there is still time.

It is heartening to see how many people support lifting the foolish ban on drilling for North Sea oil. Green zealotry has for far too long prevented this sensible step. But the Iran war has underlined just how over-dependent this country

is on imported fuel, and how unwise it is for us to refuse to take advantage of a great blessing on our own doorstep.

Drilling for North Sea oil is a win-win

If we lift the ban, our supplies of energy will become more secure and our tax revenues will increase. It will create jobs. So the Treasury, employment, national security and economic growth would all benefit. It also makes sense in a world where this country will still require oil and gas for many years to come.

This is especially so now we see how quickly chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz can be closed without notice.

But we would also be taking a step back towards reason. It is only dogma, enforced by the ultra-green Ed Miliband, that has kept us from making this sensible decision.

The same ideology has also resulted in a number of other energy mistakes we need to put right. Over-dependence on renewables has been very costly. A rethink on all these issues is long overdue.

Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage both know it. If they want sensible conservatism back in power, they should take advantage of this encouraging swing in public opinion. For once, doing the right thing will be popular.
From the age of six, Leeanne Davies-Grassnick knew she wanted to be a mother. 'I was always crazy about babies and children,' she says. 'When I was in primary school, we had to write what we wanted to be when we grew up, and I remember putting "a mum".'

When she finally did have a baby, after years of hard work as a City banker, London-based Leeanne, now 42, says the first few months of motherhood were the happiest of her life. But it was during this blissful haze of caring for her new baby that she began to notice something was 'off' within her body.

At first, she put her intense fatigue down to the struggles of parenting a newborn  sleepless nights spent breastfeeding; long walks on the local common trying to get the baby to nap.

The rapid weight loss, likewise, was probably just baby weight dropping off, Leeanne thought  and anyway, it felt great to fit back into her jeans so quickly.

It wasn't until April 2022, four months after she gave birth and while on holiday in Corfu with her parents and wife Emma, that she realised something was seriously wrong.

'We would usually go on long walks around the island  but after about 15 minutes, I would feel an intense pain in my right-hand ribcage that wouldn't go away,' she says. 'At first, I thought I may have pulled a muscle or even broken a rib  I promised that I would go straight to the GP to have it seen to when we got back to London.'

Even as the pain intensified over the holiday, Leeanne managed to disguise it.

'I was so focused on my child, who was just starting to teethe, and soothing his pain, that I pushed my own down,' she says. 'Maybe secretly, in the back of my head, I was already worried something was wrong.'

Leeanne Davies-Grassnick, 42, was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer and the disease spread throughout her liver, making it incurable

Within two days of getting home, after being hit by pain that left her screaming, the couple rushed to hospital where they received devastating news.

Leeanne was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer, which had spread throughout her liver making the disease incurable.

'I felt like I was having an out-of-body experience as the consultant gave us the news,' she says. 'But all I could think of was my baby, asleep in his pram in the waiting room.'

Experts say Leeanne's experience is not a rarity. Despite extensive publicity around the spike in bowel cancer cases among under-50s, thousands of young women are still being diagnosed with the disease too late, when it is no longer curable.

This is because early signs of the disease, such as fatigue, changes in bowel habits and blood in the stool, often overlap with much more common symptoms associated with hormonal changes after birth or in mid-life.

As a result, key red flags for the deadly disease can be dismissed as simply 'women's issues' by GPs and patients.

This was the case for Married At First Sight star Mel Schilling, who passed away last month, aged 54, from bowel cancer that had spread to her brain.

The psychologist-turned-relationship guru had put off seeing a doctor because she believed the symptoms  including abdominal pain, constipation and fatigue  were due to the menopause.

The same was true for bowel cancer campaigner Dame Deborah James who died in 2022. She put her change in bowel habits down to the stress of being a 'super mum' working full-time.

For a year she ignored her increasingly severe symptoms  losing weight, passing blood and needing the loo 'what felt like 100 times a day'  before finally having a colonoscopy.

For younger women like these, says Genevieve Edwards, chief executive of charity Bowel Cancer UK, keeping an eye out for the signs of bowel cancer is low on their priorities.

'If a woman is experiencing concerning symptoms, it's understandable that she and her GP might explore other avenues first,' she said.

Despite extensive publicity around the spike in bowel cancer cases among under-50s, thousands of young women - like Leeanne - are still being diagnosed too late

'Because bowel cancer, though rising, is still rare in that age group, they often end up going back to their GP time and again while other causes are ruled out.

'But by that point, you may end up with a cancer that is much harder to treat.'

It's a subject that The Mail on Sunday's resident GP, Dr Ellie Cannon, discussed in her column last week. But experts say it's also crucial for GPs themselves to recognise the symptoms of bowel cancer, and refer women for further testing when they do present with them  however rare.

Though long considered a disease of the elderly, the number of young people developing bowel cancer has shot up in recent years  with one in five diagnoses now occurring in those under 55. It's still uncommon to get bowel cancer as a young person  just 2,500 Britons under 50 are diagnosed each year.

'For young women in particular, whether they're post-partum or nearing menopause, it's terribly easy to ascribe signs of cancer to something else  for the GP, that lightbulb may just not go off,' says Professor Willie Hamilton, former GP and expert on colon cancer diagnosis in primary care.

He adds: 'Fatigue caused by colon cancer usually comes from anaemia, a lack of iron in the body due to blood loss from the tumour. But menopause has many non-specific symptoms, like tiredness. And as women approach menopause, their periods often get heavier  it's quite common for perimenopausal women to develop anaemia for this reason.'

The same is true for pregnancy and the post-partum period, says colorectal surgeon at New Victoria Hospital, Mr Pasha Nisar. Both can leave women feeling excessively tired, as well as with blood in their stool, from pregnancy-induced haemorrhoids or trauma from birth.

'There's even overlap with common gynaecological conditions like ovarian cysts, fibroids and endometriosis,' he says.

Ironically, the fact women in this age range are more likely to see their GP than men also works against them, says Prof Hamilton. 'The ringing bell sign of bowel cancer for a GP is the patient who hasn't come in for years, suddenly appearing with these symptoms,' he says. 'But because there are fewer female infrequent attenders, they miss that alarm going off in the GP's head.'

Some experts say medical misogyny  the systemic prejudice and dismissal of women's health concerns by the medical profession  also plays a role.

Leeanne - who says awareness of the cancer among young women is key - is pictured with her wife Emma and son Caspar

'There's a massive deficit in the understanding of women's health compared to men's health,' says Lowri Dowthwaite-Walsh, of the University of Central Lancashire. 'Women are socialised to put their own health after that of their children or family. But even when they do go to their doctor about a problem, it's much more likely to be underplayed, or attributed to hormones or things like stress.

'There's still a lot left over from the not-so-distant past, where women were seen as emotional or hysterical.'

Research shows that while women are generally more likely to visit a doctor for health issues than men, they are also more likely to have those symptoms dismissed, overlooked or delayed in diagnosis.

In fact, a recent survey from online platform Mumsnet, drawing on more than 100,000 posts from 2015 to 2025, found that nearly 70 per cent of British women believe the NHS does not take women's health concerns seriously. Half say they have been dismissed, ignored or not believed by an NHS professional because of their sex.

To mitigate this, says Ms Edwards, women who have any concerns about bowel cancer should be persistent in raising them with their GP.

'Bowel Cancer UK has a symptoms diary on its website that can really help, allowing women to log their symptoms rather than bring them up as vague changes, which are more easily dismissed,' she said.

Most important, however, says Prof Hamilton, is to ask for an at-home stool test.

Medical advancements have made bowel cancer much easier to detect, he explained, due to the roll-out of the FIT test  an at-home stool test that looks for trace signs of blood.

Patients for whom blood is detected will then be sent for further testing.

But for others, it can quickly assuage fears and rule out anything more serious. 'In the past, patients suspected of having bowel cancer would have to be sent for a colonoscopy, which is a fairly unpleasant procedure that requires a referral and takes time,' says Prof Hamilton. 'Now, the first step is a FIT test, which is relatively cheap, available in all practices across Britain, and can be taken very quickly from the comfort of one's home.

'It's given us the chance to transform how bowel cancer is diagnosed.

'Women just need to know to ask for it, and GPs to offer it when they recognise any of the key signs of bowel cancer  even if just to rule it out.'

Married At First Sight star Mel Schilling passed away last month aged 54 from bowel cancer that spread to her brain

For Leeanne, awareness around the condition among young women is key.

'I had every single bowel cancer symptom before I was diagnosed, but not once did I think it was cancer,' she says.

'We, as mothers and young women, just don't think that this could ever happen to us.

'But I've been sat, having chemotherapy, in a room filled with young women and mums just like me. And not many of them are still here today.

'We have to learn from each other's stories about what to look out for, and how to bring it up with your doctor as quickly as possible.'

Resources such as Stage4You, a new campaign run in partnership with BCUK that provides information and support for people living with stage 4 cancer, can help with this, says Leeanne.

'There's a point where we have to stop focusing on other people and focus on ourselves,' she adds.

Dr Philippa Kaye: I'm a family doctor and even I missed my own warning signs

I was 39 when I was diagnosed with bowel cancer and, to be honest, neither I nor my doctor initially thought my symptoms were anything to worry about.

In 2019, I began to notice a strange aching sensation in my pelvis. That was it. No change in bowel habits. No blood in my stool. No fatigue. Just a dull pain. I put this down to the three caesarian sections I had in the ten years before. Luckily, my gynaecologist decided to check, and sent me to a bowel surgeon. That decision saved my life. A colonoscopy spotted my cancer. Seven years, and multiple surgeries later, I'm now cancer-free.

But many women, like Mel Schilling, are not so lucky. The female pelvis is complicated. There are lots of organs down there and it can be hard to work out the origin of a new pain.

Women are also taught from a young age that they should put up with pain.

I worry, if this rise in early-age bowel cancer cases continues, there will be more tragic cases. That's why it's so important that anyone with any new pelvis symptoms advocate for themselves, and doctors make sure to listen to them.
Broadcaster Mariella Frostrup has joined campaigners in calling for an end to Government delays in rolling out life-saving osteoporosis clinics.

More than 40 organisations are urging the Health Secretary to deliver on his promise to end a postcode lottery for the clinics, which diagnose and treat patients with the debilitating bone-thinning condition.

Ms Frostrup, chairman of Menopause Mandate and an ambassador for the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS), is the latest to condemn the lack of action.

Nearly 3.5million patients in the UK live with osteoporosis, a condition characterised by fragile bones that predominantly affects postmenopausal women.

Studies have revealed that half of women and one in five men will break a bone due to the condition, with many fractures deemed preventable if patients had known they had the condition are were being treated for it.

It comes just months after Wes Streeting admitted women were being let down by bias and discrimination within the NHS.

The Health Secretary has previously promised to create targeted clinics to treat osteoporosis, called Fracture Liaison Services (FLS), across all areas of England, an aim of the The Mail on Sunday's War On Osteoporosis campaign.

But the slow rollout has been causing anxiety among medics and patients, claim campaigners.

The journalist (pictured) has joined more than 40 organisations urging the Health Secretary to deliver on his promise to end a postcode lottery for the facilities, which diagnose and treat patients with osteoporosis

Wes Streeting (pictured, at the Labour Party conference last year) previously promised to create targeted facilities to treat the debilitating bone-thinning condition

Analysis by the ROS shows that these delays have led to more than 17,000 preventable fractures since Mr Streeting and Labour took office.

This is estimated to have cost the NHS and social care systems more than 150million  a figure that dwarves the cost of the clinics and preventative medication.

And charities say that 1,760,000 women in the UK are not receiving the treatment they need, largely because of poor diagnosis rates stemming from the FLS postcode lottery.

Ms Frostrup said: 'As someone once diagnosed as osteopenic [low bone density], I know only too well the positive impact of early intervention.

'One in three women over the age of 50 has osteoporosis, and half of all women in this age group will break a bone because of low bone density.

'We are especially at risk postmenopause. Fracture Liaison Services are vitally beneficial to those at risk of future fractures and the NHS in general.

'Early support and diagnosis of osteoporosis means longer health span for those affected and fewer long-term costs.'
A trip away this Easter break isn't just an excuse for fun - it could also save people from life-threatening heart issues.

Researchers at Texas A&M University have discovered that travelling boosts heart health, as well as increasing productivity and reducing stress levels.

They also found that the longer the trip, the more beneficial it was to health.

To assess the boost gained from a holiday, the researchers took a unique approach - they sent 20 students on a cruise, and equipped them with smartwatches that monitored their heart health.

The devices revealed that once the students began their cruise, unsurprisingly, their blood pressure levels fell.

The effects became more pronounced over time, which the researchers argue shows that longer holidays have more health benefits than short breaks.

However, the scientists suggest that the heart health improvements were not caused by relaxation, but by excitement.

Travel is similar to how a good athlete trains - where you work out hard in short intervals, let your heart relax, do short intervals, relax, says Dr James Petrick, a health researcher at Texas A&M University.

Researchers at Texas A&M University have discovered that travelling boosts heart health, as well as increasing productivity and reducing stress levels

To assess the boost gained from a holiday, the researchers took a unique approach - they sent 20 students on a cruise, and equipped them with smartwatches that monitored their heart health

'Our hearts react to novel experiences, then rest as we wind down. That's how vacations make our hearts stronger.'

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects 14 million adults, and can trigger deadly heart attacks and strokes.

When blood pressure is too high it puts strain on the arteries. Over time they can become damaged and narrower, making it easier for fatty deposits to build up.

This raises the risk of problems and forces the heart to work harder to pump blood around the body. Other steps to combat high blood pressure include reducing salt intake, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol consumption and stopping smoking.

Dr Petrick added: 'I think it's more than just memories and joy, What our research has shown is that if we travel, our relationships with others get strengthened.

Travel makes us more educated than if we don't travel, and we become healthier.'
Struggling with a hormonal disorder that affects millions of women across Britain, 27-year-old Georgia from Birmingham faced a constant battle against unwanted facial hair  even having to shave twice a day.

Every morning, before work, she would run a razor across her chin, cheeks and upper lip.

But by evening the black hairs were already growing back, and she would have to shave again.

It made me painfully self-conscious, she said. I was even too embarrassed to let my boyfriend touch my face.

Daily shaving also gave her a painful rash on her neck and chin.

The medical term is hirsutism, where women grow thick, dark hair in a pattern more normally seen in men  on the face, neck, chest, stomach, lower back, buttocks or thighs.

Like the majority of women with the problem, Georgias excess hair was a symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormone imbalance that can cause weight gain, irregular periods and fertility problems.

Experts believe the impact of hirsutism is often overlooked. Although excess hair is not itself harmful, it can be devastating for a womans self-esteem.

Georgia, 27, who is from Birmingham, suffers from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Here, doctors have spelled out for The Mail on Sunday the pros and cons of a range of treatments.

Georgia, an operations manager at an insurance broker, chose laser hair removal  which she described as the best thing Ive ever done.

Laser light is used to damage hair follicles and inhibit growth. After eight monthly sessions starting in October 2024 at the Victoria House Clinic, she now has top-ups every couple of months. So far, it has cost her about 1,000.

She said: Its expensive but had immediate results. After the first session, the hair stopped growing as quickly  I only needed to shave once a day. As treatment continued, the hairs became fainter and lighter: I shaved once every three days, then once a week.

Laser treatment hasnt improved her other PCOS symptoms, which can be really painful, but it has given Georgia a huge boost. I feel so much more confident, she said.

Hirsutism affects around five to 10 per cent of women in the UK and is driven by increased activity of so-called male hormones, or androgens, including testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

In men, these hormones regulate sexual development and hair growth. In women  who normally produce them in lower amounts  they play a role in ovarian function.

But when levels are raised, or the body becomes more sensitive to them, women can develop coarse, dark hair in a male pattern. In some cases, androgen excess is also linked to thinning hair on the scalp.

Consultant gynaecologist Dr Bassel Wattar, associate professor of reproductive medicine at Anglia Ruskin University, said: Hirsutism can cause significant mental health impacts. For a woman, a thick beard can be profoundly disfiguring and cause social anxiety, depression and rejection issues.

Some of my patients isolate themselves completely because they dont want to go outside with thick hair on their chin.

The most common cause of hirsutism is PCOS, where faulty signalling between the brain and the ovaries produces a hormonal imbalance.

Dr Wattar said: In women, testosterone is usually produced in small quantities in the adrenal glands. But with PCOS, the ovaries secrete additional testosterone, producing male-pattern hair growth.

Hirsutism is also caused by conditions such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia, where the adrenal glands overproduce testosterone, or by a reaction to drugs such as epilepsy medicines or steroids.

Rarely, it is caused by tumours in the ovaries or adrenal glands secreting androgens. In some cases, hirsutism can be tackled by treating the underlying cause. But in cases linked to PCOS  an incurable, chronic condition  women must rely on options for tackling excess hair.

Georgia's hair growth, a symptom of PCOS, and her face after laser hair removal treatment

Georgia would shave every morning, but by evening the hair would have grown back and she would have to shave again. Picture posed by model.

Shaving can irritate the skin and leave dark stubble. Waxing and plucking are more effective, pulling hair out from the root.

But Dr Gorav Wali, consultant dermatologist at Oxford University Hospitals, said: Its time-consuming and can be sore. Done frequently, it can irritate skin. Over-plucking can also cause acne and scarring.

Over-the-counter bleaching creams make dark hair less noticeable while depilatory creams chemically dissolve the hair at the root  but both can irritate.

In terms of medical treatments, pre-menopausal women may be offered the combined contraceptive pill on the NHS to re-balance hormones, off-setting androgens and reducing hair growth.

Women may also be offered anti-androgen drugs on the NHS.

Dr Wali said: The most common is spironolactone, which lowers the impact of androgens to reduce and slow hair-growth. It wont entirely remove it, but can produce significant improvement.

Many women use eflornithine, a prescription-only drug not usually available on the NHS. A 60g tube, enough for three months, costs around 60. Applied twice daily, it acts as an enzyme inhibitor in the hair follicles  slowing hair growth. Dr Wali said this needs to be used long-term and doesnt completely eliminate hair growth.

Electrolysis, which is rarely funded by the NHS so must be paid for at a private clinic or beautician  costing around 50 for a half-hour session. Tiny needles pass an electric current through follicles, destroying hair and stopping regrowth.

Dr Wali said: Aside from the cost, electrolysis is time-intensive and can be quite sore. However it can last for months  even years  and is effective for all hair and skin types.

Meanwhile, laser treatment is more effective for people with dark hair and light skin.

Dr Wali added: Controlling excess hair growth may require a combination. For long-term improvement for someone with hirsutism with PCOS, the best option may be to use, say, a topical cream, plus spironolactone as well as electrolysis or laser.
One day in 1935, mother-of-two Erna Bernstein was at home at her tenement flat in central Berlin making dumplings when there was a knock on the door. Two Gestapo officers walked in and told her shed better divorce her husband. If you do, the life of your children will be considerably better.

Erna had no intention of complying. Her husband Sigi was Jewish by birth. His parents had cut him off when hed married Erna, who was born a Christian. Not that either of them went to the synagogue or church. They were just a working-class Berlin couple bringing up their children, Heini and Edie.

As the Nazis took control, the family was split up with Sigi being sent to Auschwitz

But the Nazis, in the contortions of their vicious anti-Semitism, had decreed that children with mixed heritage were to be branded Mischlinge (a derogatory term with the connotations of mongrel for a dog) and were to be treated as Jews.

Heini and Edie had never set foot inside a synagogue, yet they were scum in the eyes of the regime. Month by month, racial laws ratcheted up and made life for Jews, and Mischlinge, increasingly intolerable.

This deeply unsettling account of what happened to Heini and Edie over the following ten years is recounted by Edies daughter, Sharon Ring. In a bungalow in Norfolk towards the end of Edies life, she pointed to a black box and said to Sharon, Thats your Uncle Heinis memoir. Ive never read it, because I know it will be painful. I know it, because I was there too.

For decades, Edie had avoided talking about her wartime experiences, as had Heini. Theyd wanted to look forward rather than back: to embrace life rather than revisit trauma.

But now, at last, Edie told Sharon her story: how shed been forced by her teachers to leave school aged 12, as we dont want her to mix with the Aryan race; how shed contracted rickets from malnutrition and being cooped up at home for fear of violence on the streets; how, aged 16, shed been forced into slave labour, picking through Berlin bombsites full of human body parts for 12 hours a day; and how, when the Russians arrived in 1945, shed narrowly avoided being raped by a Russian soldier who raped the woman next to her.

Till death do us part: Erna would not leave her husband Sigi after the Gestapo threatened the family because of his Jewish heritage

What happened to Heini was also appalling. A handsome, fun-loving, resourceful teenager, he refused at first to comply with the racial laws. Earning money as a plumber, he disobeyed the curfew for Jews and visited his non-Jewish girlfriend Margot.

Then one night in 1943 he was taken by the Gestapo, interrogated, and forced to go to an educational camp and do 12-hour shifts building a railway in -10C.

Thankfully there was one humane guard, Sergeant Franke, who allowed him to write a postcard home, and his mother visited, bringing him socks, a pullover and boots. He found some coupons lying on the ground, and Franke let him go into the village and exchange them for cigarettes and food.

One day a Russian escaped from the camp, and Heini was sent out to chase him  and he decided to escape too. But there was no way he could survive at home without a ration card, so back he went to the camp.

Persecuted: Heini and Edie were defined as 'mischlinge', a term for those with mixed Jewish heritage, and were punished by the Nazis

He knew hed be punished, and he was: demoted to dogsbody for the sadistic SS, who whistled at him to give him orders, one of which was to count out the 25 lashes of the whip given to another prisoner tied to a flagpole.

It got worse. He was bundled into a cattle truck and taken to Buchenwald, where he was greeted by the warning sight of a prisoner hanging from the gallows. Here, he landed a job as an electrician, even though he wasnt one. A Czech prisoner called Frantisek, who was an electrician, offered to work with him, and this was permitted. The prisoners slept on bare-wire beds, the wires digging into their emaciated bodies.

Heini himself was given 25 lashes when a pair of pliers went missing (hed lent them to some Russian escapees, but never confessed). With a bleeding back, sleeping on that wire bed was even more agonising.

The thousand-year Reich crashed to its end after just 12 years. There was a moment of profound relief when, on April 1, 1945, while Heini was on a forced march from Buchenwald harnessed to trailers carrying the SSs belongings, the SS suddenly disappeared. The prisoners were free. They helped themselves to a feast of sausages and tobacco from the trailers.

Sigi was so skeletal when the camp was liberated that it took him months to be ready to start the 350-mile journey home to Berlin from Auschwitz

By a miracle, the whole family had survived. Sigi had been a forced labourer in Auschwitz. He was so skeletal when the camp was liberated that it took him months to be ready to start the 350-mile journey home to Berlin. The flat had been destroyed in an Allied air-raid, and his wife was now living in a flat previously owned by Nazis.

Theres a fairytale ending to Edies story. Never having left Berlin in her life, in the summer of 1945 she went to the countryside to stay with the family of Heinis new girlfriend Ruth.

In a country lane, she met a delightful English soldier called Jimmy Ring. They made friends. Five days later, Jimmy said, Im going to marry you. And so it turned out.

Mischlinge is available now from the Mail Bookshop

They moved to London, got married, had a baby (Sharon), and many years later, with the help of Edies compensation from Germany for war deprivations, they bought a three-bed semi in Enfield.

Heini, Sigi and Erna tried moving to Palestine, but they felt homesick for Germany and moved back, separately.

A new horror awaited them: the sudden appearance in the middle of the night of August 13, 1961 of the Berlin Wall. Heini was stuck on the east side with his parents on the west.

This book is an essential addition to history, seen through the prism of two children who happened to have two Jewish grandparents.

Edie said to Sharon, That man [Hitler] didnt dominate my life. I made it a happy one, and gave you a happy life, too, my daughter. That was my triumph.
For Ben Benton, British taste can be traced through crisps. Small, fried discs of potato tell us everything we need to know about the nations appetite. In the 1980s the five best-selling flavours were Ready Salted, Salt and Vinegar, Cheese and Onion, Prawn Cocktail and Beef. Basically, anything that came in a Walkers multipack.

However, by the 1990s, Cheese and Onion took the throne, followed by Salt and Vinegar, BBQ Beef, Worcester Sauce and Pickled Onion.

Today, shelves are filled with flavours such as Black Truffle, Sour Cream and Chive, Olive and Manchego and Iberian Ham. Modern seasonings make the Sweet Chilli Sensation seem humble. But none seem as experimental as a 1980s attempt at a hedgehog-flavoured crisp, a short-lived flavour based on the misguided assumption that Romani people ate hedgehog.

Armed with this light-hearted style, chef, writer and podcaster Ben Benton takes us on a culinary tour that spans the length and breadth of Britain.

Beginning in Cromarty, a small seaport north of Inverness, and ending in London via the North, Midlands, Wales and the Southeast and West, Bentons book, if used discerningly, could be seen as a more approachable and more realistic version of the Michelin guide.

Famous for Middlesborough: a parmo is a fluorescent piece of breaded meat [normally chicken], bathed in bechamel and melted Cheddar

Bentons intention when setting out on his journey was to get to the heart of what British food really is and what local food means to each region.

We glimpse the finest Scottish produce available; supreme fish cookery at Rileys Fish Shack, Newcastle; the soulful Caribbean spices of Aberystwyths Mamma Fays; and the unquestionable skill of chefs and bakers at Coombeshead Farm, whose bread is sent to Londons top restaurants from Cornwall on a daily basis.

But more often Benton finds British food still bogged down in a flavourless, rationing mentality, and feeding tourists.

Middlesbrough is famed for its undoubtedly delicious but equally heart-attack-inducing parmo, a fluorescent piece of breaded meat [normally chicken], bathed in bechamel and melted Cheddar. While on Holy Island, famed for its Viking massacre and Lindisfarne oysters, all that is available are overpriced underwhelming crab sandwiches, chilli dogs, bacon and brie sandwiches, and tuna melts.

This is an easy-reading tour of both our landscape and our food that will leave you as stuffed as Benton most certainly is.

His biggest bugbear is the repeated lack of local products being used in kitchens, and a lack of care for whats produced.

All You Can Eat by Ben Benton is available now from the Mail Bookshop

He does allow that often people dont want to eat the most refined things. Yes, sometimes we just want chicken wings.

But he doesnt seem to consider that not everyone wants to be an exceptional chef, nor have they been trained to produce exquisite food, or paid enough to try.

When reading this book it becomes clear that often the problem with British food is not a lack of imagination or care but a lack of training. But then not everyone has to be Clare Smyth or Gordon Ramsay.

So in the end, what is British food? It is a happy combination of the dishes and flavours traditional to almost every other culture and a little bit of British laziness.

We take the ingredients we love, the cooking skills weve learned and our idea of a dish from somewhere else, and create a new version so that with a squint it might be similar to the original inspiration, but more often than not it is something entirely new.
Where art thou, my knight in shining armor?

The younger generations are looking for a unique experience - and maybe a little romance - at Medieval Times.

Located in nine US states and in Toronto, Canada, the eclectic venue has seen a flock of Gen Z 'peasants' rushing to the 'Royal Court' to watch dashing knights duke it out on horseback while eating a half chicken with their bare hands.

For those in the front row, they have a prime spot to call out flirtatious jibes at the colorful knights jousting away in front of them, all while wearing a cardboard crown and hoping they'll receive one of the six knights' roses.

'Money comes and goes, but you'll never be in your mid-20s sitting front row at Medieval Times ever again,' Sydney Brown, a TikToker with 4,000 followers, wrote on a video.

Tommy Taylor, 26, and his friend, Savannah Trimble, 28, both of New York City, found themselves back in the arena again to celebrate the latter's birthday in February in New Jersey.

Both have previously attended the event as children, and with the surge in popularity online, Trimble decided it was time to go again.

'I went once before when I was in seventh grade and remember having such an amazing time, so I wanted to be able to experience it through an adult lens - aka being able to drink wine and watch men sword fight,' Trimble told the Daily Mail.

Gen-Z is running out to enjoy a night in the Medieval times by feasting on a half chicken with their bare hands while they watch knights duke it out

Attendees wear cardboard crowns and cheer on their knight for a two-hour show

'The experience was amazing...There were hawks, sword fights, a huge dinner, birthday announcements, cheering for your knight, and booing others.'

The night Taylor and Trimble attended, their knight won the joust, adding to the fun. The birthday girl was even crowned 'queen of the tournament.'

And Taylor noticed many of the young women were documenting the handsome knights in colorful armor, a fascination that can be seen by just a quick search on TikTok.

'Everyone is there to have a good time and get involved in the action without getting too carried away, of course,' Taylor told the Daily Mail.

'It's meant to be a cosplay of the era, so it will be more worthwhile if you just go with it and delve into the experience.'

The crowd is a mix of young adults and families with children, Taylor and Trimble said. And with more young people attending, Trimble believes it their way of being 'more nostalgic.'

'Even if you haven't been there before, Medieval Times makes you feel energized,' she told the Daily Mail.

She compared it to attending a sporting even, where those in the stands scream and yell for their team - in this case, their knight.

Jeffrey Keller, of New York City, got into the spirit of it when he went in January by dressing up as a knight

He enjoyed the experience and leaned into the cheesiness. His biggest gripe was the lack of silverware. The tomato soup comes in a cauldron with a hand and diners are not given a spoon

'It's even better, in my opinion!' Trimble said. When asked if everyone should try it at least once, she said: 'Absolutely.'

Taylor agreed, saying: 'There's not a lot of dinner theatre experiences anymore, so I think it's certainly worthwhile. It's also a good way of learning about history in a way and definitely excited everyone involved.'

Jeffrey Keller, also of New York City, leaned into the cheesy side of the experience, as he dressed up as a knight when he went.

'I think you should definitely go once, especially if you have kids,' Keller told the Daily Mail. 'Or if you're like me and are a child,' he joked.

Keller, who opted into the VIP experience, loved the experience - albeit, he'll admit he was high during it. The comedian documented the experience on his TikTok page, where he was seen heartily cheering on his knight while sipping tomato soup and tearing into a piece of cake.

'Your job is to just cheer as loud as you can for your fighter,' he told the Daily Mail.

'Oh my gosh,' he screamed in the video, dragging out the last word. 'Get him!'

Keller said the best way to enjoy the experience is to lean into the cheesiness of it.

The show was once considered cheesy, but Gen-Z has given it new meaning. 'Everyone is there to have a good time and get involved in the action without getting too carried away, of course,' Tommy Taylor told the Daily Mail

The experience cost a base price of $76 to $78, depending on the location

'If you accept the cheese and play into the cheese, you can have a blast,' he told the Daily Mail. 'If you are upset with how cheesy it is, you won't. It's super cute.

'I think people sometimes forget you can go experience new things and have an amazing experience. If it isn't amazing, you still have a great story to talk s**t about.'

His biggest gripe about the experience was the lack of silverware.

'That bothered me,' he told the Daily Mail. 'I get that it's about medieval times, but give me a fork so my hands aren't covered in chicken, you know?'

As soon as the lights dim, the king, queen, knights, and squire take the center stage and the battle begins, featuring 'magnificent' horse and flying falcons.

While enjoying the medieval joust, guests will dine on a four-course banquet, which includes tomato soup (sans spoon), roasted chicken (which is referred to as a 'baby dragon' and doesn't come with silverware), garlic bread, buttered sweet corn, herb-basted potatoes, and more.

The experience lasts two hours, involving jousting, swordsmanship, and hand-to-hand combat.

Influencer, Brittany Broski, also enjoyed going to Medieval Times, where she can be found flirting with the handsome knights.

The crowd cheers loudly in hopes of gaining one of the six knights' roses

Medieval Times is in nine US states and in Toronto, Canada

'I would highly recommend you get some girls together, go to Medieval Times, and really lay it on thick,' she said on her podcast The Broksi Report. 'Sit front row, okay. And if you're not front row, be loud.'

Broski said 'being loud' is part of the experience, especially for women hoping to get one of the knight's roses.

Many young people have even gotten into the spirit of the times, dressing up has knights and squires and noble women as they drink from goblets and wave around flags from their seats.

The experience cost a base price of $76 to $78, depending on the location, but peasants have plenty of options to upgrade their experience for an additional $16 to $30 for the 'best seats in the house' and a 'slice of cake.'
For years, Zoe Morgan proudly flaunted her flawless looks on stage at beauty pageants.

But in August 2025, the former pageant queen - who was crowned Miss Teenage Nova Scotia in 2017 - developed severe acne seemingly out of nowhere.

Morgan, 25, from Montreal, Canada, went from having clear skin to having cysts 'the size of grapes' all over her face.

It was a harsh adjustment for someone who spent years showing off her beauty in pageants.

'It felt like I had lost everything. I had lost my spark for life,' Morgan admitted during a recent chat with the Daily Mail.

'As a former beauty queen, I used to constantly get validation from my looks - on social media, from strangers on the street, and from friends and family.

'As humans it is natural for us to want to seek outside approval from others, and when that goes away, it can cause quite a bit of identity conflict.

'My whole sense of self was wrapped up in being the "pretty girl," but I couldnt play the "pretty girl" card anymore.

For years, Zoe Morgan proudly flaunted her clear skin on stage at beauty pageants

But in August 2025, the former pageant queen - who was crowned Miss Teenage Nova Scotia in 2017 - developed severe acne seemingly out of nowhere

'When that was gone, I was forced to look inward and develop other parts of myself that I had previously ignored.'

Morgan explained that as a teen she got a 'few pimples here and there' during 'times of stress,' but mostly, her skin was '100 percent clear with not a single blemish in sight.'

But in August 2025, she noticed that she had developed a few breakouts on her face. She 'thought nothing much of it,' expecting them to 'go away on their own in a few days.'

At the time, she had gotten 'a bit carried away' with partying and was 'going to music festivals every weekend,' and she assumed lack of sleep and increased alcohol intake was to blame for the pimples.

But her acne didn't clear up as she expected. Instead, it got worse and soon, painful nodular cysts that were 'the size of grapes' started appearing on her face.

'It felt like my whole face became an angry exploding minefield,' she recalled.

She tried everything she could to help her skin, ranging from apple cider vinegar compresses to taking antibiotics, but the cysts just kept 'coming back bigger and gnarlier than before.'

It severely impacted her both physically and mentally. She became so insecure because of it that she struggled to look at herself in the mirror and stopped taking pictures with friends.

Morgan, 25, from Montreal, Canada, went from having clear skin to having cysts 'the size of grapes' all over her face. She's seen before (l) and after (r) she developed acne

She tried everything she could to help her skin, ranging from apple cider vinegar compresses to taking antibiotics, but the cysts just kept 'coming back bigger and gnarlier than before'

Any time she went out, she would have to spend hours trying to cover up the cysts with makeup but they 'would still be visible no matter what she did.'

Morgan admitted that her acne felt like a constant 'elephant in the room' when she would hang out with friends, explaining: 'They often didn't mention it out loud, but you could tell they were thinking about it.'

The once 'sociable, elegant and always camera-ready' girl had been replaced with someone who 'couldn't even look people in the eye' because she was so self-conscious.

'One time, a girl at a music festival said that my face was "dirty" and that I should clean it,' she shared.

'Although it was a genuine mistake on her part and she apologized profusely when I corrected her, it still stung the whole night.

'However, the most humiliating experience I had with strangers commenting on my acne was at a haunted corn maze on Halloween.

'I was stopped at the entrance by a security guard who refused to let me in because he was convinced I was wearing red face paint, which wasn't allowed.

'I had to keep explaining that it wasn't makeup, that it was my skin, and that I couldn't just "take it off."

'Eventually, he shone a flashlight directly in my face in front of everyone waiting in line to inspect it.'

In December 2025, after months of feeling isolated and alone, Morgan decided to start posting about her skin journey on social media, which she described as a 'turning point' for her.

'It felt like all I did was work, sleep and cry about my skin. Acne really is an isolating experience, but the crazy thing is that one out of five people globally deal with it, so why are we all just shutting ourselves inside, canceling plans and hiding away from this beautiful world?' she explained.

It severely impacted her both physically and mentally; she became so insecure because of it that she struggled to look at herself in the mirror and stopped taking pictures with friends

Any time she went out, she would have to spend 30 minutes alone trying to cover up the cysts with makeup but they 'would still be visible no matter what she did'

'I realized that if I feel like this, there must be thousands of other young boys and girls out there also feeling the same way, who have had their entire identities eaten up by their skin condition.

'By sharing my honest journey, I can help break misconceptions and show people that they don't have to wait until their skin clears to start enjoying life.

'When everything felt like it was falling apart, social media became an unexpected lifeline.

'The overwhelming support I received from complete strangers truly restored my faith in people.'

And while most of the response has been positive, she has faced some backlash online from strangers - but now that doesn't faze her.

'Part of why I am sharing my story on social media is to spark a reaction - when people see pictures of my face when my acne was at its worst, it can be quite a shock,' she admitted.

'But ultimately, my goal is to challenge conventional beauty standards and to show people that you can still be happy and confident even with a face full of acne.

She started Accutane in December and she still takes it daily and will continue to take it until January 2027. She's seen in December

Her skin has now cleared up. She's seen last month

'Social media is a powerful space to question what weve been taught to believe about beauty and self-worth, and although it can be quite a hectic warzone at times, these conversations are exactly what help rewrite the predominant narratives in society.'

Morgan started taking Accutane for her acne in December and she still takes it daily and will continue to take it until January 2027. Her acne has now cleared up.

And while her journey has been extremely difficult, she's thankful that it taught her that there's more to her than just her 'physical appearance.'

'The biggest lesson I learned from the experience of going from clear skin to severe acne in a few months was that external beauty is fleeting,' she reflected.

'If you spend your whole life chasing the next beauty trend, you risk missing out on the deeper, more meaningful parts of life that are right in front of you.'
A mom has sparked fierce fury online after she claimed that she was kicked off a flight because the airline assumed that her healthy baby was sick.

Sydney Tash recently took to TikTok to slam Allegiant Air after she alleged that she, her husband, Kyle, and their young daughter, Ellie, had been forced off their flight because the airline staff suspected that the baby was 'feverish' - without performing any tests, taking her temperature or evaluating the infant.

Tash claimed that an employee approached them after boarding and said they believed that the youngster was ill because they noticed that she 'had a rash.'

However, Tash insisted that her baby didn't have a rash and was not sick at all, but rather, had just become red because she was fussy and crying.

Tash posted a clip of the infant looking happy and relaxed with a perfectly normal complexion in her father's arms at the airport afterwards, as she said: 'This is our baby that got us taken off our flight.

'They said she was feverish because her face was red from crying and she's pale just like her dad. Thanks Allegiant.'

In the caption, she explained further that they were flying from Punta Gorda, Florida, back home to Indianapolis, Indiana, on March 27 when the incident occurred.

'We went through TSA just fine, no issues and we boarded our flight like normal,' she wrote.

Sydney Tash recently took to TikTok to slam Allegiant Air after she alleged that she, her husband, Kyle, and their young daughter, Ellie, had been forced off their flight

Tash claimed that an employee approached them after boarding and said they had determined that the youngster was 'feverish' because they noticed that she 'had a rash' (stock image)

'Before boarding we took off baby's shirt because she was hot on the flight from Indy to Florida so we figured she'd probably be sweaty then too.

'Someone in a vest came onto the plane and asked for our boarding pass again. I handed it over.

'They then asked me how old the baby was, her name, her birthdate and went back by the bathrooms and kept talking into the phone and walkie talkie.'

Tash claimed that the worker then told them that 'a flight attendant had reported the baby as being feverish.'

She alleged that she was told that 'medical professionals wouldn't clear her to fly and that they were going to have to get off.'

'Nobody would come and see her. Nobody else on the flight was required to have a temperature checked. Nobody would even come and take her temperature,' she raged.

'They said well she looks red and it looks like a rash ... We were told to get off the flight or police would take us off of it even though we weren't arguing or cussing.'

Tash said the next flight wasn't until 11am the next day and claimed that they weren't offered any help with accommodations or transportation.

Tash posted a clip of the infant looking happy and relaxed with a perfectly normal complexion in her father's arms at the airport afterwards, claiming she was only red from crying

Tash said the next flight wasn't until 11am the next day and they weren't offered any help with accommodations or transportation

Their luggage was already on board the plane and she claimed it wasn't taken off after they were kicked off, which meant they were also left with no clothes, car seat or stroller for the baby.

'They gave us an unclaimed car seat that has no padding and wasn't age appropriate,' she alleged.

She said they had 'no issues' on the flight the next morning and ultimately got home 15 hours later than they originally planned because of the mishap.

'We missed work the next day, had to get our pet sitter to stay another day and didn't get to pick up our two other kids that were at dad's for spring break,' she continued.

'We called Allegiant and they just keep telling us we are not able to get any sort of compensation for our time or experience.'

In a statement to the Daily Mail, Allegiant Air said: '[We] understand that travel disruptions, especially those involving families, can be frustrating.

'Our crews are responsible for making real-time decisions that prioritize the safety and well-being of all passengers on board.

'If a crew member has concerns about a passengers ability to travel, especially when an infant or potential medical issue is involved, they may pause boarding to consult our medical information service provider, MedLink.

'Allegiant does not make medical diagnoses, and flight attendants are not medical professionals.

'MedLink connects flight crews directly to aviation-trained emergency medicine physicians with extensive experience managing in-flight medical events.

'In this instance, our crew consulted MedLink after observing symptoms that raised concern, which is standard procedure and consistent with industry practice across many airlines when a passenger health issue arises.

She claimed they were also left with no car seat for the baby, alleging: 'They gave us an unclaimed car seat that has no padding and wasn't age appropriate'

'Based on the information available, MedLink advised that it was not in the childs best interest to continue travel.

'The family was rebooked on a later Allegiant flight and provided accommodations intended to help ease the disruption to their travel plans.'

A fellow traveler named Jessica Brennan captured the moment the couple was asked to leave the plane and shared it to TikTok.

The clip showed a woman dressed in a vest speaking to the couple as the red-faced baby cried on her father's lap.

'We will mark it as the baby was not [fit] to fly,' the worker told the distraught parents.

'Is someone going to come look at her?' Tash asked, to which the employee said no.

'She doesn't have a fever,' Tash continued. 'She's fine. Babies get red when they cry.'

'She has a rash on her back,' the worker alleged, to which Tash replied, 'No she doesn't.'

'I will never fly Allegiant ever again,' Brennan captioned the video. 'They kicked this young couple and their baby off because the baby was hot and in a diaper so she'd be more comfortable.

'This power-tripping Allegiant lady accused the baby of having a fever and kicked them off the airplane! Shame on you Allegiant.

'I'd also like to add that this baby was fine but the ... baby got upset. Then, [Allegiant] accused the baby of having a fever. She never took the temperature. Everyone on the plane was disturbed by this injustice.'

TikTok users were furious over the incident and took to the comment section to slam Allegiant.

'I didnt realize Allegiant Airlines was a licensed pediatrician,' one viewer wrote sarcastically.

'I am so tired of the public being mean to mothers/fathers and babies,' said another.

'So where did Allegiant get their medical degrees? Peds RN here. Baby looks fine,' chimed in someone else.

'Oh Id be so pissed if they stranded me in the airport without a car seat or our luggage. Like livid,' read a fourth comment.

'Traveling with a baby is already stressful enough. Im so sorry you guys had to go through this,' a different user penned.
Water is a huge part of our daily lives. On top of drinking it to stay hydrated, we use it to shower, wash our clothes and do the dishes, amongst other things.

That's why life for Chelsea, 23, who has a severe allergy to water, is extremely complicated.

She spoke exclusively with the Daily Mail about what it's like to live with the rare allergy, from having to avoid her own tears and sweat to battling excruciating pain after showers.

Chelsea, who is based in the UK and asked not to share her last name, explained that she 'first realized that something wasn't right' when she was 13 years old and developed what appeared to be hives while on vacation with her family.

At first, she assumed it was from being out in the sun, but when she noticed it would get worse after she got out of the pool or showered she started to suspect it was something else.

After returning home her parents brought her to multiple doctors, who couldn't figure out what was causing the skin irritation.

Eventually, she was diagnosed with aquagenic urticaria, an extremely rare condition 'in which a persons skin develops red, itchy hives after exposure to water,' per Allergy and Asthma Network.

'It took the doctors and hospital a while to diagnose me because the condition is so rare, but eventually they told me I have aquagenic urticaria, which is essentially an allergy to water,' Chelsea told the Daily Mail.

Chelsea, 23, has a severe allergy to water and it makes life extremely difficult

Any time water touches her skin, she explained that she 'breaks out in hives and a painful, itchy rash'

'Once I finally got the diagnosis it was actually a relief to know what was causing it.'

Chelsea has now been living with it for over a decade, and it's certainly not easy.

Any time water touches her skin, she explained that she 'breaks out in hives and a painful, itchy rash.'

'Its not just tap water either - rain, sweat and even my own tears can trigger a reaction,' she shared.

'I have to take a lot of precautions in daily life. Even crying can cause a reaction - it sounds crazy but if I cry my face can come out in a rash.

'When it rains I have to be really careful and most of the time I try to avoid going out because rain on my skin will trigger a reaction. That can be difficult living in the UK.

'[Thankfully] I can drink water because the reaction mainly happens when it touches my skin rather than when I drink it.'

She noted that she still showers daily 'because basic hygiene is important to her,' but she's in excruciating pain afterwards.

She has tried all sorts of treatments from antihistamines to injections to combat the allergy and alleviate the painful and itchy rashes, but nothing has helped.

She noted that she still showers daily 'because basic hygiene is important to her,' but she's in excruciating pain afterwards

She has tried all sorts of treatments from antihistamines to injections to combat the allergy and alleviate the painful and itchy rashes, but nothing has helped

'Despite all of this, I try to take life day by day,' she concluded. 'I still have a very happy life - I just have to be more careful than most people.'

Loren Montefusco, now 26, from South Carolina, revealed back in 2022 how she would avoid showering for as long as possible because of the same condition.

She said: 'It's been difficult to navigate as a young woman, and I thought it was disgusting that I try not to shower but luckily I found a group on social media of other sufferers who also refuse to shower. It makes me feel less gross.

'Dry shampoo is my best friend because the longer I spend in the shower washing my hair, the worse it gets.

'I have tried washing myself using a cloth and water, but it's still using water and causes an allergic reaction so I usually have to use body wipes.'

As soon as she gets out of the shower, the student said she has to quickly fully clothe herself to stop air from hitting her skin, as that heightens the pain.

'Despite all of this, I try to take life day by day,' she said. 'I still have a very happy life - I just have to be more careful than most people'

'It's horrendous. It feels like the itch is deep below the surface of my skin,' she added.

'I try my hardest not to itch, but I can't help it. I claw at my skin to put myself in more pain so I don't feel the irritation of the itching. I just have to ride it out.

'Nothing helps it or stops it [and] it can last up to an hour. Nothing actually appears on the surface of my skin, as it feels like it comes from deep beneath my skin, but my body becomes red and irritated from where I itch.'

The cause of the allergy is unclear, but it is thought the condition may be due to an allergen or chemical in water - rather than water itself - that triggers an immune response.

Most cases occur randomly with no family history of the disorder and there are between 50 and 100 known sufferers worldwide.

Women are more likely to experience symptoms, which typically start around puberty.

Due to the condition's rarity, little is known about how best to treat it, but some therapies include antihistamines, UV light treatments, steroids, creams that act as a barrier and bathing in sodium bicarbonate.
Steve Kroft, the retired 60 Minutes correspondent, tore into the program during a recent interview with Bill O'Reilly.

The 30-year veteran of CBS's most renowned investigative news show, who retired in 2019, decried its workplace culture as a 'snake pit' and said he 'hated it.'

Kroft made his comments on the latest episode of O'Reilly's podcast, We'll Do It Live!, which was published on Thursday. He recounted long hours and an unhealthy level of competition between journalists that fueled paranoia over fears of backstabbing.

Early into the interview, O'Reilly described the leadership at 60 Minutes as 'tough boys,' before adding, 'I'd say they were savages - mini savages.'

Kroft agreed and told a story about when he first found out he was going to join the program. He remembered Dan Rather, another veteran CBS reporter and 60 Minutes correspondent, saying: 'Let me tell you, there's some big cats over there.

'Take one swat with a paw, and you're gonna be limping for six months.'

O'Reilly replied: 'And it's true. I mean, there was no civility at 60 Minutes. It was like, you're an idiot.'

'If there was civility, you'd better check your wallet,' Kroft said, referring to brutal competition behind the scenes for airtime and getting stories published.

Steve Kroft, the retired 60 Minutes correspondent, tore into the show's workplace culture during a recent interview on Bill O'Reilly's podcast, We'll Do It Live!

Kroft described the 60 Minutes workplace as a 'snake pit' and said that he 'hated it.' He is pictured in 2017, just a couple years before he retired from the program

Kroft said there was drama in the newsroom from day one and that simply joining the program meant making enemies. He is pictured (center) with other 60 Minutes members in 1993

Later in the interview, the retired correspondent said that working on the show was a '24 hours a day' gig that required nonstop travel, writing and editing.

'You may get a couple hours then getting on jets coming back and spending three or four days writing then starting it all over again,' Kroft said.

The drama in the newsroom began on day one, Kroft added, recounting that 'not everybody was happy' when he joined the team and that 'youve all of a sudden made a bunch of enemies.'

'Its just a snake pit,' he summarized.

Kroft used visceral imagery to describe what it felt like working on 60 Minutes and said it felt like someone was lurking behind people, ready 'to put a shiv in their back.'

During the podcast, various other topics were discussed, including Kroft's high-profile interview of the Clintons during the 1992 presidential race and a perceived leftward shift in legacy media over the past several decades.

Kroft described his career-defining interview with the Clintons, during which he asked about Bill Clinton's suspected affair with Gennifer Flowers.

Hillary Clinton criticized the reporter's 'mean questions,' which sparked public backlash against 60 Minutes leadership.

That moment echoes recent criticisms of the show, which some, including O'Reilly, believe has shifted too far left on the political spectrum.

During the interview, Kroft also discussed his career-defining interview with the Clintons, during which he asked about Bill Clinton's suspected affair with Gennifer Flowers

The interview also went over a perceived leftward shift in legacy media over the past few decades, which O'Reilly (pictured) believes to be true

O'Reilly fielded Kroft's opinion by discussing Walter Cronkite's influence on CBS News, saying that he 'tilted it to the left.'

'Since that time,' O'Reilly added, 'because CBS was the leader, the news leader on television, they've all gone fairly left. Would I be wrong?'

'I don't think you're probably wrong in terms of perception,' Kroft replied. 'In terms of reality, I don't know. Some of it has to do, I've always thought, with geography and the fact that so many people in the media were... mostly East Coast people.'

Although Kroft seemed less confident that legacy media has truly shifted left, CBS's parent company, Skydance Paramount, seems to think that has been the case.

The parent company recently installed Bari Weiss as the new editor-in-chief of CBS in an attempt to address that concern.

In the six months since Weiss entered the role, she has made significant changes and taken bold actions, such as hiring nearly 20 new contributors with existing social media followings, in an attempt to increase the network's relevancy.

In response to criticisms that CBS had gone too far left, the network's parent company installed Bari Weiss (pictured) as the editor-in-chief in October. She has plans to overhaul 60 Minutes, according to a recent scoop by the New York Post

And she has major changes for 60 Minutes in the works, planning a restructuring of the show and potential layoffs of its top producers and contributors, according to a recent scoop by the New York Post.

'Bari wants to make the show harder,' a source with knowledge of the show told the outlet. 'No one is talking about 60 Minutes on Monday morning.'

'She wants to put her stamp on 60 Minutes, and how you do that is you either get rid of the top producer or the top correspondent,' the source added.
Holiday operators have seen higher Easter bookings this year as the war in the Middle East persuades Britons to opt for staycations rather than overseas trips.

Haven, the operator of 37 caravan holiday parks, said that bookings for this weekend are up 10 per cent compared to last year.

The conflict with Iran has affected travel plans to popular hotspots in the Gulf, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Haven boss Simon Palethorpe said: 'This Easter is showing just how much families love getting away together in the UK.'

Best foot forward: Holiday operators have seen higher Easter bookings this year as the war in the Middle East persuades Britons to opt for staycations

Allen Simpson, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: 'The great British staycation has come into its own in the past few weeks.'

But the Association of British Travel Agents said more than 2m holidaymakers have still headed abroad this weekend, with some of those hit by disruption switching to Spain, the Balearic and Canary Islands, Portugal and Greece.
China intensifies crackdown on illegal activities in financial sector

Xinhua) 10:19, April 05, 2026

Chinese authorities have launched a new campaign to crack down on illicit intermediaries involved in illegal and borderline-legal activities in the financial sector, as part of a drive to maintain regulatory order and protect consumers.

The campaign, coordinated by the Ministry of Public Security and the National Financial Regulatory Administration, will target illegal deposit and loan intermediaries, unapproved online lending services, and illicit insurance agents, among others, according to a meeting held on Thursday.

Authorities vowed to deepen investigations into criminal networks and pursue those behind the operations. They also called for improved financial services alongside stronger law enforcement to root out illegal activities in the sector.

In a previous round of crackdowns from June to November 2025, police investigated more than 1,500 cases and broke up over 200 criminal gangs, with nearly 30 billion yuan (4.35 billion U.S. dollars) involved.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
There are different ways to measure odor scientifically. The first involves filling a bag with the air to be analyzed and taking it to one of the few laboratories that perform dynamic olfactometry, using human noses. In these centers, a group of panelists or odor testers are exposed to the contents of the bag. They start off with a minimal dilution, which is gradually increased. The moment when at least half of the noses perceive something is when the result is determined. This, subsequently, provides an estimated measurement of the amount of odor in the sample.

Rosa Arias is a chemical engineer. She previously worked in these types of laboratories before creating her own methodology with the firm Science for Change. In an interview with EL PAIS, she explains that the aforementioned practice is standard procedure in Europe (the UNE 13725 standard) and is mainly used by companies to determine, for example, whether the air coming from a chimney or a slurry lagoon exceeds the odor levels that they are authorized to have.

The procedure can even be complemented with a mathematical model, which simulates how that odor will spread in the surrounding area. However, this system isnt useful when it comes to truly assessing the discomfort that the same stench is causing to individuals at a distance. This method measures how strong a substance smells at the point of emission, but not how it affects people later on; it tells you nothing about the type of smell, the expert explains. Arias also trains peoples noses, so that they can learn to identify what they smell.

Citizen mobilization

In Spain, citizen mobilization against foul odors is growing. But the reality is that measuring the impact of bad smells isnt so simple, and theres practically no regulation for this type of odor pollution on the books. There are only some municipal ordinances approved by city councils, not all of which are very effective.

To measure the incidence of a foul odor in inhabited areas, a second system is used (also standard practice in Europe), which consists of field studies. People are paid to go and smell the air in certain places, in 10-minute increments several times a day, over a period of six months or a year.

Rosa Arias, the founder and CEO of Science for Change, at the companys headquarters in Barcelona. Kike Rincon

According to Arias, the people selected to perform these types of measurements, whether in the laboratory or through field studies, dont require any special olfactory skills. In reality, almost everyone  around 90% of people  have a standard sense of smell. Only 5% have anosmia, which means that they cannot detect some or all odors, while another 5% have hyperosmia, which means theyre ultrasensitive to smells. This can also occur, for example, when women are pregnant, explains the founder and CEO of Science for Change. However, even when ordinary noses are used, they can be calibrated by measuring a persons sensitivity to a reference substance: 1-butanol. This allows researchers to determine the olfactory range of any individual and standardize the measurements.

These types of field studies, which can be expensive, have some useful applications. However, they still raise many questions about how to assess the level of annoyance that citizens experience from foul odors. These people who are hired to take measurements  sometimes students  stand in a place for 10 minutes, without considering the weather conditions. [They] simply note whether or not theres a smell, then calculate average values. But this doesnt give a true picture of the impact, Jose Cid details. Hes the technical director of Socioenginyeri, a company that provides solutions to bad odor problems.

This specialist, who introduces himself as a certified environmental odor inspector, advocates for a different methodology. Instead of standard sampling, he takes wind conditions into account, in order to measure the worst-case scenario. And, to do this, he places a Nasal Ranger portable olfactometer on his nose. The device, based on American technology, allows him to smell different dilutions of ambient air, so as to determine at what proportion the odor is perceived. This provides something similar to the dynamic olfactometry measurements taken in a laboratory. The device can determine not only if there is a smell, but also how strong the smell is.

The scientific use of this device, imported from the U.S., isnt recognized in Europe. Experts like Arias reject it. However, its being used in some lawsuits concerning foul odors in Spain, and theres even an ordinance from the Barcelona Provincial Authority regulating odor pollution that validates its use. In Europe, especially in the Netherlands and Germany, theyre very reluctant to use field odor meters, because they have their own established systems in place, Cid argues. He asserts that his measurements have already been used in 45 trials in Spain, including one that ended last July with a landmark ruling by the High Court of Justice of Galicia regarding a reservoir that was contaminated by manure slurry from nearby factory farms. In this case, the affected residents of the town of Lobeira, in addition to being exposed to dangerous bacteria, spend periods of time unable to even open their windows due to the nauseating smell.

Lower tolerance

I have more and more work; there was a boom in 2025, Cid, an environmental chemist by training, explains. Society is less tolerant of these nuisances than before thats a fact, he emphasizes. It happens both outdoors and inside homes. Nowadays, there are neighbors complaining about the cooking smell from the apartment downstairs.

Arias, a chemical engineer, smells lavender. Kike Rincon

To all these methods of measuring foul odors, we must add the one created by Rosa Arias, which is based on citizen science. For this chemical engineer, neither laboratory tests nor field sampling with external participants are effective when it comes to helping those affected. Therefore, she launched another system that only requires the noses of the residents themselves, as well as an app to create collaborative odor maps. In 2023, she even managed to get her methodology standardized in Spain.

The human nose is the best sensor that exists for measuring environmental odors. What we do is train citizens to recognize the smells in their surroundings, so that they can map them, Arias emphasizes. In this case, it matters little that the noses arent calibrated; the goal is that the sum of all the odors reported by many different residents, according to each persons own perception, allows for the identification of the situations that are having the greatest adverse impact. One of the locations repeatedly identified at the moment is in the municipality of Villanueva del Pardillo, about 15 miles from Madrid, supposedly due to a brewerys yeast factory.

The app used is called OdourCollect and allows users to pinpoint an odor on a map and classify it using different parameters, such as its type, which can be related to a wide range of activities. There are many different odors. Within wastewater, theres hydrogen sulfide, which is the typical rotten egg smell. In the industrial sector, there are many more chemical odors like those from paper mills, or the cabbage soup smell, which is caused by mercaptans (sulfur-containing organic compounds), the chemical engineer explains. In her work with citizens across Spain, she points out that waste and wastewater treatment facilities are the most frequent sources of neighborhood complaints.

Paradoxically, despite the increase in protests across Spain against biomethane or biogas plant projects, both Cid and Arias agree that these facilities can reduce bad odors if theyre properly constructed. I support biomethane plants if theyre done right, the environmental chemist points out. But I have the experience of a magnificent plant in La Galera, [a municipality in the Catalan province of] Tarragona, where the engineer didnt take into account that this gas has to be very pure and that it was coming out through a tiny pipe. I showed that you could smell it from miles away, he recalls.

This opinion is shared by the founder of Science for Change: Before, what we had was a lot of diffuse biogas emissions that stank all the time, so these plants shouldnt be a cause for alarm, Arias points out. If the emissions arent properly treated, what might happen now is that some neighbors may experience a more concentrated smell but it would be easier to eliminate that smell than in the past.

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The discovery of an unauthorized biolab in Las Vegas with links to China has raised concerns that there are more across the country - and that they could be used for bioterrorism.

On January 31, Las Vegas police raided a five-bedroom house in a residential neighborhood after several people who had stayed at the home, which was listed as an Airbnb rental, reportedly became 'deathly ill.'

In the house, police found a cache of weapons, refrigerators containing vials of suspicious liquids and 'laboratory-style equipment.'

They sent more than 1,000 samples of the liquids to the National Bioforensic Analysis Center for testing and arrested a 55-year-old Israeli citizen named Ori Solomon, who police said managed the home.

He was charged with disposing and discharging hazardous waste, as well as being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm due to the type of visa he has. Solomon's attorneys have maintained their client's innocence and that he was not involved with the lab.

The house had also been listed as collateral for bail by a Chinese national with suspicious ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) named Jia Bei Zhu, who was arrested in 2023 after being accused of operating a similar unauthorized biolab in Reedley, California.

The discovery of those two unauthorized labs, particularly the Reedley location - which had acquired dangerous pathogens from legitimate American suppliers for years before being detected, according to a Congressional investigation - has raised concerns among some national security experts.

Sam Howell, an associate fellow at the Center for a New American Security, told the Daily Mail that it is 'very possible' there are more unauthorized biolabs and that 'the intentional release of biological agents that cause disease or death is becoming a real possibility.'

Jia Bei Zhu, a Chinese national with suspicious ties to the CCP, was arrested in 2023 for allegedly operating an unauthorized biolab in Reedley, California. A second unauthorized biolab in Las Vegas allegedly under his control was recently raided by police

The discovery of unauthorized biolabs in California and Nevada has raised concerns that there are more of them across the country. Malnourished and improperly kept mice are pictured at the Reedley biolab

The Reedley biolab was full of vials of unknown liquids in containers with labels for dangerous diseases such as COVID and Ebola. The labels were written in Chinese and English, police said

More than 1,000 samples were taken from the Las Vegas lab and were sent to the National Bioforensic Analysis Center for testing. Some of those samples are pictured

Sam Howell, an associate fellow at the Center for a New American Security, explained to the Daily Mail the national security risks revealed by the discovery of the unauthorized biolabs

'The Reedley lab and the Vegas one just reveal some significant policy gaps,' Howell explained.

'Most striking is how long these facilities operated undetected... A local code enforcement officer just happened to stumble upon [the Reedley lab] by accident, and there was no federal mechanism that would have flagged it proactively.

'Policymakers, frankly, have no idea how many of these labs are operating or where they might be operating, and that's because we lack this really robust bio-surveillance infrastructure that we need to detect these labs.'

The national security expert also noted these kinds of unauthorized labs are likely to be state-sponsored by foreign entities because they require financial and logistical support.

And the risk of bioterrorism is particularly heightened in the context of AI tools 'lowering barriers for bad actors,' Howell told the Daily Mail.

Phone records showed that Zhu called the Las Vegas biolab around 400 times in just the past year, but his attorney claimed that the Chinese national was unaware of any alleged illegal activity going on at the property.

The Reedley biolab that Zhu was arrested for was a warehouse full of test mice - many of which were dead - and vials of liquid in containers with labels for various deadly diseases written in English and Chinese, police said.

The labeled diseases included malaria, COVID-19, tuberculosis, HIV, herpes and dengue fever. A refrigerator was labeled Ebola.

This warehouse in Reedley, California, housed the unauthorized biolab that Zhu was arrested for in 2023

A second unauthorized biolab was recently discovered on this Las Vegas street. It was owned by the same Chinese national with suspicious ties to the CCP who owned the Reedley biolab

Authorities swarmed the Las Vegas home on January 31 and arrested a man named Ori Solomon, an Israeli citizen who police said managed the property. A still photo from the raid is pictured

City officials also disposed of more than 5,000 gallons of biological waste present at the site over the course of three trips.

Discovery of the Reedley biolab led to a multi-year investigation that revealed Zhu's suspicious ties to the CCP and a history of international fraudulent activity.

A report by the House Select Committee on the CCP determined that Zhu was a successful businessman with close ties to the Chinese government in the early 2000s.

At the time, he was the chairman of several state-controlled enterprises connected to the CCP's civil-military fusion ecosystem - a government mandate to upgrade the country's military by integrating it with civilian industries.

Zhu was also the primary shareholder of 11 Chinese cattle companies at a time when the CCP was engaged in state-managed efforts to address a dairy crisis in the country.

The Chinese national eventually moved to Canada, where he established several new businesses that he used to steal American cattle-based intellectual property, which he then transferred to China, according to Canadian investigators.

Zhu was found guilty of the intellectual property theft by Canadian authorities and issued a CA$330million fine.

In 2015, he fled to the US and entered the country under the alias David He.

Authorities found and disposed of more than 5,000 tons of biowaste in the Reedley lab. Blood and plasma in the lab are pictured

An agent clad is a hazmat suit is pictured searching the Las Vegas biolab and collecting samples for testing

He opened his first biolab in Fresno before moving it to Reedley. American authorities have not charged or convicted Zhu of running an illegal biolab, likely because many of the vials found at the Reedley location were never tested.

The Reedley code inspector who discovered the biolab told the Los Angeles Times that the CDC declined to test the suspected Ebola samples they were sent because only the refrigerator they were kept in had been labeled, but the vials themselves were not 'directly labeled as a select agent.'

Howell said that situation indicated 'fragmented jurisdiction and unclear lines of authority' when it comes to biolab regulation.

Zhu was arrested on charges of manufacturing and distributing misbranded medical devices and making false statements to the Food and Drug Administration. He pleaded not guilty, and the case is ongoing.

Prosecutors said that while operating out of the Reedley biolab, he had been importing COVID tests from China disguised as pregnancy tests before repackaging and reselling them, claiming they were American-made.

The investigation later revealed that Zhu had also received unexplained payments totaling more than $1.3million through wire payments made from Chinese banks. He was given additional charges of conspiracy and wire fraud.

Zhu pleaded not guilty to those charges as well, and has remained in federal custody since his initial 2023 arrest while awaiting trial. The trial will begin later this month in Sacramento.

There is no direct evidence of the biolabs in Las Vegas or Reedley being used to research or manufacture bioweapons, and there is only circumstantial evidence tying them to the CCP.

Improperly kept shelves of test mice at the Reedley lab

Investigators of the labs in Reedley and Las Vegas found laboratory equipment. Some of that equipment in the Reedley location is pictured

The FBI also concluded that the materials found in the Las Vegas lab were primarily meant for manufacturing COVID and pregnancy test kits, as well as influenza vaccines.

But many samples had degraded due to being stored at room temperature and were thus untestable, leaving some questions unanswered.

To Howell, all the signs paint a troubling picture.

'I have a hard time imagining a legitimate use for these labs,' she told the Daily Mail.

'Presumably, if [Zhu] had good intentions, he would have gone through the necessary processes to get these labs certified and presumably would have entered the United States legally.

'I think it's also very concerning that he was receiving millions of dollars in payments from Chinese banks via wire transfer. That's another red flag.'

Howell added that one of her biggest concerns about Zhu's activities was the way he was able to acquire pathogens without raising any alarms.

'This individual, who had known connections to the Chinese Communist Party and was a wanted fugitive in Canada, was able to purchase pathogens from US suppliers,' she said.

'So, I think the question is, why was there never a red flag raised? Why did no one pause to think perhaps this individual shouldn't be able to purchase these materials?'

These biohazard bags found in the Reedley lab were not labeled or certified, according to court documents. They represent improper disposal methods that posed public health risks

Individuals in hazmat suits are pictured standing outside the Las Vegas home after pulling samples out

Howell explained that beyond the threat to national security presented by the unauthorized biolabs, they also posed threats to public health and safety, because they did not have the safety protocols mandated for legal labs.

The lack of proper ventilation, waste disposal and containment systems could lead to the pathogens escaping into surrounding communities or even local water systems.

Howell also raised concerns that the US is currently unequipped to detect and crack down on unauthorized biolabs.

She said there are certain shortfalls in oversight that were exposed by the Reedley case that would be relatively easy to close and would not be controversial.

Those fixes would include creating a record of custody for pathogens sold to unregistered buyers, creating clear federal jurisdiction triggers to tighten up a currently fragmented regulatory system and building a national database of high containment labs.

There has already been legislation proposed in Congress to address those issues, Howell said.

Other solutions that may be more difficult to implement would include better environmental monitoring to detect unauthorized biolabs and increasing protections and incentives for potential whistleblowers.

The most controversial solution would be restricting access to biological materials for foreign nationals in the US.

'Tighter restrictions could improve security,' Howell said.

'But [they would] risk harming legitimate, international scientific collaboration and could raise civil liberties concerns if applied too broadly - so there's a balance here that's genuinely difficult to grapple with.'
A group of nurses are ditching their traditional healthcare jobs to work in a fake hospital where patients aren't there for regular medical treatments.

Tucked away on an unassuming business park in southwest Berlin, the clinic looks just like any other medical centre. But once inside, it soon becomes clear this is no ordinary practice.

Here, qualified nurses aren't treating the sick. Rather, they are performing highly realistic medical role play for paying clients.

At the centre of it all is 'Dr Eve', a former nurse who has swapped her life on hospital wards for the world of medical fetishism.

Her clinic, Fetischklinik Berlin, is uncannily realistic, and it comes complete with consulting rooms and dental chairs. Even its walls are lined with medical charts.

But it's behind closed doors that things are not as they seem.

Staff cater to a growing number of patients looking to blur the lines between medicine and fantasy, with several flying in from across Europe to experience the continent's first fetish clinic.

Dr Eve was working as a nurse when she spotted a gap in the market for something far more realistic than typical BDSM role play.

Dr Lana van Orten, 46, works as a part-time nurse at a hospital and spends the rest of her time working as a fetish doctor

Dr Lana is among several doctors and nurses swapping their lives on hospital wards for the world of medical fetishism in Berlin's Fetish Clinic

The medical practice in the German capital is Europe's first ever fetish clinic. It looks just like any other medical centre

She soon realised her clients wanted authenticity, from hospital routines to the use of real-life medical equipment, and decided to open her first fetish clinic in the city of Dresden.

The success and unique nature of her practice led to the opening of her Berlin clinic, which opened last year.

It attracts international clientele who are willing to travel from places like Britain or France to receive their 'treatments'.

Sessions are designed to mirror real medical appointments and involve examinations using devices such as ECG monitors and ultrasound machines.

But what follows is determined by the patients.

Clients can request anything from dental procedures to far more invasive scenarios.

One of the clinic's practitioners, Dr Lana van Orten, 46, works as a part-time nurse at a hospital and spends the rest of her time working as a fetish doctor.

Although she enjoys her job as a nurse and likes helping people, she says the world of medical role play is her real 'passion.'

On her profile, she offers a range of treatments, including catheterisation and prostate exams. Other therapies include saline infusions.

Promising to cater each session to their needs, she tells her prospective clients that she can make their 'dreams and desires come true.'

Speaking to the Daily Mail, she explains that most of her clients want 'normal clinical procedures like ECGs, ultrasounds, blood samples...but also a lot of anal examinations, anemas, coloscopy, urethral catheter or dilation.

Their clinic attracts international clientele who are willing to travel from places like Britain or France to receive their 'treatments'

Sessions are designed to mirror real medical appointments

Pictured: Dr Lana. Dr Lana says her patients come from 'all over the world' to be treated by doctors at the clinic, and are all between the ages of around 20 and 85

'And it comes together most of the time with a role play, where I have to be the strict doctor.'

But Dr Lana makes one thing clear: 'I don't offer sex...I just offer the treatments and examinations.'

Due to her medical training, Dr Lana says she can administer these 'therapies', and it helps her get into her role.

'I don't think I became a nurse because of my medical fetish,' she says, 'but it helps me, of course, because I can play with that.

'My patients can see that I'm a nurse and that I have experience, and they feel safe that I know what I'm doing.'

'I like how much fantasy people have in their minds and what they want to be done to them.'

Yet, there are also some rules for Dr Lana's sessions. She remains fully clothed and is not to be touched by patients.

She also doesn't administer any medication other than vitamins and saline solutions.

Dr Lana says her patients come from 'all over the world' to be treated by doctors at the clinic, and are all between the ages of around 20 and 85.

They are from 'all walks of life,' she says, with around 98 per cent being men and the other two per cent being women or couples.

'There's a good mix,' she notes.

Dr Lana also has a lineup of regular clients who travel long distances regularly to enjoy a session with her.

'It's exciting and interesting and wonderful,' she says. 'Many are coming back.'

But Dr Lana is not the only staff member at the clinic with a medical background.

In fact, she estimates that around half of her colleagues are doctors or nurses.

'I think they like these two worlds of treating people in hospitals and in the world of BDSM.

Dr Jonathan Noir has also ditched his career in healthcare for the world of medical role play and joined the fetish clinic

Dr Jonathan's patients come from all over the world, including Slovakia, the US and Russia

'They like that they have the techniques, and I think they like putting those worlds together to create a good session for their patients.'

There could also be a financial aspect to registered doctors and nurses taking on careers in the world of medical role play, Dr Lana says.

Sessions at the clinic start at around 250 Euros an hour, but patients often choose long sessions that can last all night.

Dr Lana says she thinks most of her patients have medical fetishes from having endured a traumatic medical experience.

At the clinic, they can re-enact those experiences in a safe and controlled way.

'Many people have had bad experiences in their childhood, and they have had to receive medical treatmentand for some, it might have been traumatic, and some of them find that they are now inclined to hospitals.'

Dr Lana herself says she was inclined to medical role play from her youth and believes it stems from a hospital admission she had when she was seven years old.

'It felt extremely pleasant and safe. And I guess because of that, the roots have been planted for my later own clinic fetish that I have.'

She also said she thinks she has what she calls 'helping syndrome,' and has always felt pleasure from helping others.

'I just want to help people and assist them and be there for them. I like to help people to feel better.

'It gives me happiness to help them. I like to give them the feeling of safety and that I'm there for them,' she says.

Despite her fetish and career as a fetish doctor, she did not fully discover her passion for role play until 2014, after ending a long-term relationship.

And in 2024, she came across the Fetish Clinic in Berlin after attending an open evening.

'I saw this, original clinical environment, and that is what I love so much, because it's so authentic.

And she wants to share that passion with her patients.

'This is unique; it's an authentic clinic, and I am very passionate. The most important part is trust and safety.

'People feel safe telling me their deepest fantasiespeople can feel that it's my own passion, my own fetish and that I absolutely love what I do. I think people can feel that.
With news of Anthony Albanese's national address drawing more ire than it did action, Aussies have been left divided on whether the temporary fuel tax cuts will ease the pressure on household budgets.

The Albanese government announced a range of measures earlier this week designed to help lower prices at the bowser.

Australia's fuel excise will be slashed by 26.3 cents per litre for three months, the heavy vehicle road user charge will be cut for three months, and the government will also defer the next scheduled increase in the road user charge by six months.

When Daily Mail spoke to residents in Sydney's Northern Beaches earlier this week, the majority said the government could do more to help those doing it tough.

'What would be good is to have [the government] ensure that across the state, there are petrol stations with diesel and unleaded, to try and divide it evenly, so it's not all city-centric and everyone can get access to it,' Elissa, a sales rep from Manly, said.

Elissa, who drives up to 1,000km a week for work, she has had to pay 50 per cent more to fill up her diesel car, a cost she can't pass on to her clients.

'I've cancelled my plans to drive up to Bellingen [over Easter] and now will be taking the train because I'm afraid of how much its going to cost - I don't want to get up there and not be able to get home,' she said.

Young mum Mansi, who is holidaying in Sydney from Perth, said her family has also had to change their holiday plans to secure better fuel prices.

Elissa, who has to drive up to 1,000km a week for work, said she's felt a 'huge' impact

Perth mum Mansi, who is currently doing a road trip around NSW, said she has asked her family to stock up food and essentials amid concerns that shelves will be empty

While they've still been able to afford to complete their road trip around NSW, Mansi said their concerns now centre on what situation they'll come home to.

'In Perth, there has been some metropolitan stations running out of fuel so we've been asking family to fill up our cars in case when we get back, we can't get enough as we'll be going straight back to work and daycare,' Mansi said.

'We're definitely finding that fresh food is more expensive too as a lot of our food comes from over east, and so we've asked people to buy things for us early because supermarkets are empty of certain essentials.'

She said she'd like to see the Albanese government introduce more targeted measures, such as tax breaks and handouts, to help those on lower incomes.

Chris, a self-funded retiree from Collaroy, said he was hoping the fuel relief measures would help farmers and suppliers most of all.

'Those two initiatives are much more important from the perspective of making sure we can keep delivering food to the table for instance, and making sure primary producers get a bit cheaper fuel,' Chris said.

'The road user charge I think is really important and shows the [government] are switched on to where we need to be addressing issues.'

Despite warnings that it may take days for petrol stations to pass on the price cut, the average price of fuel in all eight capital cities across the nation has dropped in the last two days following the excise cut.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese copped backlash after urging Aussies to keep calm and save fuel wherever they can in his address to the nation on Wednesday night

Self-funded retiree Chris said he was hoping the fuel relief measures would help farmers most

Motorists are reminded not to expect similar price drops in regional areas if heading away for the Easter long weekend.

Meanwhile, Albanese's approval has slumped amid growing concern over his response to the Middle East conflict.

Just hours after his prerecorded address to the nation, a new Freshwater Strategy poll revealed deep anxiety among Australians about the impact of the war in Iran.

It's important to note the survey was conducted before the Albanese government halved the fuel excise.

Albanese's net approval rating has fallen nine points - from minus nine in January to minus 17 in March. Of the 1,050 voters surveyed, 59 per cent were dissatisfied with the government's handling of the fuel crisis.

Voters were evenly split on the government's response to the conflict itself.

Labor's primary vote has slipped to 32 per cent, down three points since last May's election and one point since January. It remains ahead of the Coalition on 23 per cent, which has been overtaken by Pauline Hanson's One Nation at 25 per cent.
Visitors to a San Antonio mall are infuriated by a simple mistake that ends up costing them hundreds of dollars, as they warn of predatory towing companies.

Those visiting University Square at DeZavala have to be careful where they park, because otherwise they might end up with their car towed away, even if they just pop into a shop for a mere 15 minutes.

Michelle Salinas had stopped into a Taiwanese bakery, 85C Bakery Cafe, around Christmas last year to pick up treats for her sister before heading to the Rio Grande Valley, she told MySA.

She had only been in the shop for 15 minutes when she noticed her car had been towed. Salinas had parked in the IHOP parking lot due to the parking lot being full, which proved to be her first mistake.

'Apparently, they [the towing company] just park somewhere and watch. The minute someone leaves their car, they wait for them to walk into a business and tow the cars,' she told the outlet.

She's not the only one to have found out the hard way that the popular mall keeps a strict enforcement of the parking rules, as plenty of others have found themselves in the same predicament as Salinas.

There are signs posted in the IHOP parking lot, alongside parking blocks that have 'IHOP ONLY' printing in black ink along the perimeter spaces.

However, those parking in the middle spaces can easily miss the few red signs in the parking lot that read, 'Towing enforced at all times. IHOP customers & employees in designated spaces only. No after-hours sparking. No for-sale vehicles. Unauthorized vehicles will be towed at owner's or operator's expense.'

One portion of the parking lot at University Square at DeZavala strictly enforces its tow zone, leaving many customers with their cars taken and a bill worth hundreds to get it back

The IHOP parking lot has a few small red signs that face inward, informing drivers that the spaces are for IHOP customers and staff only. However, for those parking in a middle spot and not along the perimeter, the sign is easy to miss

Salinas complained that the signs were only printed on one side, facing inward toward the parking lot. Those coming from the outside are not informed.

Salinas eventually found the sign, informing her to contact Bexar Towing. She then had to find someone to drive her 11 miles to get her car back, she told MySA.

She found herself having to wait in line once getting to the place, and it cost her $235 to retrieve her car, she said.

The angry customer took to TikTok to warn others to be careful, especially around the holidays.

'Merry Christmas, I guess,' she wrote in the caption.

Another person posted a video showing a Ram truck towing an SUV.

'If this was you, parked at IHOP on November 1 [2025] @ 1.16pm, he was just looking for someone to tow,' the user accused.

Some days, especially around the holidays, customers are increasingly finding it hard to find spaces as the plaza becomes more and more popular.

Michelle Salinas had parked in the lot while trying to get to a bakery when the rest of the parking lot was full. When she came out 15 minutes later, her car was gone. She had to get someone to drive her 11 miles to the place and then pay a $235 bill to get her vehicle back

The perimeter spaces also have IHOP ONLY printed in black ink on the curb

A woman who goes by Cococharles9 on TikTok told MySA that she noticed two vehicles being towed in January from the lot, and agreed with Salinas that the towing company is just waiting to pounce.

'Apparently its a frequent issue at that specific location,' she told the outlet.

'The tow truck drivers were waiting in that lot. Once they saw the customers walking towards the stores, they would pull in and run to place the tow.'

Many TikTok commenters complained there wasn't enough parking for the ever-popular Teso Life, an Asian department store, causing them to spill into other stores' spots.

'There wasn't any parking for anything today!' one wrote. 'Fully taken up!'

'It's the worst since Teso Life opened,' another wrote.

Another said they were aware of the towing problem and found themselves constantly circling the parking lot to avoid it.

'We have seen them enforce that section of IHOP, so we circle around. We sometimes have to park near Einstein's Bagels,' they said under Salinas' video.

Many said the towing company waits to pounce on unsuspecting customers trying to get to another store, while other said the signs are there for a reason

Others pointed out that they were breaking the rules and that 'people should read signs.'

'Wait I cant use private property for my own use thats wild!' one joked.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Bexar Towing, IHOP, and Glazer Properties, which owns University Square, for comment.
A husky wandering the scalding Arizona desert with no collar, water or food was abandoned after its owner was deported.

Jaime Simpson, 28, spotted the lone dog wandering the Tucson wilderness all alone last fall and assumed his owner was not far away.

But the canine began to follow her, prompting her to realize that the pooch had nowhere else to go.

'He started walking towards what looked like an empty house, a couple of houses, but one was particularly empty,' she told the Daily Mail.

Simpson asked neighbors about the friendly animal, whose owners had previously raised concerns they might be forced to leave the country.

'They basically explained that the prior family had been detained and deported,' she said. 'And that ICE essentially let the dog out of the house and then just left.'

It seemed the dog had been wandering back and forth between the desert and his home, waiting for days for owners who never returned.

'They said that the family really, really loved him and they had talked to the neighbors prior about the possibility of being detained and deported,' she added. 'They said, "But we want to comply. We don't want to scare our neighbors or anything."'

The pitiful husky was found wandering the Tucson desert and assumed his owners must be nearby

The dog was seen wandering back and forth between the desert and an empty house

Jaime Simpson saw the dog all alone in the desert and assumed his family was nearby

At first, Simpson allowed Pima County Animal Control to take the dog, hoping they could find out more information about his previous owners.

But the sad, abandoned animal didn't have a tag, wasn't microchipped and required serious medical attention.

Simpson works for a shelter and animal care clinic that administered shots, neutered him and diagnosed him with a respiratory infection.

Since the Trump administration began cracking down on undocumented immigration early last year, Simpson has heard about more and more pets in her area being abandoned after ICE took their families.

'I work with a shelter clinic where they deal with a lot of that,' she said.

'They hear a lot of stories about this, and I see the ones that have been left because the owners were detained and deported, and no one [in ICE] came back for the dog because they didn't care to.'

According to the New York Times, hundreds of dogs, cats, bunnies and even chickens have been displaced by deportation.

The number of animals that have been left behind is impossible to count, but animal shelters and non-profit organizations across the country have been working to accommodate them.

Simpson adopted the husky and named him Eclipse. He is now beloved by her whole family

When Simpson's family first adopted Eclipse he was hesitant to join in the chaos, but soon warmed up to the entire family

Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control Director Marcia Mayeda told the Times that many immigrants are afraid to surrender their pets to government agencies before self-deportation.

'We are the government, our officers look like law enforcement and we euthanize,' she told the Times. 'What we get is the tip of the iceberg.'

The Pima County Animal Care Center told the Daily Mail that it doesn't usually know whether an animal is brought to them due to deportation.

'When the shelter responds to calls about pets found alone, the Animal Protection Service team doesnt typically know how the pet ended up alone,' a representative said.

Even though she chose to go through the process the 'right' way, Simpson knew she wanted to adopt him. They named him Eclipse.

'[The shelter] said, "Are you sure you wanted to adopt this dog?,"' she said. 'And I was like, "Duh, of course I do."'

At first, Eclipse was very shy and hesitant to play with Simpson's other dogs. But the family began speaking to him in Spanish, and he quickly opened up.

'We had a party at our house and my husband's family doesn't really speak English at all for the most part,' she said.

'So he was so lively at that party. Like, he was meeting and greeting everyone. I was like, "I didn't know you loved humans this much."'

Simpson is a disability advocate who posts frequently about her service dog Echo (pictured). She is pictured with her husband Reuben Torres and their daughter Halston

The family has now had Eclipse for months and has taken him on dozens of adventures.

'You have no idea how loved you are, Eclipse,' Simpson wrote on social media. 'He had never been anywhere but the desert  around cactuses and rocks.'

'We changed that. Now he has seen grass, beaches, fields, and more. I hope he felt safe in his first trip to the beach,' she added.

Despite Simpson's fondness for the new addition to her family, she still hopes to one day reunite him with his owners.

'We love him so much,' she said. 'And we just want his original family to know that he's so loved and spoiled right now.'

Simpson is a model, trainer and disability advocate who has more than 100,000 followers across social media platforms.

She and her husband, Ruben Torres, share two daughters, Halston and Payson.

The animal lover frequently posts pictures of her adventures with service dogs Echo and Everest and new addition, Eclipse.

The Daily Mail has reached out to ICE for more information.
A glamorous California community is spending thousands of dollars on a program that provides free camera doorbells to residents in desperate bid to combat crime.

The Milpitas City Council unanimously approved the initiative this week as a way to deter cunning criminals from breaking into the multi-million dollar homes that line its neighborhoods.

'Public safety is my top priority, and this door camera initiative is about strengthening crime prevention right where it matters most  at home,' council member Evelyn Chua told the Milpitas Beat.

'By equipping residents with tools and partnering closely with our Milpitas Police Department, we're building a stronger connection between our community and law enforcement to help deter crime and protect our neighborhoods.'

The city allocated $60,000 toward the program through which cameras will be distributed on a first come, first served basis, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Cameras will include at least 90 days of storage with no subscription necessary. Only one will be allowed per household and can only be distributed to verified residents of the city.

Police will hold multiple distribution events, training residents on installation and maintenance.

While most residents consider Milpitas a safe city, they have minor concerns around theft and property crimes, which officials hope will be quelled by the city's initiative.

Milpitas, a community in Silicon Valley, California approved a new initiative to surveil neighborhoods

While the council has not designated which type of doorbell camera it will be using, lawmakers said they are looking for cameras that provide similar or equal capabilities' to the Ring camera

The initiative was spearheaded by Councilwoman Evelyn Chua, who said she hopes to aid law enforcement and deter crime

According to the Milpitas Police Department, crimes, including burglary and theft, are down four percent since 2025.

More than 70 percent of the crime reported in Milpitas is against property. That accounts for burglary, which did not decrease over the last year.

Average home prices in Milpitas rest just below $1.5 million. Residents have a median household income of $169,460.

The small Bay Area community has approximately 80,000 residents, according to the city website.

Local Realtor and longtime resident Spencer Hsu said he sees no blatant reason for security in the area, but residents are always looking for 'peace of mind.'

'It's great that the city is doing these programs to help people feel more at ease,' he told the Daily Mail. 'But the reality is it doesn't really make any difference.'

The initiative may attract more buyers in the area who are looking for an outwardly safe, upper-class neighborhood to call home.

However, Hsu predicts that the initiative won't last forever.

'Buyer and sellers, just always be mindful, these are programs that can come and go,' he said. 'Milpitas has never been a crime-ridden area, but it's good, just more people's confidence.'

Homebuyers don't tend to look for added security features, though he said taking advantage of a free device is a 'no-brainer.'

'Now full-blown security is a different matter,' he said. 'That's, that's for their own peace of mind and that's very subjective.'

Spencer Hsu lived in Milpitas for more than 20 years and now serves as a realtor in the area

The initiative was modeled after others in wealthy cities across the United States

The average home price in Milpitas is $1.5 million, as most households make over $150,000 per year

Officials have yet to announce a date for when the cameras will be distributed.

The Milpitas Police Department will order a small batch at first to gauge interest.

'Even with limited funding, we are committed to making this program successful,' said Councilmember Chua.

'And we will advocate for additional resources, if needed, to keep our residents safe.'

Milpitas Police Officer Itzel Padilla told the Daily Mail that the program is 'still in the beginning stages.'

'The cameras are a great investigative tool in assisting the police department helping to solve crimes,' he said. 'They also can be a great deterrent for some. We are excited about the program and will disseminate more information in the future.'

Notes from the approval meeting last month showed the council was considering cameras that 'provide similar or equal capabilities' to Amazon's Ring camera.

It was modeled after an initiative in San Leandro, which provided Ring cameras to residents.

'After doing my research and in line with the citys commitment on public safety which is a top priority of mine,' Chua told the Daily Mail. 'I introduced the initiative. The feedback from the community is positive and immediate.'

Some residents, however, have raised concerns about surveillance and data sharing, especially amid a staggering increase in ICE raids within the area.

'So the government has more cameras to spy on its citizens. Doesnt have anything to do with crime,' one person posted on social media.

'Ummmm to help ICE?' another said.

'To do neighborhood surveillance,' a third added. 'Anything free like that or the jab, there is a dark motive behind it.'

While the town has low crime rates, most reported crimes are against property, leaving homeowners worried

Some residents raised concerns that the cameras would increase government surveillance

Still, Chua assured the community that there is no cause for concern.

'Data collected is standalone and can only be accessed by the camera owners/residents,' she said. 'There is no direct integration with our Milpitas Police Department's video management system.'

It is unclear which brand of doorbell will be distributed, although Amazon's Ring camera in particular has faced heavy backlash for privacy concerns across the country.

The system was scrutinized for partnering with Flock Safety, which makes home footage available to local law enforcement during investigations, according to CNBC.

The company has been chosen to distribute cameras in New York City, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Jackson, the Guardian reported.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Milpitas City Council and the Milpitas Police Department for more information.
A restaurateur who ran eateries in two states pleaded guilty last week to defrauding the federal government out of millions of dollars and not paying hundreds of thousands more in taxes.

At a glance, Jared Leonard, 45, appeared to be a successful businessman and pillar of the community. He and his wife, Amanda, ran AJ's Pit Bar-B-Q, a Michelin-recommended establishment in Denver, Colorado.

They also owned and operated six other restaurants across Denver and Chicago, Illinois, as well as an umbrella company called SS Collective, through which those businesses were managed.

But cracks in Leonard's empire began to show around early 2025 after Jared moved with his wife to Punta De Mito, Mexico, which is just north of Puerto Vallarta.

On Facebook, the restaurateur claimed he was 'living a simple life in Mexico' and announced that he was launching a health & wellness retreat called Sol y Sal in a post of what appeared to be an AI-generated image.

It is unclear how far he got in that endeavor, as he was hauled back to the US for prosecution about a week after the announcement.

Jared's move south of the border came off as suspicious, as in February 2025, all four of his Denver restaurants shut down.

The closure of AJ's Pit Bar-B-Q was particularly dramatic, as every employee had quit on the last day of the month. They accused the Leonards of pocketing their paycheck withholdings that were meant for the IRS and never issuing W2s.

Jared Leonard, 45, recently pleaded guilty to defrauding the federal government out of millions of dollars by submitting bogus COVID relief loan applications. He is pictured with his wife, Amanda, in one of his restaurants

Jared and his wife ran AJ's Pit Bar-B-Q, a Michelin-recommended establishment in Denver, Colorado. The couple is pictured with the Michelin mascot after receiving the recommendation

Jared posted this seemingly AI-generated image of a health & wellness retreat he said he was launching on Facebook. He was brought to the US for prosecution about a week after the post

Jared made this his Facebook bio after suspiciously moving to Mexico in early 2025. He claimed he was 'living a simple life' in the country

The house of cards that Jared had built on a foundation of fraudulent activity came crashing down about five months later, when he was indicted by the federal government on July 8 and arrested the next day.

Amanda Leonard, his wife, has not been accused of any crimes.

The Department of Justice accused the restaurateur of forging IRS documents when applying for COVID relief loans to inflate the number of employees at his restaurants and the amount he paid them.

The initial indictment accused him of defrauding a total of more than $1.9 million through the federal Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). That figure was elevated to $2.3 million during court proceedings.

The largest single payout Jared received from the government was $491,000, which he received for a PPP loan he submitted for his restaurant, Hamburger Stan, in Chicago.

He also received a total of $561,500 in the business account for AJ's Pit Bar-B-Q by submitting EIDL and PPP applications for the business.

He double-dipped by providing the bank account number for AJ's Pit Bar-B-Q when he submitted another EIDL loan for a Chicago restaurant called BBQ Supply Co, which had closed in 2018.

EIDL loans required businesses to be operational for 12 months before the filing date. The indictment said the restaurateur was fully aware that BBQ Supply Co had closed far before that threshold.

Jared ran seven restaurants across Denver and Chicago, and he submitted fraudulent COVID relief loans for many of them. He is pictured with his wife in front of one of his restaurants

Jared received a total of $561,500 in the business account for AJ's Pit Bar-B-Q through fraudulent federal aid applications. Food from the restaurant is pictured

Between May and September of 2020, Jared applied for at least nine COVID relief loans and received a minimum of $149,900 for each one, according to his indictment.

After the money entered the business accounts of his various restaurants, he quickly transferred them to his personal bank account at TD Ameritrade.

On June 17, 2020, he made a $1.2 million cash purchase of a luxurious, five-bedroom house in Evergreen, Colorado, using the funds he received from the government. The house was sold for $2 million in 2024, according to realty sites.

Public records show that Jared and his wife currently own a $1.1 million house in Littleton, Colorado, which is currently for sale.

The initial indictment included seven counts of various charges, including bank fraud and wire fraud, on top of the fraudulent federal loan charges.

He was also later given charges of tax evasion, money laundering and transportation of stolen property.

In exchange for Jared's guilty plea on the counts of defrauding federal aid programs and not paying taxes, prosecutors dropped his other charges.

The restaurateur will have to pay a total of $2.7 million to the government to cover the $2.3 million he stole from COVID relief programs and $434,000 that he owed in taxes.

According to his indictment, Jared purchased this $1.2 million home in cash using the funds he fraudulently received from federal aid programs. The house was sold for $2 million in 2024, according to realty sites

Jared and his wife's current address is listed as this $1.1 million home in public records. The house is currently for sale

At an upcoming sentencing hearing, he will face a conviction of 37 to 46 months in prison.

Jared's trial led to scrutiny of his past, which revealed his decades-long history as a grifting debtor across five states.

Public records reviewed by the Daily Mail show that the restaurateur has faced more than 20 tax liens and civil judgments since 2002 for money owed to states, landlords, credit card companies and private lenders.

The disgraced businessman's shady dealings began on a small scale. In Arizona in 2002, he was taken to civil court twice for owing a few thousand dollars in rent.

He was then brought to court for a series of other small claims over the next decade in Colorado and Illinois.

In 2015, a short-term financing company called Pearl Beta Funding LLC demanded that Jared return $48,275 he had borrowed. That was the first of many five-figure loans he took out that went unpaid before creditors pursued legal action.

The biggest individual sum he was taken to civil court for was $234,443 in New York in 2018. He had received the money from SPG Advance LLC, a cash advance company for small businesses.

In February 2025, about five months before his federal case, Jared was ordered to pay $670,000 by a Colorado judge after he was taken to court for a $155,000 loan he had received from Rocas LLC, a company registered by an award-winning chef.

This table tallying Jared's fraudulent federal aid loans was included in the initial indictment against him. The total was later elevated to $2.3million

The judge ordered that Jared's 2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2015 Porsche Panamera and equipment from some of his restaurants be seized in order to make the payment.

Between 2002 and 2025, Jared was taken to civil court by various private lenders for unpaid borrowed sums totaling at least $843,579, according to public records.

The US Attorney's Office declined to comment on Jared's federal fraud case when the Daily Mail reached out. Jared and his attorney have also been approached for comment.
In countless camps deep in rural Iran, gruff military men bark orders at trembling young cadets.

Boys as young as 13 are put through their paces by uncompromising tutors, who brainwash their pupils into hating all of Iran's enemies, planting a seed that grows into a fanatical and insular view of the world.

This is the beginning of the journey for the hardened rank and file of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a nursery where teens learn the ropes and become part of a 125,000-strong death cult.

Their job as adults is to keep a stranglehold on the 92 million people of Iran at the behest of the country's Supreme Leader. A function, rights groups say, that involves mass torture, execution and merciless repression of anyone who dares question the regime.

Testimony from within the ruthless organisation, which was created as the principal defender of Iran's 1979 revolution, is rare.

But beyond the victims that have tasted their notorious brutality, some voices have emerged.

Reza Kahlili, the pseudonym of a former IRGC officer who turned on Iran and spied for the CIA, revealed in an autobiography, as well as subsequent interviews, that he had witnessed countless horrors while working for the Iranian military.

'I witnessed the torture and the horror that this new regime was inflicting on Iranian citizens.'

The IRGC brutally imprisons and tortures Iranian citizens

The IRGC's officers and members have long been accused of regularly torturing and abusing Iranians in order to suppress any dissent, and overseeing prison rapes and executions (file image of an IRGC fighter)

In harrowing descriptions of his life inside the IRGC, he told of teenage girls being raped before they were executed 'because of the Muslim belief that virgins go to heaven'.

'Boys and girls were tortured in unimaginable ways and then executed,' Kahlili added in a 2011 interview.

He also saw the mass imprisonment of countless people across the country.

Referring to Iran's most infamous detention centre, where political prisoners, journalists and human rights activists are held, he said: 'Among the thousands taken to Evin prison were my best friend and his siblings.'

He added that the IRGC also killed the officers of Iran's deposed leader following the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

Kahlili said: 'There was also the mass killing of the shahs officers without any hearings or legal processes.

'The Revolutionary Courts ordered their execution, and the Guards just lined them up and shot thousands of them.'

The IRGC, he added, was also in charge of torturing and executing 'morahebs'  so-called 'enmities against God' who dared to condemn Islam or reject Sharia law.

The ex-spy said: 'The authorities will torture you and kill you. Many brave souls have given their lives just to speak their minds on this matter. Thousands more are in jails right now across Iran for speaking against the establishment.'

Kahlili said watching and taking part in the horrific torture of his fellow countrymen was what made him decide to turn on his nation and spy for the CIA.

The ex-spook said: 'From day one, when I started these activities, everything I did was in hopes of this regime being overthrown.

'I saw that the regime is not only dangerous to the Iranian people, but that it is just a profoundly savage regime, a messianic regime, an evil regime.

Armed personnel of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) carry AK-47 rifles and march under an Iranian-made long-range surface-to-surface missile during a military rally in downtown Tehran, Iran, on January 10, 2025

'I saw that it was a danger to the stability of the whole region, and that if it succeeded in its efforts millions of Iranians and others could be slaughtered.'

According to the Tony Blair Institute, officers and members of the IRGC are indoctrinated in 'state-sanctioned Shia Islamist ideology, which is violent and extremist.

'The IRGC is committed to what it refers to as ideological-political training of recruits. The worldview within which this training is framed is extremist and violent,' according to the think tank.

It added: 'It identifies enemies  from the West, to Christians and Jews, to Iranians who oppose the regime  and advocates supranational jihad in the name of exporting Irans Islamic Revolution.'

It isn't just adults who are indoctrinated by the IRGC. According to the authors of The Rise of the Pasdaran, a report from the RAND Corporation, the IRGC runs brainwashing summer camps for children as young as 13.

These summer camps aim to prepare 'young Iranians to eventually assume the duties of armed auxiliaries to the IRGC in the regimes homeland defence strategy'.

Administered by the Basij, a volunteer paramilitary force within the IRGC, 'the summer camps focus on providing young students with activities designed to inculcate them with a conservative, insular worldview, fortifying them against foreign cultural influences, such as satellite television and Internet Web sites'.

Many are held in rural provinces, with campsites set up in several small towns.

According to an Iranian colonel, in 2007 there were 160 camps set up in the province of Gilan alone, with an estimated 20,000 children attending.

But the IRGC and the Basij also runs paramilitary training across the country for current and potential members, again in an attempt to indoctrinate them.

This strategy has four aims in mind: to ensure as many Iranians take part in defending the homeland, to train them for disaster relief operations, to push the IRGC's values deeper into the minds of the population and to prepare Iranians to defend against so-called 'soft coups' by the West.

Attendees of these training camps are 'drawn from a broad spectrum of Iranian society  ranging from the rural classes and provincial tribes to students and factory workers', according to the report.

Despite all of this effort, the IRGC is believed to be 'under severe and accelerating internal strain'.

According to a source who spoke to the Daily Mail: 'There are many reports of IRGC soldiers being executed for desertion.

'Its happening constantly. IRGC leaders are also regularly executing subordinates for refusing to carry out orders. This is not isolated turbulence but a nationwide condition.

'Personnel across multiple branches [of the Revolutionary Guard] have fled or attempted to flee. Manhunts have been launched for missing members, and families of those who fled have been placed under house arrest.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) members pictured march on April 29, 2022

'Resignation requests across multiple provinces have been rejected outright, in some cases under explicit threat.

'The idea is that all this paves the way for uprisings in the future.

'When the smoke clears, people will be surprised at how degraded the regimes machinery of terror is. Its only a matter of time before it starts breaking down.

'No one seems to understand just how much trouble the regime is now in.'

The IRGC, established in the aftermath of the 1979 revolution, was conceived as the regimes ultimate guarantor, tasked with defending the new order and answering directly to the Supreme Leader.

Over time, it has evolved into one of the most powerful forces in Iran, extending its reach far beyond the countrys borders.

The IRGC backs militant groups across Iraq, Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, Syria and Yemen, forming what it describes as an 'axis of resistance' aimed at pushing back against Western and Israeli influence in the region.

Their violent suppression of protests in January 2026 triggered international condemnation, with the European Union and other major bodies designating it a terrorist organisation.

The anti-government protests were repressed in the deadliest crackdown in the Islamic Republic's history, with Tehran acknowledging that more than 3,000 people died during the unrest and attributed the violence to 'terrorist acts'.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), however, has recorded more than 7,000 killings, while warning the toll could be far higher.

The brutal crackdown also saw the deaths of more than 220 children, the agency said.

Other human rights organisations have tallied many more, and medical professionals have estimated that 30,000 could have been killed.

And now, the brutal regime corps have launched a killing spree in an attempt to clamp down on political dissidents and stop another uprising from unfolding during the current war.

Several top anti-regime figures were brutally executed in Iran this week, while many other political prisoners, including an 18-year-old, have been sentenced to death in recent days, according to an opposition group.

The National Council of Resistance of Iran, a political coalition formed by exiled dissidents, warned of a potential upcoming 'massacre' in the country's prisons as rattled leaders attempt to crush any notion of another mass uprising.

And amid the Iranian regime's security crackdown since the start of the war, armed teenagers have been ordered to patrol the streets of Tehran to maintain control.

Iranian authorities have confirmed they are recruiting children as young as 12 for paramilitary group patrols, traffic checks and other duties.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump claimed in a speech on Wednesday that while regime change in Iran was not his explicit goal, it has 'already occurred.'

Throughout the address, Trump sought to justify the ongoing military campaign by highlighting the Islamic regime's brutal history of violence against Americans, Israelis and its own citizens.

However, Trump did not provide any update on peace negotiations with Tehran or a concrete plan for a transition of leadership.

For many living under the repressive Islamic Republic, his words came as a shock, with one Iranian telling the Daily Mail: 'I heard from my family what the President said. We don't have any direction on what to do next, especially not from our own government,' she said.

'Iranians are hanging on to every word Trump is saying. I feel afraid like we might be betrayed. We risked everything for freedom, including our lives. Was it all for nothing?'

'Trump's speech was a little disappointing,' another person inside Iran told the Daily Mail, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

'Because if they truly negotiated with the mullahs again, after three years when Trump will leave office, they are going to rise again and do their terrorist attack on our own people and the world.

'We need to see. Maybe the people of Iran should have another protest in the future.'

So as Trump scrambles for a peace deal, millions of Iranians living under the IRGC remain worried a 'near-victory' for the administration could still mean a devastating betrayal for those who say they risked everything for a chance at liberation.
Dr. Mehmet Oz is used to surgery, but his time in Washington, DC has been even more complex.

As a television host, physician, and author, Oz came into the Trump administration learning quickly in the job as the administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

'I'm not a trained bureaucrat,' he said, joking that his job was now 'just like surgery but bloodier,' in an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail after speaking at a panel at the the Conservative Political Action Conference.

The normally dutiful job of shepherding the massive government programs has now become patient zero for the Trump administration's efforts to eliminate fraud.

Trump appointed Vice President JD Vance to serve as the administration's 'Fraud Czar,' working with Oz to root out abuse in the system.

The President teased on Friday that fraud 'raids' under Vance's direction have already started in Los Angeles.

The focus is on states run by 'crooked Democrats,' as Trump puts it. And he's anticipating that the results of raids will be 'so large' that the government should be able to balance the budget.

It is sparking fears among Americans that they may not be able to receive their Medicare and Medicaid perks.

But newly-appointed Fraud Czar Vance and Oz are working reassure Americans that they will still receive their benefits.

Oz warned groups who were trying to defraud Medicare should 'start running, because we're coming for you.'

The task force has identified Medicare and Medicaid as the biggest target for fraud as the programs pays out $2 trillion of funding per year.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator, Mehmet Oz participates in a discussion during the Conservative Political Action Conference

Dr. Mehmet Oz talks at CPAC about his work to reduce fraud in Medicaid and Medicare

In February, CMS announced that $259.5 million in Medicaid funds would be withheld from Minnesota in reimbursements due to fraud concerns, and announced a nationwide moratorium on Medicare enrollment for select medical equipment.

'As the task force to root out waste, fraud and abuse ramps up its work, we expect this number to grow exponentially.' a source familiar with the anti-fraud task force told the Daily Mail.

On Thursday, the anti-fraud task force announced the suspension of 221 hospice and healthcare providers in Los Angeles. The week prior, the task force announced the suspensions of 70 providers.

Vance, Oz told the Daily Mail, was the right man for the job, citing the Vice President's experience growing up in poor communities they were trying to serve.

'JD is able to speak very openly and honestly, he's a very upstanding person that has personal experience dealing with many of the issues that America is plagued by, being forgotten,' he said.

American citizens waiting in line for benefits, he said, should not have their benefits and rights upended by fraudsters.

Rooting out fraud is a common crusade for government bureaucrats, but historically they come up short.

Former DOGE director Elon Musk made significant motions to root out fraud, but after his efforts hit a buzzsaw of resistance he left to return to his companies.

US Vice President JD Vance (R) looks on as Medicare and Medicaid Administrator Mehmet Oz speaks about combatting fraud

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz speaks during an event with President Donald Trump

Musk later called his efforts as 'a very interesting side quest' with some success but expressed regret that many of his 'common sense' efforts for reform were rejected.

Oz was optimistic that Vance would have more success, as he was bringing together officials across the administration to work together.

'His team is actually excellent, by the way, they have lots of experts around them and they're gathering together a whole of government approach,' he said.

The team was working with officials in the Treasury Department, the Attorney General's Office and even the Internal Revenue Service to work together on the mission.

Oz said his goal was to stay focused and very precise in his mission.

'You have to be able to stay extraordinarily focused on your mission, because the bureaucracy will eat you alive,' he said. 'You cannot take a meat cleaver to fraud, you have to take a surgical scalpel, fraudsters hide amongst the innocent.'

Efforts to root out fraud, he said, would include evidence of fraud from foreign nationals in Minnesota, California, and other states

'Our job is to make sure that the programs, as they were designed, work well, but don't let these programs, especially the foreign guys take advantage of it,' he said. 'It is terrible to see it weaponized by other countries and foreign nationals.'

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife Cheryl Hines in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump

Lisa Oz and Dr. Mehmet Oz attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors

Although illegal immigrants are technically not allowed by law to take advantage of government programs for citizens, they found ways to exploit them under former President Joe Biden's administration.

That was by design, he said.

'We are bribing illegal immigrants in some states to stay here by giving them free health benefits, so they will never want to leave,' he said. 'If I say, 'Hey, listen, I'll give you a free bing free food, free healthcare, come on down.' Well, you don't have to work. Like, what's the point?

Democrats, he said, operated on the belief that everyone should receive government services, without asking too many questions.

Under Vance and Trump, that was changing rapidly.

Oz has known Vance for nearly ten years, as he recalled that they campaigned together as senate candidates in the 2022 midterm elections.

Vance won his senate seat in Ohio, but Oz came up short.

He is not looking back, however, as he noted that his work in the Trump administration was much more fulfilling than serving as a senator.

Working with the president, he said, was a real privilege, as he was focused and determined to get things done.

'This president is different, I think, than anyone else I've ever worked with. He will call you at every crazy hour of the day,' he said.

He revealed he was once out for dinner in Washington, DC with fellow cabinet members Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Secretary Marco Rubio when Trump called them to talk shop. The next morning, Oz said, he appeared on a television show at 7:00 in the morning, and Trump called him immediately after to discuss it.

'When does he sleep?' he recalled thinking, but at the same time he was trilled that Trump was supportive of his work. That made his job much easier, he said.

'He is so passionate and such a hands on leader that if you have a problem, you go to him,' he said.
A Las Vegas teenager has become the second ritzy private school boy to be charged as an adult in connection with an alleged gang rape on a field trip to Costa Rica.

Dominic Kim, 15, was one of at least four Alexander Dawson School students involved in the sexual assault of another teenager during the class vacation last year, prosecutors said.

Kim is accused of showing a graphic video of the gang rape to other children while at an event at the Meadows School, the attorneys added.

The teen then allegedly threatened to kill the students he showed the video to if they told anyone, according to a civil suit filed by the victim's family.

Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney Stacy Kollins told a judge that Kim 'continued to torture' the victim with the videos well after the incident.

Kim was indicted on Friday for possession of child sexual abuse material and child abuse, neglect or endangerment, reported the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Defense Attorney Josh Tomsheck argued against charging his client as an adult in court on Friday.

'Im not disputing he did dumb stuff by showing videos, but his intent behind it wasnt what the state is trying to proclaim,' he said.

Kim was a student at The Alexander Dawson School (pictured) in Summerlin, Nevada when the alleged incident occurred

Vaughn Griffith (pictured) was the first student accused of filming three classmates hold down another student and rape him with a flute on a class trip to Costa Rica

Vaughn Griffith, 15, was also certified as an adult in January in connection with the incident.

He was charged with possessing a visual presentation depicting the sexual conduct of a child, a category B felony punishable by one to six years in prison.

It is unclear which of the group of teens is believed to have performed the sexual assaults.

The teens cannot be charged in the US for any sexual assault allegations because the alleged incident occurred out of the country, officials say.

According to police, Griffith, Kim and at least two other eighth graders mercilessly bullied an anonymous classmate on the trip in April 2025.

They allegedly stripped the victim naked and threw his clothes on the balcony at Hotel Manuel Antonio.

Two days later, the boys 'pinned him down and pulled his pants and underwear [down]' on a bed and sexually assaulted him, police said.

According to charging documents, the boys threatened to cut off the victim's penis if he resisted.

The victim told police that he had been bullied by the group in the past and did not consent to the interaction, reported KTNV.

Griffith's indictment painfully detailed the 'graphic and violent sexual assault' as seen in a two-minute and 16-second video he allegedly posted on Snapchat and saved in his 'Memories' section.

Kim allegedly showed other children videos of the assault while at an event at the Meadows School (pictured)

The horrific assault is said to have taken place during a private school trip to Costa Rica (pictured)

The teen was shown being held down on the bed and clearly under stress as the boys held him in place.

He was then allegedly sexually assaulted with a flute, a Chapstick tube and toothpaste as he cried and screamed in pain and his attackers laughed.

The victim eventually told his stepmother about the alleged rape, who reported it to school principal Roxanne Stansbury.

The Alexander Dawson School's lawyers said in January that they were aware of the 'serious allegations involving male middle school students' during the Costa Rica trip.

'We take any such allegations incredibly seriously and promptly reported them to law enforcement once brought to our attention,' they said.

'Because the alleged misconduct occurred among middle school students, we cannot comment any further at this time.'

The elite preschool through eighth grade private school charges $32,500 per year. It advertises itself as a community that 'exhibits empathy, integrity, humility and kindness,' per their website.

Griffith (left), 15, was the first teen involved in the case to be charged as an adult

The boys were staying at the Hotel Manuel Antonio (pictured) in Costa Rica last April when their bullying allegedly escalated to sexual assault

Police have said that at least two others have not been charged for their alleged involvement in the incident due to jurisdictional issues.

As of April 4, Delegacion Policial Quepos in Costa Rica was unaware of any sexual assault accusations.

Evidence in the case has been sealed. The FBI confirmed that its Las Vegas Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force was involved in the investigation, reported NewsNation.

Kim posted a $30,000 bail before being transferred to District Court. The conditions of his release included high-level monitoring, the surrender of his passport and no contact with the victim or minors.

Both Kim and Griffith are due back in court for arraignment on April 14. Griffith has pleaded not guilty and Kim has yet to enter a plea.

The Daily Mail contacted Kim's attorney, the Clark County District Attorney's Office, the Meadows School and the Alexander Dawson School for comment
The Scottish thinker  considered by many to be the father of capitalism  published his magnum opus, The Wealth of Nations, 250 years ago. In it, he coined the metaphor of the invisible hand, which refers not to a magical order, but to a market with an institutional framework that fosters growth. His ideas decisively influenced liberal thought, especially due to his belief in individual liberty and his wariness of state intervention

The full title of the book Adam Smith published in 1776 was: An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. It was neither the first text on economics, nor on liberalism, and it wasnt error-free. So why did it attract  and why does it still attract  so much attention?

I suspect that the answer lies in its title. It seems that Smith (17231790) did indeed do a good job of explaining the nature and causes of economic growth. And he did so from a modern and multidisciplinary perspective. This was because Smith was a thinker with a broad vision that extended beyond economics. He also advocated a nuanced form of liberalism that made his analysis compelling and applicable, both in his time and ours.

The book opens with these words: The annual labour of every nation is the fund which originally supplies it with all the [necessities] and conveniences of life which it annually consumes. This opening drew a line in the sand, rejecting the fallacy that based prosperity on natural resources or precious metals. Smith wouldnt be surprised to learn that oil helped enrich the Norwegians, but not the Venezuelans.

His analysis is modern because it separated the wealth of a nation from that of the state. This was because, for him, the wealth that truly mattered was that of the people: No society can surely be flourishing and happy, of which the far greater part of the members are poor and miserable.

Economics, incentives and institutions

Smith explains the increase in wealth through the productivity of labor. And he notes that the division of labor cannot thrive until the size of the market grows. Thats why, when he selects the two most momentous events in human history, he doesnt think of inventions, but rather two expansions of the market: the European colonization of the Americas and the sea route to the East Indies around the Cape of Good Hope.

Wealth is created through production and trade. Theres no such thing as a zero-sum game  another venerable fallacy  in which one loses what another gains. In fact, everyone can gain. And everyone has a powerful incentive, a constant of human nature that Smith emphasizes on several occasions: the desire to improve our condition, a desire that comes with us from the womb and never leaves us until we go into the grave.

The interior of the Royal Exchange, London's old stock exchange, in 1788. Heritage Images / Getty Images

We all want to improve. And we achieve this by interacting with others. Smith doesnt advocate individualism, because theres no prosperity without voluntary exchanges for mutual benefit. His message is also contrary to selfishness, because selfish people attend to their own interests at the expense of others. The market is the opposite, where people satisfy their own interests, while also serving the interests of others.

That being said, productive citizens who are eager to progress arent enough. A favorable institutional framework is essential. Hence, Smiths multidisciplinary vision of growth has had an impact on development theorists. The economy needs peace  which is why, he emphasizes, defense is of much more importance than opulence  as well as legal certainty: Commerce and manufactures can seldom flourish long in any state which does not enjoy a regular administration of justice, in which the people do not feel themselves secure in the possession of their property, in which the faith of contracts is not supported by law.

State and liberty

Its clear that Smith values the role of the state. But to what extent? Well, he himself clarifies that, in a liberal system, the sovereign must fulfill three duties: defense, justice and the duty of erecting and maintaining certain public works and certain public institutions, [a duty that can never be fall on] any individual, or small number of individuals [...] the profit could never repay the expense to any individual or small number of individuals, though it may frequently do much more than repay it to a great society.

Its easy to interpret the third duty as one that justifies indefinite interventionism. And, in fact, the Scotsman recommends anti-neoliberal measures in various fields, including education, flag protection in sea navigation, as well as the regulation of banking, among others.

His own practical distrust of the market, however, offers clues to his liberal position. Indeed, Smith defends capitalism, but not capitalists, whom he openly accuses: People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or in some contrivance to raise prices. But this misgiving doesnt lead him to side with the politicians  an insidious and crafty animal  but rather with the most vulnerable people, typically consumers: Consumption is the sole end and purpose of all production; and the interest of the producer ought to be attended to, only so far as it may be necessary for promoting that of the consumer. He would, therefore, not be surprised by the protests of big business owners who demand protectionism for their strategic sectors, making people pay more as a result.

Nor did Smith accept the usual arrogance of the powerful when it came to interfering in the property of their subjects: It is the highest impertinence and presumption, therefore, in kings and ministers, to pretend to watch over the economy of private people and to restrain their [spending]... they are themselves always  and without any exception  the greatest spendthrifts in the society. Let them look well after their own expense and they may safely trust private people with theirs. If their own extravagance does not ruin the state, that of their subjects never will.

The path to wealth, therefore, rests more on the citizens than on the authorities: Every man, Smith notes, as long as he does not violate the laws of justice, is left perfectly free to pursue his own interest his own way, and to bring both his industry and capital into competition with those of any other man, or order of men. The sovereign is completely discharged from a duty [that  in attempting to fulfill it  would expose him to countless confusions] and for the proper performance of which no human wisdom or knowledge could ever be sufficient: the duty of [supervising] the industry of private people and of directing it toward the [tasks] most suitable to the interest of the society.

A realistic invisible hand

The most famous metaphor in economics  the invisible hand  has been confused with perfect competition. But this was never in Smiths mind: If a nation could not prosper without the enjoyment of perfect liberty and perfect justice, he writes, there is not in the world a nation which could ever have prospered.

First edition of Adam Smith's 'The Wealth of Nations', published in 1776. Granger ( ALBUM )

Society is a complex order. Hence, for Smith, its best to leave human beings alone, because by pursuing his own interest, [an individual] frequently promotes that of the society more [effectively] than when he [actually] intends to promote it. I have never known much good done by those who [purported to be acting] for the public good. Smith criticized wealth inequality, but, in his writings, he argues that the policy of Europe, by not leaving things at perfect liberty, occasions other inequalities of much greater importance.

Adam Smith made mistakes, such as in his flawed objective theory of value, or in his prediction of the limited future of corporations. But he was right in his fundamental theory  namely, that the wealth of nations depends on the effort made by each of us to get ahead, in a peaceful context, with justice and moderate taxation  and in the idea that we often succeed despite the government.

With prudence and realism, the philosopher cautioned against utopia and warned about the difficulties of liberalizing reforms, because interventionist regulations introduce very dangerous disorders into the state of the body politic [and these] disorders [are] often difficult to remedy [with free-market reforms], without occasioning, for a time at least, still greater disorders.

Reappraisal and legacy

Adam Smith is being reclaimed by contemporary economists, which is remarkable considering how much both the real economy and economic theory have changed.

His institutional and multidisciplinary vision has been praised by leading academics. Speaking only of recent decades, and limiting ourselves to Nobel laureates in Economics, figures such as Friedrich Hayek, George Stigler, Amartya Sen, Ronald Coase, James M. Buchanan, Vernon Smith and Douglass North studied Smith and gained appreciation for his thought. This list of economists isnt intended to be exhaustive, yet its illustrative of the scientific impact that the Scottish professor and his magnum opus have had.

Regarding his doctrinal and political legacy, Smith, due to his nuanced classical liberalism, has amassed critics among the more interventionist economists. But hes also been criticized by adherents to the Austrian school, who advocate for economic liberalization. Although, not all of them have opposed Smith: Friedrich Hayek, for one, praised him.

Finally, a Smithian legacy can be detected in politics and public opinion. Appreciation for free trade and the market has spread, while a political and popular backlash against government interference and burdensome taxation continues to gain traction.

Carlos Rodriguez Braun (Buenos Aires, 1948) is a retired professor of the History of Economic Thought. He has translated Adam Smiths The Wealth of Nations (1776) and The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759) into Spanish.
On the official GoFundMe page where his supporters have raised more than 116,000, the young father is known simply as 'The Teacher'. Perhaps a better title might be 'The Forgotten Teacher'.

Last week marked the fifth anniversary of an extraordinary  and shameful  episode in modern British history that saw this man, then a respected member of staff at Batley Grammar School in West Yorkshire, forced into hiding, fearing for his own life and for those of his children.

There, shockingly, he remains. Today he is living under a new identity, having fled not just the classroom, but his home, his town, his rugby club, his entire previous life.

It was never going to be an easy transition, but The Mail on Sunday has learned that the man, still only in his early 30s, has been diagnosed with PTSD and has had 'suicidal thoughts'. His career, he believes, is over. Ditto his life, as it was. He believes that he was 'thrown under a bus' by his former employers.

His crime? In 2021 he taught a Religious Studies lesson  one designed, ironically, to explore issues of blasphemy and free speech. One of the images he used to get pupils thinking and engaging was a caricature of the Prophet Mohammed wearing a turban containing a bomb. The cartoon had been published by the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, whose employees were massacred in 2015 for causing the 'offence'. Showing images of Mohammed is forbidden in Islam.

Controversial? Well, the teacher's bosses at Batley Grammar hadn't considered it so. The lesson had been taught for the previous two years without any problems and had been approved by the school leadership team. Yet this time it caused a furore, with angry protests by parents at the school gates being stoked and encouraged by external activists.

As he was named locally and targeted by what can only be described as a mob, the teacher was suspended, and the school 'unequivocally' apologised 'for using a totally inappropriate resource'. It also promised to review the curriculum. Both the local council and the local Labour MP at the time, Tracy Brabin, welcomed the apology.

And yet in May 2021, the teacher himself was cleared of any wrongdoing, following an independent external investigation into whether he caused deliberate offence. He was, technically, free to return to his job.

Crowds outside Batley Grammar School in West Yorkshire in 2021 following the news a teacher showed a caricature of Prophet Mohammed wearing a turban containing a bomb in a lesson

But by then the damage had been done. The man was simply too terrified to return to the classroom  and who can blame him? His primary fear was that he risked meeting the same fate as French teacher Samuel Paty, 47, who was beheaded the year before after showing a cartoon of the Prophet to his pupils. His murderer, a Russian Muslim refugee armed with a 12-inch knife, had pounced on Mr Paty as he walked from the school on the outskirts of Paris. The killer cried 'Allahu Akbar' as he cut his victim's head off, and was eventually shot dead by police.

It was a horrific end, which has long stalked the Batley Grammar School teacher.

What has become of the man who, his supporters argue, did nothing wrong? In the immediate aftermath, having felt the need to vacate his home at speed, the teacher was living in temporary accommodation, his children sleeping on mattresses, missing their own schooling because of the domestic upheaval.

A source close to the family told the MoS that he continues to live in a secret location outside the Yorkshire area. He and his family have been provided with new identities. They may have beds now, but they still feel utterly abandoned and let down. Our source painted a pitiful picture of his life today, as another anniversary passes. 'He's doing his best but it's still not easy for him. He's struggling to make ends meet and is relying on friends and family to get by.

'The whole family's life has been ripped apart and this has hugely affected them all, both financially and mentally. I can't say anything about where he is or what he's doing because he still fears that his life is in danger. The way he's been treated has been disgraceful.'

A separate source revealed that he and his family 'feel abandoned by the authorities who have done nothing to help them. The whole family is going through a difficult time, and they'll never return to live in Batley. But it's best that they're out of the area and away from all this because you never know what might happen.'

Doubtless, the events of 2021 will form part of future History lessons, if not Religious Studies ones.

A local community leader speaks to parents beside police officers. The former teacher was forced into hiding following the lesson - and remains so five years later

They took place against a febrile backdrop, where debates over free expression and religious rights had become increasingly polarised. Throw political rhetoric and the amplifying power of social media in the mix, and you had a minefield. Into which this teacher unwittingly stepped.

The idea that he was treated appallingly while those around him escaped with their reputations (and jobs) intact was supported by a damning 2024 review by Dame Sara Khan, the then Government's social cohesion tsar.

It found that the teacher had been 'let down' by his school and the police, and should have been treated as a victim.

Dame Sara slammed weak leadership in the face of 'aggressive' protests from 'self-appointed community leaders' who accused the teacher of blasphemy for showing pupils the cartoon. She wrote: 'The circumstances surrounding what happened to the RS teacher are profoundly shocking. What happened to him could potentially happen to anyone in the course of their job or profession.

'This lesson had been delivered at least four times previously, yet overnight his life changed and his ability to live in our free society was severely restricted.'

Dame Sara also told the BBC: 'How was it that in this day and age a man who was just doing his job as a teacher was forced into hiding and what was the response of the authorities and local agencies at that time?

'The local authority had failed him, West Yorkshire Police hadn't taken the appropriate response and the Batley Multi Academy Trust didn't respond to it either effectively.' She added: 'This is a much broader problem  what my review is showing is that ... the RS teacher is a victim of what I have termed as freedom-restricting harassment. People are experiencing or witnessing threatening, abusive and intimidatory harassment, which is then leading people to self-censor out of fear for themselves or their loved ones.'

Strong words, but did they lead to any change in the teacher's circumstances? It seems not.

When asked for a comment, Batley Grammar School did not reference its former member of staff or his ordeal

His mental health has continued to decline, as his plight has slipped out of public consciousness. The man appears to be trapped in a Catch 22 situation: He cannot go public and highlight the unfairness of his situation without exposing his family to further threat.

He wants to forget the horror; and yet our understanding is that he would like at least some of his old life back. There are those still trying to help, at least in a practical way. In the immediate aftermath, businessman and politician Paul Halloran, a family friend, launched the GoFundMe page.

In an update on Facebook last week he posted: 'I am immensely proud that we have raised over 100,000 for the teacher over the past five years to assist him and his family with their everyday lives.

'Those five years consist of 1,826 days. Over 43,000 hours of a family unable to return to their roots, their families, friends and support network. Their lives changed for ever, requiring a new identity for quite simply presenting the lesson he was instructed to do so by his superiors.' Little beyond the basic facts is known about this teacher, perhaps contributing to his 'forgotten' status.

What we do know is that prior to fleeing Batley, he played for a rugby club and was described as a popular and community-minded man by neighbours, many of them Muslim, who told the Daily Mail at the time how he celebrated Eid with them. One said: 'He was a wonderful, caring man and they were a lovely family. We miss them a lot because they were a big part of this community.

'He used to send all of his Muslim neighbours Eid cards and would celebrate the festival with us. He was considerate towards our culture and faith. There is no way he would have deliberately wanted to offend Muslims.'

Yet it seems he ended up as the fall-guy in a complex situation. There was undoubtedly genuine anger among some parents when they learned of the contents of this lesson, but it's troubling that progression from parental complaints to death threats against a teacher was so speedy.

It was activist group Muslim Action Forum, which was founded in 2012, which helped organise the Batley school protests, claiming in an open letter to the then Prime Minister Boris Johnson that the Religious Studies class had been 'inciting hatred and Islamophobia whilst pushing forward extremist white supremacist ideology'. It was also the MAF that publicly named the teacher.

A protester outside the grammar school casts his gaze towards a policeman

To their credit, leaders in the Muslim community in Batley have acknowledged the damage that was done.

Yunus Lunat, a prominent local lawyer who acted as spokesman for Muslim parents at the time of the incident, suggested this week that the picture looks very different today.

He said: 'I can assure you that no one in Batley wants to harm him. The town has become tainted by what happened, but most of these protesters were outside agitators.

'As a Muslim community we have to be prepared to accept that these kinds of difficulties can arise. I have always said that you can't react in the way that some people did, and it did not help us.'

He insisted that the teacher would be safe if he returned to live there and wished to draw a line under the matter.

He added: 'The time has come to repair the damage that was caused, and the teacher would be welcome back here.'

One can understand the former teacher's reticence. Especially given that he has children  and, more pertinently, no job to go back to. He was a member of the National Education Union, which has been contacted for comment.

When asked for a comment, the school did not even reference its former member of staff, or his ordeal. 'We are extremely proud of the school and our community, and how both have moved forward together so successfully and positively from the very difficult period in 2021.'

While it is easier for his former employers to overlook the teacher they washed their hands of, there are at least some individuals still determined not to forget him.
Hes one of Hollywoods biggest stars youve never heard of. And though he has spent decades playing a quintessentially British character, he is  and small children may find this deeply shocking  100 per cent American.

Jim Cummings, 73, has been the voice of Winnie the Pooh in Disney films, TV series, video and computer games for nearly 40 years, and this month will be visiting Britain to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of AA Milnes classic book.

With a close-cropped silver beard and a receding hairline, Cummings is unlikely to be mistaken for a tubby honey-loving bear, and equally unlikely to be stopped in the street by Disney fans.

Everybody knows my voice, but not many people know my face, says Cummings at home in Los Angeles. Winnie the Pooh changed my life, and its an honour to bring him to life.

And like Winnie the Pooh, Im partial to a smackerel of honey. Remarkably, Cummings may be one of the most widely heard voices on the planet.

He not only speaks for Pooh, but has given voice to Poohs bouncing friend Tigger since 1989, the whirling Tasmanian Devil since 1991, and supplied his vocal skills to characters in animated classics including Scooby-Doo and Tom and Jerry, as well as Star Wars.

He has collaborated with Elton John and Randy Newman, and been heard on the soundtrack of movies including The Lion King, Pocahontas and Anastasia.

Beyond his portrayal of Pooh, Cummings has voiced the energetic Tigger since 1989 and the iconic Tasmanian Devil since 1991, while lending his talents to legendary franchises ranging from Scooby-Doo and Tom and Jerry to Star Wars

For nearly four decades, 73-year-old Jim Cummings has served as the definitive voice of Winnie the Pooh across Disneys films, television shows, and video games

Like the beloved bear he voices, Cummings took a meandering path to acting, working as a Mississippi riverboat deckhand, drummer and video store manager before launching himself as a vocal talent in 1984.

Four years later, he took over as Winnie the Pooh from another American actor, Sterling Holloway, who had originated the bears breathy vocals for Disney in 1966. But after suffering a heart attack in 1977, Holloway just couldnt crank them out, said his biographer, Rod Taylor.

Thats when they pivoted to Jim Cummings.

Cummings arrives in the UK as the nation gears up to celebrate Poohs 100th birthday.

Disney is launching a slew of centenary merchandise, while there are Winnie the Pooh collaborations with companies including Lego, Vera Bradley and PopSockets.

And the Ashdown Forest in East Sussex, which served as inspiration for Christopher Robins Hundred Acre Wood, is planning anniversary events. Not bad for a bear of very little brain.
The White House has slammed 'deranged liberals' for sharing a conspiracy theory that President Donald Trump was hospitalized on Saturday.

The official 'Rapid Response 47' X account issued a series of fierce denials after rumors circulated on social media that the president was rushed to Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington DC.

Meanwhile, the White House account reshared an image from a reporter showing a Marine sentry standing outside the Oval Office - indicating Trump was inside - as it hit out at 'insane conspiracy theories' that he was actually in hospital.

'Deranged liberals cook up insane conspiracy theories when @POTUS goes 12 hours without speaking to press,' the account wrote.

'(They said nothing when Biden routinely went 12 days without speaking to press). Fear not! President Trump literally never stops working.'

The White House also responded to a post from liberal political influencer Ed Krassenstein after he shared an X post stating, 'Speculation is rising that Donald Trump is at Walter Reed Medical Center.'

'No, youre just a weapons-grade moron,' the Rapid Response 47 account hit back.

The White House slammed a 'deranged liberals' for sharing a conspiracy theory that Donald Trump was hospitalized on Saturday after the president hadn't been seen since his primetime address on April 1

The official 'Rapid Response 47' X account issued a series of fierce denials after rumors circulated social media that the president was raced to Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington DC

The rumors about Trump being hospitalized began after the president was not seen publicly in almost three days, which on Saturday was punctuated by the White House putting a 'lid' on his schedule at 10am.

A lid is an official notification to the White House press corps that the president will not be making any more public appearances for the rest of the day.

The indication from the usually media-hungry president followed days of near silence from Trump, who has not made any public appearances since April 1.

The false rumors that Trump was hospitalized were shared by a number of X accounts in posts that racked up millions of views, including Krassenstein and political commentator Mark Slapinski.

Commentator Dr Jane Ruby also described the rumor as a 'developing story' and shared footage from outside a hospital in Butler, Pennsylvania following the failed assassination attempt on Trump in July 2024, appearing to claim that it was Trump on Saturday.

Trump's last appearance in public was a primetime address to the nation regarding the war with Iran, and White House aides said he had been away from the media while focused on the conflict for several days.

The White House also responded to a post from liberal political influencer Ed Krassenstein, branding him a 'weapons-grade moron'

Commentator Dr Jane Ruby also shared the rumor as a 'developing story' and shared footage from outside a hospital in Butler, Pennsylvania following the failed assassination of Trump in July 2024, appearing to claim that it was Trump on Saturday

Political commentator Mark Slapinski also shared the rumor, falsely alleging there were 'credible reports' that Trump was hospitalized

Trump also posted an update to the Iran war on his Truth Social platform on Saturday evening, sharing a video of explosions filling the skies over Iran

White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung did not directly cite the rumors around Trump being hospitalized, but shared an X post on Saturday evening appearing to combat the claims.

'There has never been a President who has worked harder for the American people than President Trump,' Cheung said.

'On this Easter weekend, he has been working nonstop in the White House and Oval Office. God Bless him.'

Trump also posted an update to the Iran war on his Truth Social platform on Saturday evening, sharing a video of explosions filling the skies over Iran.

'Many of Irans Military Leaders, who have led them poorly and unwisely, are terminated, along with much else, with this massive strike in Tehran! President DONALD J. TRUMP,' the post read.
The Government is accelerating plans to introduce legislation which will allow the construction of seven super-size asylum accommodation centres which will be immune to public planning objections.

The intention is laid out in Department of Justice documents seen by the Irish Mail on Sunday and is further proof that Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan views illegal immigration as one of the biggest challenges facing the country, according to senior Government sources.

The legislation will block the public from opposing asylum centres at the Thornton Hall site in north Dublin and up to six other sites around the country.

Under current planning laws, local communities can lodge objections against new International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) centres that are being built to replace the State policy of requisitioning hotels.

However a Department of Justice plan to introduce legislation to permanently override the rights of residents to object to large asylum centres is being pursued under an accelerated time-frame according to documents seen by the Mail.

Planning laws over temporary accommodation for asylum centres can be overridden by the Government at the moment but only on a limited scale in a temporary emergency law.

However, the Government will now legislate to allow planning laws to be permanently overridden.

It will allow asylum accommodation developments to go ahead at Thornton Hall and at a site at Crooksling  both in Dublin  a site at an old army barracks in the midlands and four other unnamed sites.

The plan is referred to in confidential Department of Justice documents that emerged from a high-level meeting at the Department, known as MinMac.

An indication of the changed focus of Mr OCallaghans department can be seen in the documents and how a large majority of its business is now devoted to immigration.

An indication of the changed focus of Minister Jim OCallaghans department can be seen in the confidential documents

Gardai at Thornton Hall in North Co Dublin where workers were are in the process of converting the site into accomModation for asylum seekers

Almost half  41 of 86  items on the agenda for MinMac  a meeting of Department of Justice ministers and senior officials  last month were devoted to immigration matters, according to the confidential documents.

The agenda outlines major Justice policy and strategy aims, both short-term and for the remainder of the current Governments term in office, due to end in 2029.

A senior Department of Justice source told Mail: These documents show you Jim OCallaghan knows his reputation will be made or broken on his proven ability to solve the immigration conundrum and to protect the sanctity of our borders.

Arguably, immigration, though many dont see it yet, is THE issue facing Ireland. Others dont see it, but Jim OCallaghan does.

An artist's impression of how the revamped Thornton Hall in north Dublin will look

Under a heading outlined in red  Migration, A Fair But Firmer System  the agenda documents for the meeting which was held at the Department of Justice St Stephens Green HQ, are divided into subheadings such as:

Implement stronger border security at our ports and borders;

Support gardai to step up immigration enforcement;

Introduce a new International Protection Act to implement the EU Migration and Asylum Pact.

Some of the items discuss legislative and policy initiatives that are known to the public, many discuss matters that are unknown.

Another subheading, also marked in red, is titled:

Further reduce the use of hotels for housing asylum seekers and utilise State lands to develop appropriate State-owned facilities.

The documents go on to say: Seven properties [are] currently under consideration for acquisition and at different stages of viability.

Three of the seven properties are named  a proposed, huge asylum seekers accommodation centre at Thornton Hall, the site initially bought 20 years ago for a now-discontinued super prison, and Crooksling, a former nursing home in West Dublin, that has been used as asylum accommodation.

Another is referred to as MAC, which is the Midlands Accommodation Centre, at Columb Barracks in Athlone.

The documents seen by the Mail indicate that legislation to provide permanent planning exemptions for IPAS centres is being formulated by the Department of Justice.

Such a move is bound to cause huge controversy as proposals to accommodate asylum seekers at Thornton Hall have already been vehemently opposed by North County Dublin residents.

The documents say: Design teams [have been] appointed to develop modular modalities and layouts for three sites at Thornton Hall, MAC and Crooksling.

The development of modular accommodation on Thornton, MAC and Crooksling in an accelerated time-frame is dependent on a form of planning exemption, say the agenda documents.

This will be done by legislation, other than the existing, temporary powers under the Planning and Development Act 2000

A process to enact legislation for the planning exemption required is underway. A stamped draft of the bill has been prepared and next steps is [sic] getting it on the Dail agenda and pre-legislative scrutiny.

In a parliamentary reply to questions asked by Independent TD Ken OFlynn and Sinn Fein TD Eoin O Broin in July of last year, Mr OCallaghan said that these asylum seeker accommodations had been granted temporary planning permission under section 181(2)(a) of the Planning and Development Act 2000.

Mr OCallaghan told the Dail that in emergency circumstances, certain sections of that Act can be disallowed through the development of a Ministerial Order.

The purpose of this section is to ensure that the State, in emergency circumstances, has the power to take action to meet urgent needs within public and State services.

However, Mr OCallaghan added that the emergency planning had been revoked for Thornton Hall and Crooksling.

The Mail revealed in 2024 a strategy to move away from housing asylum seekers in hotels, as protests, particularly in rural communities deprived of what was often the only hotel in their locality, became more intense.

It is understood that the draft legislation that is referred to in the document is an unpublished section of an act known as the General Scheme of a Planning and Development Act (Planning Status of State sites) Amendment Bill 2025.

An attempt to locate three International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) at named locations and at least four others at other unknown locations around Ireland, under a process where objections cant be lodged under planning law, will be very controversial with local communities.

In last summers parliamentary question, Mr OCallaghan confirmed that in 2024, four sites: Thornton Hall; Lissywollen, near Athlone; Crooksling in Brittas in the Dublin mountains and Columb Barracks, Mullingar had received temporary planning exemptions.

Mr OCallaghan said that while two of these orders have subsequently been revoked, at Thornton Hall and Crooksling, all these sites remain an important part of the implementation of the Governments Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy and the Programme for Government.

This aims to build a sustainable system and develop more State-owned international protection accommodation.

What Mr OCallaghan didnt say is that a permanent planning exemption is now being pursued.

Last night, a Department of Justice spokesperson told the Mail: Government policy on international protection accommodation is to move toward more provision of State-owned accommodation, and reducing the use of emergency commercial accommodation over time.

A range of actions have been implemented over recent years to achieve this. They include examining properties suitable for purchase by the State.

The State purchased Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre in 2025 and continues to consider other options submitted for purchase or lease.

Separate actions have included providing accommodation on existing State-owned lands. State-owned sites have been licensed or made available for this purpose, including at Crooksling in Dublin (by the HSE), Lissywollen in Athlone (OPW) and at Thornton Hall in Dublin (Irish Prison Service).

They said that further to legal challenges, the Government has drafted legislation to provide updated planning arrangements for such sites.
It's early on Friday morning and the two-man crew of a F-15E Strike Eagle are making final checks before take-off.

First the navigation display, then weapons systems. The pilot pushes the throttles to full power and accelerates down the runway, leaving the huge Muwaffaq Salti airbase in north-west Jordan behind.

So begins their fateful journey over Iraq and down into south-western Iran, more than 800 miles away.

Having deployed to the Middle East from RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk last month as Donald Trump launched Operation Epic Fury, the American airmen had plenty of time to mull over their mission.

Who knows what came to mind as they contemplated the days ahead?

Perhaps they recalled the low-level flying exercises they conducted in South Wales  or maybe the gruelling 'conduct after capture' training in the Arizona desert.

Surely, they were buoyed by the fact that not a single US plane had been lost to enemy fire since the war began  and President Trump's claim of complete dominance of the skies over Iran.

Once airborne, however, they had little time to think beyond the task in hand.

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Engine performance, fuel status and avionics will have been constantly monitored by the pilot, who kept in regular contact with command.

Behind him in the cockpit's rear seat, the weapons systems officer operated the complex radar, sensor and defence systems.

The F-15E Strike Eagle is designed for both air-to-air combat and long-range, ground attack missions.

Known as a 'bomb truck', it can carry up to 20,000lb of mixed air-to-ground and air-to-air weapons, including laser-guided bombs, missiles and even nuclear weapons.

Precise details are sketchy but cruising at more than 1,800mph the warplane probably likely took around 20 minutes to reach Iranian air space.

It is worth noting that, given what happened next, the Strike Eagle does not have the stealth capabilities of more recent generations of fighter jets.

Officials have indicated that it was heading towards the Strait of Hormuz when their worst fears were realised.

Some 100 miles inside Iran, the jet was hit by a surface-to-air missile. Tehran would later boast that a new air defence system was used to bring it down.

How much damage it sustained is unclear but the pilot and the weapon systems officer decided to bail out.

Pulling the ejection handles on their seats, they were propelled upwards by explosive charges, clearing the F-15 in a split second.

No amount of training would have mitigated the stress they endured when, after a brief freefall, their parachutes unfurled and they found themselves floating into enemy territory  the mountainous Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, much of it covered by oak forest and home to wolves, bears and leopards.

Ejection seats are typically equipped with survival kits and communications devices.

Certainly, the airmen  each armed with a pistol and a knife  must have established contact with a command centre when they hit the ground, quite likely miles apart.

It is known the pilot activated a personal locator beacon.

Immediately after the first distress call, US military command launched a race-against-the-clock search-and-rescue operation, with President Trump being briefed at the White House.

The hazardous mission involved Special Forces on the ground and Black Hawk helicopters scrambled from Basra in Iraq accompanied by a C-130J Super Hercules, which operates as a mobile command-and-control centre.

Some 100 miles inside Iran, a F-15E Strike Eagle was hit by a surface-to-air missile on Friday. Tehran would later boast that a new air defence system was used to bring the jet down. Pictured: File photo of a US Air Force training exercise

How much damage it sustained is unclear but the pilot and the weapon systems officer decided to bail out - and pulled the ejection handles on their seats. Pictured: An ejector seat from the downed fighter plane

Immediately after the first distress call, US military command launched a race-against-the-clock search-and-rescue operation. Pictured: A US aircraft and two helicopters fly over Iran this week

It is understood indigenous groups in the area may have been previously contacted by US forces with the aim of creating contingency plans that could be activated to help with any rescues.

Iranians filmed the aircraft over neighbouring Khuzestan province and posted footage on social media  along with images of wreckage from the downed jet.

Wreckage pictures published by Iran's state broadcaster purport to the show the F-15's wingtip and the top section of a vertical stabiliser.

Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow who studies air power and technology at the Royal United Services Institute in London, said the markings were consistent with those of the 494th Fighter Squadron based at RAF Lakenheath, though they are believed to have shifted to Jordan for the war.

It was claimed on Saturday that two Black Hawks and the C130 Hercules fled the area during one rescue attempt, after Bakhtiari tribesmen opened fire with rifles, according to Fettah Mohammadi, deputy governor of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province.

Video clips on Iranian social media show civilians in traditional dress firing at low-flying aircraft in mountain valleys.

In one clip, a young girl could be heard urging her father: 'Hit it, Dad, hit it,' as he aimed a rifle skywards.

Underscoring the mission's risk, a Black Hawk was hit by ground fire but escaped to safety, while a second US military jet, an A-10 Thunderbolt II, known as the Warthog, was downed near the Strait of Hormuz, but the pilot was rescued.

US forces pinpointed the location of one of the F-15 crew, understood to be the pilot, in the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province.

But they needed to act quickly. The Iranians were also closing in on him.

In a tense sequence of events lasting only minutes, US helicopters came under fire but 'para-rescue jumpers'  members of a daring US air force unit whose motto is 'These Things We Do That Others May Live'  managed to reach the pilot first and scoop him to safety.

Iranians filmed the aircraft over neighbouring Khuzestan province and posted footage on social media. Pictured: Iranian police appearing to fire at two US helicopters as they searched for the downed crew

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'Harrowing and massively dangerous is an understatement,' a former commander of a para-rescue squadron said of the mission.

'This is what they train to do, all over the world. They are known as the Swiss Army knives of the air force.'

The unit's website says: 'When an injured airman needs saving from a hostile or otherwise unreachable area, it's our duty to bring them home...

'[Our] highly trained experts take part in every aspect of the mission and are skilled parachutists, scuba divers and rock climbers, and they are even Arctic-trained to access any environment to save a life when they're called to do so.'

Para-rescuers are trained as both combatants and paramedics and go through one of the hardest selection processes in the US military.

They also receive specialised courses in battlefield medicine, complex recovery operations and weapons.

On the ground, these teams are led by specialised combat rescue officers, who are responsible for planning, co-ordinating and executing the recovery missions.

Para-rescue teams deployed extensively throughout the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, conducting thousands of missions to rescue US and allied troops who were wounded or required extraction.

In 2005, para-rescue teams were involved in the recovery of a Navy Seal who was wounded and seeking shelter in an Afghan village after his team was ambushed and its other three members killed. The incident was made into the film Lone Survivor.

It is thought the F-15 pilot was found in the Zagros mountains, which have one of the largest nomadic populations on Earth.

Determined not to let the other valuable propaganda prize  the weapons systems officer  slip from their grasp, the Iranians have offered a 50,000 reward (the average monthly income in the region is 200) to anyone who captures the airman alive.

They have sealed off an area in the province and are conducting a painstaking search.

It is unclear why it is taking US forces longer to rescue the second airman, and with every passing hour the prospect of reaching him before the Iranians grows slimmer.
A Pennsylvania man has been arrested for allegedly stabbing a Planet Fitness employee after he was banned from the gym.

Davier Massey, 28, is accused of storming the workout facility twice on Thursday in Cheltenham Township, 30 minutes outside of Philadelphia.

Police said Massey, who has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, was outraged after being banned the day before because of an unpaid bill.

In the first instance, Massey arrived at Planet Fitness sometime in the morning, but quickly left.

But at 12.30pm, the Cheltenham Township Police Department was dispatched to the business over claims that Massey stormed the building and caused a violent 'disturbance'.

Arguments between Massey and the gym employee dramatically escalated, prompting the suspect to allegedly stab the victim multiple times.

'A male patient with multiple stab wounds was located and transported to an area trauma center for treatment for life-threatening injuries,' read a statement from the police department.

The victim has not been named, but is reportedly recovering at the hospital, according to Law & Crime.

Davier Massey, 28, was arrested for allegedly stabbing a Planet Fitness gym employee

The Planet Fitness located in Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania, closed temporarily following the alleged violence

Police arrested Massey 'a short distance away' within the Cedarbrook Shopping Plaza.

In a statement obtained by WPVI, a representative for Planet Fitness said they were 'saddened' by reports of the erratic altercation.

'At Planet Fitness, the safety and well-being of our team members and members is our top priority,' a representative said.

'Our thoughts are with the team member as they recover.

'We appreciate local law enforcement's quick action, and the franchise owner is fully supporting them in their investigation.'

According to their website, Planet Fitness 'does not tolerate verbal or physical harassment of any member or team member for any reason.'

'Violations by members may result in cancellation of membership,' read the policy.

Cheltenham Police responded to the scene at around 12.30pm on Thursday. They found the suspect nearby in the same shopping center

Cheltenham's Planet Fitness was closed the rest of the day following the chaotic incident, reported NBC Philadelphia.

'Closed due to an unexpected emergency,' signs read. 'We apologize for any inconvenience.'

Cheltenham Township Planet Fitness members told the outlet that they were 'concerned,' especially considering the sense of community within the gym.

'Everybody knows everybody in there,' member Isley Robinson said. 'It's one big community, so it's really shocking.'

'There's a bunch of Planet Fitnesses if you're banned from this one, go to the next one,' said member Eric Coleman.

'Everybody comes in here for the same reason... I don't know what it was, but it didn't have to get to that.'

Massey was charged with multiple counts, including attempted first-degree murder and aggravated assault

Massey was charged with criminal attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, harassment and making terroristic threats.

He also racked up counts for criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, simple assault and possession of an instrument of crime.

According to his LinkedIn page, Massey worked as a case manager at Morgan & Morgan until mid-2024.

He earned his Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Business Management from Lincoln University of Pennsylvania in 2022.

Massey is being held without bail at Montgomery County Correctional Facility. He will appear in court for a preliminary hearing on April 16.

Massey has yet to enter a plea.

The Daily Mail contacted Planet Fitness and the Cheltenham Township Police Department for comment.
The desperate hunt for a downed American airman intensified on Saturday night as US special forces raced against armed Iranian nomads to find the missing crewman.

Tehran placed a bounty of 50,000 on the head of the weapons systems operator who ejected from his F-15E Strike Eagle on Friday moments before the jet was 'obliterated' by a surface to air missile.

The pilot was rescued within 45 minutes of the plane going down over treacherous mountain terrain in southern Iran.

But US officials now fear the missing crewman could be used as a human bargaining chip.

A source close to Donald Trump told The Mail on Sunday: 'Everything is being thrown at finding the missing airman.

'We have special forces in the area and the might of the entire US military is in this hunt.

'The fear is he will be captured and used as a pawn. We need to find him before the Iranians and bring him home.'

The source added that Mr Trump is being 'briefed around the clock' about the search-and-rescue mission and said the President chose to remain at the White House this weekend instead of going to his home in Florida, 'because he wants to be at the heart of things'.

Tehran placed a bounty of 50,000 on the head of the American weapons systems operator who ejected from his F-15E Strike Eagle on Friday before the jet was 'obliterated' by a missile. Pictured: Armed Iranian tribesmen search for the missing US airman

The pilot was rescued within 45 minutes of the plane going down over treacherous mountain terrain in southern Iran. Pictured: An ejector seat from the downed fighter plane

US officials now fear the missing crewman could be used as a human bargaining chip. Pictured: Armed Iranian tribesmen search for the missing US airman

Iranian media has broadcast images of US aircraft searching for the missing airman while constantly repeating the reward for his capture, which has prompted rag-tag groups of goat herders and farmers to take up makeshift weapons and join the hunt.

Iranian leaders encouraged people to head to the area to capture the American but warned: 'Do not mistreat him.'

Mr Trump last night warned Iran to re-open the Strait of Hormuz, saying: 'Time is running out  48 hours before all hell will reign (sic) down on them. Glory be to God!'

Israel has stopped attacks in the area where the jet was shot down and Israel Special Forces are said to be helping US Navy Seals and Army Green Berets on the ground.

The missing officer is trained in SERE (survival, evasion, resistance and escape) and may have been injured after ejecting.

Trained to survive for several days, he will hide during daylight and if he moves at all will do so at night.

Marina Miron, from the defence studies department at King's College London, said 'he will be trying to blend with the terrain and survive until he is found'.

She added: 'The problem here is, the better he hides, the more difficult it will be to locate him for those conducting the rescue.'

Laurel Rapp, of the US and North America programme at Chatham House, told the BBC that capturing the airman would be a 'huge prize' for Iran and offer them a 'very powerful bargaining chip'.

A former military hostage negotiator last night raised the possibility Iran had already captured him, telling the BBC they may be using his location beacon to lure in US forces.

The downed jet is thought to have previously been based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, but sources suggest they were moved to Jordan when the war began.

Iran parliament speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf trolled Mr Trump on X yesterday, saying: 'After defeating Iran 37 times in a row, this brilliant no-strategy war they started has now been downgraded from "regime change" to "Hey! Can anyone find our pilots? Please? Wow. What incredible progress. Absolute geniuses".'

The hunt for the airman marks a pivotal point in the war, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, which began on February 28.

If captured, it raises the spectre of a repeat of the 1979 Iran hostage crisis when militant students took over the US embassy in Tehran and kept 52 Americans captive for 444 days.

The crisis defined Jimmy Carter's last year as president and Mr Trump has repeatedly called the incident 'weak and pathetic'.

Mr Trump has vowed the downed airman will not hamper talks to end the conflict  talks the Iranians deny are even taking place.

News of the reward has prompted rag-tag groups of goat herders and farmers to take up makeshift weapons and join the hunt. Pictured: Armed Iranian tribesmen search for the missing US airman

Iranian leaders encouraged people to head to the area to capture the American but warned: 'Do not mistreat him'. Pictured: Wreckage of the downed plane posted online by Tehran, left, and the logo normally on the tail of this type of aircraft, right

The missing officer is trained in SERE (survival, evasion, resistance and escape) but may have been injured after ejecting. Pictured: File photo of members of the US Air Force on a training exercise

A US Black Hawk helicopter involved in the search for the missing crewman was hit by ground fire but landed safely. Pictured: Iranian police appearing to shoot at US rescue crews

Despite the President touting 'swift, decisive, overwhelming victories on the battlefield', Iran has launched at least 50 ballistic missiles and more than 150 drones at US targets in the past 72 hours, including the missile which downed the F-15E fighter.

A US Black Hawk helicopter involved in the search was hit by ground fire but landed safely.

And an A-10 Warthog plane crashed in the Gulf but the pilot ejected over Kuwait and was rescued.

Democratic senator Tammy Duckworth, who lost her legs while serving as an Army helicopter pilot during the war in Iraq, said: 'As someone shot down behind enemy lines, my heart goes out to the crew members and their loved ones waiting for answers.'

Some 13 US service members have been killed in the war to date  seven by hostile fire and six in a plane crash.

Mr Trump ramped up his attacks against European allies this week for their refusal to show 'courage' in helping to open the Strait of Hormuz.

Nato's Secretary General Mark Rutte will visit the White House next week.
The crew on NASA's Artemis II mission ran into unexpected issues with Microsoft Outlook, as the email service was plagued with technical difficulties even outside of planet Earth.

About seven hours into the flight, commander Reid Wiseman reported that the email system had stopped functioning.

'I also see that I have two Microsoft Outlooks and neither one of those are working,' he told Mission Control in Houston during a livestream on Thursday.

The Artemis II mission is estimated to cost about $4.1 billion, according to NASA's Office of Inspector General. It has encountered some minor glitches since launching earlier this week.

Wiseman was using a Microsoft Surface Pro as his personal computing device, which refers to a specialized tablet that astronauts rely on to access emails and mission data.

The devices are also crucial for communication while in space, forcing any sort of glitch to be resolved quickly.

'If you want to remote in and check those two Outlooks  that would be awesome,' Wiseman said.

NASA's team in Houston confirmed it would remotely access Wiseman's device and 'let you know when we're done.'

Commander Reid Wiseman (second from left) reported that his Microsoft Outlook email accounts had stopped working roughly seven hours into the flight

The Artemis II mission, which launched on April 1 from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39B, is estimated to cost about $4.1 billion

Reactions to the unusual email snafu were quick online, with users joking that Outlook's glitches were a sort of universal experience.

'Microsoft disappointing customers Earth and beyond,' one user on X posted.

'They took Outlook. It didn't work properly,' another said. 'Is there a single person on Earth or in Space who was surprised?'

A third user quipped that NASA was 'sending the whole human experience to space,' technological issues included.

NASA explained on Thursday that the complications with Wiseman's Outlook had been resolved, noting they had not been taken by surprise.

'This is not uncommon,' Judd Frieling, the Artemis II flight director, said during a press conference. 'We have this on station all the time.'

'Sometimes, Outlook has issues getting configured, especially when you don't have a network that's directly connected,' Frieling added.

He explained that NASA 'just had to reload his files on Outlook to get it working.'

Join the discussion Should NASA trust key missions to commercial tech like Outlook, or should it build its own systems?

Artemis II flight director Judd Frieling said Thursday that Outlook sometimes had issues getting configured

NASA explained that they reloaded Wiseman's files to get his email accounts to start working again (Photo of an Outlook error message)

The Orion capsule's bathroom has also experienced issues since Artemis II launched.

'Outlook down and bathroom trouble,' one X user said. 'Proof that you can leave Earth, but Earth won't leave you.'

Sensors in the waste management system began showing unexpected readings within hours of takeoff, according to flight controllers.

One of the astronauts on board, Christina Koch, reported issues with the toilet just seconds after starting it up.

'The toilet shut down on its own and I have a blinking amber fault light,' Koch told Mission Control.

The titanium toilet uses air suction to remove waste and collects urine and solid waste separately.

Liquids are vented into space, while solid waste is stowed onboard for disposal after the return trip.

After several hours of troubleshooting, the toilet was reported as fixed, with Mission Control offering astronauts a suggestion.

'Happy to report that toilet is go for use,' Mission Control said. 'We do recommend letting the system get to operating speed before donating fluid.'

Orion features a toilet compartment hidden behind a panel in the floor (circled in red). However, its waste management system had continued experiencing issues as of Saturday

Wiseman was using a Microsoft Surface Pro as his personal computing device when he encountered the difficulties

However, the waste management system had continued to give the Artemis II crew issues as of Saturday, according to the Associated Press.

Engineers believe that ice may be blocking the line, preventing urine from completely flushing overboard.

For now, the toilet remained usable for bowel functions, though issues with the urine system persisted.

Astronauts on the Artemis II have also reported a smell emanating from the bathroom, which is buried in the floor of the capsule with a door and curtain for privacy.

NASA's Orion program deputy manager, Debbie Korth, said that space toilets and bathrooms were 'always a challenge.'

John Honeycutt, chair of the mission management team, added that the bathroom remained 'in a good state right now,' though it wasn't fully operational.

Honeycutt added that the astronauts would keep working through the bathroom woes.

'They're okay,' he said. 'They trained to manage through the situation.'

Wiseman and his crew are expected to reach their destination on Monday.

The four astronauts will swing around the moon in their Orion capsule, hang a U-turn and then head straight home without a stop.

The Daily Mail has reached out to NASA and Microsoft for comment.
An Aussie has shared an urgent warning after $20,000 worth of valuables was stolen during a very daring scam while he was in Italy.

Anthony Moss arrived in the European country in December and collected a hire car from Avis at Milan Airport.

He had barely left the airport precinct when his trip took a dramatic turn.

While stopped, a welldressed man approached the passenger-side window and pointed toward the front wheel, suggesting there was a problem with the tyre.

Moss got out of the stillrunning car to check.

As he leaned down, jetlagged and distracted, a second thief quietly moved in.

Within moments, the boot and a rear door were opened and his luggage stolen. His suitcase and laptop bag vanished without him noticing.

The stranger who raised the alarm about the tyre disappeared just as quickly.

Anthony Moss (right) had around $20,000 worth of items stolen while travelling to Milan

The stolen items included a MacBook, iPad, Apple Watch, a highend Panerai watch, about $2,000 in mixed currencies, and several expensive personal belongings.

Moss estimated the total loss at around $20,000.

Originally from Melbourne and now also based in Malta, Moss is an experienced international traveller.

He runs HunterMoss, a luxury driving tour company specialising in highend European experiences.

He believes the thieves deliberately targeted him after spotting his premium Rimowa suitcase and designer backpack.

The precision, timing and coordination pointed to a professional operation rather than a random act of crime.

After reporting the theft to police, Moss used AirTags hidden in his luggage and Apple's Find My tracking system to follow the trail.

The signal showed his belongings moving from Milan by train before stopping near a remote wooded area close to a station.

Anthony Moss fell to a complex scam while entering his hire car at Milan airport (file pictured)

When Moss went to investigate, he found evidence that other bags had been dumped and burnt, although his own luggage was no longer there.

Eventually, his Macbook was recovered almost a month later, when he used the AirTag details to track his MacBook, sharing the information with Italian police.

The laptop had been remotely locked and wiped using Apple's Find My system, rendering it useless to anyone else.

The ordeal turned what should have been a routine airport pickup into a costly overseas nightmare.

Moss said he now wants to warn other Australians to stay alert, even in places that feel secure.

'You feel like you're safe because you're in an airport,' he told news.com.au.

'There's cameras, there are police and there is all those things around you, but there are people who target airports so you just have to be so careful of your surroundings and your belongings.

'I didn't expect to be distracted and targeted. It's hard, you're tired, you're getting off a flight, your brain's a bit foggy because you've got jet lag.

Originally from Melbourne and now also based in Malta, Moss is an experienced international traveller

'I felt like an idiot, but I realise that it was done so professionally I had to hand it to those guys  a brilliant robbery.'

Apple AirTags have become a favourite among Australians travelling overseas, particularly in Europe, where they effectively have unlimited range through Apple's Find My network.

Many travellers have shared their experiences using AirTags in luggage, with one social media thread prompting widespread support.

'For the small investment they do add more information to the situation. Losing bags overseas is such a disarming experience,' one person wrote.

'AirTags [are] a definite!! Peace of mind especially if luggage goes missing - it helps airlines locate them quicker or in our case know when they're lying about its location,' another said.
Sir Keir Starmer has condemned Wireless Festival for booking Kanye West as a headliner this summer due to his Nazi and anti-semitic messaging.

The Prime Minister said it was 'deeply concerning' the American rapper will star as the main act on all three nights of the event in Finsbury Park, London, this July.

West, 48, has repeatedly made anti-Semitic and pro-Nazi remarks on social media, for which he has since apologised and blamed on his bipolar disorder.

He has also worn swastika and 'White Lives Matter' T-shirts, called himself a Nazi, released a song praising Hitler and said he was going 'death con 3 on Jewish people'.

West's actions have led to growing calls for him to be banned from the UK completely. He has not performed in the country for 11 years.

The Home Secretary can deny visas to foreign nationals if their presence is deemed 'not conducive to the public good'.

Kanye West performs on stage at the Wireless Festival in Birmingham in 2014

Sir Keir Starmer told the Sun on Sunday: 'It is deeply concerning Kanye West has been booked to perform at Wireless despite his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism.

'Antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted firmly wherever it appears.

'Everyone has a responsibility to ensure Britain is a place where Jewish people feel safe.'

The 48-year-old rapper's appearance at Wireless Festival comes amid fears of growing antisemitism within the UK.

In March, four ambulances from a Jewish community-run service were set on fire in north-west London.

Two men and a 17-year-old boy were remanded in custody on Saturday after appearing in court accused of torching the vehicles.

In October last year, two men were killed in an attack on a Manchester synagogue.

Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said it was 'absolutely the wrong decision' for Wireless to book West.

He said the government should 'show mettle on tackling antisemitism' and consider 'blocking him from entering the country'.

West in a previous social media post wearing a sweatshirt bearing a swastika

Mr Rosenberg told Newsnight: 'We're in this moment of really high levels of antisemitism.

'So to have someone whose recent track record is, as you said, declaring himself a Nazi, putting out a song called "Heil Hitler", seems to be absolutely the wrong decision and many Jewish people will worry that that will just inflame what is already a very febrile situation.'

He added: 'I'm very sympathetic to the challenges he has with mental health and bipolar disorder. But the challenge is maybe he's not in complete control of his ability to do those things.

'And we're really worried that on stage at the Wireless Festival, he'll suddenly come out with more of these things. And the organisers really need to think carefully about this.'

West apologised in January for his antisemitic remarks in a letter published as a full-page advert in the Wall Street Journal newspaper.

In his letter, he said his bipolar disorder led him to fall into 'a four-month long, manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behaviour that destroyed my life'.

West last performed at the Wireless Festival in 2014.

Festival organisers said: 'Ye's UK comeback will be an extraordinary chapter in Wireless's story'.

The Community Security Trust, a charity that provides protection for Jewish communities in the UK, said their decision was 'completely unacceptable'.

'There is little confidence that he will not repeat his appalling views in future,' a spokesperson said.

'Antisemitism causes real harm to Jewish communities and decisions like this risk signalling that anti-Jewish racism is welcome in the music industry.'

Wireless Festival has been approached for comment.
The family of a cop gunned down by Dezi Freeman have accused Victoria Police of deepening their grief and poor communication as they reveal plans to sue the force.

Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, was one of two officers killed when a team of police visited Freeman's home at Porepunkah, in north-east Victoria, to serve a warrant on August 26 last year.

Senior Constable Vadim de WaartHottart was also fatally shot, while a third officer was seriously injured.

For the first time since the shooting, Senior Constable Thompson's sisters Dianne Thompson and Lois Kirk have spoken publicly, alleging failures by police leadership during the weeks and months following their brother's death.

Their lawyer has also raised questions about why elite forces such as the Special Operations Group - who gunned down Freeman last week - were not used to serve the original warrant on him.

Victoria Police has responded to the sisters with a statement saying every effort had been made to 'provide timely updates to all families involved' and that they had spoken directly with Senior Constable Thompson's partner on multiple occasions.

However, Dianne and Lois say their confidence in Victoria Police began to unravel almost immediately after their brother's death, after learning of the tragedy via phone call, rather than in person. They claim communication only worsened as time went on.

'We have been under extreme emotional stress and trauma since our big brother Neal was shot and killed on August 26,' Dianne Thompson told the Herald Sun.

Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, was one of two officers killed during a raid on Freeman's bus near Porepunkah, in north-east Victoria, on August 26

Freeman (pictured) was shot dead by police on March 30 after being on the run for 216 days

'The grief alone is bad enough, but to be completely ignored by Victoria Police from the day Neal died to now is beyond comprehension.'

The sisters allege they were not kept updated on key developments, were not offered the chance to travel to Porepunkah in the days after the shooting, and felt marginalised during their brother's funeral and later memorial events.

They said they did not learn from police that Freeman had been shot dead last week after 216 days on the run, but instead from their lawyer after missed calls.

In a detailed letter sent to Chief Commissioner Mike Bush in December, the sisters outlined what they described as ongoing neglect, including being unaware of memorial services and being unable to collect their brother's ashes.

'His loss has left a permanent fracture in our family, in our daily lives, and in the fabric of who we are,' they wrote.

'We expected grief, we expected heartbreak, but we did not expect to feel invisible.'

They described being seated away from close family members at Senior Constable Thompson's funeral and said they were forced to introduce themselves to senior political figures in attendance.

'We had to approach the Prime Minister and the Premier ourselves, as they did not know who we were,' Dianne said.

Lois Kirk (pictured) and Diane Thompson (behind) are set to sue the Victoria Police

Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson (pictured) was shot dead by Freeman

The sisters, represented by police accountability lawyer Jeremy King, will take part in a forthcoming coronial inquest into the deaths of the two officers.

Mr King told the Herald Sun 'real questions' would be asked about the reasons why police did not use elite squads to serve the warrant on Freeman given the risks involved.

At the time of Senior Constable Thompson's death, Freeman was living in a bus and was the subject of a warrant over alleged historical sex offences.

Senior Constable Thompson was shot as he climbed through a window before Freeman turned his weapon on Senior Constable de WaartHottart.

Victoria Police told Daily Mail in a statement responding to the sisters' claims that the past seven months had been 'an incredibly difficult time', particularly for the families of the two officers killed.

Police said that they had been in contact with the families since the incident and had taken steps to keep them informed while ensuring support services were in place.

The statement said the Chief Commissioner had spoken on multiple occasions directly with Senior Constable Thompson's partner, the parents of Senior Constable de WaartHottart, and the officer seriously injured during the August 26 incident.

Victoria Police also acknowledged concerns raised by Senior Constable Thompson's sisters and confirmed officers had met with them following correspondence sent to the Chief Commissioner.

Police said liaison officers from the Homicide Squad and the local area had been appointed to provide updates on the investigation and support around welfare and memorial events.

'While every effort is made to provide timely updates to all families involved, we are always conscious of the need to manage ongoing investigations,' the statement said.

Victoria Police said discussions with the sisters were continuing, but it would not be appropriate to provide further details.

The sisters' claims come after a man and woman were arrested following an investigation into Freeman's movements during his seven months on the run.

Victoria Police arrested the pair, believed to be associates of Freeman, at two properties in the state's northeast about 7am Saturday.

They were interviewed by police and have since been released, pending further inquiries. No charges have been laid.

Police confirmed that the pair are not family members of Freeman.
Two Washington DC men have been accused of killing an unsuspecting man in his half-million-dollar condo, by brutally choking, beating and burning him after taking advantage of his generosity.

Rico Barnes, 36, and Alphonso Walker, 39, have been charged with first-degree murder over the death of 40-year-old Syed Hammad Hussain, US Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced Thursday.

Hussain was allegedly murdered on February 11 inside his loft-style, one-bedroom condo in the 1400 block of Rhode Island Avenue NW near DC's Logan Circle, valued at more than $480,800.

He was found face-down in the living room with his arms bound by neckties, per an affidavit filed Tuesday in DC Superior Court viewed by the Daily Mail.

Two 25-pound metal dumbbells were also discovered on the floor near Hussain's body, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.

Surveillance footage showed Hussain entering his building around 1.30am as two men followed closely behind him. Barnes and Walker attacked him in the lobby and continued the assault out of view of surveillance cameras, according to police.

Hussain had gone out to pick up food and was merely returning home, interim chief of police Jeffery W. Carroll said during a press conference Tuesday.

'They knocked on the door, he let them inside,' Carroll said. 'I'm sure he probably thought it was somebody else from the building  in this case, they just took advantage of him.'

Rico Barnes, 36, was charged with first-degree murder in the killing of 40-year-old Syed Hammad Hussain

Alphonso Walker, 39, faces the same charge. He was already in custody on separate charges when he was arrested, according to the Metropolitan Police Department

Hussain was killed inside his loft-style, one-bedroom condo in the 1400 block of Rhode Island Avenue NW near DC's Logan Circle

There was blood around Hussain's head, on the floor and on a nearby wall, according to the affidavit.

His ritzy apartment located in The Zenith building was 'engulfed in smoke' in the aftermath because of a small fire, which was promptly extinguished by law enforcement.

Hussain died from blunt force trauma and ligature strangulation, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the District of Columbia.

His skull was fractured in three different places and the abrasions around his neck were 'consistent with the application of a cord or similar object.'

Hussain's chest and upper body were also badly burnt and deeply charred, though that was determined to have occurred after his killing.

The alleged murder was described as 'so devastating for us' by Hussain's uncle, who shares his name.

'He lived his life,' Syed K. Hussain told the Washington Post. 'He was happy.'

He added that he would follow Barnes and Walker's upcoming trials.

According to DC Superior Court filings, Barnes will be back in court on May 18 for a preliminary hearing

Police said that Barnes and Walker had been placed around the 700 block of Fairmont Street, near Howard University, following the alleged murder

Hussain was discovered dead in his home around 3.30am after firefighters responded to a 911 call about smoke filling his apartment building's hallways

Hussain's body was found around 3.30am when firefighters responded to a 911 call about smoke in the apartment building.

His condo had been been ransacked by Barnes and Walker. Laptops were missing, while a bicycle charger without an accompanying bike was also found.

Hussain's cellphone was missing, prompting detectives to obtain his number from an acquaintance. When they called the number, the iPhone looked to be turned off.

A search warrant later revealed the phone had pinged near the 700 block of Fairmont Street, near Howard University, shortly after Barnes and Walker left Hussain's condo.

This helped law enforcement identify the suspects and learn more about them.

Barnes worked just a half a block from where Hussain was allegedly murdered, police said.

Walker was also wearing a court-ordered GPS ankle monitor when Hussain was allegedly murdered, according to the affidavit.

Data from his ankle monitor placed him where the killing happened, the legal filing said.

Walker was wearing a court-ordered ankle monitor at the time of Hussain's death, which law enforcement used to pin him to the scene

Metropolitan Police Department interim chief of police Jeffery W. Carroll said Hussain had gone to pick up food and was returning home when he was brutally attacked

Authorities said that video evidence had been used to track Barnes and Walker around DC following the alleged murder near Logan Circle

Walker was already in custody on separate charges at the time of his arrest, the Metropolitan Police Department said.

Authorities said that video evidence had been 'key' in tracking down Walker and Barnes.

'Our homicide detectives poured countless hours into locating video that captured the suspects after they left Mr. Hussain's apartment,' said Kevin Kentish, the commander of the Metropolitan Police Department's criminal investigations division.

According to the affidavit, acquaintance told investigators that Barnes and Walker came to his apartment after the alleged murder.

He said they were carrying a bag containing about $50,000 in foreign currency, along with jewelry, watches, laptops and a foreign passport believed to be from El Salvador.

Barnes and Walker allegedly told him they 'went into someone's house and got it.'

They also claimed they tied the victim, who was a 'foreign person,' up and hit him 'every time he would wake back up.'

Barnes will return to court on May 18 for a preliminary hearing, according to DC Superior Court filings. Walker is due back on June 2.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Carrie Weletz, Barnes' listed attorney, the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, which is representing Walker, and the US Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia for comment.
Legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, has been cheering on the Artemis II mission this week.

The 96-year-old watched the spacecraft's launch on Wednesday and was 'absolutely amazed' at the sight, according to his longtime friend Steven Barber.

Documentary filmmaker Mr Barber, 65, said: 'Buzz has been in a spirited mood all week. He's been watching Artemis.

'He's absolutely amazed that they used a lot of his ideas through the years. He's giddy about it all and kept saying: 'Now it's time to occupy Mars!'

Buzz became an iconic figure when he became the second man to set foot on the moon's surface after Neil Armstrong during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. Armstrong died in 2012.

The Artemis II flight is the first time NASA has sent astronauts on a moon mission since December 1972 when the Apollo program came to an end.

Last October, he was left heartbroken after the 'love of his life', fourth wife Dr Anca Faur, 66, died after battling a virulent cancer, and has been 'learning to laugh and smile' again.

Mr Barber said: 'You could see the joy in his eyes. He has the NASA feed on his TV all day. This is an awesome thing for him to watch.

Buzz Aldrin (right) watched Artemis II's launch on Wednesday and was 'absolutely amazed' at the sight, according to his longtime friend Steven Barber (left)

In an iconic photograph taken by Neil Armstrong, Mr Aldrin (pictured) is seen planting the US flag on the moon

'To know NASA is going back to the moon so many years after he and Neil Armstrong first set foot there makes Buzz very happy.

'He told me he was glad we were going back. He said: This is fantastic. They are following in our footsteps. It is long overdue.'

Following his wife's death, friends feared for Buzz's wellbeing as he struggled to cope, refusing to eat and saying at one point: 'I don't know how I am going to go on without her. I don't know if I want to live without Anca.'

But, as these exclusive Mail on Sunday photographs show, Buzz is enjoying time with friends again.

Mr Barber, who has known Buzz since 2001, told the MoS last night: 'Buzz has always been a fighter and he is doing much better.

'He is learning to laugh and smile again and his sense of humour is back. Many of us were desperately worried when Anca died. She was the love of his life and he never expected her to go first.

'They were living in her tiny apartment in Los Angeles and he was overwhelmed with grief when she passed and kept saying he didn't know how he would live without her.

'The place was piled high with clutter and we (his friends and family) were incredibly worried for his welfare. He lay on his bed and the life seemed to be draining out of him. I thought he would die of a broken heart.

Buzz (pictured) became an iconic figure when he became the second man to set foot on the moon's surface after Neil Armstrong during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969

Last October, Mr Aldrin (left) was left heartbroken after the 'love of his life', fourth wife Dr Anca Faur (right) died after battling a virulent cancer

'But he's a fighter. He's from that generation which never gave up. His family moved him into a lovely place overlooking the Pacific Ocean last December and he has three full-time nurses caring for him around-the-clock.

'Being in a new place and being well taken care of has made all the difference. His spark and zest for life is back.'

When Buzz made history he was married to Joan Archer, mother of his three children - sons James and Andrew and daughter Janice - but that union ended after 20 years because of the astronaut's self-professed alcoholism and womanising.

In his memoir, Return to Earth, Buzz wrote how, when the ticker tape parades ended, he sought solace in the bottom of a bottle 'because I didn't know what else to do.

'I was one of the most famous men on the planet but the mission was over. The plaudits died down and I sank into a deep depression.'

He had a brief three-year marriage to model Beverly Van Zile which ended in 1978 and then wed Lois Driggs Cannon in 1988. That marriage ended in 2012.

Mr Barber credits Buzz with saving his life when he met him at a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous in December 2001.

He said: 'I was a terrible drunk. I was going to walk out but when I saw Buzz I thought: 'Well, if this works for someone like him then maybe I should stay?'

The pair became firm friends and Barber - who has had three movies shortlisted for the Oscars - ended up raising the funds for an Apollo 11 bronze monument called 'The Eagle Has Landed' which sits outside the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Barber said: 'I'm telling this story because people around the world care about him.

'He's one of those handful of people who, when you say his name, everyone on the planet from London to Beijing to the mountains of Nepal, all instantly know who he is.

'He wants people to know he's doing OK.'
An Afghan war hero who served alongside British troops has been left fighting for his life after he was allegedly assaulted by two teenage girls at a train station.

Noor Aziz Ahmadzai, 39, worked as a translator for UK forces in Afghanistan before he was forced to flee the country dressed as a woman to evade the Taliban.

After a period of homelessness, the father-of-one, who trained at Sandhurst, settled in Britain where he worked as a security guard.

Mr Ahmadzai was allegedly attacked while on shift on March 26 and has been left with severe brain injuries.

He was rushed to hospital, where he remains in a serious but stable condition. It is thought he may take months to recover from his injuries.

Two teenage girls have been arrested in connection with the assault. They have been released on bail.

Mr Ahmadzai's ex-partner George Morse, with whom he shares a two-year-old son, has had to put her life on hold to care for him.

Family friend Jacqueline Skott, 57, said Ms Morse, a nurse, helped Mr Ahmadzai settle in the UK when he arrived from Afghanistan, where he had served for 17 years.

Noor Aziz Ahmadzai, 39, worked as a translator for UK forces in Afghanistan before he was forced to flee the country dressed as a woman to evade the Taliban

After a period of homelessness the father-of-one, who trained at Sandhurst, settled in Britain where he worked as a security guard

She told The Mirror: 'Suddenly her [Ms Morse's] life has been thrown into disarray.'

Doctors have said that Mr Ahmadzai will struggle to retain new memories for at least two to three weeks in the wake of his injuries.

Ms Skott added that her friend has been told by specialists that 'it could likely take around six months to ascertain the level of any long-term damage'.

She has set up a GoFundMe to support Ms Morse while she cares for the father of her son.

Ms Skott wrote on the page: 'Noor was involved in a serious altercation with strangers while at work. He later collapsed and was left in a critical condition.

'He was rushed to the hospital with a severe brain injury and has since been sedated in intensive care.

'An investigation is currently underway, and GBH charges are being pursued.'

She added: 'George - the mother of Noor's 2.5-year-old son, and a working nurse, has stepped up with extraordinary compassion to be his advocate and support system, even though they are no longer together.

'She is a single parent, managing her own career and caring for their child, while now also navigating the hospital system, liaising with medical teams, and coordinating support for Noor.'

Doctors have said that Mr Ahmadzai will struggle to retain new memories for at least two to three weeks in the wake of his injuries

Mr Ahmadzai managed to escape Afghanistan after he contacted a colleague from Sandhurst via Facebook who told him to go to the airport at 6am

Mr Ahmadzai signed up for military service at the age of 16.

He worked as a translator before becoming the deputy commander of a specialist Afghan counter-terrorism unit that responded to suicide attacks in Kabul.

Mr Ahmadzai told Sky News in December last year: 'The Intercontinental hotel is one of the most famous hotels in Kabul, and they killed a lot of civilians there.

'We had an order to respond to what was happening... we were joined by the British Army. We saved some diplomats and were able to bring them out.'

He was among thousands of Afghan military personnel and their families who were granted sanctuary in the UK when the Taliban took back control of the country in 2021.

Mr Ahmadzai was initially arrested after he was identified as a member of the Afghan special forces but was released after a commander said he had quit three months earlier.

He then ran four-and-a-half miles home, where he hid in a water tank at his sister's house overnight.

Mr Ahmadzai managed to escape Afghanistan after he contacted a colleague from Sandhurst via Facebook who told him to go to the airport at 6am.

After arriving in the UK, Noor was left homeless before he started a family with Ms Morse and found work as a security guard.

Speaking of his struggles, he said: 'We will never forget what the British Army did for us, they saved thousands of lives and did an amazing job.

'But it's hard. My son, he will ask me, "Dad, you did 17 years in Afghan Special Forces and what was your future when you came back to the UK?"

'Honestly, I don't have any answer for him.

British Transport Police confirmed that officers were called to a railway station at 8.31pm on March 26 following reports that a member of rail staff had been assaulted.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Atwell said: 'Our investigation into this extremely concerning incident is ongoing, and two teenage girls, both aged 17, were arrested at the scene in connection.

'They have been released from custody while our enquiries continue.

'Our thoughts of course are with the member of staff involved whose family we are supporting.

'We're keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the incident to get in touch with us, either by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 741 of 26 March.'

The GoFundMe page has so far raised more than 6,000 of its 8,000 target. To donate to the fundraiser, click here.
US special forces had to destroy two of their own planes as they completed an audacious rescue of an airman trapped behind enemy lines.

The airman, alongside a pilot, had been in an F-15 fighter jet which was shot down over a remote area of Iran on Friday.

The pilot had safely ejected and was rescued by two military helicopters the same day, but the second crew member had remained missing.

The missing crew member, who President Trump said was a highly respected Colonel, evaded pursuing Iranians for almost two days while Reaper drones overhead protected him from danger.

Armed with only a handgun to protect him and injured from his ejection from the F-15, the Colonel hid from danger before making a daring dash to the rescue site.

The complex rescue mission involved hundreds of special forces personnel along with several dozen warplanes and helicopters.

A firefight broke out on the ground as Iranian forces closed in on the stricken colonel.

As they made the extraction, two of the five rescue planes became stuck in a remote airfield inside Iran and were blown up by special forces to avoid being captured by the enemy.

President Donald Trump touted the operation late Saturday night as 'one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History'.

Iranian forces had been deceived after the CIA spread the word that US forces had already found the colonel.

Strikes were reported in Dehdasht, a city in the Central District of Kohgiluyeh County, where the second American pilot was reportedly spotted

Iranian state media released images of the search and rescue planes which it claimed it shot down, though the US military says it 'blew up' themselves

US forces involved in the rescue mission were forced to destroy two of their own planes after they became stuck in the remote Iranian airbase

The colonel was forced to hide and evade capture for a nerve-racking 36 hours deep inside Iranian territory in harsh terrain.

According to Axios, the colonel had been injured during ejection from the F-15 jet but remained mobile as he hid in the mountains.

Iranians had been offered a $60,000 bounty for the pilots 'head,' as the regime urged locals near the crash site to seize the American.

Bombs and weapons were fired from US warplanes to keep Iranian troops away from the stranded colonel.

At one point he reached elevations of around 7,000 feet as he sought to evade capture from Iranian forces.

As US forces closed in on the stranded officer, a firefight broke out with Iranian troops.

Three rescue planes flew out of Iran to Kuwait and the mission was completed just before midnight.

Iranian state media claimed that the IRGC and police forces had destroyed the US C-130 military aircraft which had flown into their airspace to rescue the colonel.

However, US officials said the aircraft became stuck in sand on the runway and had to deploy three additional aircraft to complete the evacuation.

The two stranded aircraft were destroyed to prevent them from falling into IRGC hands, sources told The New York Times.

An MH-6 Little Bird helicopter was also destroyed after it was damaged before evacuation, according to reports.

Iranian sources said hundreds of soldiers and Basij fighters who tried to interfere with the rescue operation were 'neutralised' by American special forces.

President Trump confirmed that the colonel was injured but will be 'just fine', as he celebrated snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.

Mr Trump said this was the first time in military memory that two U.S. Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory, as he defiantly said that no American warfighter would ever be left behind.

He said dozens of aircraft armed with 'the most lethal weapons in the World' were sent by the US military to retrieve him.

'This brave warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour,' Trump added in a Truth Social post.

According to Fox News, the rescue mission's success was partly thanks to a 'deception campaign' launched by the CIA inside Iran.

The intelligence agency spread the word that US forces had already found the colonel and were moving him, which confused Iranian forces.

The airman ejected from an F-15E fighter jet along with the aircraft's pilot in the early hours of Friday, sparking a frantic two-day search operation that culminated in a fierce firefight.

Trump said the aircraft's pilot was secretly rescued hours after the crash, but that operation was kept quiet to not 'jeopardize our second rescue operation.'

He added that both operations were concluded 'without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded.'

Iranian media reported five people were killed in strikes during the US rescue operation.

The F-15E jet was downed on Friday soon after a US A-10 Warthog was also shot from the sky by Iranian forces in a chaotic day of fighting, marking the first US aircraft downed since the start of the conflict.

The planes were seen completely destroyed on the remote airfield inside Iran

Pictured: The ejected seat from the US aircraft as published in Iranian media

A second US airman shot down over Iran has been rescued in a daring rescue mission following a fierce firefight with the IRGC, reports say. The wreckage of the pilot's F-15E fighter jet is pictured

Trump touted the success of the rescue mission on Saturday evening in a Truth social post

Iranian Revolutionary Guards took credit for the strike with gloating photos of the stricken planes later shared on state media, accompanied by a taunting caption.

On Saturday, the official X account for the Iranian Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, released harrowing new images of the destroyed F-15E jet, accompanied by a taunting caption.

'The stealth fighter that now has no escape but to lie under the feet of aerospace warriors,' the embassy wrote.

'That same stealth giant, for which they wove legends for years, is today a pile of scrap metal fallen to the ground - this is the very technology they claimed was invisible and untouchable,' it added. 'But now it has been seen and brought down.'

Each of the three photos showed what was left of the jet: an unrecognizable mass of burnt debris strewn across a wide, empty stretch of land.

On Friday, a video also showed Iranian bullets being fired at a Black Hawk helicopter which was thought to be involved in the search for the missing F-15 crew.

It came after Trump said earlier on Truth Social that US forces had 'terminated' several of Iran's military leaders, sharing footage appearing to show an airstrike taking out top IRGC commanders.

Trump's social media posts praising the rescue operations came hours after the White House furiously shut down rumors the president was hospitalized on Saturday.

The government said Trump not made public appearances in three days because he is focusing on the conflict with Iran.

Following the downing of two US aircrafts on Friday, Iran placed a $60,000 bounty on the heads of the US airmen, vowing to seek revenge on US military forces for the conflict.

Before the rescue mission took place, the official X account for the Iranian Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, released harrowing new images of the destroyed F-15E jet, accompanied by a taunting caption.

'The stealth fighter that now has no escape but to lie under the feet of aerospace warriors,' the embassy wrote.

'That same stealth giant, for which they wove legends for years, is today a pile of scrap metal fallen to the ground - this is the very technology they claimed was invisible and untouchable,' it added. 'But now it has been seen and brought down.'

While the pilot was rescued quickly, the second member of the crew, a Weapons Systems Officer, used specialized survival techniques to evade capture long enough to be saved, Fox News correspondent Jennifer Griffin said in an X post on Saturday night.

The soldier used SERE - survival, evasion, resistance and escape - training to evade capture, hiking up an elevated ridge away from the wreckage and putting out an emergency beacon in hopes of being located.

Griffin said a number of Iranian military forces were killed and injured in the operation, but no US soldiers were killed.

Trump said earlier on Truth Social that US forces had 'terminated' several of Iran's military leaders, sharing footage appearing to show an airstrike taking out top IRGC commanders

The Iranian military previously shared footage appearing to show the F-15E fighter jet being blown out of the sky

A US official told Fox News the mission was 'very complex', and involved several branches of the US military to find and rescue the airman.

During search and rescue operations on Friday, two rescue helicopters were hit by Iranian forces and crew members on board were injured.

As Iranian forces closed in on the stranded airman, footage circulating on social media appeared to show members of Irans Bakhtiari tribes in Khuzestan heading into the mountains, rifles in hand, to search for the American soldier.

Iranians have been offered a $60,000 bounty for the pilots 'head,' while Trump declined to comment on how he would respond if the airman were to have been harmed.

Broadcasters urged locals near the crash site to seize the American, telling viewers: If you capture the enemy pilot or pilots alive and hand them over to the police you will receive a precious prize.

News channels also flashed messages on screen of shoot them if you see them and showed footage of villagers scouring a rocky hillside.

In a gloating online statement, Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf taunted the US and Trump over his repeated claims of winning the war.

After defeating Iran 37 times in a row, this brilliant no-strategy war they started has now been downgraded from regime change to Hey! Can anyone find our pilots? Please?' Ghalibaf wrote.

The announcement of the rescue came as Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel and Kuwait early Sunday, and a day after Trump said the Islamic republic had 48 hours to cut a deal or face 'all Hell'.

The President referred to an ultimatum he issued on March 26, saying: 'Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT, Time is running out - 48 hours before all Hell will reign (sic) down on them.'

Iran's central military command rejected the ultimatum, with General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi saying Trump's threat was a 'helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action'.

Echoing Trump's language, he warned that 'the gates of hell will open for you'.

Pakistan has offered to mediate efforts to end the war, and according to Iranian media Pakistan's foreign minister and his Iranian counterpart spoke by phone on Saturday.

However there was no sign of a let up in the violence, and Kuwait and Israel said their air defences were responding Sunday to the latest attacks from Iran.

The United Arab Emirates also said its air defences were responding to missile attacks that Tehran said were targeting the country's aluminium industries, while Bahrain officials reported a fire at a refinery 'as a result of Iranian aggression'.
An astonishing 5.5 magnitude earthquake was recorded in central Australia.

Residents in Amata, a remote community in northern South Australia formerly known as Musgrave Park, reported feeling tremors at 3.56am on Easter Sunday.

Geoscience Australia senior seismologist Jonathan Bathgate told the ABC about 30 reports were made about the quake.

'It woke a number of people up from Yulara and around the region with some light to moderate shaking,' he said.

'Some light fixtures swinging from the ceiling and some things rattling from shelves and that sort of thing so it was a bit of an early morning wake-up for quite a few people.'

The earthquake was also felt in Yulara, Uluru and Mutitjulu. A 5.5 rating on the Richter scale is strong enough to be felt and can cause moderate damage to buildings.

The quake caught the attention of experts internationally as it was located in an area considered stable, with Shawn Willsy, a geology professor at University of Southern Idaho, calling it 'rare' with only two others in the area in the last century.

He noted it was an 'intraplate' quake and not on a tectonic plate boundary, with this type of seismic activity usually occurring at shallow depths.

A 5.5 magnitude earthquake was recorded in Amata (marked above), near Uluru, on Sunday morning

The earthquake near Uluru (above) on Sunday was equivalent to the 1989 Newcastle earthquake

The seismic activity recorded on Sunday in central Australia was about the same magnitude as that recorded in the devastating 1989 Newcastle earthquake that killed 13 people and caused $4billion worth of damage.

'It's the same size earthquake, it just happens to be in quite a remote part of the country rather than near a populated centre, so there is that potential for it to have quite some significant impacts,' Mr Bathgate said.

Several aftershocks between 2.8 and 3.6 on the Richter scale were recorded near Amata, about 116km south of Uluru, after 9am.

While the area does not see frequent seismic activity, there was a 5.4 magnitude earthquake recorded at Ernabella in 2012 and a 6.1 magnitude earthquake hit the Petermann Ranges in 2016.
Iran branded Donald Trump an 'unstable, delusional figure' after he threatened to unleash hell on Tehran if it continues to block the Strait of Hormuz.

The US President described Tuesday as 'power plant day' and told the regime to reopen the passageway or face 'living in hell'.

Iran has vowed to continue blocking the strait, which has seen oil and gas prices across the globe surge dramatically.

The regime's culture minister said Mr Trump is an 'unstable, delusional figure'.

Sayed Reza Salihi-Amiri added: 'Iranian society generally does not pay attention to his statements, as it believes he lacks personal, behavioral and verbal balance, and constantly shifts between contradictory positions.'

Earlier on Sunday, images emerged from Tehran of a huge banner on the side of a building depicting Iranian soldiers carrying a netted bag filled with US military vehicles.

Written above the image are the chilling words: 'The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed; the entire Persian Gulf is our hunting ground'.

It comes after Trump ramped up pressure on Iran, warning that Hell will rain down on them if a deal is not reached regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump hailed the special forces mission to rescue an airman trapped in Iran as 'one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History'.

The American had been in an F-15 fighter jet shot down over a remote area of Iran on Friday alongside a pilot, who was rescued by two military helicopters the same day.

Meanwhile the airman, who Mr Trump said was a highly-respected colonel, avoided would-be captors for almost two days, protected by Reaper drones overhead.

Armed only with a handgun, the colonel hid from danger while a complicated rescue operation was hatched.

The mission involved several dozen warplanes and helicopters alongside hundreds of special forces officers.

But two of the five rescue planes became stuck in a remote airfield inside Iran and were blown up to stop them falling into enemy hands.

Earlier the CIA deceived Iranian forces by claiming the colonel had already been found.

As Mr Trump claimed this was the first time in military memory that two US pilots had been recovered separately deep inside enemy territory, the Daily Mail looks at six of the most daring rescue missions in history.

Scott O'Grady, Bosnia (1995)

US pilot Scott O'Grady was flying a routine combat air patrol over Bosnia on June 2, 1995 when his plane was hit by a Serbian missile.

The weapon was launched from a mobile missile site which intelligence units had been unaware of and warnings came too late for O'Grady, then 29, to change course.

An SA-6 missile hit his plane around 10ft behind his seat - he was engulfed in flames as he ejected and worried his parachute would burn.

As a result he pulled an override handle on his kit and released the parachute early, falling for more than 25 minutes down to a clearing near a highway.

Knowing that paramilitary soldiers were chasing him and having suffered burns to his face and neck, O'Grady raced into the woods to evade the men.

He later said he never doubted being able to escape with his life, despite a helicopter flying so near to him during the first two days that he could see the Serbian pilots' faces.

Fighting wet conditions, thirst and hunger, O'Grady ate ants and plants while the water from his emergency pack ran out on the fourth day.

He developed trench foot after being exposed to cold water for so long and often moved at night during his six days as a fugitive to avoid chasing Serbs.

Scott O'Grady's rescue from Bosnia inspired the 2001 war film Behind Enemy Lines

On his sixth night he was able to contact one of his squadron mates in the sky - four Marine helicopters were soon racing towards him, 80 miles inside enemy territory.

Around 40 other aircraft kept watch nearby in case the rescue attempt was disrupted by Serbs.

The next morning O'Grady sprinted from the woods towards his rescuers, carrying a 9mm pistol in his hand.

President Bill Clinton told a ceremony at the Pentagon four days later O'Grady's 'courage has made all Americans proud'.

The 2001 film Behind Enemy Lines - which starred Owen Wilson and Gene Hackman - was loosely based on O'Grady's story.

Bat 21, Vietnam (1972)

Called 'one of the most difficult rescues of the war' by the National Museum of the United States Air Force, the mission to recover Lieutenant Colonel Iceal 'Gene' Hambleton was the largest rescue operation in the force's history.

Hambleton was the only member of his EB-66 aircraft - call sign Bat 21 - to safely eject after being hit by a surface-to-air missile on April 2, 1972 at around 5pm.

The then-53-year-old released his parachute at around 28,000ft and took 16 minutes to hit the ground, landing in the middle of the North Vietnamese Easter Offensive - a three-pronged drive into South Vietnam using heavy tanks and mobile units.

The soldier later said releasing the parachute so early saved his life because it allowed a bank of fog to roll in, otherwise he said he would have been 'out in the clear with 30,000 enemy troops around me and I wouldn't be here today'.

He hid in the jungle, finding corn on the third day and collecting his first rainwater - he had not drunk since ejecting - that night.

Two days later a Sikorsky HH-3E helicopter, nicknamed the 'Jolly Green Giant', sent to rescue Hambleton was shot down, which severely impacted his morale.

He said: 'They were within two minutes of picking me up and all at once that thing goes up in a ball of fire. I thought: this thing isn't worth it. I was a 53-year-old lieutenant colonel and I cried.'

US forces flattened an entire village, which they believed to be the source of the attack that downed the Jolly Green Giant, but while Hambleton walked through it en route to another rescue attempt, he was attacked and stabbed in the back.

Lieutenant Colonel Gene Hambleton evaded capture in Vietnam for more than 11 days after his plane was shot down in 1972

He then ran for the river where he was supposed to be picked up but became lost in a banana grove, at one point falling around 20ft and fracturing his arm.

Finally, a Navy SEAL team arrived on a boat to rescue the lieutenant colonel after more than 11 days on the run - he was awarded the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.

Some five men lost their lives in the attack which downed Hambleton's plane, while ten more lives were lost on the Jolly Green Giant and a separate rescue helicopter.

Hambleton's rescue inspired the 1988 film Bat*21, starring Gene Hackman and Danny Glover.

Bravo Two Zero, Iraq (1991)

Bravo Two Zero was the call sign of the eight-man Special Air Service (SAS) patrol deployed to Iraq by the British Army in 1991 during the First Gulf War.

One account said the men were tasked with gathering intelligence, setting up an observation post and monitoring enemy movements; another said they were sent to find and destroy Iraqi Scud missile launchers.

Part of B Squadron 22 SAS, the men were stationed at a forward operating base in Saudi Arabia before being taken by an RAF Chinook helicopter into Iraq on the night of January 22.

But soon after landing the group had communication problems and could not receive messages on their radio.

Late in the afternoon of January 24 the patrol was discovered by a young shepherd and believed they had been compromised.

They decided to withdraw and leave behind any excess equipment but were shot at as they tried to leave, managing to escape unscathed.

Despite British standard operating procedure instructing patrols to return to their original infiltration point in case of an emergency, where a helicopter would briefly land every 24 hours, the aircraft never came, reportedly due to pilot illness.

And while the patrol set off on the 120km journey north-west towards Syria, allied forces believed them to be fleeing in the direction of Saudi Arabia, rendering their rescue efforts fruitless for days.

The SAS members who formed the Bravo Two Zero operation during the Gulf War in 1991. Under the command of Andy McNab, three of the men were killed, four captured and one escaped

The men of Bravo Two Zero Sgt Steven Mitchell Sgt Vince Phillips Corp Colin Armstrong L/Cpl Ian 'Dinger' Pring Trooper Bob Consiglio Trooper Steven 'Legs' Lane Trooper Stan MacGowan Trooper Mark 'Kiwi' Coburn Includes pseudonyms

On the night of January 24 the patrol was mistakenly separated into two groups of five and three while trying to contact a passing Coalition aircraft - both groups then headed independently towards Syria.

The next evening Vince Phillips, from the group of three, died after suffering hypothermia from the desert winter - Stan MacGowan was captured the following day.

However the last of their group, Colin Armstrong - who later wrote a 1995 book on the incident under the pseudonym Chris Ryan - survived an Iraqi attack and set out alone.

He managed what was reportedly the 'longest escape and evasion in the history of the SAS' and was awarded the Military Medal.

After escaping on foot, he walked 200 miles across the desert over six nights alone to reach safety in Syria.

A day after MacGowan's capture one of the group of five, Bob Consiglio, was shot and killed by armed civilians while another, Steven 'Legs' Lane died of hypothermia the same morning after swimming in the Euphrates river.

The three remaining men in the group were later captured and tortured - they were last held at the infamous Abu Ghraib Prison - before their release on March 5.

Patrol commander Steven Mitchell later wrote a book about the patrol titled Bravo Two Zero under the pen name Andy McNab, released in 1993.

Another patrol member using the name Mike Coburn wrote a separate account against which the Ministry of Defence fought to halt publication - it levelled damning accusations at the army and was released in 2004.

Operation Barras, Sierra Leone (2000)

Britain deployed troops to its former West African colony of Sierra Leone in May 2000 to evacuate foreign citizens as part of a UN peacekeeping force.

The country had been engulfed in civil war since 1991, when a rebel group known as the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) began an armed conflict with the government.

But on August 25, 2000, a vehicle patrol including 11 members of the Royal Irish Regiment and one Sierra Leonean soldier entered the territory of an armed gang unconnected to the RUF known as the West Side Boys.

After being surrounded the patrol was forced to surrender - the soldiers were taken hostage and held deep in the jungle.

According to the National Army Museum, the West Side Boys were dangerous and unpredictable, their 'volatile behaviour' fuelled by alcohol and drugs.

Two days later the regiment's commander began face-to-face negotiations for the patrol's release as they were beaten and subjected to mock executions.

Negotiators were allowed to see some of the prisoners, one of whom smuggled out a plan of the West Side Boys' base.

Half the prisoners were then released in exchange for a satellite telephone.

Meanwhile special forces were despatched and hid in the dense jungle to collect intelligence, living silently for days to avoid being compromised.

After two weeks the West Side Boys' demands had become 'outlandish', the National Army Museum said.

Fearing executions, a rescue mission named Operation Barras was hatched.

At dawn on September 10, special forces were flown in on heavily-armed helicopters, using ropes to drop into the village of Gberi Bana and rescue the hostages, who were all freed.

No helicopters were shot down during the mission but Bombardier Bradley Tinnion, 28, died from his wounds after being shot in the chest by machine gun fire.

All British troops who took part in the operation were awarded the Operational Service Medal for Sierra Leone.

Jugroom Fort Rescue, Afghanistan (2007)

In an operation known as 'one of the most audacious' of the war in Afghanistan, a group of Royal Marines strapped themselves to the sides of two Apache gunships to rescue the body of a British soldier.

Lance Corporal Mathew Ford was missing in action after an assault on Jugroom Fort, a Taliban-held position in Garmsir, Helmand Province.

Military intelligence believed top Taliban leaders were hiding inside and that it was a hub to command insurgent activity across the region.

During the operation the Taliban mounted a surprise counter attack and the commandos were forced to withdraw.

But back in the air afterwards, Ford remained unaccounted for.

The group considered their options - there is no space for passengers inside Apache helicopters, which can only take a pilot and a gunner.

But it is possible, often when an aircraft crashes behind enemy lines, for the stranded crew to strap themselves to the side of another Apache using harnesses and fly to safety.

Never attempted before, four marines volunteered to strap themselves to the side of two helicopters and set off for their colleague in an 'unprecedented operation', the Guardian reported at the time.

Marines prepared to strap themselves to Apache helicopters before they recovered Lance Corporal Mathew Ford's body

A bomb was dropped nearby as they approached to distract the Taliban and the men left the helicopter amid enemy gunfire but found Ford dead.

They secured his body to one of the Apaches and carried him to safety - he was later returned to his family.

The Ministry of Defence later said that Ford, 30, had been shot and killed instantly during the 'initial breach' of Jugroom Fort.

But an official report later found he was killed by friendly fire after a fellow marine mistook a group of British soldiers for enemy gunmen.

A road in the Lincolnshire town of Immingham, where he grew up as the eldest of three brothers, now bears his name.

Entebbe Raid, Uganda (1976)

The Entebbe Raid was an Israeli counter-terrorist mission in response to the hijacking of an Air France flight by members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

On June 27 the flight, from Tel Aviv to Paris, was seized during a stopover in Athens and flown first to Libya, then Uganda.

It landed at Entebbe International airport, where the hijackers were supported by former Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in their demands for the release of 40 prisoners in Israel and 13 more in four other countries.

Amin supplied more than 100 Ugandan soldiers, who helped to move the 248 passengers and crew to a disused airport.

The kidnappers then separated out 94 Israelis from the passengers, flying almost 150 non-Israelis to freedom in Paris while keeping the rest and the 12-member Air France crew.

While the Israeli government initially attempted to reach a diplomatic solution, intelligence agency Mossad began planning for a potential rescue mission.

During the operation planning the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) erected a partial replica of the airport terminal where the hostages were being held with help from employees of Solel Boneh, an Israeli construction firm that had built the original.

Using a task force of around 100 commandos, Israeli transport planes flew more than 2,500 miles to Uganda on the night of July 3, taking off from Sharm el-Sheikh and flying under 30m to avoid being detected by radar.

The black Mercedes similar to Idi Amin's used in the Entebbe Raid in the hope of fooling Ugandan soldiers

The Air France flight from Tel Aviv to Paris was hijacked during a stopover in Athens

Israeli unit commander Yonatan Netanyahu, brother of prime minister Benjamin, was killed in the raid

Once they landed, the Israelis unloaded a black Mercedes similar to Amin's which they hoped to use to bypass checkpoints.

However it was stopped by Ugandan soldiers who were aware that Amin had recently bought a new white Mercedes - the Israelis shot them with silenced pistols.

They then ran towards the terminal and began a shootout with the hijackers - two hostages were killed by Israelis and one by a hijacker in the crossfire.

Once all the hijackers had been killed, the hostages were loaded into Israeli aircraft, during which time Ugandan soldiers began firing from the airport control tower.

At least five Israeli commandos were wounded and and the unit commander Yonatan Netanyahu, brother of prime minister Benjamin, was killed.

One of Amin's sons said the gunman who shot Netanyahu was a cousin of the Ugandan president's family and was himself killed by return fire.

After resisting the Ugandan attack, the Israelis loaded the rest of the hostages and Netanyahu's body on to the planes and left.

The entire operation lasted 53 minutes, of which the assault was 30 minutes.

Some 102 hostages were rescued, with three killed in the airport and one - 74-year-old Dora Bloch - was left in Uganda after falling ill and being taken to hospital before the raid.

She was later shot on Amin's orders and her body discovered near a sugar plantation east of Kampala in 1979, after his rule ended.

Benjamin Netanyahu visited Entebbe with an Israeli delegation in 2016, saying at the time that the raid had 'changed the course' of his life and that 'international terrorism suffered a stinging defeat'.
Pope Leo XIV seemed to use his first Easter Sunday address to send a message to President Donald Trump as he urged 'let those who have weapons lay them down'.

The pope, who has strongly denounced Trump's war in Iran, deplored to the thousands gathered in St Peter's Square that people 'are growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it and becoming indifferent'.

Speaking from the Vatican balcony, the first US-born pope exclaimed: 'Let those who have weapons lay them down!

'Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace! Not a peace imposed by force but by dialogue.'

Leo, 70, did not specify a conflict within his message, known as the Urbi et Orbi blessing - translated as 'to the city and the world'.

The papal address was unusually short and lasted around 15 minutes. It is normally around double the length in time.

Leo also reflected on the biblical story of Easter - in which Jesus rises from the dead three days after peacefully accepting his death by crucifixion - to highlight the 'entirely nonviolent' nature of Christ.

He added the peace Jesus gives 'is not merely the silence of weapons', and urged: 'On this day of celebration, let us abandon every desire for conflict, domination and power, and implore the Lord to grant his peace to a world ravaged by wars.'

Pope Leo XIV seemed to have used his first Easter Sunday address to send a message to President Donald Trump as he urged 'let those who have weapons lay them down'

The pope, who has strongly denounced Trump's war in Iran, deplored to the thousands gathered in St Peter's Square that people 'are growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it and becoming indifferent'

Leo noted there is a 'globalisation of indifference', including to the 'deaths of thousands of people', the 'repercussions of hatred' and the 'social and economic repercussions' wars produce.

The pontiff continued: 'The cross of Christ always reminds us of the suffering and pain that surround death and the agony it entails.

'We are all afraid of death and out of fear, we turn away preferring not to look. We cannot continue to be indifferent. We cannot resign ourselves to evil.'

Leo's Easter Sunday address follows his public cries calling for the end of global conflicts, including a significant step up in his criticism of the Iran war.

Popes do not typically mention world leaders by name, yet an exception was made last week when he publicly referred to Trump.

He told reporters on Tuesday: 'I'm told that President Trump has recently stated that he would like to end the war...I hope he is looking for an off-ramp.'

Leo, who was born in Chicago, added: 'We constantly make the call for peace but unfortunately, many people want to promote hatred, violence and war.'

His comments contradicted those made by the US secretary Pete Hegseth - who deemed the Iran war as a holy one.

Leo also reflected on the biblical story of Easter - in which Jesus rises from the dead three days after accepting his death by crucifixion - to highlight the 'entirely nonviolent' nature of Christ

Leo's Easter Sunday address follows his public cries calling for the end of global conflicts, including a significant step up in his criticism of the Iran war - and comes as he publicly referred to Trump last week

While in prayer last week, Hegseth asked God for 'overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy'.

He added: 'Let every round find its mark against the enemies of righteousness and our great nation.'

In what seems to be retaliation the Pope said at St Peter's on Palm Sunday, God 'does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them'.

Turning to the Bible, he said: 'Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood.'

The seemingly back-and-forth row between the Trump administration and Pope Leo XIV started last year.

Before he was elected in May last year, Leo scrutinised JD Vance's claims that the Bible justified caring for one's family before migrants.

Following an invite by the US vice-president to the US for Independence Day on July 4 this year, the Pope said he will instead spend the day visiting Lampedusa - an Italian island where migrants land after sailing from Africa.

This year marks Leo's first Easter as Pope after the death of Pope Francis, aged 88, on Easter Monday last year.

The Urbi et Orbi is the most solemn form of blessing in the Catholic Church, reserved for occasions including Easter and Christmas.
Iranian military claimed that the US rescue operation, which saved two trapped American airmen, had been 'completely foiled.'

The statement came after US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the officer had been rescued in a search and rescue operation and was 'SAFE and SOUND.'

'The so-called US military rescue operation, planned as a deception and escape mission at an abandoned airport in southern Isfahan under the pretext of recovering the pilot of a downed aircraft, was completely foiled,' said Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesman for the military's central command, Khatam Al-Anbiya.

In a video statement carried by state television, he said that 'two C-130 military transport planes and two Black Hawk helicopters were destroyed' during the two-day operation. The US has not confirmed this.

He added that Trump went ahead with 'empty rhetoric and diversion, although the reality on the ground demonstrates the superior position of Iran's powerful armed forces.'

It comes after US special forces had to destroy two of their own planes as they completed an audacious rescue of the airman trapped behind enemy lines.

The airman, alongside a pilot, had been in an F-15 fighter jet, which was shot down over a remote area of Iran on Friday.

The pilot had safely ejected and was rescued by two military helicopters the same day, but the second crew member had remained missing.

Iranian state media released images of the search and rescue planes which it claimed it shot down, though the US military says it 'blew [them] up' themselves

The planes were seen completely destroyed on the remote airfield inside Iran

US forces involved in the rescue mission were forced to destroy two of their own planes after they became stuck in the remote Iranian airbase

The missing crew member, who President Trump said was a highly respected colonel, evaded pursuing Iranians for almost two days while Reaper drones overhead protected him from danger.

Armed with only a handgun to protect him and injured from his ejection from the F-15, the colonel hid from danger before making a daring dash to the rescue site.

The complex rescue mission involved hundreds of special forces personnel along with several dozen warplanes and helicopters.

A firefight broke out on the ground as Iranian forces closed in on the stricken colonel.

As they made the extraction, two of the five rescue planes became stuck in a remote airfield inside Iran and were blown up by special forces to avoid being captured by the enemy.

President Donald Trump touted the operation late Saturday night as 'one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in US History'.

Iranian forces had been deceived after the CIA spread the word that US forces had already found the colonel.

The colonel was forced to hide and evade capture for a nerve-racking 36 hours deep inside Iranian territory in harsh terrain.

According to Axios, the colonel had been injured during ejection from the F-15 jet but remained mobile as he hid in the mountains.

Following the downing of two US aircraft on Friday, Iran placed a $60,000 bounty on the heads of the US airmen, vowing to seek revenge on US military forces for the conflict.

Before the rescue mission took place, the official X account for the Iranian Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, released harrowing new images of the destroyed F-15E jet, accompanied by a taunting caption.

'The stealth fighter that now has no escape but to lie under the feet of aerospace warriors,' the embassy wrote.

'That same stealth giant, for which they wove legends for years, is today a pile of scrap metal fallen to the ground - this is the very technology they claimed was invisible and untouchable,' it added. 'But now it has been seen and brought down.'

Trump touted the success of the rescue mission on Saturday evening in a Truth Social post

Pictured: The ejected seat from the US aircraft as published in Iranian media

A second US airman shot down over Iran was rescued in a daring rescue mission following a fierce firefight with the IRGC, reports say. The wreckage of the pilot's F-15E fighter jet is pictured

Bombs and weapons were fired from US warplanes to keep Iranian troops away from the stranded colonel.

At one point, he reached elevations of around 7,000 feet as he sought to evade capture from Iranian forces.

As US forces closed in on the stranded officer, a firefight broke out with Iranian troops.

Three rescue planes flew out of Iran to Kuwait, and the mission was completed just before midnight.

President Trump confirmed that the colonel was injured but will be 'just fine', as he celebrated snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.

Trump said this was the first time in military history that two US pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in 'Enemy Territory', as he defiantly said that no American warfighter would ever be left behind.

He added that dozens of aircraft armed with 'the most lethal weapons in the World' were sent by the US military to retrieve him after monitoring his location '24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue.'

'This brave warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour,' Trump added in a Truth Social post.

State media on Sunday shared images of charred wreckage scattered across a desert area, with smoke still rising from the site.

Each of the three photos showed what was left of the jet: an unrecognisable mass of burnt debris strewn across a wide, empty stretch of land.

On Friday, a video also showed Iranian bullets being fired at a Black Hawk helicopter, which was thought to be involved in the search for the missing F-15 crew.

It came after Trump said earlier on Truth Social that US forces had 'terminated' several of Iran's military leaders, sharing footage appearing to show an airstrike taking out top IRGC commanders.

Iranian media reported that strikes during the rescue operation killed five people in the southwest, although it was not immediately clear whether they were civilians or military.

However, Trump gloated that both operations were concluded 'without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded.'

The announcement of the rescue came as Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel and Kuwait early Sunday, a day after Trump said the Islamic Republic had 48 hours to cut a deal or face 'all Hell'.

The President referred to an ultimatum he issued on March 26, saying: 'Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT, Time is running out - 48 hours before all Hell will reign (sic) down on them.'

Iran's central military command rejected the ultimatum, with General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi saying Trump's threat was a 'helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action.'

Echoing Trump's language, he warned that 'the gates of hell will open for you.'

Pakistan has offered to mediate efforts to end the war, and according to Iranian media, Pakistan's foreign minister and his Iranian counterpart spoke by phone on Saturday.

However, there was no sign of a let-up in the violence, and Kuwait and Israel said their air defences were responding Sunday to the latest attacks from Iran.

The United Arab Emirates also said its air defences were responding to missile attacks that Tehran said were targeting the country's aluminium industries, while Bahrain officials reported a fire at a refinery 'as a result of Iranian aggression.'
An injured US Airman bravely hid in 'treacherous' mountains for 36 hours to evade capture from Iranian forces before he was rescued by Navy SEAL commandos.

The stranded colonel, armed with just a pistol for protection, had been wounded after ejecting from an F-15 fighter jet, which had been shot down over southern Iran on Friday.

Stuck deep 'behind enemy lines' and still able to walk, he at one point trekked up a 7,000-ft ridgeline as US aircraft dropped bombs and opened fire to keep an Iranian convoy away.

With enemy forces moving closer with every passing minute, the US military pulled off a daring nighttime rescue operation hailed by Donald Trump this morning as 'miraculous'.

'WE GOT HIM!' the US President declared in a post on his Truth Social platform.

Trump said the officer had 'sustained injuries, but he will be just fine'.

Tehran had placed a 50,000 bounty on the weapons systems officer's head and was in a race with the US to locate the missing airman.

The pilot of the jet was rescued within 45 minutes of the plane going down over treacherous mountain terrain.

The pilot was rescued within 45 minutes of the plane going down over treacherous mountain terrain in southern Iran. Pictured: An ejector seat from the downed fighter plane

US officials had feared the missing crewman would be used as a human bargaining chip. Pictured: Armed Iranian tribesmen search for the missing US airman

A source close to the President had told The Mail on Sunday: 'Everything is being thrown at finding the missing airman.

'We have special forces in the area and the might of the entire US military is in this hunt.

'The fear is he will be captured and used as a pawn. We need to find him before the Iranians and bring him home.'

An Israeli security official revealed today how Israel had provided the US with intelligence and helped halt Iran's attacks during the rescue operation.

Two of the planes meant to transport the airman and his rescuers to safety were stuck in a remote base in Iran and had to be destroyed to prevent them from falling into Iranian hands, the New York Times and CBS reported.

US forces then used three other transport planes to carry the airman and his rescuers out of Iran.

Trump said the airman was 'never truly alone' as his Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and 'fellow Warfighters' were monitoring his location '24 hours a day'.

'At my direction, the US Military sent dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him,' he said.

The airman's extraction followed a US search-and-rescue operation after the Friday crash of the F-15E Strike Eagle, as Iran also promised a reward for anyone who turned in an 'enemy pilot'.

Iranian state media released images of the search and rescue planes which it claimed it shot down, though the US military says it 'blew up' themselves

'This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour,' Trump said.

Today, Iran's state TV aired a video showing what it claimed were parts of American aircraft shot down by Iranian forces, along with a photo of thick, black smoke rising into the air.

The broadcaster said Iran had shot down an American transport plane and two helicopters that were part of the rescue operation.

However, a regional intelligence official briefed on the mission told The Associated Press that the US military blew up two transport planes due to a technical malfunction, forcing it to bring in additional aircraft to complete the rescue.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the covert mission.

The Iranian military said on Sunday the US operation to rescue the airman had used an abandoned airport in southern Isfahan province.

'The so-called US military rescue operation, planned as a deception and escape mission at an abandoned airport in southern Isfahan under the pretext of recovering the pilot of a downed aircraft, was completely foiled,' said Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesman for the Iranian military's central command.

Zolfaghari also said two US 'C-130 military transport planes and two Black Hawk helicopters were destroyed'.

The CIA reportedly launched a deception campaign to spread word inside Iran that US forces were moving the airman out of the country on the ground.

Iranian leaders encouraged people to head to the area to capture the American but warned: 'Do not mistreat him'. Pictured: Wreckage of the downed plane posted online by Tehran, left, and the logo normally on the tail of this type of aircraft, right

A US Black Hawk helicopter involved in the search for the missing crewman was hit by ground fire but landed safely. Pictured: Iranian police appearing to shoot at US rescue crews

In his post, Trump also confirmed the 'successful rescue of another brave Pilot, yesterday,' adding it was not disclosed to avoid jeopardising the second rescue mission.

'WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND!' he wrote.

'The fact that we were able to pull off both of these operations, without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded, just proves once again, that we have achieved overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies.

'This is a moment that ALL Americans, Republican, Democrat, and everyone else, should be proud of and united around. We truly have the best, most professional, and lethal Military in the History of the World. GOD BLESS AMERICA, GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS, AND HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!'
An Oregon intruder chillingly declared 'Honey, I'm here,' after allegedly breaking into a woman's home and attempting to rape her as she held her ten-month-old baby.

Judson Curtis Defir, 43, is accused of a horrific Portland home invasion last month, forcing an unnamed mother onto a bed and sexually assaulting her in front of her children, including a three-year-old and an infant, according to Portland Police.

Even before breaking into the house, he allegedly caused chaos in the neighborhood earlier that same morning, including an incident in which he inappropriately touched a woman inside a church.

Defir, already wanted on two active warrants, was taken into custody and charged with first-degree attempted rape, first-degree kidnapping and outstanding warrants.

He is now behind bars at the Multnomah County Detention Center, being held without bail.

'This is a shocking crime,' Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez told Oxygen.com.

'People have a right to feel safe in their own homes,' he added. 'My office will do everything in its power to make sure justice is served in this case.'

The nightmare unfolded around 11:30am on March 15, when authorities raced to a home at Southeast 67th Avenue and Southeast Brooklyn Street in the South Tabor neighborhood following reports of a disturbance.

Judson Curtis Defir, 43, declared 'Honey, I'm here,' after allegedly breaking into a woman's Portland home and attempting to rape her

Defir is accused of forcing an unnamed mother onto a bed upstairs and sexually assaulting her in front of her three-year-old child and infant

Officers were met by a woman 'sobbing uncontrollably,' who revealed that a man had broken into her home, forced her into a room and attempted to rape her while she desperately shielded her babies.

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by Oregon Live, the woman recalled a seemingly normal morning - upstairs with her baby in her arms and her toddler by her side, while her husband worked outside in the yard.

While keeping her children busy in a bedroom, the woman said she heard a man - later identified as Defir - enter the house, walk up the stairs and ominously greet her with 'Honey, Im home.'

The woman recalled the ragged, six-foot-tall stranger reeking of filth, like he hadnt showered in weeks.

He started rapidly advancing toward her bedroom while she clutched her infant and cornered her three-year-old to protect them, according to the affidavit.

Things turned violent when Defir allegedly grabbed her, dragged her into another room, and forced her onto the bed while she kicked and fought, breaking a nail in the struggle.

'He pressed down on her back and hips and began to pull her sweatpants down, exposing her bottom,' Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Melissa Marrero wrote in the affidavit, according to Oxygen.com.

'The victim was face-down on the bed and held the baby in her arms,' she added.

Shortly before the home invasion, Defir allegedly grabbed two women walking through the neighborhood and a third inside a church

Defir admitted to smoking meth that morning before heading to church for pancakes, authorities said

The mother-of-two told authorities she managed to convince Defir to let her put her baby in a crib, then fled to her older childs room and barricaded the door with a bookcase.

As Defir allegedly fought to break into the room, the woman fled to her balcony and screamed for help, finally alerting her husband outside and passersby at a nearby church.

He tried to escape, but around 15 members of the community followed and helped police identify him shortly afterward, according to the affidavit.

During his arrest, Defir allegedly leered at Sgt. Rehanna Kerridge and boldly asked: 'Hey Kerridge, wanna f***? You're hot,' as reported by Oxygen.

While speaking to authorities, Defir admitted to smoking meth that morning before heading to church for pancakes, authorities said.

Though he denied assaulting anyone, court documents revealed that Defir told authorities he ended up in a home with a woman and her two children after church, where the woman 'screamed.'

He insisted he was just trying to get by, claiming he 'accidentally bumped' into the woman and had even thought about 'jumping from the second floor' to escape.

'Defir said he left that house and people were following him,' Marreno wrote, according to Oxygen.

Around 15 members of the community followed Defir and helped police identify him shortly after the home invasion

Defir, already wanted on two active warrants, was taken into custody and charged with first-degree attempted rape and first-degree kidnapping

'He said he was trying to get away from them,' she added. 'He said people were following him and eventually the police arrested him.'

Police revealed that before the attempted rape, Defir allegedly went on a rampage that very same morning, grabbing two women walking through the neighborhood and a third inside a church.

Defir, with a long criminal record, was ordered held without bail by Multnomah County Judge Adrian Brown ahead of a detention hearing.

Court documents revealed that he has been arrested more than 12 times in 25 years, including for serious offenses like first-degree criminal mischief, fourth-degree assault, DUII and first-degree criminal mistreatment.

In September 2024, he was arrested after reportedly screaming at two young girls in a park and lying naked in a driveway while drunk, according to Oregon Live.

The arrest led to a year of probation, but Defir skipped a mandatory substance abuse class by the August deadline, resulting in a warrant for his arrest.

'Our thoughts are with the women who experienced these frightening incidents,' Chief Bob Day wrote in a press release last month. 'We are grateful for their courage in coming forward.'

'I also want to recognize the swift and coordinated response of our patrol officers and detectives, whose quick actions helped apprehend the suspect and bring a sense of safety back into our neighborhood,' he added.

Police said the investigation into Defir is ongoing and urged anyone with information about the alleged incidents to contact authorities. He may face additional charges as the case develops.
Prince Louis stole the show today at the Easter Service as he looked dapper in a double-breasted suit, leaving fans to remark on how grown up he has become.

Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, ten, and seven-year-old Prince Louis joined the King and Queen at the traditional Sunday service at St George's Chapel in Windsor.

The youngest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales gleamed in his dark blue double-breasted suit, complete with a light blue tie, as he arrived with his parents  the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The royals  showing a unified front  waved and smiled at the crowds as they chatted happily while walking down the path to the church.

It is custom for working members of the Royal family to walk from Windsor Castle, despite today's blustery conditions, while Charles and Camilla were driven by the State Bentley.

As the King made his way inside, he appeared to then affectionately pat Louis and Charlotte on the cheek, as the children waited with their parents for the monarch to enter the church first.

The adorable royal is treasured by the nation for his cheekiness, which includes charming the crowds through his emotive facial expressions.

Fans jumped at the occasion today as they scattered social media with exclamations on how grown up Louis looked.

Prince Louis stole the show today at the Easter Service as he looked dapper in a double-breasted suit, leaving fans to remark on how grown up he has become

The youngest child of the Prince and Princess of Wales gleamed in his dark blue double-breasted suit, complete with a light blue tie

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis joined their parents the Prince and Princess of Wales at the traditional Sunday service at St George's Chapel in Windsor

One user posted a photo of the young royal, and wrote: 'I love that Prince Louis is into double-breasted suits. He clearly loves that style of suit and I am obsessed with it. I really hope he doesn't change in the future and always sticks with that kind of look, because they're elegant, and they suit him so well.'

Another wrote, accompanied by a photo of the loved family: 'I leave you with this image. The Prince and Princess of Wales and their family, on their way to Easter service at St George's Chapel, Windsor. GEORGE IS ALMOST AS TALL AS HIS MOTHER. LOUIS IS HUGE TOO.'

While one wrote: 'Love Louis, he always has a ready for fun...there is definitely somebody over there, who has brought me sweets look. Beautiful family, I am so happy for them all and especially Prince William.xo.'

Kate wore an off-white ensemble of skirt, small jacket and leafy hat, while William and the boys wore dark blue suits and ties.

Princess Charlotte was sporting a pretty dress under an elegant camel-coloured coat with a brown velvet collar and cuffs.

Camilla opted for a red wool crepe dress by Fiona Clare and a hat by Philip Treacy with a brooch that once belonged to Queen Elizabeth II.

Meanwhile the disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was notably absent from today's event, yesterday cut a lonely figure as he was pictured walking his dogs on the Sandringham estate.

This comes after his alleged 'riding ban' following his arrest on February 19, on his 66th birthday.

The King waved to the crowd before he entered the church, which he arrived to in the State Bentley

Queen Camilla spoke to well wishers who patiently waited for the Royal Family outside while they attended the service

Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis waved to the crowd as they left with their mother, the Princess of Wales, after the hour-long service

The former Duke of York was reportedly urged to stop riding  one of his favourite hobbies  after aides feared it would be a 'bad look' while under police investigation for misconduct in public office.

He has denied any wrongdoing over his links to Epstein regarding Ms Giuffre, but has not directly responded to the latest allegations.

Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, also joined the Easter gathering, alongside the Duke of Edinburgh and his 18-year-old son James, Earl of Wessex.

The Duchess of Edinburgh was expected to attend but was 'under the weather', while her daughter, Lady Louise, was busy with her studies.

Notably Andrew's daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie did not attend the Easter Matins service.

With the agreement of the King, the pair have made alternative plans and will miss the traditional gathering.

After the hour-long service, during which prayers were said for the Royal Family and the National Anthem sung, the royal party moved from the chapel to the deanery for tea with the Dean of Windsor, The Right Reverend Christopher Cocksworth.

Charles appeared alongside Camilla after around 20 minutes and greeted the public waiting patiently outside the chapel.

As they walked back up the hill to the castle, Catherine could be seen giving her daughter, Charlotte, a proud hug, placing her arm around her shoulders and squeezing her.

The Easter Service comes days after Buckingham Palace announced Charles's visit to the US will go ahead from April 27 to April 30 as planned, despite tensions between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer over the Iran war.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has called for prayers to bring an 'end to the violence and destruction in the Middle East and the Gulf' during her first Easter Day sermon.

Most Reverend Dame Sarah Mullally delivered her first Easter message at Canterbury Cathedral since she succeeded Justin Welby in the role, calling 'with renewed urgency' for peace.

She said 'violence, division and insecurity' were affecting the lives of 'billions of people around the world' and 'many feel that their heart is in pieces'.

Dame Sarah, a former chief nursing officer for England, was formally installed as the 106th Archbishop just under two weeks ago, during which she said her teenage self could 'never have imagined the future that lay ahead'.

On Sunday she called for peace in the Middle East, adding: 'May all people of the region receive the peace, justice and freedom they long for.'

She told the congregation: 'We know that violence, division and insecurity are affecting the lives of billions of people around the world. Many feel that their heart is in pieces. The bereft, the wounded, the refugee.

'This week our gaze and our prayers have been turned towards the land where Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead.

'Today, as we shout with joy that Christ is risen, let us pray and call with renewed urgency for an end to the violence and destruction in the Middle East and the Gulf.

The Archbishop of Canterbury called for prayers to bring an 'end to the violence and destruction in the Middle East' during a service on Easter Sunday

'May our Christian sisters and brothers know and celebrate the hope of the empty tomb - and may all people of the region receive the peace, justice and freedom they long for.'

The US and Israel began the conflict with Iran on February 28, launching strikes which killed the nation's leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran has responded by attacking Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf.

Dame Sarah previously said she 'longs' for the 'life-changing hope' of Jesus Christ to reach those caught up in war and living in extreme poverty - and for those 'on the front lines of the ever-worsening climate crisis'.

During her first address as Archbishop-designate in October, she said: 'For our Palestinian Christian brothers and sisters, and all the peoples of the Middle East. For the people of Ukraine, Russia, Sudan, Myanmar and the DRC. May God end the horrors of war, comfort those who mourn, and bring hope to those living in despair.

Pope Leo XIV also delivered his Easter message, the Urbi et Orbi, on Sunday in Rome.

The pontiff appeared to target US President Donald Trump as he said: 'Let those who have weapons lay them down'.

He added the world was 'growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it and becoming indifferent' and urged 'those who have the power to unleash wars' to 'choose peace'.

The 70-year-old Holy Father did not specify a specific conflict but called the conflict 'atrocious' on Palm Sunday last week.

Pope Leo XIV also called for peace during his Easter address in Rome

Also on Easter Sunday, one of America's most conservative bishops called US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's references to Jesus to justify the war 'problematic'.

Archbishop Timothy Broglio, appointed by Pope Benedict XVI, said the US strikes on Iran were not justified by Saint Augustine's just war theory, in a CBS interview.

The theory says war is only morally permissible when punishing wrongdoing or defending the innocent and always with the ultimate aim of restoring peace rather than for revenge or conquest.

Archbishop Broglio said the administration's justification rested on the threat of nuclear weapons - which Iran does not possess.
President Donald Trump has issued a new threat to Iran, promising to 'blow everything up and take over the oil' if the country does not make a deal with the US soon.

During a phone call with Fox News' chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst on Sunday morning, Trump told him he is considering taking far more drastic measures.

'If they don't reach a deal - and soon - I'm considering blowing everything up and taking control of the oil,' Trump said, according to Yingst.

Trump's latest threat comes just hours after he issued a foul-mouthed ran on social media, bizarrely ending the post with the phrase: 'Praise be to Allah.'

He wrote in a Truth Social post early on Easter Sunday morning: 'Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran.

'There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F***in Strait, you crazy b*****ds, or youll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP.'

The commander-in-chief said Iran has until Tuesday at 8pm to accept the offer, he shared to Truth Social on Sunday afternoon.

The President's threat to turn the country into a living hell comes just days after US-Israeli air strikes destroyed Iran's tallest bridge, killing eight people.

His latest messages was also shared just hours after US special forces rescued two F15 airmen who got trapped behind enemy lines as the war rages on.

Donald Trump has vowed to destroy Iran in an expletive-laden social media post, which he bizarrely ended with the phrase: 'Praise be to Allah'

The President's threat comes just days after US-Israeli air strikes destroyed Iran's tallest bridge, killing eight people

The B1 bridge, which links Iran's capital with the western city of Karaj, was targeted in two waves of strikes on Thursday after Trump said he would bomb Tehran 'back to the Stone Age'.

The second attack on the 136-metre structure took place while rescue forces were at the scene helping at least 95 injured people, Iranian state media claimed.

Now, Trump said Iran's power plants will be bombed next if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened.

The narrow and vital waterway that is used as a high-volume shipping route has been closed since the war broke out on February 28, with Iran vowing to block 'enemy' ships from getting through ever since.

After rescuing the two airmen, one of whom was left stranded for nearly two days, US troops had to destroy two of their own planes as they completed the daring rescue mission.

The airman, alongside a pilot, had been in an F-15 fighter jet, which was shot down over a remote area of Iran on Friday.

The pilot had safely ejected and was rescued by two military helicopters the same day, but the second crew member had remained missing.

The missing crew member, who President Trump said was a highly respected Colonel, evaded pursuing Iranians for almost two days while Reaper drones overhead protected him from danger.

Iranian state media released images of the search and rescue plane, which it claimed it shot down, though the US military says it 'blew [them] up' themselves

Trump was spotted for the first time in days heading back into the White House after visiting Trump National Golf Club on Sunday

Armed with only a handgun to protect him and injured from his ejection from the F-15, the Colonel hid from danger before making a daring dash to the rescue site.

The complex rescue mission involved hundreds of special forces personnel along with several dozen warplanes and helicopters.

A firefight broke out on the ground as Iranian forces closed in on the stricken colonel.

As they made the extraction, two of the five rescue planes became stuck in a remote airfield inside Iran and were blown up by special forces to avoid being captured by the enemy.

Trump touted the operation late Saturday night as 'one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History'.

He was spotted for the first time in days heading back into the White House after visiting Trump National Golf Club on Sunday.

Before that, he was holed up in the White House, 'working nonstop' during the holiday weekend as tensions continue to escalate, White House communications director Steven Cheung said in a X post on Saturday.

On Wednesday when he visited the Supreme Court as it heard a birthright citizenship case. Later that night, he delivered an address to the nation on the war with Iran.

During the US airmen rescue mission, Iranian forces had been deceived after the CIA spread the word that US forces had already found the colonel.

The colonel was forced to hide and evade capture for a nerve-racking 36 hours, deep inside Iranian territory in harsh terrain.

According to Axios, the colonel had been injured during ejection from the F-15 jet but remained mobile as he hid in the mountains.

Iranians had been offered a $60,000 bounty for the pilots 'head', as the regime urged locals near the crash site to seize the American.

Bombs and weapons were fired from US warplanes to keep Iranian troops away from the stranded colonel.

At one point, he reached elevations of around 7,000 feet as he sought to evade capture from Iranian forces.

Pictured: The ejected seat from the US aircraft as published in Iranian media

As US forces closed in on the stranded officer, a firefight broke out with Iranian troops.

Three rescue planes flew out of Iran to Kuwait, and the mission was completed just before midnight.

Iranian state media claimed that the IRGC and police forces had destroyed the US C-130 military aircraft, which had flown into their airspace to rescue the colonel.

However, US officials said the aircraft became stuck in the sand on the runway and had to deploy three additional aircraft to complete the evacuation.

The two stranded aircrafts were destroyed to prevent them from falling into IRGC hands, sources told The New York Times.

An MH-6 Little Bird helicopter was also destroyed after it was damaged before evacuation, according to reports.

Iranian sources said hundreds of soldiers and Basij fighters who tried to interfere with the rescue operation were 'neutralized' by American special forces.

President Trump confirmed that the colonel was injured but will be 'just fine', as he celebrated snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.

He said this was the first time in military memory that two US Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in 'Enemy Territory', as he defiantly said that no American warfighter would ever be left behind.

He said dozens of aircrafts armed with 'the most lethal weapons in the World' were sent by the US military to retrieve him.

'This brave warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour,' Trump added in a Truth Social post.

According to Fox News, the rescue mission's success was partly thanks to a 'deception campaign' launched by the CIA inside Iran.

The intelligence agency spread the word that US forces had already found the colonel and were moving him, which confused Iranian forces.

The airman ejected from an F-15E fighter jet along with the aircraft's pilot in the early hours of Friday, sparking a frantic two-day search operation that culminated in a fierce firefight.

Trump said the aircraft's pilot was secretly rescued hours after the crash, but that operation was kept quiet to not 'jeopardize our second rescue operation'.

He added that both operations were concluded 'without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded'.

Iranian media reported five people were killed in strikes during the US rescue operation.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has reignited a festering cultural debate about women's role in society, especially for conservatives.

Appearing at conservative activist group Turning Point USA's This Is The Turning Point Tour alongside the organization's CEO Erika Kirk, Leavitt shared her own experience of balancing motherhood with one of the world's most high profile jobs.

'You can and you should do both because actually being a mom and having a family and having a job, it gives you the greatest perspective,' Leavitt told a crowd of over 1,000 attendees at Thursday's event.

But Leavitt's message fell flat for some conservative viewers - with her own MAGA fan base calling her out for the perspective on her home and work-life balance.

Conservative commentator Kira Davis was one individual on X who was disappointed by Leavitt's message: 'I'm shocked this is a message TPUSA thinks is healthy for young women.

'Have both of you want - pretending it's BETTER than being a mom who stays home is actually disturbing,' Davis noted.

'Don't like this. Sorry KL. Love ya but this ain't it,' Davis concluded.

Priest and conservative commentator Calvin Robinson also slammed the message, noting that 'this is not conservatism, this is feminism.'

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a Turning Point USA stop in the Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University on April 2nd, 2026 in Washington, DC

Karoline Leavitt at her baby shower for her second child in March of 2026

C.E.O. and Chair of the Board of Turning Point USA Erika Kirk speaks with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt at a Turning Point USA stop in the Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University on April 2nd, 2026 in Washington, DC. The conservative youth organization kicked off their Spring tour, which will visit multiple cities

Leavitt with son Nico and her husband during the White House Halloween celebration in 2025

Leavitt, 28, shares her toddler son Nico with her husband Nicholas, and the pair are preparing to welcome their second child, a daughter, in the coming weeks.

While in the past she has been heralded by some conservatives as the prime example of a working mom, Leavitt was also ridiculed by critics for not giving herself proper time after the birth of her son, Nicholas 'Niko' Robert Riccio, before returning to her demanding job.

She was back to work as a top Trump spokesperson mere days after giving birth on July 10, 2024. The quick return was prompted by the assassination attempt on then-candidate Trump at his Butler, Pennsylvania, rally on July 13, 2024.

Leavitt, who is expecting her second child in May, insists that she plans to take more time to recover this time before coming back to the briefing room podium.

The Trump spokesperson appeared with Erika Kirk at George Washington University in Washington, DC on Thursday, and covered a wide range of topics, including career advice and motherhood, dishing to an audience of over 1,000.

Earlier in the speech, Leavitt heralded Charlie Kirk as a key mentor during her political rise, including his support of her congressional campaign in New Hampshire in 2022.

'When I launched my congressional campaign, Charlie Kirk and Turning Point USA were the only organization in the political world that supported me,' Leavitt noted, sharing that the entire Washington, DC 'establishment' backed her opponent, but sharing that she thinks 'Charlie loved' that she 'was a young person who was stepping up to the plate.'

Charlie and Erika Kirk with their children before the TPUSA founder's murder last fall

C.E.O. and Chair of the Board of Turning Point USA Erika Kirk (R) and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt (L) walk onstage before having a conversation as part of a Turning Point USA stop in the Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University on April 2nd, 2026 in Washington, DC

Erika Kirk kicked off the discussion by noting that Leavitt barely looked pregnant, despite officially marking her ninth month of pregnancy on Thursday.

Over nearly two hours, Leavitt and Erika discussed faith, family, and balancing a demanding career with growing family life, while sharing a few behind-the-scenes details of White House life.

Leavitt shared that her office gets between 200 and 300 press inquiries on a typical day, which are answered by her and a team of dedicated deputies.

The Trump spokesperson also shared that on Tuesday mornings, at 7:45 in the AM, in the Roosevelt Room, several White House staff participate in Bible study, now attended only by female staffers. However, Leavitt said her male colleagues are welcome too.

Later in the speech, Leavitt also revealed that her favorite Bible verse is from the Book of Psalms, 46:5, 'God is within her. She will not fall.'

'Faith gives you such perspective that even the worst story or the worst news cycle is just a moment,' Leavitt remarked when asked by Erika how she gets through the 24-hour news cycle every day.

To young women, Leavitt's advice was that they can do both, be mothers and have a career.

And the number one recommendation she dished out for success was simple.

'I'm going to give you a piece of advice that is not novel. You've definitely heard it before. It's very simplistic. Work hard,' Leavitt told the crowd.
Pepsi have dropped out of its sponsorship of a UK music festival set to be headlined by Kanye West - as criticism grows over the choice of the controversial rapper.

Kanye West, also known as Ye, has not yet submitted an application to visit the UK, it is understood, but could be blocked if his presence is deemed 'not conducive to the public good'.

Sir Keir Starmer has echoed critics who have blasted Wireless festival over their decision to book the rapper - who is scheduled to headline all three nights of the weekend in July.

The prime minister said it was 'deeply concerning' that the musician had been booked for the event in Finsbury Park, north London.

Kanye West has been globally condemned in recent years after he began showing praise for Adolf Hitler, while making a series of anti-semitic remarks.

The 48-year-old musician released a song called Heil Hitler last year, which came a few months after advertising a swastika T-shirt for sale on his website, and called himself a Nazi.

The controversy has caused serious doubts to erupt over whether the festival, which is attended by around 50,000 festival goers a day, will go ahead.

This comes after the sponsorship was dropped, a Pepsi spokesperson said today: 'Pepsi has decided to withdraw its sponsorship of Wireless Festival.'

Kanye West, also known as Ye, has not yet submitted an application to visit the UK, it is understood, but could be blocked if his presence is deemed unfavourable for the public good

Sir Keir told The Sun on Sunday: 'It is deeply concerning that Kanye West has been booked to perform at Wireless despite his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism.

'Antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted clearly and firmly whatever it appears.

'Everyone has a responsibility to ensure Britain is a place where Jewish people feel safe and secure.'

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey called on the Government to ban Kanye West from the UK, which he described as 'extremely serious'. He said: 'We need to get tougher on anti-semitism.'

The powers rest with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood on whether the rapper can be banned from entering the country.

As under UK immigration rules, a person can be denied entry based on their character, conduct or associations when these could threaten the British public.

This can include opinions that 'foster hatred which might lead to inter-community violence in the UK'.

The Jewish Leadership Council last week slated Wireless festival for booking the musician - and said the decision was 'deeply irresponsible' by the organisers.

Sir Keir Starmer has echoed critics who have blasted Wireless festival over their decision to book the rapper - who is scheduled to headline all three nights of the weekend in July

This comes after a growing number of attacks on the UK Jewish community.

Phil Rosenberg, who is the president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, has described allowing Kanye West to perform as 'absolutely the wrong decision'.

The rapper apologised in January for his anti-semitic comments in a letter published as a full-page advert in the Wall Street Journal.

He apologised to Jewish and black people and blamed his bipolar disorder, which he said led him to fall into a 'four-month long, manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behaviour that destroyed my life'.

Kanye West last performed at the Wireless festival in 2014. He has not performed in the country for 11 years.

The Daily Mail have contacted Wireless festival for comment.
A brave F-15 airman was rescued during an audacious mission involving hundreds of SEAL Team 6 commandos and deceiving Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) intel as he battled for his life atop a 7,000-foot ridge.

The unidentified airman, who President Donald Trump has described as a 'brave warrior', got trapped behind enemy lines after the fighter jet was shot down over a remote area of Iran on Friday.

A pilot who was with him safely ejected the aircraft and was rescued by two military helicopters that same day, but the airman remained missing.

He managed to evade Iranians for nearly two days by climbing the tall, narrow mountain while American MQ-9 Reaper drones hovered overhead, shooting missiles at Iranian forces as they got too close to him.

The airman, a weapons system officer, only had a handgun to protect himself and was left 'seriously injured' after being thrown out of the F-15.

Following the crash, Iranian military forces put a $60,000 bounty on the airman's head, prompting Iranian militants to hunt for him in the mountains.

CIA agents then planted fake intel that the airman had already been rescued and driven out of Iran, The New York Times reported.

Meanwhile, US military officials had received 'beeping information' about the airman's location, but a radio message threw them off, making them think Iranians were 'sending false signals' and trying to draw American forces into a trap, Trump told Axios.

An F-15 airman was rescued in a daring mission on Saturday evening after the fighter jet was shot down by Iranian forces. The pilot was safely ejected and rescued by two military helicopters that same day, but the airman remained missing

Hundreds of SEAL Team 6 commandos and fake CIA intel helped get him to safety. The airman also bravely climbed a 7,000-foot ridge to fight for his life

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According to the president, after he was ejected from the plane, the airman said: 'Power be to God,' but it was later confirmed by a US defense official that the exact phrase was: 'God is good.'

'What he said on the radio sounded like something a Muslim would say,' Trump continued, adding that those who know the officer said he is a religious person.

The airman was referred to as a 'valuable package' that they were trying to move 'out of the country through a maritime exfil,' a senior US official told Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst.

'This was meant to draw Iranians away from the area where the US crew member was located. The deception campaign worked,' the official added.

The agency ultimately discovered where the airman was hiding out and passed the vital information along to the Pentagon, sparking his heroic rescue.

The daring Saturday night rescue mission took commandos, or elite trained soldiers, into the heart of enemy territory.

After a firefight broke out between US troops and local militias, he and the commandos were brought to safety, per the Times.

However, two transport planes and one helicopter became stuck in the mud and were unable to take off, leaving more military personnel stranded behind enemy lines as Basij fighters closed in on their botched rescue site.

Three more transport planes were flown in to evacuate the downed airman and the rescue party, as they were evacuated under gunfire from the advancing Iranians.

Miraculously, US forces escaped, and a rescue plane flew the injured airman to Kuwait for medical treatment. There were no US casualties.

As they left, US troops were forced to 'blow up' their own stricken planes and helicopters, to prevent them falling into the hands of the Iranian military.

Join the discussion How would YOU react knowing there was a bounty on YOUR head?

Following the crash, Iranian military forces put a $60,000 bounty on the airman's head, prompting Iranian militants to hunt for him in the mountains. (Pictured: Bakhtiari tribes in Khuzestan headed into the mountains, rifles in hand, searching for the missing American F-15 jet pilot)

On Saturday evening, Trump confirmed the airman was rescued safely, posting to Truth Social: 'WE GOT HIM!' The president described him as a 'brave warrior'

It was a move likely to have cost millions of dollars to the US military and showed the urgency of the US forces to evacuate under extreme pressure.

On Saturday evening, Trump confirmed the airman was rescued safely, posting to Truth Social: 'WE GOT HIM! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now SAFE and SOUND!

'This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, but was never truly alone because his Commander in Chief, Secretary of War, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and fellow Warfighters were monitoring his location 24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue.'

Trump touted the operation further, calling it 'one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History'.

The president posted about the airman again on Sunday, praising the successful mission and announcing he will be holding a news conference about the rescue on Monday at 1pm alongside members of the US military in the Oval Office.

He added: 'Bless our great MILITARY WARRIORS!'

Right after, Trump shared a foul-mouthed post threatening Iran as the war rages on.

A US military plane flying low over Iran on Sunday amid the daring rescue mission

Pictured: The ejected seat from the US aircraft as published in Iranian media

'Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran,' he wrote.

'There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F***in Strait, you crazy b*****ds, or youll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP.'

The president's latest threat comes just days after US-Israeli air strikes destroyed Iran's tallest bridge, killing eight people.

The B1 bridge, which links Iran's capital with the western city of Karaj, was targeted in two waves of strikes on Thursday after Trump said he would bomb Tehran 'back to the Stone Age'.

The second attack on the 136-metre structure took place while rescue forces were at the scene helping at least 95 injured people, Iranian state media claimed.

Now, Trump said Iran's power plants will be bombed next if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened.

US forces involved in the rescue mission were forced to destroy two of their own planes after they became stuck in the remote Iranian airbase

Iranian Basij members had only a pair of American underpants to show from the rescue site

Trump was spotted for the first time in days heading back into the White House after visiting Trump National Golf Club on Sunday

The narrow and vital waterway that is used as a high-volume shipping route has been closed since the war broke out on February 28, with Iran vowing to block 'enemy' ships from getting through ever since.

Trump was spotted for the first time in days heading back into the White House after visiting Trump National Golf Club on Sunday.

Before that, he was holed up in the White House, 'working nonstop' during the holiday weekend as tensions continue to escalate, White House communications director Steven Cheung said in a X post on Saturday.

On Wednesday when he visited the Supreme Court as it heard a birthright citizenship case. Later that night, he delivered an address to the nation on the war with Iran.
Pauline Hanson's One Nation is continuing to make ground on Anthony Albanese's Labor Party with new data showing the right-wing party is gaining popularity with young Aussies and women.

Quarterly analysis by Newspoll, prepared for The Australian, on Sunday detailed the specific groups responding to Hanson's growing popularity.

The demographic snapshot covered 4,927 voters across four surveys between January 12 and March 26.

It found One Nation's primary vote in Queensland has jumped to 30 per cent, compared to 27 per cent for Labor and 23 per cent for the Liberal National Party.

Hanson's party is now beating the Coalition in the primary vote in every major state except Victoria.

Support for One Nation almost doubled in NSW alone to 27 per cent and 21 per cent in Victoria.

Meanwhile, Labor's primary vote in NSW has fallen from 37 per cent to 31 per cent.

The story is similar in Victoria with the primary vote for Labor dropping from 35 per cent to 32 per cent.

Pauline Hanson's (above) One Nation is enjoying sweeping success at the polls this year

One Nation was ahead of Angus Taylor's (above) Coalition in every major state expect Victoria

The results are even worse for the Coalition with its primary vote plummeting from 24 per cent to 18 per cent in NSW and 26 per cent to 22 per cent in Victoria.

But who's behind the jump in One Nation's popularity? According to Newspoll, young Australians and women are leading the way.

The party has more than doubled its support from voters aged between 18 and 34 from 8 per cent to 19 per cent since the last quarterly analysis, completed in December 2025.

One Nation also now has more female supporters than men.

Hanson's party took over the Coalition's spot as the third most popular party for young Australians, behind Labor at 30 per cent and the Greens at 26 per cent.

Higher support was also recorded from Christian voters, up from 16 per cent to 31 per cent, and Australians who speak other languages at home, jumping from 9 per cent to 19 per cent.

For the first time in Newspoll history, 35 per cent of voters who backed the Coalition in the 2025 federal election have switched support to One Nation.

On top of that, 9 per cent of 2025 Labor voters are now supporting One Nation and 24 per cent of those who voted for other parties have also crossed the line to Hanson's side.

Anthony Albanese's (pictured with partner Jodie Haydon at Easter mass) Labor Party was second to One Nation in Queensland

One Nation was also the top pick for 34 per cent of voters with no tertiary education and 30 per cent with TAFE and technical qualifications.

Labor's support with the same groups was 27 per cent and 29 per cent respectively, while the Coalition had just 19 per cent support across both categories.

However, Labor remained the favourite party of voters with a university education at 36 per cent, followed by the Coalition at 21 per cent, One Nation at 17 per cent and the Greens at 13 per cent.

But the good news doesn't extend far with Albanese's personal ratings taking a significant hit.

Dissatisfaction with Albanese's performance as prime minister had increased across all age groups, genders, states, education backgrounds, wage classes, homeowners and renters.

Only 30 per cent of women backed the Albanese Government, down from 35 per cent in December, and 55 per cent were unhappy with Albanese's performance.
An alleged drunk driver has been charged with ramming his car into a parade in Louisiana and injuring at least 15 people on Saturday.

State police identified Todd Landry, 57, as the suspect who slammed into a crowd at the Louisiana Lao New Year Festival in New Iberia, which is just south of Lafayette.

The crash occurred around 2.30pm. At least four people were left in critical condition, with two taken to the hospital via helicopter, according to an X post from the Acadian Ambulance service.

The Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office said that the other people who were injured were also taken to hospitals in Lafayette for treatment.

Landry is facing 18 counts of first-degree vehicular negligent injuring, and one count each of driving while impaired, careless operation and open container.

He was booked into the Iberia Parish Jail on Saturday night, where he remains as of Sunday afternoon while waiting for his bond to be set, according to the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office Jail Roster.

Louisiana State Police said the alleged drunk driver submitted a breathalyzer test that came back with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.137 percent. The legal BAC limit in Louisiana is 0.08 percent.

The University of South Carolina states that any BAC level above 0.1 percent leads to 'clear deterioration in judgment, coordination, and reaction time,' and any level above 0.15 percent, which Landry was allegedly approaching, increases risk of blackouts.

Todd Landry, 57, has been identified as the suspect who rammed into a crowded parade in Louisiana on Saturday, injuring at least 15 people

A blue muscle car that appears to have been the one that plowed into the crowd and was likely owned by Landry was seen in a ditch in a video of the aftermath of the crash

The video taken after the crash also showed dozens of injured people lying on the floor as first responders rushed to help. Police were also captured on footage arresting Landry (pictured)

Footage from the aftermath of the crash showed dozens of injured people lying on the floor as emergency workers raced to their side.

A blue muscle car that appears to have been the one that plowed into the crowd, and therefore likely belonged to Landry, was seen in a ditch.

The Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office, which has been the lead investigative agency, said that based on its preliminary investigation, the crash did not appear to be an intentional act.

The Louisiana Lao New Year Festival is a Buddhist celebration which honors the Lao culture.

The festival's organizers released a statement that said: 'We are profoundly saddened by the news of the incident near the festival grounds. We are awaiting additional details from authorities as they become available.

'All security resources have been redirected to the scene, and we currently do not have security personnel available due to the circumstances.

'In the interest of public safety, tonights festival music programs will be canceled (no live concerts, no alcohol sales). Vendors will remain open until 9:00 PM. We are praying for the victims and for their families during this difficult time.

'As of now, and if security resources are restored for tomorrow (Sunday) we will reopen only the religious services of the festival, and vendors will stay open.'

The Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office said that based on its preliminary investigation, the crash did not appear to be intentional. People who were attending the parade are pictured around emergency response vehicles

The Buddhist parade in the Louisiana town of New Iberia honors the Lao culture. It is pictured in a video shared on Saturday before the car hit the crowd

If convicted of just one first-degree vehicular negligent injuring charge, Landry would face a sentence of up to ten years in prison and a $5,000 fine, according to Louisiana law.

His other charges, such as driving while impaired, would yield lighter sentences of up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $1,000 and a suspension of his license.
Seven people have been arrested on suspicion of supporting banned group Palestine Action during anti-war protests outside an RAF base in Suffolk.

The five men and two women were arrested at a peace encampment outside the main gate of Lakenheath airbase on Sunday morning during peace protests against the Iran war.

The protest follows reports from some media outlets that a US fighter jet shot down in Iran on Friday had taken off from the Lakenheath base.

In a statement, Lakenheath Alliance For Peace said the arrests were made after retired colonel Chris Romberg made a speech to protesters.

Suffolk Police said: 'Police have arrested seven people, five men and two women, in Lakenheath on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation.

'They have been taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

'Suffolk Police has a duty to enforce the law without fear or favour and as it currently stands, not as it might be in the future.

'As such, where offences are believed to have occurred appropriate action will be taken.'

Lakenheath Alliance For Peace demonstrators during an anti-war blockade outside RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk on April 4, 2026

A banner tied to a fence outside the RAF Lakenheath on April 3, 2026, during anti-war protests by the Lakenheath Alliance for Peace

The High Court ruled the proscription of Palestine Action was unlawful in February, but also granted the Home Office leave to appeal against the decision, leaving the proscription in place pending the outcome of the appeal.

Suffolk Police also confirmed two people had been charged over a blockade at the base on Saturday.

Michelle Macdonagh of Springhill, Stroud, Gloucestershire, and Yvan Cormier-Scott from Elphinstone Road, Southsea, Hampshire, have both been charged with wilful obstruction of a highway.

Cormier-Scott has been bailed to appear at Ipswich Magistrates' Court on May 22.

Macdonagh was also charged with obstructing a police officer and has been bailed to appear before the same court on April 27.
An all night illegal rave attended by 2,000 revellers tormented families in a tranquil village on Easter Sunday morning.

The unsanctioned event has been going on near East Lulworth in the scenic Purbeck area of Dorset since 11.45pm last night.

Residents had difficulty sleeping due to the sound coming from the 'unauthorised' Bank Holiday weekend event, which can be heard five miles away.

Dorset Police have closed roads to the area and are urging the 'trespassers' to go home immediately.

About 100 cars have been left parked, many abandoned on verges, by revellers attending the rave.

East Lulworth, a village of 240 residents with 17th century thatched cottages, is just a few miles from famous beauty spot Durdle Door.

A Dorset Police spokesperson said: 'It is our priority that we ensure this unauthorised music event is brought to a safe conclusion and there is minimal disruption to our residents and visitors.

'We would like to send a direct message to those at the event - you are trespassing, please leave and go home immediately.'

Residents took to social media to slam the trespassers with calls for tough action from the police.

Joanne Jenner said: 'As one of the residents of this beautiful, quiet village*not been the best night.'

The unsanctioned event has been going on near East Lulworth in the scenic Purbeck area of Dorset since 11.45pm last night

Residents had difficulty sleeping due to the sound coming from the 'unauthorised' Bank Holiday weekend event, which can be heard five miles away

Rich Parker said: 'Stop every car as it leaves, check for drugs, swipe driver for drink & drugs, check the car is legal, the cost of the above would be paid for in the fines.'

More than 1,000 people previously descended on the tiny village for an illegal rave back on the Easter weekend of 2022.

Other unauthorised events have taken place in recent years at the Arne heath and near 11th century Corfe Castle.

Lucy Morgan said: 'This happens every year somewhere locally...there must be some recourse, some way of preventing it.'

One resident in Stoborough, five miles from East Lulworth, said they can hear the rave and fear that revellers will leave behind an 'awful mess'.

They said: 'This happens every year and every year we're told that there's little that can be done.

'The one on the heath at Arne and one near Corfe in recent years were both dreadful and left awful mess behind too.'

Lulworth Equestrian Centre said they had been affected by road closures as police try to disperse the rave.

A member of staff at the centre said: 'All the roads around have been blocked by the police.

'I can hear it but I know nothing else about it.'

A Dorset Police spokesperson said: 'We are responding to an unauthorised music event near East Lulworth, which was reported at around 11.45pm on Saturday 4 April 2026.

'There are approximately 100 cars at the location and it is believed that around 2,000 people have attended the event.

'We would like to reassure residents that we are proactively working with our partner agencies to deal with the risks and impacts on our communities and bring the event to a safe conclusion.

'We have had officers visibly at the location since the initial report and road closures remain in place to prevent anyone from accessing the area. The closures in place are B3070, B3071 and between B3070 and A352.

'It is our priority that we ensure this unauthorised music event is brought to a safe conclusion and there is minimal disruption to our residents and visitors.

'We would like to send a direct message to those at the event - you are trespassing, please leave and go home immediately.'
The Democratic Party has snubbed their most recent president in their Easter Sunday message.

On Sunday, they posted a photo of the back of former President Barack Obama's head with the Easter Bunny, along with the caption 'better times at the White House.'

The duo were looking at the Washington monument, positioned in between them, in the snap that was taken during Obama's presidency over a decade ago.

But many were quick to realize that the Democrats seemingly forgot to praise for their most recent candidate in the Oval Office - Joe Biden.

Despite serving as Obama's Vice President, and then being President himself from 2021 to 2025, the Democrats' X account notably missed out mentioning Biden in their 'better times' post - with some voters saying they are 'erasing' him from history.

Biden painstakingly held on to the Democratic ticket in the last election, before conceding in July 2024 and allowing Kamala Harris to run against Trump.

During Biden's last Easter as president, he was already rumored to have been dealing with cognitive issues, and had experienced public gaffes and embarrassments.

Biden was mocked online in 2024 after he tripped over his words and referred to 'oyster bunnies' instead of the 'Easter bunnies' during his opening remarks at the annual Easter Egg roll hosted on the White House South Lawn.

Democrats seemingly snubbed Biden in their post on Easter Sunday in 2026

Then-President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden attend the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, US, April 1, 2024

'By the way, say hello to oyster bunnies! Come on up here bunnies, so they can see you, c'mon get in there,' he said at the time to the two large costumed Easter bunnies dressed for the occasion.

Right-wing commentators on X were quick to point out the Biden snub in Sunday's Easter post.

Former Trump 2020 campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh chimed in, writing, 'Check you out erasing Joe Biden.'

Tim Young, Media fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think-tank, wrote: 'They keep skipping over Biden'

Another person wrote: 'Why are you guys suddenly pretending Biden didnt exist.'

And a fourth added: 'Ashamed of Biden, are you?'

While another user on X said: 'What happened to Joe Biden? Even the Democrats don't want to talk about him.'

And a sixth wrote: 'After years of gaslighting the American public that Biden was the most accomplished president, they try so hard to erase him. They cant be trusted.'

Some liberals were also surprisingly keen to blast the post.

Join the discussion Do YOU think this reflects deeper divisions within the party?

Biden speaks on the Truman Balcony of the White House during the Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn in Washington, DC, US, on Monday, April 1, 2024

TrackAIPAC co-founder Cory Archibald told the person behind the Democrats' X account to 'Stop nostalgiaposting for the bygone days of indiscriminate drone strikes and persecuting whistleblowers that paved the way for the exact moment we are in,' before adding that 'one of the last things Obama did was expand the surveillance powers of the presidency literally days before Trump was sworn in.'

Kamala Harris fan Sky quote-tweeted the original post of Obama with a picture of former vice-president Harris and her hubby and former second gent Doug, with the caption 'Happier times.'

The most recent Democrat to sit in the Oval Office was also left out in a similar fashion last year.

'Happy Easter!' read a 2025 post on the same official Democrat X account, which included photos of former President Obama, as well as Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, John F. Kennedy.

In 2024, during Biden's last Easter in office, he also sparked fury proclaiming the 'Transgender Day of Visibility' with a 'simple message to all trans Americans' sharing that they were 'made in the image of God, and ... worthy of respect and dignity.'

In 2022, a video went viral of the Easter Bunny directing President Biden away from reporters during the Egg Roll.

During the first Easter of his second term last year, Trump blasted Biden as the 'WORST and most Incompetent President, a man who had absolutely no idea what he was doing,' before wishing his fellow Americans 'with great love, sincerity, and affection, a very Happy Easter.'

In 2026, Trump kicked off Easter issuing a new threat to Iran, promising to 'blow everything up and take over the oil' if the country does not make a deal with the US soon.

Trump is expected to host an Easter Dinner at the White House on Sunday evening, as well as the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on Monday.
More than 70 migrants are feared to have died after a crammed small boat capsized in the Mediterranean Sea.

The vessel had left the port of Tajoura, Libya, just hours before it began taking on water and capsized in turbulent weather conditions.

After receiving alerts, an aircraft sent by German rescue group Sea-Watch 'found an overturned wooden boat with about 15 people desperately clinging to the hull, several people in the water and some bodies'.

Video footage shows around a dozen men perched on top of the overturned boat off the coast of Libya as others try to pull themselves out of the water.

The International Organisation for Migration and the United Nations Refugee Agency both said 32 survivors were found by a rescue effort involving an Italian merchant ship and one sent from Liberia. Reports suggested that two bodies were also hauled onto the rescue ships.

The survivors - one of whom is reported to be a minor - were then transported by the Italian Coast Guard to the island of Lampedusa, which has become a gateway to Europe for thousands of asylum seekers vying to cross the Mediterranean.

All of those who survived were males from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Egypt.

Filippo Ungaro, a spokesman for the United Nations Refugee Agency, said the migrants had been aboard a boat 'very unsuitable for crossing the Mediterranean.'

More than 70 migrants are feared to have died after a crammed small boat capsized in the Mediterranean Sea

Video footage shared by Sea-Watch showed around a dozen men perched on top of the boat off the coast of Libya as others desperately try and haul themselves aboard

Those who lived are said to have told authorities that there were more than 100 people on the vessel. However the International Organisation for Migration fears there could have been up to 120.

If those numbers are confirmed, it would represent one of the most serious migrant crossing tragedies in history.

Migrant rescue organisation Mediterranean Saving Humans said in a statement: 'Tragic shipwreck on Easter: 32 survivors, two lifeless bodies recovered, over 70 people missing.

'This latest shipwreck is not a tragic accident, but the result of policies pursued by European governments which refuse to open legal and safe entry routes.'

Sea-Watch wrote on X: 'We are horrified. Over the Easter weekend, 71 people are presumed to have drowned in the Mediterranean.

'Yesterday, our aircraft Seabird 2 spotted an overturned wooden boat: - 15 people were desperately clinging to the hull, others were in the water, some lifeless.'

At least 725 migrants have disappeared in the ocean between northern Africa and Europe in 2026 alone.

Only last week, the Italian Coast Guard discovered 19 bodies after a dinghy became overwhelmed in choppy waters approximately 80 miles from Lampedusa.

And in early February a shipwreck in conditions described as the 'worst in 20 years' saw more than 50 migrants - including two babies - go missing in the Mediterranean.

Since statistics were first produced in 2014, approximately 33,450 migrants have died or gone missing in Mediterranean waters.

Usually, they have left the coast of north Africa from countries such as Libya and Tunisia in search of safety in southern European nations like Italy, Malta, Turkey, Greece, Morocco and Spain.
Hunkered down in a mountain-top ravine, armed only with a pistol, and with gun-toting tribesmen bearing down on him, the US Airforce colonel probably had slim hopes for his survival.

However, after what is being called the 'most daring' Special Forces rescue operation in US history, he is now safely out of Iran.

It took hundreds of Special Forces commandos, a CIA drone operation, and some lateral thinking to avert last-minute disaster.

Step-by-step, this is how the rescue operation unfolded.

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Hundreds of special forces launched a mission deep inside Iran on Saturday after an initial rescue only managed to save one of two crewmen who ejected near the town of Talkhuncheh.

The remaining weapons systems officer hiked through the mountains while evading Iranian search parties and using his rescue beacon sparingly - before he was eventually located by the CIA.

Drones then watched over him and took out any Iranians who got within three kilometres, before special forces flew into a desert airstrip near his location.

SEAL Team 6 commandos rescued the officer from the mountain top by helicopter and then returned to the nearby desert airstrip.

However, two transport planes and one helicopter became stuck in the mud and unable to take off, leaving more military personnel stranded behind enemy lines as Basij fighters closed in on their botched rescue site.

Three more transport planes were flown in to evacuate the downed airman and the rescue party, as they were evacuated under gunfire from the advancing Iranians.

Miraculously, the forces escaped unharmed in what is being hailed as the most daring US special operation in history.

As they left, the Americans were forced to 'blow up' their own stricken planes and helicopter, to prevent them falling into the hands of the Iranian military.

It was a move likely to have cost millions of dollars to the US military and showed the urgency of the US forces to evacuate under extreme pressure.

Iranian media claimed they shot down the two transport planes, but provided no evidence to support the suggestion.

They later claimed that the US mission had failed and branded the rescue story as a 'cover up' to Trump's heavy defeat.

Donald Trump branded the mission a huge success, saying it proved the Americans' 'dominance and superiority' over the Iranian skies.

Join the discussion Do YOU think this mission shows strength or desperation?

A US military plane flying low over Iran on Sunday amid the daring rescue mission

The C-130 transport planes were seen completely destroyed on the remote airfield inside Iran

US forces involved in the rescue mission were forced to destroy two of their own planes after they became stuck in the remote Iranian airbase

Iranian Basij members had only a pair of American underpants to show from the rescue site

Injured after ejecting from an F-15 E Strike Eagle fighter jet which had been gunned down over Iran, stuck in a treacherous mountain range deep behind enemy lines and armed with just a handgun for protection, the situation could hardly have been more bleak for the stricken colonel.

He became separated from the pilot after they both ejected near the village of Talkhuncheh, Isfahan Province.

Iranian forces were quickly made aware of his presence and offered a $60,000 reward for his capture, leading Basij militia to advance on the mountain roads below.

The brave colonel, injured but mobile, trekked 70 miles and climbed to 7,000 feet where he activated his emergency beacon and lay low for nearly two days, hoping for an unlikely rescue.

Although he could use his emergency beacon to contact rescuers, it also risked giving his location away to the enemy and so he used it sparingly to avoid detection.

Meanwhile, the CIA confused the Iranians, spreading word that the colonel had already been located and buying themselves time to locate the airman. He was eventually located by the CIA, who alerted the White House and the Pentagon.

His pilot had already been rescued just hours after the jet went down, after HH-60W Jolly Green 2 helicopters flew in under fire from Iranians.

Two of the helicopters were hit and the crew were injured, but they were able to escape Iranian airspace.

The Americans used A-10 Warthogs to slow down the forces advancing on the colonel's position, blocking roads around the extraction zone, striking communications towers and approaching vehicles. Iranian officials said at least four were killed in the strikes.

One A-10 Warthog was also hit by fire and later crashed in the Strait of Hormuz. An MC-130J refuelling aircraft was filmed fuelling two helicopters over the crash site.

Iranian broadcasters then urged locals to seize the American, telling viewers: If you capture the enemy pilot or pilots alive and hand them over to the police you will receive a precious prize.

Fearing the colonel could be captured, the Americans then launched their daring rescue attempt and flew hundreds of special forces into Iranian airspace to rescue one man, at great risk to themselves.

US special forces sent in commandos from the elite SEAL Team 6, also known as DEVGRU and landed at a desert airstrip near the town of Mahyar.

The Navy Seals flew in four MH-6 Little Bird helicopters and rescued the officer from the mountain top, before returning to the desert airstrip.

As they attempted to evacuate, disaster struck when the C-130 planes became stuck in the dirt and unable to take off, leaving dozens of US forces now also stuck behind enemy lines.

Escaping under gunfire proved how close the forces came to disaster.

They were forced to destroy their stranded aircraft as they escaped, leaving millions of dollars worth of American air power in pieces in the Iranian mountains.

President Trump celebrated 'one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History', but victory had been snatched from the jaws of defeat.

The remaining three rescue planes flew out of Iran to Kuwait and the mission was completed just before midnight.

Iranian state media released images of the search and rescue planes which it claimed it shot down, though the US military says it 'blew [them] up' themselves

The two stranded aircraft were destroyed to prevent them from falling into IRGC hands, sources told The New York Times.

An MH-6 Little Bird helicopter was also destroyed after it was damaged before evacuation, according to reports.

Iranian sources said hundreds of soldiers and Basij fighters who tried to interfere with the rescue operation were 'neutralised' by American special forces.

Mr Trump said this was the first time in military memory that two US pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in enemy territory, as he defiantly said that no American warfighter would ever be left behind.

He said dozens of aircraft armed with 'the most lethal weapons in the World' were sent by the US military to retrieve him.

'This brave warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour,' Trump added in a Truth Social post.

The airman ejected from an F-15E fighter jet along with the aircraft's pilot in the early hours of Friday, sparking a frantic two-day search operation that culminated in a fierce firefight.

Trump said the aircraft's pilot was secretly rescued hours after the crash, but that operation was kept quiet to not 'jeopardize our second rescue operation'.

He added that both operations were concluded 'without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded', despite reports of injuries in the pilot's rescue as well as the colonel's own injuries.

Iranian media reported five people were killed in strikes during the US rescue operation.

The F-15E jet was downed on Friday soon after a US A-10 Warthog was also shot from the sky by Iranian forces in a chaotic day of fighting, marking the first US aircraft downed since the start of the conflict.

Pictured: The ejected seat from the F-15 fighter jet as published in Iranian media

The Iranian military previously shared footage appearing to show the F-15E fighter jet being blown out of the sky

A second US airman shot down over Iran has been rescued in a daring rescue mission following a fierce firefight with the IRGC, reports say. The wreckage of the pilot's F-15E fighter jet is pictured

Iranian Revolutionary Guards took credit for the strike with gloating photos of the planes later shared on state media, accompanied by a taunting caption.

On Saturday, the official X account for the Iranian Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, released harrowing new images of the destroyed F-15E jet, accompanied by a taunting caption.

'The stealth fighter that now has no escape but to lie under the feet of aerospace warriors,' the embassy wrote.

'That same stealth giant, for which they wove legends for years, is today a pile of scrap metal fallen to the ground - this is the very technology they claimed was invisible and untouchable,' it added. 'But now it has been seen and brought down.'

Each of the three photos showed what was left of the jet: an unrecognizable mass of burnt debris strewn across a wide, empty stretch of land.

On Friday, a video also showed Iranian bullets being fired at a Black Hawk helicopter which was thought to be involved in the search for the missing F-15 crew.

It came after Trump said earlier on Truth Social that US forces had 'terminated' several of Iran's military leaders, sharing footage appearing to show an airstrike taking out top IRGC commanders.

Trump's social media posts praising the rescue operations came hours after the White House furiously shut down rumors the president was hospitalized on Saturday.

The government said Trump had not made public appearances in three days because he is focusing on the conflict with Iran.

Following the downing of two US aircrafts on Friday, Iran placed a $60,000 bounty on the heads of the US airmen, vowing to seek revenge on US military forces for the conflict.

While the pilot was rescued quickly, the second member of the crew, a Weapons Systems Officer, used specialized survival techniques to evade capture long enough to be saved, Fox News correspondent Jennifer Griffin said in an X post on Saturday night.

The soldier used SERE  survival, evasion, resistance and escape  training to evade capture, hiking up an elevated ridge away from the wreckage and putting out an emergency beacon in hopes of being located.

Griffin said a number of Iranian military forces were killed and injured in the operation, but no US soldiers were killed.

Trump said earlier on Truth Social that US forces had 'terminated' several of Iran's military leaders, sharing footage appearing to show an airstrike taking out top IRGC commanders

A US official told Fox News the mission was 'very complex', and involved several branches of the US military to find and rescue the airman.

During search and rescue operations on Friday, two rescue helicopters were hit by Iranian forces and crew members on board were injured.

As Iranian forces closed in on the stranded airman, footage circulating on social media appeared to show members of Irans Bakhtiari tribes in Khuzestan heading into the mountains, rifles in hand, to search for the American soldier.

Trump declined to comment on how he would respond if the airman were to have been harmed.

In a gloating online statement, Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf taunted the US and Trump over his repeated claims of winning the war.

After defeating Iran 37 times in a row, this brilliant no-strategy war they started has now been downgraded from regime change to Hey! Can anyone find our pilots? Please?,' Ghalibaf wrote.

The announcement of the rescue came as Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel and Kuwait early Sunday, and a day after Trump said the Islamic republic had 48 hours to cut a deal or face 'all Hell'.

The President referred to an ultimatum he issued on March 26, saying: 'Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT, Time is running out - 48 hours before all Hell will reign (sic) down on them.'

Iran's central military command rejected the ultimatum, with General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi saying Trump's threat was a 'helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action'.

Echoing Trump's language, he warned that 'the gates of hell will open for you'.

Pakistan has offered to mediate efforts to end the war and, according to Iranian media, Pakistan's foreign minister and his Iranian counterpart spoke by phone on Saturday.

However, there was no sign of a let up in the violence, and Kuwait and Israel said their air defences were responding Sunday to the latest attacks from Iran.

The United Arab Emirates also said its air defences were responding to missile attacks that Tehran said were targeting the country's aluminium industries, while Bahrain officials reported a fire at a refinery 'as a result of Iranian aggression'.
Detectives have arrested an 18-year-old man who fled the scene after a woman in her 20s was lured into a seaside alleyway and allegedly raped.

The victim was attacked in Lowestoft, Suffolk, in the early hours of this morning.

According to Suffolk Police, the incident began shortly after midnight following an encounter at a local venue.

The group then travelled together to The Volunteer on London Road North.

After exiting the vehicle, the victim and the man walked toward Milton Road East.

The suspect entered the same taxi as the victim and her friend outside Blues bar.

At approximately 12.10 am, police say the man led the woman into an alleyway near Arnold Street, where the sexual assault took place.

Following the attack, the suspect allegedly fled the scene on foot via London Road North and Gordon Road.

Police say the man then led the woman into an alleyway near to the junction of Arnold Street, where he sexually assaulted her

Suffolk Police confirmed today that an 18-year-old male has been arrested on suspicion of rape.

He remains in custody at the Great Yarmouth Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

A forensic cordon remains in place near the junction of Arnold Street as a 'probe' into the incident continues. Officers are expected to remain in attendance throughout the day to gather evidence and conduct door-to-door inquiries.

Providing a statement, the force said: 'Police have today arrested an 18-year-old man from Lowestoft on suspicion of rape.

'He has been taken to Great Yarmouth Police investigation Centre where he will be questioned.

'A police scene is currently in place and the local community can expect to see an increased police presence in and around the area.

'Witnesses or anyone who may have any relevant doorbell, dashcam, or CCTV footage from around the time of the incident should contact Suffolk police quoting 37/19054/26.

'If you or someone you know has been a victim of rape or sexual assault, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police.'
New Yorkers stepped out into Manhattan on Sunday to show off their Easter creations and colorful costumes, as the Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival filled the streets.

The parade began at 10am and stretched down Fifth Avenue from 49th Street to 57th Street in Midtown as crowds gathered around St Patrick's Cathedral.

Dating back to the 1870s, the tradition draws huge crowds of people dressed in colorful and extravagant outfits or decorated bonnets.

The informal parade requires no tickets and has no formal procession, but simply invites people to walk along the route in their Sunday best or creative themed outfits.

Casey Sobel, an artist based in Brooklyn, told the Gothamist that she has attended the event for years and spends months working on her creations to showcase on the day.

'It feels like a beautiful community of people because we are all just there to express ourselves in new and interesting ways without it being a contest,' she told the outlet.

This year, Sobel created an outfit that would turn her into a teapot.

Sobel said that the event not only allows New Yorkers the chance to 'shake off the coldness of winter' and step into spring, but it also offers an opportunity 'to create something beautiful, elaborate and silly without being able to focus on who spent the most amount of money.'

New Yorkers stepped out in their Easter best for the parade on Sunday

The parade began at 10am and stretched down Fifth Avenue from 49th Street to 57th Street in Midtown as crowds gathered around St Patrick's Cathedral

A pair of balloon artists wowed the crowd with a dress and giant rabbit made entirely of gorgeous pastel colors and easily made themselves a clear show stopper

The Easter Parade crowd collected outside of St Patrick's Cathedral, while a giant balloon rabbit had event goers stopping for photos

The informal parade requires no tickets and has no formal procession, but simply invites people to walk along the route in their Sunday best or creative themed outfits

Pets made appearances alongside their well-dressed owners, including two chihuahuas who donned their own colorful ensemble and another pair of cute pups in their own demure bonnets

While the 2026 Easter Parade was dampened by gray skies and rain, the streets were none the less brightened by everyone's outfits - some even incorporated umbrellas into their look.

A pair of balloon artists wowed the crowd with a dress and giant rabbit made entirely of gorgeous pastel colors and easily made themselves a clear show stopper.

Pets made appearances alongside their well-dressed owners, including two chihuahuas who donned their own colorful ensemble of oranges and pinks and another pair of cute pups in their own demure bonnets.

Another event goer even brought along their own white rabbit.

Others donned colorful hats and bonnets covered in flowers and frills - or even colorful eggs perched on top of a few heads.

Gordon Donovan, a photographer, wrote on Facebook: 'The colors were everywhere for all to see. Church bells were ringing, and creativity was in full bloom around St Patrick's Cathedral during its Easter Masses.'

A blogger, Ego, wrote that 'spring flowers, pastel colors and joyful energy fill the city during this special day.'

'It's a unique mix of tradition, style and New York creativity all in one place,' he added.

Others donned colorful hats and bonnets covered in flowers and frills - or even colorful eggs perched on top of a few heads

Gordon Donovan, a photographer, said: 'The colors were everywhere for all to see. Church bells were ringing, and creativity was in full bloom around St Patrick's Cathedral during its Easter Masses'

New Yorkers stepped out into Manhattan on Sunday to show off their Easter creations and colorful costumes, as the Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival fill the streets

A blogger, Ego, wrote that 'spring flowers, pastel colors and joyful energy fill the city during this special day'

Emily Hupp, 29, seen wearing a Tiffany themed Bird on a Rock hat in the Easter Bonnet Parade

Camille Carrithers said the parade was 'a bucket list checkoff' and that 'thankful is an understatement.'

'Easter Sunday arrived in a glorious way with celebrations among the city including marching three blocks down to St Patricks Cathedral and then smiling nonstop among throngs of tourists, New Yorkers and other participants. Blessed beyond reason, my soul was lit,' she wrote.

Camille and a friend donned blue and pink flowers on their hats, a set of pearls and topped it all off with some bunny ears.

One Facebook user said they have been going to the parade for decades and 'every time' they remember why.

'I have been going to the Easter parade for decades on and off. Every time I do go, I put it back to the top of my list as things I should prioritize,' the post read.

'A completely unorganized parade that spontaneously appears every year like a magical comet. Its always a completely different cast of characters.

'A cornucopia for photographers and lovers of rebirthing. The rain didnt dampen anyone's spirits. When the end of the world comes, New Yorkers will be dancing in the streets.'

Casey Sobel, a Brooklyn based artist, said that the event not only allows New Yorkers the chance to step into spring, but it also offers an opportunity 'to create something beautiful, elaborate and silly without being able to focus on who spent the most amount of money'

'It feels like a beautiful community of people because we are all just there to express ourselves in new and interesting ways without it being a contest,' Sobel said

A parade goer said that the rain kept some away, but the streets were still full with a 'HUGE turnout'

While the 2026 Easter Parade was dampened by gray skies and rain, the streets were none the less brightened by everyone's outfits - some even incorporated umbrellas into their look

Another parade goer said that the rain kept some away, but the streets were still full with a 'HUGE turnout.'

'Today was the Easter Bonnet Parade in New York City & it was absolutely stunning! A true show stopper even in the rain,' another said.

Certainly, the Easter Parade was at no shortage of happy festivities.
A mother and her baby were among three people crushed to death by a tree that fell on them during an Easter egg hunt in Germany.

The 21-year-old had taken her infant along for the activity organised by a nearby centre for new mothers, and they were tragically killed alongside a 16-year-old girl.

Strong winds toppled the 100-foot tree in woods near the northern town of Satrupholm at around 11am, local police said.

Four people were initially pinned beneath it, and despite the best efforts of first responders, the young woman and teenager died at the scene.

The woman's 10-month-old daughter died later in hospital, and grief counsellors were sent to the scene.

An 18-year-old woman also suffered serious injuries to her spine and was rushed to hospital by helicopter.

Around 50 people including new mothers, pregnant women and children were participating in the egg hunt.

It was hosted by a state-funded centre for women who need support before or after having children.

Three people died after being crushed by a tree in Germany, near the norther town of Satrupholm

A 21-year-old woman and a 16-year-old girl died at the scene, while the woman's 10-month-old baby died later in hospital

The victims had been participating in an Easter egg hunt organised by a nearby centre for new mothers

Pictures from the scene published by German news site Bild showed several Easter eggs scattered on the woodland ground and two of the victims covered in white sheets.

The area had been under a high winds warning from the German weather service.

Government officials from the local Schleswig-Holstein region said they were 'deeply shaken' by the accident.

'Our thoughts are with the family members of the dead, with the injured, and with everyone who had to experience this terrible occurrence,' regional Governor Daniel Gunther, Interior Minister Magdalena Finke, and Youth and Families Minister Aminata Toure said in a joint statement.
A backbench revolt stirred by public pressure is turning the screw on Ed Miliband over his refusal to harness untapped energy reserves in the North Sea.

A growing number of Labour MPs are calling on the Energy Secretary to soften his Net Zero agenda to tackle the cost of living and bring down bills.

It came as a poll found voters want Labour to urgently lift its ban on drilling to prevent households being hammered by the cost of the Middle East crisis.

Research conducted for The Mail on Sunday by Lord Ashcroft found that half of voters think Mr Miliband should drill, baby, drill  in the words of Donald Trump.

Pressure has been mounting on the Government to reverse the ban on new exploration of the North Sea as fuel supplies dwindle amid the conflict.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves also sparked speculation of a Cabinet rift by saying she is very happy to see drilling, while trade unions have been piling further pressure on Labour. And now Labour MPs have publicly called on Mr Miliband to allow fresh exploration.

Henry Tufnell has been spearheading the backbench campaign for the Government to issue new drilling licences.

He said drilling was vital for our own domestic energy security and is good for the economy with increased tax receipts and jobs.

A growing number of Labour MPs are calling on Energy Secretary Ed Miliband (pictured) to soften his Net Zero agenda to tackle the cost of living and bring down bills

Since Iran began its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, following US and Israeli attacks, global energy prices have soared. Pictured: File photo of an offshore oil and gas platform

Join the discussion Do YOU think Net Zero policies are driving up energy costs?

Fellow Labour MP Luke Akehurst agreed, saying there is no contradiction between developing renewable energy sources and nuclear, and using our remaining reserves of North Sea oil and gas.

The policy is already backed by Reform UK and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, who on Saturday called on Sir Keir to rein in his dogmatic Energy Secretary.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, the SNP, Tony Blairs think tank and the Labour-backing GMB have also voiced support.

But some Labour MPs on the Left strongly object, with Uma Kumaran saying: The climate crisis is very real ... We cant keep going back to oil and gas.

Green industrialist Dale Vince, one of Labours biggest donors, told Times Radio it would be wrong for Labour to allow fresh exploration.

It followed reports Mr Miliband could approve the development of the Jackdaw gas field but remained opposed to Rosebank, the UKs largest untapped oil site.

But sources insisted a decision was always due in the autumn. The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero said: These decisions will be made in an appropriate and timely manner.
WASHINGTON, April 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. forces recovered the second crew member of an F-15E Strike Eagle shot down over Iran on Friday, with the airman injured but expected to recover, while the jet's pilot had been rescued shortly after the crash.

The downing of the F-15E is the first confirmed U.S. aircraft loss over Iran in the current conflict, showing that U.S. forces did not have full control of Iranian airspace at the time.

Iranian media reported that the jet was destroyed by an advanced air defense system of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Separately, the Tasnim news agency, citing the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said several other aircraft were destroyed during the operation, including a C-130 transport plane and two Black Hawk helicopters.

So how did multiple U.S. aircraft come under fire during the mission, and what does this indicate about operational conditions in Iranian airspace?

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE AIRCRAFT?

The F-15E was shot down over central Iran. A U.S. A-10 Thunderbolt II dispatched to support the search was also struck by fire, forcing its pilot to eject safely into Kuwaiti airspace.

The reported losses of transport and helicopter assets illustrate the operational challenges faced by U.S. forces in the area.

WHY WAS THE RESCUE RISKY?

After ejecting, the weapons systems officer spent over 24 hours in mountainous terrain, armed only with emergency gear. Local forces, including military personnel and militias, actively searched the area, while U.S. helicopters faced fire during the operation.

The combination of rugged geography and active air defenses highlighted the operational complexity and the high stakes of carrying out missions in contested Iranian airspace.

HOW WAS THE AIRMAN RETRIEVED?

U.S. intelligence agencies, including the CIA, carried out measures to mislead local forces. Navy SEAL Team 6 and special operations personnel conducted the extraction late Saturday.

During the mission, the airman navigated rugged terrain and limited use of his emergency beacon to avoid detection. Two transport planes carrying U.S. personnel were disabled at a remote base, prompting deployment of additional aircraft and destruction of the stranded planes to prevent capture.

IMPLICATIONS

The reported aircraft losses underscore the operational considerations for missions over Iranian airspace.

Observers note that such incidents could influence future U.S. military planning, operational procedures, and risk assessments in contested regions.

Iranian media, including Fars news agency, reported that several U.S. soldiers were killed during the operation, highlighting the potential human cost of such missions. 
In an industry of carefully-curated social media accounts, she's never shied away from telling her millions of followers what she really thinks.

But now Kate Beckinsale has claimed her agent fired her for 'liking' a post calling for a ceasefire in Gaza while standing by male client Mark Ruffalo for expressing the same views.

The British actress, 52, decried it as sexism in Hollywood in a scathing comment on Instagram and alleged that she had reached out to Ruffalo about the apparent double standard but was 'ignored.'

Writing underneath a post in which Ruffalo was promoting forthcoming drama film Palestine 36, about the 1936 Arab Revolt, she applauded him for his activism but said she had paid a 'price' that he had not.

Ms Beckinsale, who later deleted the comment, was previously represented by the powerhouse United Talent Agency, which still represents Ruffalo.

The same agency dropped Susan Sarandon as a client in 2023 after she spoke at several pro-Palestine rallies in the US.

'Gosh, it must be so nice not to be fired by your agent for liking a post about a ceasefire and not supporting the murdering of children,' Ms Beckinsale wrote.

She said that 'having a penis in Hollywood really counts for a lot' because 'you've not been fired by the same agent that I had.'

Hollywood actress Kate Beckinsale (pictured earlier this month) claims her agent fired her for 'liking' a post calling for a ceasefire in Gaza

Ms Beckinsale slammed her dismissal as sexism in a scathing Instagram post

She claimed that the same agent stuck by male client Mark Ruffalo (pictured in January) after he expressed similar views

Smoke rises following an Israeli strike near a tent camp sheltering displaced Palestinians in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, March 25

She said the agent had 'sent me a gift the week before, so we didn't have any beef,' leaving her to deduce that the firing was down to her social media activity.

'I liked a post about a ceasefire and I've got fired on the same day as Susan Sarandon was fired, two days after the end of the strike after nine months of none of us being able to work at all,' she said, referencing the 118-day SAG-AFTRA strikes.

'I was dealing with the fact that on top of my mother having been told she had six weeks to live with brain cancer, and being a carer for both of them, the day before my stepfather had had a catastrophic stroke on top of two types of cancer,' she said.

Ms Beckinsale, whose mother Judy Loe died in July last year and stepfather Roy Battersby the previous January, said she was 'fired in two sentences after 12 years of friendship.'

She claimed that her agent knew 'what I was dealing with, alone' and still chose to cut ties while she was caring for her elderly parents.

Claiming that she had only done 'one millionth' of what Ruffalo had 'laudably done', she said she had paid the price for 'having a vagina.'

It is 'interesting' to her and to 'other female actors and women's advocate groups', she said.

She went on to say that she was 'okay with him ignoring me,' but that she felt there was a clear 'male privilege even in the good guys.'

She clarified that she was not 'blaming Mark for this' and insisted that she does 'really and truly' support the actor, who has been outspoken in his criticism of Israel.

In January he was one of dozens of actors and actresses who signed a letter addressed to Israel and world leaders to restore medical care in Gaza.

Ms Beckinsale, who is mother to Lily Sheen, 27, from her relationship with Michael Sheen, is now represented by New Standard Branding agency.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Ruffalo's representatives for comment.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor desperately tried to flaunt his 'blue blood' status superiority over royal rival Sir Tim Laurence on Easter Sunday, a body language expert has claimed.

Following the Royal Family's annual Easter Sunday service at Windsor's St George's Chapel in 2023, the former prince was captured holding a gate open for the clergy, Princess Anne and Sarah Ferguson as they all exited the chapel.

However, a rather disgruntled Andrew, who found himself in a 'humiliating regal royal downgrade', appeared to reject the prospect of stepping out behind his brother-in-law, Sir Tim Laurence, 71.

According to Judi James, the disgraced ex-Duke, 66, underwent some 'desperate queue-jumping that muscled the eternally polite Sir Tim to the back of the queue behind him'.

The event would mark one of Andrew's last Easters with the Royal Family following the ensuing fallout of his controversial ties to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Both the former prince and Sarah Ferguson have since been cast out of the royal fold and stripped of their royal titles, while their two daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, have made 'alternative plans for Easter'.

However, four years ago, the then-Duke of York was eager to claim an 'important centre power spot' and a 'dominant' role in the Firm  at the expense of Sir Tim.

Analysing the striking footage, Ms James told the Daily Mail: 'Andrew arrives at the top of the stairs wearing a "gloating" type of smile at being the first royal to emerge and greet the cameras.

'His eyes stare up at the corners with teeth bared. He performs a small, gallant glide to grab the gate and pull it back but his smile quickly drops as he finds himself pinned behind it and having to wait while the others go first at thanking and chatting to the clergy.'

Ms James noted that as Andrew continued to play the role of 'doorman', he soon realised he would be forced to 'hold the gate open for non blue-blood Sir Tim' and quickly began to establish a 'get-out strategy'.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was desperate to flaunt his 'blue blood' status superiority over royal rival Sir Tim Laurence at the Royal Family's Easter celebrations in 2023, a body language expert has claimed

Judi James noted that as Andrew continued to play the role of 'doorman', he soon realised he would be forced to 'hold the gate open for non blue-blood Sir Tim' and quickly began to establish a 'get-out strategy'

'Andrew's apparent impatience and indignation is suggested by the way he raises his hand to hold the spear at the top of the fencing,' Ms James noted.

'His hand becomes a claw at the top of the pole and his lips are clamped as he scans the cameras and the public with a wary eye expression.'

While it may have been 'more polite for Andrew to wait his turn and go last', the former prince instead 'looks at Tim with two intentional gestures that show he has no intention of being last after his brother-in-law here'.

'Andrew appears to warm up to jump in via a couple of small leans or pushes inward as though he is revving up for the push,' said Ms James.

However, the clergy then appeared to turn back to speak to Anne, leaving a 'frowning' Andrew 'ignored in the conversation'.

'This time, Andrew pushes straight in front of Tim and turns his glance to the cameras to announce his arrival in the important centre power-spot,' added Ms James.

'Andrew might have nodded at Tim to register the pushing-in but it seems he just ignores him, a gesture that looks like a lack of respect.'

In response to Andrew's actions, Tim appears to 'grin wryly' which Ms James notes may be a 'form of polite indulgence'.

'He remains cold-shouldered by Andrew, pushed behind him while Fergie is pushed to the side.'

'Andrew pushes straight in front of Tim and turns his glance to the cameras to announce his arrival in the important centre power-spot,' added Ms James. 'Andrew might have nodded at Tim to register the pushing-in but it seems he just ignores him'

Despite Andrew and Sir Tim's respective naval backgrounds 'it does not seem that they were ever close', according to royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams

As the former prince is now 'in his element' and at 'the hub of the pose', Ms James noted that he 'cuts off' the clergy's conversation with Anne in a desperate bid to 'give the impression of being the most important and most dominant member of the group'.

Sir Tim, however, has been left in a 'compromised' position  with the former Duke of York seen striding off ahead while 'leaving a slightly lost-looking Tim and Fergie in his wake'.

The striking moment between Andrew and Sir Tim comes as the former prince has been under intense public scrutiny following his arrest on his 66th birthday, February 19, on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

His arrest came over claims that the former prince may have shared sensitive information with Epstein when he was the UK's trade envoy  but Andrew has not been arrested in relation to any sex offences.

At the time of his arrest, King Charles released a statement in which he announced that the police would have his 'wholehearted support and co-operation' and that 'the law must take its course'.

Yet little is known about his sister, Princess Anne, nor Sir Tim's views towards the ensuing scandal.

According to the Daily Mail's Editor-At-Large Richard Kay, Anne is understood to be in contact with Andrew and remains concerned for his welfare, yet still shares the family view that the King was right to banish Andrew and strip him of his royal titles.

However, the Princess Royal, 75, is still understood to be reluctant to see her brother excluded from private family gatherings.

Despite Andrew and Sir Tim's respective naval backgrounds 'it does not seem that they were ever close', according to royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams.

'Their relations seem to have been purely formal as members of the same family,' he told the Daily Mail.

Indicative of their tense relationship, during the Firm's Easter celebrations in 2025, the disgraced ex-Duke approached Sir Tim 'like a heat-seeking missile' to share details about his links to an alleged Chinese spy, according to Ms James and a lip reader.

As members of the Royal Family gathered outside of St George's Chapel ahead of the Easter Sunday Service in April 2025, eagle-eyed onlookers noted a rare and rather striking interaction between Andrew and Princess Anne's husband, Sir Tim.

According to Ms James, a 'defiant and arrogant' Andrew looked synonymous with 'a heat-seeking missile' as he quickly sought to make conversation with a 'trapped' Vice Admiral Sir Tim, 71.

The former Duke of York approached the retired British naval officer and is said to have asked him: 'Are you aware what happened two days ago?' according to lip reader Nicola Hickling.

Gesturing with his thumb over his shoulder, the former prince then allegedly continued: 'Tried to blacken me.'

The event would be Andrew's final public Easter celebration with members of the Firm. Just six months later, he was stripped of his royal titles amid the ongoing scandal surrounding his controversial ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Yet at that time, Andrew was already embroiled in another rather notable scandal  following the release of documents in December 2024 which revealed the royal's close bond with alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo.

And video footage captured at the royal Easter celebrations certainly seemed to show Andrew struggling with the mounting crisis  as he rested his chin in his hand and appeared either 'reflective or frustrated', Ms Hickling noted.

It was at this moment, she claimed, that Sir Tim turned to his brother-in-law and told him clearly: 'Andrew, you need to calm down.'

Yet Andrew appeared uninterested in acknowledging such advice and instead shook his head. In response, he said: 'No, he won't get away with it. We haven't spoke in quite a while.

'Perhaps I should ask him...'

For a brief moment, the former prince is partially obscured from the camera, before Sir Tim allegedly said: 'Yes, yes.'

Andrew then continued: 'And so, erm... was it yesterday? It was definitely yesterday... it's rather difficult to know. I don't even know why it was done.'

'Yes, yes,' added Sir Tim once again, before Andrew said: 'I am bemused, and I think it will reveal itself, and then what.'

'Anne is going to speak to you in a moment,' Sir Tim allegedly told Andrew, marking an abrupt end to their conversation.

According to Ms James, prior to their words of exchange, Sir Tim was in 'isolated mode' as he stood 'with his hands clasped behind his back in a ritual of best behaviour, silently scanning the group with a polite smile'.

She added that in contrast, 'Andrew emerges and immediately alienates himself visually with his jacket flying open as though at a casual event, folding his arms across his body in a non-regal gesture'.

Analysing Andrew's 'defiant and arrogant' body language, Ms James explained that the former prince eventually 'finds his gap at the centre of the group and in full inelegant mode, with the stomach of his shirt protruding below his folded arms, engages Tim in active and animated conversation'.

'With a non-royal thumb jerk in the direction of the church, Andrew turns to cut Tim off in a pose of exclusive conversation. His gestures are casual and animated, with a chin rub, inelegant leg splay and some frowning and pointing,' she added.

'Tim is clearly trapped but we can see Jack nearly get sucked into this social vortex before backing away.'

While Sir Tim 'avoids any active participation or collusion signals' and fails to return any of Andrew's 'intense eye contact', Ms James noted a degree of 'inner distress or awkwardness visible from his self-comfort rituals'.
To most, she's known as Meghan, Duchess of Sussex - but over time, family and royal insiders have developed a string of nicknames, some favourable and others less so.

Royal biographer Hugo Vickers revealed, in a segment of his upcoming book, Queen Elizabeth II by Hugo Vickers, that Meghan earned the moniker 'Sparkles' after spending her first Christmas at Sandringham in 2017.

In a break from tradition, Meghan attended the walkabout and church service as Prince Harry's fiancee; her appearance was so successful that staff coined the complimentary name.

The same couldn't be said for the late Prince Philip, however, who shunned anything personal for 'the American'.

It wouldn't be Meghan's only nickname from Philip, who later referred to her as 'DoW', standing for the Duchess of Windsor, royal author Ingrid Seaward claimed.

'He wasn't simply referring to the fact that both were pencil-slim, dark-haired and glamorous American divorcees. There was a wealth of subtext in his barbed remark,' she wrote in her 2024 book, My Mother And I.

'When she was just ten, Princess Elizabeth's beloved father had suddenly become King, after Edward VIII - later the Duke of Windsor - abdicated for the sake of marrying Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee.

'This caused a permanent rift in the royal family: the new King George VI refused to receive her and denied her the appellation of Her Royal Highness. For her part, the American duchess openly mocked the Queen (later Queen Mother) as 'the fat Scotch cook'.

The Duchess of Sussex has developed a string of nicknames, some favourable and others less so (pictured with the late Queen Elizabeth II in Widnes in 2018)

The Queen Mother later blamed the Duke and Duchess of Windsor for her husband's untimely death, which, she claimed, resulted from the stress caused by the couple's actions.

'She never forgave the Duchess, whom she cast as a wicked enchantress,' Seaward wrote.

'From the start of Edward's affair with Wallis - then still married - he had been infatuated with her to the point that he soon began to neglect his royal duties. Once, when he asked Wallis to light a cigarette for him, she replied: "Only if you ask properly" - at which point he got down on his knees and begged like a dog.'

Meghan's various nicknames is a topic royal author Andrew Morton has also touched on, revealing that Charles, then the Prince of Wales, and future Queen Consort Camilla took a much warmer stance.

Charles dubbed his daughter-in-law 'Tungsten' because he felt she was 'tough and unbending', the author, who has published a string of royal biographies, claimed.

The name was intended as a compliment from Charles, who admires strong, independent women, and was excited by the prospect of another joining his family, says Morten.

As time went on, Meghan's personality led royal staff to develop yet another nickname, Mystic Meg, due to her 'woke' and 'new agey' beliefs, royal author Tom Quinn claimed in Yes Ma'am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants.

Aides also grew concerned that she had transformed her husband into a 'tree-hugging leftie' who rejected the 'values and traditions of his family'.

Pictured: Prince Harry, King Charles, Queen Camilla and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at Charles' 70th Birthday Patronage Celebration at Buckingham Palace in London in 2018

Older members of staff thought Meghan was 'Mrs Simpson come back to haunt us', yet another reference to American divorcee Wallis Simpson.

One former staffer said Harry had become 'far more concerned about social issues and the rights of minorities than he'd ever been before Meghan's arrival'.

Quinn noted that, while some of the youngest staff at Kensington Palace applauded Harry's stance, older staff thought he had gone awry.

Meghan's nickname, Mystic Meg, referenced the late astrologer who rose to fame in the 1990s by writing horoscopes and performing various astrology-related feats.

She was raised by her yoga instructor mother, Doria Ragland, who has been described as a 'hippie' in the past.

Meghan's beliefs as a youngster were outlined in 2015 when she made a speech at the United Nations, where she told the story of how she had complained about a sexist TV advert when she was just 11 years old.

Quinn also claimed that Meghan was branded the 'Duchess of Difficult' by some staff members.

The author described how Kensington Palace staff split into 'for Meghan' and 'against Meghan', and the atmosphere became one of 'swirling rumour, gossip and backbiting'.
The King and Queen have led a unified Royal Family at church for their traditional Easter Sunday service at Windsor.

Charles and Camilla were this year joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children  Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, ten, and seven-year-old Prince Louis.

Meanwhile, the disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who did not attend today's service, yesterday cut a lonely figure as he was pictured walking his dogs on the Sandringham estate.

Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, were also present at the Easter gathering, as well as the Duke of Edinburgh and his son James, Earl of Wessex, 18.

The Duchess of Edinburgh was expected to attend but was 'under the weather', while her daughter, Lady Louise, was busy with her studies.

Notable by their absence at the Easter Matins service at St George's Chapel, Windsor, were Andrew and his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

With the agreement of the King, they have made alternative plans and will miss the traditional gathering.

Sources have maintained they will join the Royal Family at future occasions, but in the current circumstances it was decided that they would stay away.

Senior royals were led by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children down on foot from Windsor Castle, despite the blustery conditions.

The large  and notably young  party chatted happily as they walked.

Kate wore an off-white ensemble of skirt, smart jacket and leafy hat, while William and the boys wore dark blue suits and ties.

Princess Charlotte, sporting a pretty dress under a warm camel-colours coat with a brown velvet collar and cuffs, looked delighted and waved to the crowd. Louis walked proudly beside her.

Also in the group were The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, with The Duke of Edinburgh and his son James, Earl of Wessex, 18.

The Prince and Princess of Wales arriving with their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, arriving with other members of the royal family to attend the Easter Service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle  April 5, 2026

King Charles III waves as he arrives with members of his family at St George's Chapel, in Windsor

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is pictured walking his dogs on the Sandringham estate on Saturday, April 4, 2026

Peter Phillips and his fiancee, Harriet Sperling, were also in attendance with his daughters, Savannah and Isla.

And for the first time, in a sign of the new, blended Royal Family, Ms Sperling's daughter, Georgina, 13, was also in attendance with her new step-sisters to be.

At the rear of the group were Lady Sarah Chatto and her husband, Daniel.

Finally, the King and Queen were driven down in the State Bentley and arrived in front of the castle to a shout of 'God save the King' from the crowd.

Camilla was sporting a red wool crepe dress by Fiona Clare and a hat by Philip Treacy with a brooch which had belonged to Queen Elizabeth II.

King Charles looked full of good spirits as he warmly greeted his family despite the chill winds, sweetly touching his granddaughter, Princess Charlotte, on the shoulder.

After the hour-long service - during which prayers were said for the Royal Family and the National Anthem sung - the royal party moved from the chapel to the deanery for tea with the Dean of Windsor, The Right Reverend Christopher Cocksworth.

After around 20 minutes, Charles appeared alongside Camilla, who was presented with a beautiful posy by Kit Bannan, 10, a member of the Windsor Castle community.

The King and Queen's State Bentley had drawn up outside with no plans for a walkabout given how cold and windy it was, but the couple walked around it to undertake a shortened meet-and-greet given the cheers of the public waiting patiently outside the chapel.

Among them was Frank Gates, seven, from Egremont in Cumbria, who was smartly dressed in the uniform of the Coldstream Guards and proudly saluted his Colonel-inChief, the King.

Before their arrival he said: 'I really want to be in the Coldstream Guards when I am older.' Asked why, he said sweetly: 'Because they are second to none.'

Royal 'superfan' John Loughrey, from south London, said afterwards that His Majesty had spotted their flags: 'He said he had seen our flags and wished us happy Easter.'

As the car drew away, the other members of the royal party came up the steps, led by the Waleses, who all - children included - waved happily to well-wishers wishing them 'Happy Easter'.

As they walked back up the hill to the castle, Catherine could be seen giving her daughter, Charlotte, a proud hug, placing her arm around her shoulders and squeezing her.

They were followed by Princess Anne and her husband, then her granddaughter, Savannah and Isla Phillips, along with her soon-to-be step-sister, Georgina.

Peter Phillips and his fiancee Harriet, elegant in a sky blue spotted peplum jacket and skirt with a Jane Taylor hat and Kiki McDonough earrings, held hands as they walked back to the castle.

Queen Camilla receives flowers after attending the Easter Service at St George's Chapel -- April 5, 2026

King Charles III speaking to well wishers after attending the Easter Service -- April 5, 2026

Prince William chats with his smiling daughter, Princess Charlotte, as they attend the Easter Service at Windsor Castle

Queen Camilla speaking to well wishers after attending the Easter Service at St George's Chapel -- April 5, 2026

Isla Phillips, Harriet Sperling's daughter Georgina and Savannah Phillips leave after attending the Easter Service -- April 5, 2026

Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis wave to the crowd as they leave with their mother, the Princess of Wales -- April 5, 2026

James, Earl of Wessex, walked out with the remaining royals.

Last year, Charles and Camilla were joined by the former Duke of York and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson at the 15th century chapel on Easter Sunday.

Since then, however, Andrew has been stripped by the King of both his right to be a prince and his dukedom over his association with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, though Beatrice and Eugenie kept their princess titles.

Andrew was arrested in February, on his 66th birthday, on suspicion of misconduct in public office after allegations that he shared sensitive information with Epstein during his time as the UK's trade envoy.

He has denied any wrongdoing over his links to Epstein regarding Ms Giuffre, but has not directly responded to the latest allegations.

Beatrice and Eugenie have also faced scrutiny after their names appeared in the recently-released Epstein files.

The Prince and Princess of Wales missed the service last year as they were spending the weekend with their children in Norfolk, and they were also absent in 2024 as it came just over a week after Catherine released an emotional video message disclosing that she had started a course of preventative chemotherapy.

A large crowd of eager royal fans had gathered from early to secure a spot to watch the royal procession down from Windsor Castle.

The Easter service comes days after Buckingham Palace announced Charles's visit to the US will go ahead from April 27 to April 30 as planned, despite tensions between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer over the Iran war.

Join the discussion What does true unity in the Royal Family really mean during times of scandal and personal struggle?

Lady Sarah Chatto and Daniel Chatto leave after attending the Easter Service -- April 5, 2026

The Prince of Wales waves to the gathering crowd as he arrives alongside Princess Kate and their three children

Princess Charlotte and Prince William stand next to Prince Louis as he shakes hands with the Dean of Windsor, the Rt. Rev. Christopher Cocksworth

The King waves to the crowd before entering St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle for the Easter Service

Queen Camilla speaks with the Dean of Windsor, the Rt. Rev. Christopher Cocksworth

The Princess of Wales with her daughter, Princess Charlotte

Princess Charlotte looks at her brother Prince Louis as the siblings arrive for the Easter Service

The Princess Royal shaking hands with The Dean of Windsor, the Rt. Rev. Christopher Cocksworth

Meanwhile, a body language expert has claimed Andrew desperately tried to flaunt his 'blue blood' status superiority over royal rival Sir Tim Laurence on Easter Sunday in 2023.

Following the Royal Family's annual Easter Sunday service at Windsor's St George's Chapel three years ago, the former prince was captured holding a gate open for the clergy, Princess Anne and Sarah, as they all exited the chapel.

However, a rather disgruntled Andrew, who found himself in a 'humiliating regal royal downgrade', appeared to reject the prospect of stepping out behind his brother-in-law, Sir Tim, 71.

According to Judi James, the ex-duke, now 66, underwent some 'desperate queue-jumping that muscled the eternally polite Sir Tim to the back of the queue behind him'.

The event would mark one of Andrew's last Easters with the Royal Family following the ensuing fallout of his controversial ties to Epstein.

However, three years ago, the then-Duke of York was eager to claim an 'important centre power spot' and a 'dominant' role in the Firm  at the expense of Sir Tim.

Analysing the striking footage, Ms James told the Daily Mail: 'Andrew arrives at the top of the stairs wearing a 'gloating' type of smile at being the first royal to emerge and greet the cameras.

'His eyes stare up at the corners with teeth bared. He performs a small, gallant glide to grab the gate and pull it back but his smile quickly drops as he finds himself pinned behind it and having to wait while the others go first at thanking and chatting to the clergy.'

Ms James noted that as Andrew continued to play the role of 'doorman', he soon realised he would be forced to 'hold the gate open for non blue-blood Sir Tim' and quickly began to establish a 'get-out strategy'.

'Andrew's apparent impatience and indignation is suggested by the way he raises his hand to hold the spear at the top of the fencing,' Ms James noted.

'His hand becomes a claw at the top of the pole and his lips are clamped as he scans the cameras and the public with a wary eye expression.'

While it may have been 'more polite for Andrew to wait his turn and go last', the former prince instead 'looks at Tim with two intentional gestures that show he has no intention of being last after his brother-in-law here'.

'Andrew appears to warm up to jump in via a couple of small leans or pushes inward as though he is revving up for the push,' said Ms James.

However, the clergy then appeared to turn back to speak to Anne, leaving a 'frowning' Andrew 'ignored in the conversation'.

Charles smiles as he arrives with Queen Camilla for the Easter Service

The Duke of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal with Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence

Prince George of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales attend the 2026 Easter Matins Service

Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling attending the Easter Service at St George's Chapel

The Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children  Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, ten, and seven-year-old Prince Louis

'This time, Andrew pushes straight in front of Tim and turns his glance to the cameras to announce his arrival in the important centre power-spot,' added Ms James.

'Andrew might have nodded at Tim to register the pushing-in but it seems he just ignores him, a gesture that looks like a lack of respect.'

In response to Andrew's actions, Tim appears to 'grin wryly', which Ms James notes may be a 'form of polite indulgence'.

'He remains cold-shouldered by Andrew, pushed behind him while Fergie is pushed to the side.'
This is the adorable moment King Charles tenderly greets his granddaughter Princess Charlotte outside St George's Chapel in Windsor ahead of the Easter Sunday service.

The 77-year-old monarch briefly stood outside the church's doors to sweetly touch the princess on her shoulder.

Charles then walked inside, followed by his wife Queen Camilla, Prince William, Princess Kate, Princes George and Louis, and Princess Charlotte.

The King looked full of good spirits as he warmly waved to the crowd and greeted his family despite the chill winds ahead of the Easter gathering.

The King and Queen were driven down in the State Bentley, Camilla sporting a red wool crepe dress by Fiona Clare and a hat by Philip Treacy with a brooch which had belonged to Queen Elizabeth II.

Senior royals had earlier been led by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children down on foot from Windsor Castle, despite the blustery conditions.

The large - and notably young - party chatted happily as they walked.

Princess Charlotte, sporting a pretty dress under a warm camel-colours coat with a brown velvet collar and cuffs, looked delighted and waved to the crowd. Louis walked proudly beside her.

This is the adorable moment King Charles tenderly greets his granddaughter Princess Charlotte outside St George's Chapel in Windsor -- April 5, 2026

The 77-year-old monarch briefly stood outside the church's doors to touch the princess on her shoulder in a sweet gesture

Also in the group were The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, with The Duke of Edinburgh and his son James, Earl of Wessex, 18.

Also present was Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, as well as the Duke of Edinburgh and his son James, Earl of Wessex, 18.

Notable by their absence at the Easter Matins service at St Georges Chapel, Windsor were Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

With the agreement of the King, they have made alternative plans and will miss the traditional gathering.

Sources have maintained they will join the Royal Family at future occasions but in the current circumstances it was decided that they would stay away.

Peter Phillips, and his fiance, Harriet Sperling, were also in attendance with his daughters Savannah and Isla.

And for the first time, in a sign of the new, blended royal family, Ms Sperlings daughter, Georgina, 15, was also in attendance with her new step-sisters to be.

At the rear of the group were Lady Sarah Chatto and her husband, Daniel.

Last year, Charles and Camilla were joined by the former Duke of York and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson at the 15th century chapel on Easter Sunday.

Since then, however, Andrew has been stripped by the King of both his right to be a prince and his dukedom over his association with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, though Beatrice and Eugenie kept their princess titles.

The King looked full of good spirits as he warmly waved to the crowd and greeted his family despite the chill winds ahead of the Easter gathering

Princess Charlotte of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales, stand next to Prince Louis of Wales as he shakes hands with the Dean of Windsor, the Rt. Rev. Christopher Cocksworth -- April 5, 2026

Senior royals had earlier been led by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children down on foot from Windsor Castle , despite the blustery conditions -- April 5, 2026

Andrew was arrested in February, on his 66th birthday, on suspicion of misconduct in public office after allegations that he shared sensitive information with Epstein during his time as the UKs trade envoy.

He has denied any wrongdoing over his links to Epstein regarding Ms Giuffre, but has not directly responded to the latest allegations.

Beatrice and Eugenie have also faced scrutiny after their names appeared in the recently-released Epstein files.

The Prince and Princess of Wales missed the service last year as they were spending the weekend with their children in Norfolk, and they were absent in 2024 as it came just over a week after Catherine released an emotional video message disclosing that she had started a course of preventative chemotherapy.
Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling showcased their royal blended family as they attended the Easter Sunday service in Windsor today.

Queen Elizabeth II's eldest grandchild walked hand-in-hand with his NHS nurse fiancee as they arrived at St George's Chapel.

The happy couple were closely followed by Peter's children, Savannah and Isla, and, for the first time, Harriet's 13-year-old daughter, Georgina.

Harriet looked elegant in a sky blue spotted peplum jacket and skirt with a Jane Taylor hat and Kiki McDonough earrings.

They had been led by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children on foot from Windsor Castle, despite the blustery conditions.

The large  and notably young  party chatted happily as they walked.

Kate wore an off-white ensemble of skirt, smart jacket and leafy hat, while William and the boys wore dark blue suits and ties.

Princess Charlotte, sporting a pretty dress under a warm camel-coloured coat with a brown velvet collar and cuffs, looked delighted and waved to the crowd. Louis walked proudly beside her.

Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling showcased their royal blended family as they attended the Easter Sunday service in Windsor today

Queen Elizabeth II's eldest grandchild walked hand-in-hand with his NHS nurse fiancee as they arrived at St George's Chapel alongside Peter's children, Savannah and Isla, and, for the first time, Harriet's 13-year-old daughter, Georgina (all pictured)

Isla Phillips, Harriet Sperling's daughter Georgina and Savannah Phillips leave after attending the Easter Service at St George's Chapel

Join the discussion Do YOU think this appearance signals a shift in royal traditions?

Also in the group were The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, with The Duke of Edinburgh and his son James, Earl of Wessex, 18.

At the rear of the group were Lady Sarah Chatto and her husband, Daniel.

Peter, 19th in the line of succession, popped the question with a sparkling ring which boasts a subtle but touching tribute to his beloved grandmother, having been designed by the same jeweller behind her iconic 1946 ring.

Harriet herself boasts wealthy connections, sharing a relation to the Duke of Gloucester through her late father, Rupert Sperling.

After the hour-long service  during which prayers were said for the Royal Family and the National Anthem sung  the royal party moved from the chapel to the deanery for tea with the Dean of Windsor, The Right Reverend Christopher Cocksworth.

After around 20 minutes, Charles appeared alongside Camilla, who was presented with a beautiful posy by Kit Bannan, 10, a member of the Windsor Castle community.

The King and Queen's State Bentley had drawn up outside with no plans for a walkabout given how cold and windy it was, but the couple walked around it to undertake a shortened meet-and-greet, given the cheers of the public waiting patiently outside the chapel.

Among them was Frank Gates, seven, from Egremont in Cumbria, who was smartly dressed in the uniform of the Coldstream Guards and proudly saluted his Colonel-in-Chief, the King.

Before their arrival he said: 'I really want to be in the Coldstream Guards when I am older.' Asked why, he said sweetly: 'Because they are second to none.'

Royal 'superfan' John Loughrey, from south London, said afterwards that His Majesty had spotted their flags: 'He said he had seen our flags and wished us happy Easter.'

As the car drew away, the other members of the royal party came up the steps, led by the Waleses, who all  children included  waved happily to well-wishers wishing them 'Happy Easter'.

As they walked back up the hill to the castle, Catherine could be seen giving her daughter, Charlotte, a proud hug, placing her arm around her shoulders and squeezing her.

Peter and Harriet held hands as they walked back to the castle. They were followed by Princess Anne and her husband, then her granddaughter, Savannah and Isla Phillips, along with her soon-to-be step-sister, Georgina.

Former royal butler Grant Harrold previously told the Daily Mail that he is almost certain the pair will not be restrained by traditional royal protocol.

Acknowledging that times are 'very different' now, he said: 'Historically, yes, royal weddings, if you're divorced and you got married again, it was always a much more low key affair.'

Yet, while Peter is seemingly unlikely to abide by all of the traditions of the Firm on the big day, Mr Harrold is confident that Peter and Harriet will likely enjoy an 'all-white wedding'.

He adds: 'I think he'll still want to do things even though he's the divorcee. I still think it will be a full-blown white wedding affair.'

Harriet herself is known for having strong religious roots  having previously shared how she took great strength from her Christian faith as she battled through the early years of single parenthood when 'resources were scarce and the future was uncertain'.

In an interview in 2009, she revealed that her 'faith was always in me, but it was kind of dormant'.

She added: 'Somehow it didn't seem relevant to my life in London. But the end of a seven-year relationship was the turning point for me. I went to church as I felt there was something missing.'

In a piece written for Christian magazine Woman Alive last year, she also admitted that she'd often found life as a single parent difficult, but found comfort after turning to her faith.
Prince Edward and Sophies son James, Earl of Wessex, was handed a more prominent role at the Royal Family's traditional Easter Sunday service, beaming alongside William and Kate during a rare outing.

James Mountbatten-Windsor, 18, walked closely behind the Prince and Princess of Wales as they arrived with other senior royals for the service at St Georges Chapel in Windsor Castle on Easter Sunday.

William and Kate were accompanied by their three children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, ten, and seven-year-old Prince Louis, with James and his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, following suit.

The Earl of Wessex was captured merrily chatting with the Princess of Wales outside the chapel before entering the Easter Matins service led by the King and Queen.

They were joined by Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence; however, James's mother, the Duchess of Edinburgh, and his sister, Lady Louise, were not present at the ceremony.

Notably absent at the Easter service was the disgraced former Duke of York, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

The princesses made alternative Easter plans under an agreement with the King and missed the traditional gathering.

However, sources have maintained they will join the Royal Family at future occasions.

James, Earl of Wessex, lined up alongside Kate at the church door as the royals awaited the arrival of the King and Queen (pictured)

Princess Catherine smiled as she spoke to the 18-year-old son of Prince Edward and Sophie

Meanwhile, former prince Andrew - who has been accused of leaking secrets to Jeffrey Epstein - was last seen on Saturday cutting a solitary figure walking his dogs through the Sandringham estate.

He has kept a low profile since his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in a public office on his 66th birthday on February 19, and has been withdrawn from public royal duties. Following the hour-long Easter service - during which prayers for the Royal Family were said and the National Anthem sung - the royal party moved from the chapel to the deanery for tea with the Dean of Windsor, The Right Reverend Christopher Cocksworth.

After around 20 minutes, Charles appeared outside alongside Camilla, and given the bad weather, walked around in a a shortened meet-and-greet, cheered by the public waiting patiently outside the chapel.

A large crowd of eager royal fans had gathered from early that morning to secure a spot to watch the royal procession down from Windsor Castle.

As the King's car drew away, the other members of the royal party, led by the Waleses, waved happily to well-wishers wishing them 'Happy Easter.'

And as they walked back up the hill to the castle, Kate hugged Charlotte, placing her arm around her shoulders and squeezing her.

The Waleses were followed by Princess Anne and her husband, then her granddaughter, Savannah and Isla Phillips, along with her soon-to-be step-sister, Georgina.

Peter Phillips and his fiancee Harriet could be seen holding hands as they walked back to the castle.

The Earl of Wessex (pictured) was captured merrily chatting with the Princess of Wales outside the chapel before entering the Easter Matins service

James, the Earl of Wessex, arrived with his father Prince Edward for the Easter service in Windsor and walked to the Chapel behind the Waleses (pictured)

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (pictured) was spotted walking his dogs on the Sandringham estate on Saturday - notably absent from the Easter Service

King Charles III (pictured) waved as he arrives with members of his family at St George's Chapel, in Windsor

Queen Camilla (pictured) spoke to well wishers after attending the Easter Service

Charles and Camilla walked around in a a shortened meet-and-greet, cheered by the public waiting patiently outside the chapel, following the service

James walked out with the remaining royals.

James, who is the youngest grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth II, is currently 16th in line to the throne, falling from eighth after Beatrice and Eugenie expanded their families.

Following his 18th birthday in December, much speculation emerged over his future as a royal, with both he and Louise growing up without HRH titles after Sophie and Edward decided to give them as 'normal' an upbringing as possible.

At present, royal commentators know little about if James will follow Louise and attend university, or step up as a working royal in the public arena.

He is currently completing his A-Level studies at the prestigious Radley College school in Oxfordshire.

And while Lady Louise, who is currently studying English at the University of St Andrews, has started stepping out more often, James has kept a low profile - until now.

Join the discussion Should younger royals like James take on bigger roles to keep the monarchy relevant for future generations?

Following James's (pictured) 18th birthday in December, much speculation emerged over his future as a royal

At present, royal commentators know little about if James (left) will follow Louise (right) and attend university, or step up as a working royal in the public arena

Last year, writing in his Palace Confidential newsletter, the Daily Mail's Diary Editor Richard Eden expressed how the growing contribution from Edward and Sophie's children could be of great value to the Royal Family.

He wrote: 'When Prince William becomes King, I hope that he will follow the example of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, and ask his cousins, including Lady Louise and James, to share royal duties with him.

'Hopefully, William will realise that a "slimmed-down" monarchy wouldnt safeguard the institution, as some claim, but would lead to its irrelevance and eventual death.

'What better way to build on its strengths than with an injection of energy from young people who have had values of public service and duty instilled in them from birth?'
A psychic who claims she has communicated with the dead since childhood said many spirits confess the same haunting regret about their lives on Earth.

Jill M Jackson, a medium from Mississippi, told the Daily Mail that those in the spirit world often share their remorse of having followed strict interpretations of religious teachings and commandments while they were alive.

She claimed that these spirits, now existing on a higher dimensional plane we call heaven or the afterlife, feel modern religion limited their worldview and caused them to judge others of different faiths.

'They wish they had taken the positive parts of that message in understanding that, yes, there is a Creator God, yes, that there is a higher consciousness, but it's not about control - that it is not fear-based,' Jackson revealed.

She also claimed spirits had sent her telepathic messages of regret for taking life too seriously before their deaths.

'A common theme is that humans need to play more often,' Jackson said. 'That is when they look back on their life review, and notice that they were so serious, and that they had so many opportunities to just have fun, laugh and play.'

The psychic explained that all living beings - and even entire realms like the afterlife - operate at different energy levels, which she described as giving off a 'vibration' or 'vibrational frequency.'

She noted that the 'childlike wonder' of youth was closer to the frequency spirits attain in the afterlife, while feelings of anger, negativity and fear caused the human consciousness to move farther away from this spiritual realm of enlightenment.

Jill Jackson has said she began seeing spirits right after birth and has been able to communicate with them since the age of 12

'It's very different than what Hollywood portrays it to be,' Jackson explained. 'We have been programmed to think about heaven being up in the sky, way away from us. But in reality, our loved ones are [just] in a higher dimension than where we are.

'It's truly inches away from where we are, and that's why mediums are able to tap into that realm at various times, because the veil has thinned in that moment.'

She added that psychic mediums train how to raise their consciousness level - their personal vibrational frequency - by quieting their minds and clearing personal thoughts to reach the state of peace and enlightenment where the spirits of the deceased now reside.

'That's why they're able to see their loved ones and other people's loved ones.'

As for the messages these loved ones are looking to pass on, Jackson said each encounter is different. Some spirits only telepathically send vague images or impressions, she claimed, while others provide more detail of their intentions.

Jackson recalled conducting an audience reading - a large gathering where the medium allows any spirit to send them messages - where she envisioned the spirit of an audience member's grandfather.

She noted that the spirit would not speak to her, even though she had been telepathically asking him to send a message for their grandson.

'I finally said to the person in the audience, "He is so quiet,"' Jackson recalled. 'And the guy started laughing and said it was like pulling teeth getting him to talk at all [while he was alive].'

Join the discussion What do you think is humanity's biggest regret that we only realize after it's too late?

Jackson said that spirits from the afterlife often appear in the mind's eye as a shadowy figure that is see-through but still recognizable as a person

However, when the psychic said a spirit was looking to be very 'chatty,' the conversation would eventually drift toward specific regrets the individual was hoping their loved ones would avoid.

'A lot of times, if they were highly, highly religious in that way, their message when they're talking to their loved ones is about learning to be non-judgmental, and learning that we can have a connection to Creator, a higher consciousness, God, Goddess, whatever your term is, without feeling the need of this control dynamic that is rooted in the energy of division and fear.'

Jackson was recognized by the group Best American Psychics in both 2015 and 2016 as the 'Psychic of the Year' based on their review of her 'integrity, accuracy and meaningful service within the psychic and spiritual community.'

The psychic medium explained to the Daily Mail that her encounters are often random. She might be talking with someone when a spirit related to that person appears in her mind's eye, often trying to get Jackson's attention to deliver a message to their loved one.

Jackson compared her experiences to those of well-known mediums such as John Edward and Theresa Caputo, saying she does the same thing - connecting with loved ones to pass on insights from another plane of existence.

She told the Daily Mail she began seeing spirits in this realm as a young child, but she could not hear or understand them until she was 12 years old.

That was when her deceased grandmother appeared, floating above her bed in a healthy and full form, reassuring Jackson that she was free from pain in the afterlife.

Jill Jackson has twice been named 'Psychic of the Year' and has spent years studying communication with the deceased

'Throughout my entire life, I would see random people walking around, and I would be even out in public, and I would see [them],' Jackson claimed.

'They look like shadow figures, they're a little bit translucent, but I can still see exactly what they look like. And then I would also start seeing them in my mind's eye, which is considered the third eye.'

Jackson noted that while psychic mediums often go through special training in order to control their abilities and manage when they do and do not tap into this higher spiritual realm, everyone has some level of psychic ability hidden inside.

Calling it a form of intuition or a 'sixth sense,' she said examples of everyday psychic powers include suddenly thinking of someone who then calls, having prophetic dreams, or being able to sense positive or negative energy in a room.

Jackson said children's energy levels from their joyful wonder make it more common for them to see and communicate with souls in the afterlife.

Further, the psychic noted that the realm where these spirits travel to after death is not split into what we know as heaven and hell. In fact, Jackson - along with some people who have had near-death experiences - believe there is no painful dimension like hell at all.

They have described the afterlife as a vast, loving field of light they enter after reviewing and learning from all the experiences of their time on Earth. And it just may be that their trip down memory lane is what solidifies their greatest joys and those regrets Jackson claims they want others to so desperately avoid.
U.S. special forces had to destroy two of their own planes as they completed an audacious rescue of an airman trapped behind enemy lines.

The airman, alongside a pilot, had been in an F-15 fighter jet which was shot down over a remote area of Iran on Friday.

The pilot had safely ejected and was rescued by two military helicopters the same day, but the second crew member had remained missing.

The missing crew member, whom Trump said was a highly respected Colonel, evaded pursuing Iranians for almost two days while Reaper drones overhead protected him from danger.

Armed with only a handgun to protect himself and injured from his ejection from the F-15, the Colonel hid from danger before making a daring dash to the rescue site.

The complex rescue mission involved hundreds of special forces personnel along with several dozen warplanes and helicopters.

'We got him!' Trump announced the rescue on Truth Social

A firefight broke out on the ground as Iranian forces closed in on the stricken colonel.

As they made the extraction, two of the five rescue planes became stuck in a remote airfield inside Iran and were blown up by special forces to avoid being captured by the enemy.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said: 'We got him! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History.'

Iranian forces had been deceived after the CIA spread the word that U.S. forces had already found the colonel.

Devastating: Strikes were reported in Dehdasht, a city in Iran, where the second American pilot was reportedly spotted

The colonel was forced to hide and evade capture for 36 hours deep inside Iranian territory in harsh terrain.

According to Axios, the colonel had been injured during ejection from the F-15 jet but remained mobile as he hid in the mountains.

Iranians had been offered a $60,000 bounty for the pilots 'head,' as the regime urged locals near the crash site to seize the American.

Conflicting reports: Iranian state media released images of the search and rescue planes which it claimed it shot down, though the U.S. military said they were forced to destroy them

Bombs and weapons were fired from U.S. warplanes to keep Iranian troops away from the stranded colonel.

At one point he reached elevations of around 7,000 feet as he sought to evade capture from Iranian forces.

As U.S. forces closed in on the stranded officer, a firefight broke out with Iranian troops.

Necessity: U.S. forces involved in the rescue mission were forced to destroy two of their own planes after they became stuck in the remote Iranian airbase

Three rescue planes flew out of Iran to Kuwait and the mission was completed just before midnight.

Iranian state media claimed that the IRGC and police forces had destroyed the U.S. C-130 military aircraft which had flown into their airspace to rescue the colonel.

However, U.S. officials said the aircraft became stuck in sand on the runway and had to deploy three additional aircraft to complete the evacuation.

Strategic: Inside the U.S.'s daring Iran rescue mission

The two stranded aircraft were destroyed to prevent them from falling into IRGC hands, sources told The New York Times.

An MH-6 Little Bird helicopter was also destroyed after it was damaged before evacuation, according to reports.

Iranian sources said hundreds of soldiers and Basij fighters who tried to interfere with the rescue operation were 'neutralized' by U.S. special forces.

President Trump confirmed that the colonel was injured but will be 'just fine', as he celebrated snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.

Shot down: The planes were seen completely destroyed on the remote airfield inside Iran

Trump said this was the first time in military memory that two U.S. pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory, as he defiantly said that no American warfighter would ever be left behind.

He said dozens of aircraft armed with 'the most lethal weapons in the World' were sent by the U.S. military to retrieve him.

'This brave warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour,' Trump added in his Truth Social post.

According to Fox News, the rescue mission's success was partly thanks to a 'deception campaign' launched by the CIA inside Iran.

The intelligence agency spread the word that U.S. forces had already found the colonel and were moving him, which confused Iranian forces.

Aftermath: The ejected seat from the U.S. aircraft as published in Iranian media

The airman ejected from an F-15E fighter jet along with the aircraft's pilot in the early hours of Friday, sparking a frantic two-day search operation that culminated in a fierce firefight.

Trump said the aircraft's pilot was secretly rescued hours after the crash, but that operation was kept quiet to not 'jeopardize our second rescue operation'.

He added that both operations were concluded 'without a single American killed, or even wounded'.

Iranian media reported five people were killed in strikes during the U.S. rescue operation.

The F-15E jet was downed on Friday soon after a U.S. A-10 Warthog was also shot from the sky by Iranian forces in a chaotic day of fighting, marking the first U.S. aircraft downed since the start of the conflict.

Destruction: The wreckage of the pilot's F-15E fighter jet is pictured

Iranian Revolutionary Guards took credit for the strike with gloating photos of the stricken planes later shared on state media, accompanied by a taunting caption.

On Saturday, the official X account for the Iranian Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, released harrowing new images of the destroyed F-15E jet, accompanied by a taunting caption.

'The stealth fighter that now has no escape but to lie under the feet of aerospace warriors,' the embassy wrote.

'That same stealth giant, for which they wove legends for years, is today a pile of scrap metal fallen to the ground - this is the very technology they claimed was invisible and untouchable. But now it has been seen and brought down.'

Speaking out: Trump touted the success of the rescue mission on Saturday evening in a Truth social post

Each of the three photos showed what was left of the jet: an unrecognizable mass of burnt debris strewn across a wide, empty stretch of land.

On Friday, a video also showed Iranian bullets being fired at a Black Hawk helicopter which was thought to be involved in the search for the missing F-15 crew.

It came after Trump said earlier on Truth Social that U.S. forces had 'terminated' several of Iran's military leaders, sharing footage appearing to show an airstrike taking out top IRGC commanders.

Trump's social media posts praising the rescue operations came hours after the White House shut down rumors the President was hospitalized on Saturday.

The government said Trump not made public appearances in three days because he is focusing on the conflict with Iran.

It comes as Trump issued an ominous but misspelled threat to Iran over the closure of the Strait Of Hormuz.

He wrote on Truth Social: 'Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out - 48 hours before all Hell will reign (sic) down on them. Glory be to GOD!'

His post, which likely meant to use the homophone 'rain' in this context, came as tensions mount over the shipping channel, which is vital to the global oil trade.

Trump initially set the deadline to reopen the narrow waterway for late March. After Iran requested more time, he pushed it back to April 6 at 8pm ET.

If this deadline lapses, Trump has said he is willing to resume bombing Iran's energy infrastructure, which is illegal under the Geneva Convention.
More than 20 people have been rushed to hospital after a driver slammed into a crowd during a Buddhist parade in Louisiana.

The incident unfolded around 2.40pm Saturday, during the Louisiana Lao New Year Festival in New Iberia.

The Acadian Ambulance service said on X that at least four victims were in critical condition, and two patients were taken to hospital via helicopter.

Harrowing: More than 20 people have been raced to hospital after a driver slammed into a crowd during a the Louisiana Lao New Year Festival in New Iberia

The number of victims is not yet clear, with first responders telling KADN that the total is more than 20 people.

Footage from the aftermath of the crash showed dozens of people laying on the floor injured as emergency workers raced to their side.

A blue muscle car appearing to have been the one that plowed into the crowd was seen in a ditch, and KADN described the perpetrator as an 'alleged drunk driver'.

Devastating: Footage from the aftermath of the crash showed dozens of people laying on the floor injured as emergency workers raced to their side

The Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office said it had the driver in custody, and based on its preliminary investigation the crash did not appear to be an intentional act.

The Louisiana Lao New Year Festival is a Buddhist celebration which honors the Lao culture.

The festival's organizers said in a statement that they were 'profoundly saddened' by the crash, and said it would be cancelling the rest of Saturday's festivities.

Before the carnage: The Buddhist parade in the Louisiana town of New Iberia honors the Lao culture. It is seen in a video shared earlier Saturday before the car hit the crowd

'We are profoundly saddened by the news of the incident near the festival grounds,' the festival said.

'We are awaiting additional details from authorities as they become available.'

'All security resources have been redirected to the scene, and we currently do not have security personnel available due to the circumstances.

'In the interest of public safety, tonights festival music programs will be canceled (no live concerts, no alcohol sales).

'We are praying for the victims and for their families during this difficult time.'
KABUL, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Afghan police have foiled an attempt to smuggle 580 sheep out of the southern Kandahar province and abroad, the country's Ministry of Interior Affairs said in a statement on Sunday.

The ministry said suspected smugglers were trying to move the livestock illegally through Shorabak district, where two individuals were arrested in connection with the incident.

Animal smugglers frequently attempt to transport livestock across Afghanistan's borders for profit, taking advantage of porous frontier zones and high demand for livestock in neighboring countries. Security forces continue to intercept such efforts as part of a broader campaign to curb illegal cross-border trade.

The seizure comes as Afghan authorities have intensified efforts to regulate border movements and combat smuggling, which includes not only livestock but also fuel, drugs, low-quality food and non-food items, and other contraband. 
A past winner of The Great British Bake Off opened up about how much contestants are paid to participate - and the hidden costs that viewers never hear about.

Matty Edgell won series 14 of the much-loved show, which aired on screens in late 2023.

Almost three years on, the winning baker, 30, revealed behind-the-scenes details including how much contestants receive for their time.

He told Lottoland: 'You get 300 for every show that you're on.

'You don't get any prize money for winning. You get the bouquet of flowers and the cake stand. No money.'

Matty also shared that those taking part 'get paid travel as well', in addition to the aforementioned 300.

Matty Edgell won The Great British Bake Off in 2023 - and has opened up about behind the scenes on the show

The contestants of series 14 - including Matty - with Noel Fielding, Prue Leith, Paul Hollywood and Alison Hammond

He also revealed how much participants actually get to cover the costs of their bakes - and how this can be easily used up.

Matty said: 'You get sent between 1,200 and 1,500. And that's your money to spend on ingredients and to practice your bakes.'

'Sometimes you've got to go to Waitrose because you need it, but Aldi essentials are pretty fine as well.'

'If you spend it wisely, you can have a fair bit of money at the end of it. If you go spending it in, like, posh shops, then it gets swallowed quickly.'

'If you think about Chocolate Week, certainly at the moment chocolate's so expensive and the amount that you need, so that week eats up a lot of your budget.'

'But Bread Week - flour, yeast and water - that's dirt cheap.'

Elsewhere, new Bake Off judge Nigella Lawson left fans in stitches with a cheeky post as she smouldered in a selfie with Paul Hollywood.

The chef, 66 - who took on the role of new judge on Great British Bake Off for series 17 - took to her Instagram to share a hilarious April Fools joke with her 3.1 million followers.

Nigella posed up a storm next to her fellow judge Paul, 60, in a stunning selfie to joke that the much-loved Channel 4 show is all a sham, and it is in fact a cover for a secret project that they are working on.

She looked amazing in a white blazer, smokey eyes and loose waves in her hair, while Paul rocked a white shirt and black jacket in the picture.

'AN ANNOUNCEMENT: I know you were lead to believe that I would be joining @paul.hollywood on @britishbakeoff but, as you can clearly see, we are in fact a hard-bitten, seen-it-all detective (PH) and a lugubrious forensic pathologist (NL) solving crimes in the Ruhr Valley,' Nigella wrote in the caption.

'My hair and make up by @triciamakeupartist; Pauls his own!'

Many fans rushed to the comments section to share how much they loved the post.

'A bake-off-based detective show would be the cosy crime event of the century.'

'Fantastic!'

Matty revealed how much participants actually get to cover the costs of their bakes - and how this can be easily used up

'April 1st? How I wish this was true.'

'I would watch that!'

Another simply added three laughing emojis.

The much-loved baking competition first hit our screens in 2010, initially being shown on the BBC.

Paul has been a judge on the show since it started 16 years ago, and he was originally joined by Mary Berry until 2016.

In 2017, Prue Leith joined the team when the show moved to Channel 4.

But back in January it was confirmed that Nigella would be the next Great British Bake Off judge following Prue announcing she was stepping down after nine years.

The TV chef, who will join Paul Hollywood when the Channel 4 show's new series begins filming in April ahead of airing later this year, said she was 'bubbling with excitement' to get started.

Nigella admitted being daunted by the big shoes she had to fill, following two 'great dames' in Prue and original judge Dame Mary Berry.

She said in a statement: 'I'm uncharacteristically rather lost for words right now. Of course it's daunting to be following in the footsteps of Prue Leith and Mary Berry before her, great dames both, but I'm also bubbling with excitement.

'The Great British Bake Off is more than a television programme, it's a National Treasure  and it's a huge honour to be entrusted with it.'

Before adding: 'I'm just thrilled to be joining the team and all the new bakers to come, I wish the marvellous Prue all the best, and am giddily grateful for the opportunity!'

The Great British Bake Off airs on Channel 4.
It's the genre that's found a firm place in the hearts of TV viewers everywhere  and luckily for those who love a weekend binge-watch, there's plenty of it to tune into.

'Cosy crime' has risen up the ranks of the most-watched in series in recent years with the release of a number of book adaptations transformed for the screen.

From Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club on Netflix to Reverend Richard Coles' Murder Before Evensong on Channel 5, both streamers and TV channels alike are getting involved with the trend.

Unlike traditional crime dramas, while they're packed with often gritty twists and turns of the classics, there's also an injection of humour that keeps thing soft.

And now experts in the genre think they have discovered why the upcoming genre has got TV viewers around the globe hooked.

Author Ross Montgomery told the Irish Times of the books inspiring the TV series: 'I think were in a period of time that feels particularly unsettled and hectic, and nothing makes any sense, and everybody is arguing with each other.

'Cosy crime' has risen up the ranks of the most-watched in series in recent years with the release of a number of book adaptations transformed for the screen including Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club

Murder Before Evensong on Channel 5 is another example of a cosy crime series

'Its a relief to enter into a book in which this terrible thing has happened, and theres only one explanation for it, and its just systematically explained.'

Another writer, Kitty Graham, added: 'Its murder-lite. No gore, no horrific autopsies  just a mystery and a resolution, all surrounded by a strong sense of community.'

Here, we run down the eight best cosy crime dramas to tune into this weekend.

Bookish - U&Alibi

Created by Sherlock star Mark Gatiss, Bookish won rave reviews from fans after it made its debut on U&Alibi in July 2025.

Fans fell head over heels for main character Gabriel Book, a London-based bookshop owner who gets involved in helping the police solve crimes.

The story, which is set in 1946, also draws focus on the lavender marriage between Gabriel, played by Mark, and his long-term friend Trottie, played by Polly Walker.

Much of the action follows Gabriel's work with his new assistant Jack, portrayed by Connor Finch, as they take on a variety of cases together.

The series also stars the likes of Joely Richardson, Daniel Mays and Paul McGann.

A synopsis teases: 'Gabriel Book, proprietor of an antiquarian bookshop, relies on his vast collection to unravel baffling cases; he nurtures a group of lovable yet troubled individuals, providing informal protection and guidance.'

Created by Sherlock star Mark Gatiss, Bookish won rave reviews from fans after it made its debut on U&Alibi in July 2025

High Potential - Disney+

High Potential sees Kaitlin Olson play Morgan Gillory, a single mother with an exceptionally high IQ who works as a cleaner at the Los Angeles Police Department.

Thanks to her marvellous brains, she's able to see things that others aren't able to, and inadvertently finds herself helping out the LAPD with an investigation.

After interfering with one of their murder boards and spotting information the police had not yet seen, she begins working as a consultant on their cases.

She teams up with Detective Adam Karadec, played by Daniel Sunjata, and together they investigate a series of perplexing crimes.

Elsewhere, she dives into finding answers about her first husband, Roman, who had gone missing years before without much of a trace.

The cast also features Javicia Leslie, Deniz Akdeniz and Judy Reyes.

A synopsis reads: 'Morgan, a single mom with three kids and an exceptional mind, helps solve an unsolvable crime when she rearranges some evidence during her shift as a cleaner for the police department.

'When they discover she has a knack for putting things in order because of her high intellectual potential, she is brought on as a consultant to work with a by-the-book seasoned detective, Karadec.

'Together they form an unusual and unstoppable team.'

High Potential sees Kaitlin Olson play Morgan Gillory, a single mother with an exceptionally high IQ who works as a cleaner at the Los Angeles Police Department

The Marlow Murder Club - U

The Marlow Murder Club is based on the bestselling novel by Robert Thorogood, and tells the story of Samantha Bond's Judith Potts as a retired archaeologist.

While living in Marlow, she witnesses the murder of a neighbour, Rufus Wright's Stefan Dunwoody  with the police struggling to get to the bottom of the case.

Losing faith in their ability to help, Judith teams up with local dog walker Suzie Harris, played by Jo Martin, and the new vicar's wife, Becks (Cara Horgan).

Together they battle to uncover the truth, and when the bodies begin piling up, the trio find themselves involved in a tangled and twisting conspiracy.

The series first hit screens in 2024 and soon followed up with a second instalment, with a third now slated to premiere later this year.

The show's synopsis reads: 'Retired archaeologist and crossword setter Judith Potts believes that a brutal murder has taken place in the sleepy town of Marlow.

'When the police refuse to believe her story, she kicks off a private investigation with two unlikely friends.'

The Marlow Murder Club is based on the bestselling novel by Robert Thorogood, and tells the story of Samantha Bond's Judith Potts as a retired archaeologist

Ludwig - BBC

Ludwig first hit screens on the BBC in 2024 and was met with rave reviews from fans.

It stars David Mitchell as John 'Ludwig' Taylor, a man who loves quiet, solitude and puzzles and keeps himself away from his family and wider society.

However, when his twin brother DCI James Taylor mysteriously disappears, he's drafted in by his sister-in-law, Anna Maxwell Martin's Lucy Betts-Taylor, to pretend to be his twin in order to find clues about his brother's whereabouts.

John reluctantly resumes his brother's identity and, in the process, begins impressing the Cambridge Police with his puzzle-solving ability.

John is tasked with infiltrating the Major Investigations Team to find out more details about his missing brother, all the while solving completely unconnected crimes.

A synopsis reads: 'John Taylor is a reclusive puzzle maker who publishes puzzle books under the pen name "Ludwig".

'His identical twin brother, James Taylor, is a successful detective chief inspector in the Cambridge police force. James has gone missing, and his wife Lucy, a childhood friend of both brothers, enlists John's help to solve the mystery.

'Pretending to be his brother, John infiltrates the local police station to investigate; inadvertently, he becomes embroiled in solving other cases.'

Ludwig stars David Mitchell as John 'Ludwig' Taylor, a man who loves quiet, solitude and puzzles and keeps himself away from his family and wider society

The Madame Blanc Mysteries - Netflix

Set in the stunning south of France, the Madame Blanc Mysteries, which are available on Netflix, follows Sally Lindsay as antiques dealer Jean White.

When she learns that her husband Rory has passed away while visiting the village of Sainte Victoire in a cottage they owned abroad, she soon jets to the French town in search of answers.

She begins looking into Rory's mysterious death with the help of a local taxi driver, Steve Edge's Dom, as well as the owners of a local chateau, Sue Holderness and Robin Askwith's Judith and Jeremy.

Since it made its debut on screens in 2021, the series has continued through four seasons, with fans holding out for news on a fifth.

The show's synopsis reads: 'When Rory is killed in a car crash in Sainte Victoire, Jean realises all her assets have been pawned off, leaving her penniless.

'She then travels to France to unravel the mystery of her husband's death, his missing valuable ring, and the identity of the woman with whom her husband was having an affair.

'She solves other mysteries along the way with the help of local taxi driver Dom, local chateau owners Judith and Jeremy and the local Chief of Police, Caron.

'Each episode features its own individual mystery, and several guest stars, such as Paul O'Grady and Les Dennis appearing in one-off roles, and Tony Robinson as a recurring character in Series 3.'

Set in the stunning south of France, the Madame Blanc Mysteries, which are available on Netflix, follows Sally Lindsay as antiques dealer Jean White

Playing Nice - ITV

Playing Nice had everyone talking when it first hit screens on ITV in January 2025.

The family-based psychological thriller stars James Norton as Pete Riley, a father of a young son who is caught up in a horrifying dilemma.

Two families in Cornwall discover that their toddlers were switched at birth in a shock hospital mix-up, and the story, which is based on the best-selling novel by JP Delaney, follows the fallout of the discovery.

The synopsis reads: 'When Pete and Maddie find out something devastating about their son Theo, they soon meet another set of parents in the same situation.

'James Norton, Niamh Algar and Jessica Brown Findlay star. Lives unravel and loyalties are tested in this gripping thriller.'

The psychological thriller stars James Norton as Pete Riley, a father of a young son who is caught up in a horrifying dilemma

The One That Got Away - BBC

The BBC's The One That Got Away is set in a small Welsh town and draws focus on a detective duo with a complicated romantic past.

After a local nurse is found dead in the seaside town, detectives DI Ffion Lloyd, played by Elen Rhys, and DS Rick Sheldon, played by Richard Harrington, are put on the case together.

However, their lives are soon turned upside down when they discover the murder features details that are scarily similar to a series of murders that took place more than a decade prior.

To make things even harder still, Ffion and Rick have their own romantic history between them, bringing a lot of tension along the way.

The synopsis teases: 'Following the murder of a nurse in the Welsh town of Pembroke Dock, old cases are being re-examined under the suspicion of a copycat killer.'

The BBC's The One That Got Away is set in a small Welsh town and draws focus on a detective duo with a complicated romantic past

Murder Before Evensong - Channel 5

Murder Before Evensong is set in the fictional village of Champton in the 1980s and stars Harry Potter actor Matthew Lewis as Canon Daniel Clement.

The local rector discovers the body of a local man, Anthony Bowness, in his church  and soon realises that the killer must be living in plain sight.

Daniel is soon determined to try and find out the identity of the killer himself, and ticks off each member of his parish as a suspect in the case, with no idea which of them he can trust for answers.

It also stars Amanda Redman, Tamzin Outhwaite, Adam James and Francis Magee.

The synopsis teases: 'Old secrets risk getting flushed out of a sleepy village with the church at its centre as a long-suffering priest investigates a murder spree.'
The Drama (15, 106 mins)

By Brian Viner

Rating:

A floppy-haired, bespectacled Englishman called Charlie, charming and dishy if a bit wet, pretends to be familiar with the novel that a beautiful young American woman called Emma is reading in a Massachusetts cafe.

Its a chat-up manoeuvre that would work better if he werent so jolly awkward, and if she werent deaf in one ear. Yet soon they are dating, then living together, then writing their respective wedding speeches.

It could be the entire synopsis of a 1990s Richard Curtis romcom; with Hugh Grant, of course, as the bumbling Brit. But from the start of The Drama there are clues, not least in the title, that the course of true love will run anything but smooth.

The writer-director is Kristoffer Borgli, the Norwegian whose excellent Sick Of Myself (2022) was a pitch-black comedy. And one of the producers is Ari Aster, another specialist in dark comedy, not to mention horror.

From writer-director Kristoffer Borgli, The Drama stars Robert Pattinson and Zendaya in the lead roles

Brian Viner writes: 'It is smartly written and directed, splendidly acted, and the premise is irresistibly naughty'

Moreover, Charlie is played by Robert Pattinson, who was trapped in a deeply dysfunctional relationship in his last film, Lynne Ramsays Die My Love (2025), and is at his considerable best when his characters have something to brood over, which Charlie certainly does here.

In the week leading up to the wedding, Charlie and Emma (Zendaya, also terrific) have dinner with their best friends Rachel (Alana Haim) and Mike (Mamoudou Athie), at which all four, fuelled by wine, unwisely cough up to the worst thing they have ever done.

Now, I must try to avoid spoilers, but Emmas confession concerns a particularly American abomination, something that routinely undermines the claim they like to make to be the greatest nation on Earth.

It is especially shocking to Rachel, although her self-righteousness is more than a little hypocritical. I can only speak for myself, but her own worst thing troubled me more.

Whatever, Charlie is tormented almost to breaking point by the revelation that Emmas back story, seen sporadically in flashback, contains something so dark. Can we just forget about it? she pleads. The person she was back then, she insists, is not the person she is now.

Its a defence with a powerful modern resonance, for we live in an age in which historical crimes and misdemeanours surface all the time, trashing reputations and imperilling relationships.

Is that always how it should be, or should they occasionally be overlooked  especially if, as in this case, nobody was hurt? The Drama doesnt hammer the question, but it throbs away throughout.

Charlie does his best to reassure his fiancee that he still loves and cherishes her, but the damage is done.

He is an art-gallery curator who, at work, obliquely raises Emmas story with a female colleague, leading to yet further complications. One burst of ill-advised candour and the roof has fallen in.

Was it really ill-advised, though? Thats the other question raised by this naggingly compelling film.

If youre about to share your future with someone, and their past contains a secret that might hint at a character flaw, do you have the right to know it?

Either way, we have our own family wedding next month; my daughters getting married. Hoping that the reception goes better than Emma and Charlies is setting the bar about as low as possible.

Ultimately, Borglis film is as deep as we want it to be. Some will see it as an intense psycho-drama, others as a wickedly subversive romcom. Its both.

Its also a little heavy-handed at times, and I could have done without repeated vomiting sequences scarcely a week seems to pass without at least one TV or film character throwing up, almost in competition with each other; as if a new diced-carrots category has been added to the Academy Awards.

But it is smartly written and directed, splendidly acted, and the premise is irresistibly naughty.

By Matthew Bond

Rating:

Ah, beware those late-night games of confession, especially when drink has been taken. That, I think, is the main lesson of The Drama, in which Robert Pattinson and Zendaya play a newly engaged and particularly photogenic Boston couple rapidly heading towards their big day.

Photographers have been booked, flowers chosen, first dances rehearsed. Now its just a final choice of menu that brings Charlie (Pattinson) and Emma (Zendaya) together with their close friends, Mike (Mamoudou Athie) and Rachel (Alana Haim) to the wedding venue. The hard work has been done  mushroom risotto it is  but the wine is flowing and so is the conversation, when someone asks the fateful question: Whats the worst thing youve ever done?

On Zendaya's performance, Matthew Bond comments: 'Zendaya is pitch-perfect as Emma, who can be charm personified when shes in the right mood but has a steely determination underneath'

Uh-oh, I think we can safely say the drama has begun. Because while one confession involves a particularly unchivalrous response to being attacked by an aggressive dog and another an awful tale about locking a small child into a cupboard in a long-abandoned caravan, Emmas confession is much, much worse.

At least Rachel thinks it is and so do we. Dont we? You see, Emma only planned to do the very bad thing, she never actually did it. One of the triumphs of Kristoffer Borglis clever, complicated and often darkly funny film is that it actually doesnt deal in moral absolutes, it just pretends to.

An even bigger success for the Norwegian-born film-maker is the quality of the acting. Zendaya is pitch-perfect as Emma, who can be charm personified when shes in the right mood but has a steely determination underneath.

Pattinson, by contrast (and all the better for finally being touched by just a little age), does a wonderful job of portraying a man trapped in a maelstrom of confusion. Has he met the love of his life or a monster?

The answer eventually turns out to be even more complicated than that, with a late and rather contrived-feeling twist that has already sent the internet into box-office enhancing meltdown, ensuring youll certainly have no shortage of things to talk about on the way home.

And one last thing: do look out for Haim, who steals every scene she is in and makes this biting satire of the American Dream one of the must-sees of the spring, except possibly for any couple currently planning a summer wedding themselves
Jack Black hosted this week's episode of Saturday Night Live (SNL), which honored him as he made it into the show's Five-Timers Club.

The 56-year-old comedian is the latest celebrity to join the exclusive cohort of stars who have hosted the show five times.

For the milestone achievement, Black was ushered in with cameos from several famous faces.

Among them was former SNL regular Tina Fey, 55, Jonah Hill, 42, plus musical guest and fellow Five-Timer Jack White, 50.

After interrupting Black's monologue, Hill showed him to the Five-Timers lounge, which was eerily covered in spiderwebs  poking fun at how old the long-running sketch is.

Melissa McCarthy, 55, and Candice Bergen, 79, also appeared in the bit.

Jack Black hosted this week's episode of Saturday Night Live (SNL), which honored him as he made it into the show's Five-Timers Club

For the milestone achievement, Black was ushered in with cameos from several famous faces, including former SNL regular Tina Fey

Jonah Hill (R), 42, and fellow Five-Timer Jack White (C), 50, also showed up; pictured with Marcello Hernandez (L)

'You're the first Black in the Five-Timers Club,' Fey quipped after entering the scene to roaring applause.

She was clad in an SNL UK First-Timers jacket, complete with fur trim from the famous animated character Paddington Bear, who hung off the back.

That's when Bergen entered the fold with a joke: 'You know, I spent a night with Paddington back in '73. Let's just say he found something that he likes way more than marmalade.'

McCarthy made her entrance as she popped up behind the bar and asked, 'Does anybody know where I can just get a drink? I can't find one.'

She took aim at SNL alum John Mulaney as she complained, 'All they've got are these warm cans of John Mulaney's beer,' to which Fey asks, 'Those are non-alcoholic though, right?'

'Not if you fill them with vodka,' McCarthy cracked before shotgunning the drink.

'Desperate times call for desperate measures,' Fey notes, prompting a cameo from SNL regular Marcello Hernandez who dropped in as his recurring character Domingo.

White then hit him over the head with a frying pan and declared, 'No cast members allowed.'

Fey was clad in an SNL UK First-Timers jacket, complete with fur trim from the famous animated character Paddington Bear, who hung off the back

Melissa McCarthy , 55, and Candice Bergen, 79, also appeared in the bit

The sketch was tied together as Black performed a rendition of The White Stripes' famous rock hit Seven Nation Army

The sketch was tied together as Black performed a rendition of The White Stripes' famous rock hit Seven Nation Army.

'I'm gonna fix it by singing the world's most rockin' song,' he sings as he vows to revive the dying Five-Timers Club spoof.

White came back out playing guitar and White called upon wizard background dancers, who emerged with dramatic fog.

He broke from the song to exclaim, 'I can't believe this is really happening. I think I'm in heaven. Am I in heaven?'

'We've got a great show tonight! Jack Black is here,' he said before passing the microphone to the musician, who played along and said, 'Jack White is here.'

'Stick around and we'll be White Black,' the host teased while mashing up their names before a commercial break.
Saturday Night Live is under fire after a cast member cracked 'what's the worst that can happen?' about Trump attending a play - an unmistakable nod to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

During Fridays 'Weekend Update,' comedian Michael Che took aim at the presidents visit earlier this week to the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, where he attended the opening-night showing of Chicago.

'President Trump attended the opening night of Chicago at the Kennedy Center and I think that's cool,' Che said during the skit.

'The president is going to the theater...I mean, what's the worst that can happen?'

The internet blew up as viewers caught that Ches joke hinted that Trump - who was already been subject to two assassination attempts on American soil - could face the same fate as former President Abraham Lincoln.

'President in a theater... it took me a min, but I got it,' one user wrote on X, adding laughing-face emojis.

It was April 14, 1865 - over a century and a half ago - when Lincoln and his wife took their seats in the Presidential Box at Ford's Theatre to enjoy the comedy Our American Cousin.

John Wilkes Booth, a regular performer at the theater who discovered that Lincoln was in the house that morning, slipped into the vestibule of the box during the final act of the performance.

Actor Harry Hawk captivated the audience with the 'laugh line': 'Not accustomed to the manners of good society, eh? Well, I guess I know enough to turn you inside out, old woman; you damned old sockdologizing man-trap!'

SNL cast member Michael Che said: 'President Trump attended the opening night of Chicago at the Kennedy Center and I think that's cool. I mean, what's the worst that can happen?'

Trump visited the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, where he attended the opening-night showing of Chicago

Ches joke hinted that Trump could face the same fate as former President Abraham Lincoln

Weekend Update with Colin Jost and Michael Che! pic.twitter.com/m0GN1ZwvIQ  Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) April 5, 2026

The crowd was in stitches, oblivious, as Booth used the distraction to enter the Presidential Box and fire a single, deadly shot into Lincolns head.

'Just as I finished these lines and was standing towards the front of the President's box, the shot was fired,' Hawk recalled of the moment, according to the theater's website.

'I turned, looked up at the President's box,' he added. 'I saw a man with a long dagger in front of the box.'

The live audience in New York City erupted in laughter at Ches reference to the 16th US president, but online outrage was immediate, with critics accusing the show of 'advocating political violence.'

'Che jokes about Trump being assassinated. There is no premise or punchline other than he went to a theater, what's the worst that can happen?' one user wrote on X.

'The audience erupted in cheers. Not applause, not laughter, cheers,' the comment added. 'The outright advocacy of political violence is now common.'

Another response read: 'Please, someone watch out for Michael so he doesn't get disappeared tonight during the show. And then avoid him after the show because he's definitely getting disappeared by Homeland Security after his Trump theater joke.'

'Not a fan of the guy at all, but that joke about Trump at a theater and the audience cheering was not cool,' said another.

On April 14, 1865, Lincoln and his wife took their seats in the Presidential Box at Ford's Theatre to enjoy the comedy Our American Cousin

John Wilkes Booth entered the Presidential Box and fired a single, deadly shot into Lincolns head

Critics accused SNL and Che of 'advocating political violence'

Meanwhile, on Facebook, one user called Che 'the lesser-talented' cast member and slammed him as a 'real f**ing funny douchebag.'

'Considering this President - OUR PRESIDENT - was the victim of multiple assassination attempts, one of which he was actually struck by a f***ing bullet... WTF! This is not okay,' the post read.

'We know this was not a one-off, and we know this mediocre, generically-sanctimonious oxygen-waster Che, and others like him, who traffic in such garbage, are not saying any of it "lighthearted" or in fun,' it added.

'Therefore they should absolutely be called out, and we should shine a light on their malevolent darkness, whenever possible.'

The Friday edition of SNL centered almost entirely on Trump and the whirlwind of developments involving his inner circle over the past week - including the administrations take on its so-called successes in Iran.

During a recent national address, the president declared that the US had 'beaten and completely decimated Iran' and vowed to bomb the Islamic Republic 'back to the stone ages.'

In response, cast member Colin Jost said: 'In the spirit of Easter, let me just say: Jesus Christ.'

Che jumped in, mocking the administrations 'little journey' description of the war, saying, 'little journeys are all anyone can afford now,' while showing a graphic of the countrys exploding gas prices.

The segment also touched on the firing of Attorney General Pam Bondi after MAGA fury erupted over her botched handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

Jost joked that Bondi had been asked to 'redact herself' from the position, before hitting harder: 'The only person Trump has ever trusted to handle the Epstein situation is a prison guard with the cameras off.'

Naturally, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wasnt spared after a turbulent month dominating the news.

Not only did Noem fall first among Cabinet casualties, but the Daily Mail revealed her husbands secret life as a cross-dresser, complete with a fondness for enormous fake breasts.

The exclusive images obtained by the outlet were allegedly part of Bryon Noem's 'bimbo' fetish.

Cast member Sarah Sherman stole the scene as Bryon Noem, wearing pink biker shorts and oversized balloon breasts.

'Hey Michael, my eyes are up here, my nipples are out here,' Sherman joked as she addressed Che during the skit.

'I dare you to kink shame me on national TV about my insane clown juggalows and tiny, teeny, little pink bike shorts,' she continued.

The segment talked about the firing of Attorney General Pam Bondi, where comedian Colin Jost said she had been asked to 'redact' herself from the job

Cast member Sara Sherman dressed as Bryon Noem during the show, complete with pink biker shorts and oversized balloon breasts

The Daily Mail revealed Noem's husbands secret life as a cross-dresser, complete with a fondness for enormous fake breasts

Cast member Ashley Padilla cocked a rifle while posing as the former secretary herself

The sketch then referred to an excerpt of Kristi Noem's 2024 book No Going Back: The Truth on What's Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward, in which she disclosed shooting and killing her dog.

'What about my wife, Kristi Noem? Anything to add about my sweater puppies?' Sherman said.

'Did someone say puppies?' responded cast member Ashley Padilla as she cocked a rifle while posing as the former secretary herself.
Saturday Night Live UK has faced backlash after making a Mark Zuckerberg suicide joke referencing 'Hitler's bunker'.

The British version of the US hit has earned mixed reviews so far, with it recently revealed by industry sources that Sky have spent approximately 2million per episode on the show.

And they shocked viewers on the latest episode with a risky joke suggesting Facebook billionaire Mark 'use his bunker in the same way Hitler did'.

The joke was referencing how Adolf Hitler died by suicide in the Fuhrerbunker, an underground shelter in Berlin.

Comedian Ania Magliano, who co-hosts the Weekend Update, said, 'It's been revealed that Meta billionaire Mark Zuckerberg is building a bunker under his compound in California.'

'And I hope he uses that bunker in exactly the same way Hitler did,' she continued, sparking gasps from the live audience.

Saturday Night Live UK has faced backlash after making a Mark Zuckerberg suicide joke referencing 'Hitler's bunker'

SNL UK shocked viewers on the latest episode with a risky joke suggesting Facebook billionaire Mark (Pictured in November) 'use his bunker in the same way Hitler did'

'Hitler infamously took his own life in his Berlin bunker in 1945 as the end of the Second World War drew near.'

Taking to social media, shocked viewers said: 'So they want him to commit suicide?';

'That line about the bunker yikes, but comedys supposed to push boundaries,'; 'How is that comedy?';

'The female anchor seems to think that coyly chuckling at every joke will convince people it's funny.'

Last week, SNL UK was daring again by skewering a disgraced Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, with a cold open that fans quickly praised as the most 'genius' sketch yet.

But following on from its viral roasting of Sir Keir Starmer during the show's premiere last week, SNL UK kicked off its next run by mocking both Andrew's fall from grace, and that of former European Commissioner for Trade Peter Mandelson.

Both Andrew and Mandelson have faced increasing scrutiny over their friendships with Jeffrey Epstein.

They have both been separately arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office following the publication of files about the convicted paedophile released by the US Department of Justice.

The joke was referencing how Adolf Hitler died by suicide in the Fuhrerbunker, an underground shelter in Berlin

Taking to social media, shocked viewers said: 'So they want him to commit suicide?'

The sketch saw Andrew taken into an office by MI5 in the wake of Princess Diana's death in 1997, before being told he was going to be at the centre of a 29-year plan to try and 'make the future King Charles look good.'

An agent told the then-young Prince: 'No one knows better than us how charming, capable, fiercely intelligent and morally upstanding you are.

'You are a credit to princes everywhere. Since the death of Diana the public have turned on Prince Charles but still one day he will be King. We need to make him look good.'

'We have deduced that the only way to increase the likability of our future king is to decrease the likability of everyone around him.'

Andrew said: 'I see. Well, I love my brother, I love my country and I'm willing to do whatever it takes,' before the agents declare they've put together a '29-year plan' with a huge dossier.

Going through the pages nervously, Andrew told the agents: 'And you actually need me to do all of this stuff? Even the part about befriending a notorious paedophile?

'Before and after he is convicted? And there is absolutely no other way to make my brother look good?'

The second episode of Saturday Night Live UK didn't hold back in skewering Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, with a cold open that fans quickly praised as the best sketch yet

Former European Commissioner for Trade Peter Mandelson received a brutal mocking after both men were arrested following their mention in the Epstein files

'This all seems very high risk. Oh god, I'm sweating. Surely you can't make everyone around Charles unlikeable. What about William? He's so handsome,' with the agents adding they were 'seeing to that.'

Questioning his nephew Prince Harry, the agent coyly said: 'He's going to marry a woman 98% of the UK public will find it impossible to have a normal conversation about.'

As Andrew noted: 'Goodness, this will kill mummy when the news comes out,' the agents told him: 'Turn to page 72, it will.'

Stepping things up a gear, the agents brought in Peter and Sarah Ferguson, telling Andrew: 'Your Highness, if you're ever in too deep, just say the code word and we'll step in to save you.'

When he asks what that is, he's told: 'Pizza Express, Woking.'
Rebecca Judd has confessed that there is still plenty of excitement with her husband, AFL footy champ, Chris Judd, after two decades of being a couple.

The 43-year-old WAG and mother-of-four said Chris, who hung up his boots in 2015, remains game-ready and as 'hot' as ever.

Bec made the cheeky comment on a recent episode of her Vain-ish podcast.

'He's full keto. You should see his six pack,' Bec gushed and added, 'He is in playing form... he is so hot.'

Bec, who tied the knot with the former Carlton star in 2010, was not done boasting about her marriage.

'He's amazing. 23 years and I still find him hot,' she said.

Bec Judd has confessed that there is still plenty of excitement with her husband, AFL footy champ, Chris Judd, after two decades of being a couple

The 43-year-old WAG and mother-of-four said Chris, who retired in 2010, remains game-ready and as 'hot' as ever. Pictured: The Judds on the red carpet in 2004

During the podcast, Bec pretended to get a call from her husband and joked, 'When he calls me, I'm like, ''Oh! It's Chris Judd''.'

The pair first met as teenagers in a Perth pub in 2002, the same year Chris launched his career in first-class footy with the West Coast Eagles.

Bec recalled their first encounter in a Q+A with followers.

'It's weird, I didn't really have lots of boyfriends growing up, and I was very, very picky, and I saw him, and I was like "Damn! I like him".'

Bec's cheeky admission comes after she provided a rare insight into her upbringing, revealing she was raised in humble surroundings, which taught her to appreciate everything she has.

The influencer and fashion designer, who has developed a reputation for her upmarket taste, made the surprising admission in a recent episode of her podcast.

'We're not silver spooners. We never had a new school uniform, they were always hand-me-downs from friends' older siblings,' Bec admitted.

She added that she came to envy some of her classmates, as she was in awe of what they could afford.

The influencer and Carlton star tied the knot in 2010. Pictured: Bec made the cheeky comment on a recent episode of her Vain-ish podcast

'Kids who paid for their school excursions, with the slip and the money in it, on time  rich! We never paid on time because we never had any spare money,' Bec said.

'Whenever we'd get the form, I'd get anxiety, going, "Where are we going to find $5 for this animal incursion coming to school?"'

Fortunately, Bec successfully overcame her difficult upbringing, as she admitted she was working hard to ensure her own children were not spoiled.

'They are privileged, they go to amazing schools, so it's hard to get them to get a sense of how lucky they are, the way they live,' she said.

'What I have figured out is that kids don't give a s**t. They remember the memories and the fun times they had in that house, not what the furniture looked like. They just want to have fun.'

Bec and her older sister Kate were raised in Perth, Western Australia by their working-class parents Hugh and Kerry.

The model and businesswoman shares four children  Oscar, 14, Billie, 11, and twins Tom and Darcy, nine  with retired footy great Chris, 42.

The Judds met at a pub in Perth when they were both teenagers, and wed on December 31, 2010, at Melbourne's Albert Park.
It's been another fraught week for the BBC - from the scandal swirling around the shock sacking of Scott Mills to losing their beloved weather woman, Carol Kirkwood, after three decades on-air.

With tensions behind the scenes at an all-time high, the last thing BBC bosses needed was another slew of unfavourable headlines.

But that's exactly what's been sparked by, of all things, an apparent dig at viewers' favourite Carol from BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty  with insiders telling the Daily Mail 'she just can't help herself'.

The newsreader, 51, has been criticised for a seemingly brutal parting shot at Carol, 63, during her final appearance on Wednesday's show.

After playing some of her on-screen highlights, Naga joked: 'I am just waiting for the countdown for you to go.' Ouch!

To add salt to the perceived wound, Naga also conspicuously failed to join other newsreaders in doing a pre-recorded solo tribute. Instead, she handed Carol a painting of Little Miss Sunshine by Mr Men illustrator Adam Hargreaves, quipping: 'So here is a rare glimpse into me being lovely to you... So what do we call you? Not off-air! On-air. Little Miss Sunshine, maybe?'

It is no secret that Naga is talented at live presenting, and readily able to improvise when things go wrong. But this is far from the first time she has landed herself in hot water with on-air digs at colleagues.

One BBC insider tells me: 'It certainly was bizarre and there were awkward laughs from the production staff, I am told. The problem is that Naga just can't help herself sometimes, and it's significantly backfired, right in the week when the rest of the BBC needed to behave.

BBC Breakfast host Naga Munchetty says to departing weather woman Carol Kirkwood: 'I am just waiting for the countdown for you to go'

She hands Carol a painting of Little Miss Sunshine by Mr Men illustrator Adam Hargreaves, adding: 'Here is a rare glimpse into me being lovely to you'

'It raises the question of how she is still there. She is great at her job. But it's seeming to become a series of sly and awkward jabs - all on live television.

'It's just not what the BBC needs right now as it comes into a hopefully new and fresh era [as former Google executive Matt Brittin becomes the new director-general].'

Naga's remarks could, of course, be written off as simply friendly teasing between two women who have worked alongside each other for years. Indeed, in a recent interview, Carol  who is retiring to travel and enjoy more time with her police officer husband Steve Randall  was at pains to explain: 'I love Naga and we just have banter. I love the camaraderie between us and everyone. It's a good, fun job.'

Nevertheless, viewers have been quick to voice their shock. One penned on X: 'Naga tried her usual gotcha tactics to embarrass Carol,' while another wrote: 'Maybe Naga and Carol really didn't get on...'

It's not the first time worried viewers have pointed out the apparent on-air tension. Naga hit out at Carol for 'abusing' her live on air by mistakenly calling her 'Nana' in 2022.

The former said: 'I think Nana is a phantom producer that you just make up so you can abuse me by mispronouncing my name.' Holding her face in her hands, Carol quipped back: 'The shame, Naga, the shame.'

A separate incident saw Naga tell her co-star she looked 'really stern' as Carol got ready to present the forecast for Christmas.

Whatever the truth, it's well-known that Naga has clashed with fellow presenters and off-camera staff at BBC Breakfast.

Naga, who is married to television director and broadcast consultant James Haggar, faces an uncertain future at the BBC after the corporation reportedly instigated a formal investigation following accusations of bullying against her.

In August, TV sources claimed several colleagues had logged concerns over her 'hard' behaviour on the breakfast show, as well as on her Radio 5 Live show.

Carol, 63, leaves the BBC after presenting its weather bulletins for three decades

At the time, bosses launched a review. According to reports, this has now escalated to a formal probe after further complaints were made.

The TV host, who started working on the programme in 2009, is paid between 355,000 and 359,999 a year for BBC Breakfast and fronting her Radio 5 show. She has also competed on Strictly Come Dancing, making it to week four with partner Pasha Kovalev in 2016.

Naga's conduct first came under scrutiny when BBC Breakfast's editor Richard Frediani reportedly took an extended period of leave after an internal review of bullying and misconduct allegations was opened into the show.

In September, it was reported that he had been cleared of wrongdoing and a formal investigation would not be launched - something presenting duo Naga and Charlie Stayt were said to be furious about.

Naga has reportedly been spoken to by executives after a junior staffer accused the journalist of bullying them

When Richard returned, relations between them 'turned sour' and he reportedly made it clear he could no longer directly manage the duo.

Meanwhile, Naga was reportedly spoken to by executives after a junior staffer accused the journalist of bullying them.

According to The Sun, she is said to have kicked off at a terrified intern over how they spread Marmite on her toast. In another diva strop, the presenter also moaned that her porridge was 'too hot' and the blueberry topping wasn't to her liking.

She was also allegedly hauled into a meeting after she made a crude jibe during an ad break in 2022 while hosting her radio show. The presenter is believed to have used a slang term for a sex act and reportedly asked a colleague if they had ever done it.

At the time, the BBC said in a statement: 'While we do not comment on individual cases, we take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously and will not tolerate behaviour that is not in line with our values.

'We have robust processes in place and would encourage any staff with concerns to raise them directly with us so they can be addressed.'

Naga herself is believed to have grown tired of all the pettiness. She was said to be looking for another job, but appears to have had no success. Sources say she is determined not to be pushed out.

And with BBC insiders complimenting how talented she is, it seems all Naga needs to do is tone down the jibes and off-screen demands.

Only time will tell whether she can manage it.

A BBC source told Daily Mail: 'Naga and Carol have been very close personal friends for many years, as well as being very good colleagues as part of the BBC Breakfast Team.

'Everyone involved in Carol Kirkwood's last programme for Breakfast on 1 April was there to pay tribute to Carol's long service for the BBC, and they all did so fittingly.'
Sydney heiress Stephanie Onisforou showed off her stunning engagement ring at a swanky party on Friday, celebrating her upcoming nuptials with Ari Kaklamanis.

Stephanie, 25, the daughter of the property and retail tycoon Theo Onisforou, announced she was set to tie the knot to the 28-year-old Million Dollar Listings entrepreneur last year.

The designer behind the bride-to-be's impressive five-carat yellow diamond rock is Sophia Paspaley, a close friend of Stephanie's and member of the Paspaley family, famed for their pearl jewellery.

The festivities celebrating Stephanie and Ari's engagement took place at the bride's family estate, Kangaloon, in the Southern Highlands of NSW, reported The Daily Telegraph.

The exclusive guest list included Nicole Gazal O'Neil, a former cast member of The Real Housewives of Sydney, who enjoyed a sumptuous meal featuring oyster shuckers.

The publication reports that the dessert table was supplied by 'dessert designers' Strawberry and Co. and featured a cake with a swan decoration.

Sydney heiress Stephanie Onisforou showed off her stunning engagement ring at a swanky party on Friday, celebrating her upcoming nuptials with Ari Kaklamanis. (Both pictured)

Details of the decor for the event included flags flying along the estate driveway and delicate frilled umbrellas on each table.

Photos have emerged of Stephanie sporting a bespoke gown from Sydney designer Lee Matthews for her milestone event.

Ari took a more casual approach for his outfit, which included a white shirt and chinos.

It's understood that the happy couple have been together for several years.

So far, the pair, who are famously private, have not released any details or a date for their wedding.

Stephanie, who founded the French patisserie Cafe de la Fontaine in Potts Point, is a well-known figure among Sydney's elite with powerful connections.

Her father, Theo, was the chief money man for the late media mogul Kerry Packer.

He later moved into the real estate sector, where he would make serious money acquiring and revitalising unique and neglected buildings.

Stephanie, 25, the daughter of the property and retail tycoon Theo Onisforou, announced she was set to tie the knot to the 28-year-old Million Dollar Listings entrepreneur last year

Among his achievements as a developer, he is credited with transforming Paddington's famous shopping district The Intersection.

The tycoon has since diversified from property and retail into large-scale cattle farming.

Theo shares Stephanie and her twin brother Angus, with his ex-wife, Heidi.

A well-known socialite and noted property whiz in her own right, Heidi set a national record after selling a Potts Point terrace for $13 million in 2016.

Stephanie, who sold her Potts Point shop recently, had previously worked in social media management.

Her brother Angus studied business and law at the University of Technology Sydney.

Stephanie has also been described as a socialite to watch, though we know less about her private life than Angus, whose exes include the OnlyFans star Indi Thew.

The Onisforous family have another daughter named Emerald, who keeps a lower profile.
Mel B has refused to comment on the Beckham family feud which has seen David and Victoria's eldest son Brooklyn release an explosive six-page statement featuring lurid allegations about his family.

The mother-of-three, 50, who found fame as a member of the Spice Girls alongside Victoria, pointedly said she 'doesn't give advice on anybody else's kids'.

Addressing social media followers in January, Brooklyn, 27, claimed his parents had tried to sabotage his marriage to billionaire heiress Nicola Peltz, 31, and have always prioritised public branding over their family relationships.

Communication between the Beckham family has fallen apart so spectacularly that the aspiring chef is said to have requested that any attempts from his family to communicate with him should be done through his lawyers.

Speaking in a new interview Mel said: 'You know what? If my kids [Phoenix, 27, Angel, 18, and Madison, 14] want advice, I give them it'.

'I dont give advice on anybody elses kids. And if I did, I wouldnt tell you about it, because thats private'.

Mel B has refused to comment on the Beckham feud which has seen David and Victoria's eldest son Brooklyn release an explosive statement featuring lurid allegations about his family

She went on to reiterate to The Sun that there were no truth to the rumours of a tour to celebrate the Spice Girls' 30th anniversary.

'Ive not said anything about a reunion, Im always the first one to say: "Yes, were going on tour". And Im willing it to happen. Now Im 50, Im not going to be forcing anyone'.

It comes after the star admitted that she may never perform with her former bandmates again.

The songs appeared in the iconic line-up alongside Victoria, 51, Mel C, 51, Emma Bunton, 50, and Geri Horner, 53, in 1996 before eventually splitting in 2001.

They reunited in 2007 for a world tour, followed by a perfomance at the 2012 London Olympics closing ceremony and later a 2019 UK tour as a four piece without Victoria.

As well as scrapped reunion plans, Mel also seemingly dashed hopes for the group's proposed Netflix documentary as she took a swipe at her bandmates who 'did not want to be honest' on screen.

She said: 'I can tell you [a reunion] is not happening, If it does, it'll be a shock to me, let's put it that way. When I look at that [2019 tour] and at the feeling it gave me, I was in my element, but there comes a time I'm 50. You can't be nagging everyone to go on tour if they don't want to. I laid that to rest when I turned 50.'

While Mel gushed over her 'incredible bond' with her bandmates, she admitted that even if they proposed a late in the day reunion she was unsure if she'd join them.

The mother-of-three pointedly said she 'doesn't give advice on anybody else's kids' (David and Victoria pictured with Brooklyn in 2019)

She went on to reiterate that there were no truth to the rumours of a tour to celebrate the Spice Girls' 30th anniversary (pictured 1997)

She told Hello: 'I honestly don't know. I've got a lot of respect and love for those girls. I wouldn't be sitting here if it wasn't for me being part of the Spice Girls. They've done a lot for me as a person and in my life. I've got fond memories, but I don't know if I would want to go back up on stage.'

Mel then went on to address rumours of the Netflix doc, following in the footsteps of David and Victoria's films.

'I think we've all been asked and were all thinking about it at some point,' she says. 'But it has to be done in the right way, and it has to be honest  and not everybody wants to be honest.'

Mel C herself confirmed that there was no reunion in the works, as she told The Smallzy Show on KIIS Radio: 'No, there is no reunion. We are communicating all the time. We want to do something  who knows when.

'But I still feel very optimistic and I keep my fingers crossed that you will see the Spice Girls together at some point in the future.'

There was also a rumoured Netflix drama about the band in the works, but Reports emerged in 2024 that Geri has derailed the huge deal which would have netted each of the five members 1million each.

Sources had said that the 'nightmare' fallout between Geri and Mel B left the band unable to find a manager capable of 'mediating' to push projects over the line.

The feud began when Mel confessed she had a lesbian fling with Geri during the band's 90s heyday on Piers Morgan's chat show in 2019.

Geri denied the affair took place, with Mel accused of dreaming it up to sell copies of her tell-all memoir, Brutally Honest.
KUWAIT CITY, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) announced Sunday that a number of its operational facilities were struck by "hostile Iranian drones," sparking fires and causing significant material damage.

In a statement carried by the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), KPC said that the attacked facilities are operated by its subsidiaries, Kuwait National Petroleum Company and Petrochemical Industries Company, both critical to the country's refining and petrochemical industries.

Emergency response teams were quickly deployed to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to adjacent installations.

No casualties were reported, the corporation confirmed, adding that precautionary measures had been implemented to safeguard personnel and secure the sites.

KPC said that it is coordinating with authorities to evaluate the scale of the damage, reiterating its commitment to upholding safety and security standards across all operations.

Earlier in the day, Kuwait reported that several critical sites, including power generation facilities, an oil complex, and a government building, were struck by "hostile drone attacks," causing material damage but no reported casualties.

The development came amid heightened regional tensions following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran starting on Feb. 28, to which Iran and its regional allies responded with attacks on Israeli and U.S. interests across the Middle East. 
Scott Mills's alleged sex abuse victim reportedly stayed in contacted with the BBC Radio 2 star for eight years after the offences are said to have taken place.

Mills, 53, was investigated then cleared in 2017 over allegations of historic 'serious sexual offences' against a boy under the age of 16 between 1997 and 2000.

It was revealed last week that he had been sacked from the BBC following 'new information'.

Now it is being reported that Mills' alleged victim was still in contact with the presenter in 2006 - eight years after the offences are said to have occurred.

The source said many of Mills' friends were aware of the 'lad' and that they remained 'friendly' with each other in the years after.

A source, who knew Mills during the 2000s, told The Sun: 'Scott stayed in touch with him, and I first heard about him in 2001.

Scott Mills's alleged sex abuse victim reportedly stayed in contacted with the BBC Radio 2 star for eight years after the offences are said to have taken place

'They used to see each other, and Scott was friendly with him like he was with a lot of people.

'I'm sure they were still in contact until around 2006, it suggests they were still on good terms so I'm not sure what prompted the investigation.'

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Scott for comment.

Earlier this week it was claimed the BBC was aware of a police probe into Scott nine years ago but did not know the boy who accused the star of sexual offences was under 16.

The BBC admitted it was aware of the investigation into Mills in 2017 - but only fired him after 'new information' came to light last week.

The Metropolitan Police on Wednesday confirmed it had been in contact with the corporation on 'several occasions' over the allegations since 2017, after it was handed the case the previous year.

But Tony Hall, the Director general at the time, was not aware of the 'full picture', including the accuser's age, sources have told the Mirror.

On Wednesday night, in an extraordinary statement issued via his lawyers to the Daily Mail, the 53-year-old broke his silence to admit he was the subject of the investigation and did not deny the allegations.

The full statement read: 'The recent announcement that I am no longer contracted to the BBC has led to the publication of rumour and speculation. In response to this the Metropolitan Police has made a statement, which I confirm relates to me.

'An allegation was made against me in 2016 of a historic sexual offence which was the subject of a police investigation in which I fully cooperated and responded to in 2018.

'As the police have stated, a file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, which determined that the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges.

Mills, 53, was investigated then cleared over allegations of historic 'serious sexual offences' against a boy under the age of 16 between 1997 and 2000 (Pictured in 2023)

'Since the investigation related to an allegation that dates back nearly 30 years and the police investigation was closed seven years ago, I hope that the public and the media will understand and respect my wish not to make any further public comment on this matter.

'I wish to thank from the bottom of my heart all those who have reached out to me with kindness, my former colleagues and my beloved listeners, who I greatly miss.'

On Monday, Mills was axed by the BBC over his 'personal conduct' but the corporation would not elaborate further.

It later emerged he was investigated by police in 2016 after claims of 'serious sexual offences' against a teenage boy aged under 16 between 1997 and 2000.

The case was closed in 2019 after the Crown Prosecution Service deemed there was insufficient evidence to bring charges.

After days of refusing to come clean about the extent of what bosses knew in regard to the police investigation into one of their star presenters, the BBC finally admitted it was aware of the probe.

Corporation chiefs felt they had 'no choice' but to dismiss Radio 2's flagship morning show host after 'new information' about his alleged conduct had been brought to them in recent weeks.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, a spokesman said: 'Scott Mills had a long career across the BBC, he was hugely popular and we know the news this week has come as a shock and surprise to many.

'What we can confirm is that in recent weeks, we obtained new information relating to Scott and we spoke directly with him. As a result, the BBC acted decisively in line with our culture and values and terminated his contracts on Friday, March 27.

'The BBC has made a significant commitment to improve its culture, processes and standards. Last year, following an independent culture review, we set out the behavioural expectations for everyone who works with or for the BBC and we were clear that action would be taken if these were not met.

'Separately, we can confirm the BBC was made aware in 2017 of the existence of an ongoing police investigation, which was subsequently closed in 2019 with no arrest or charge being made.

'We are doing more work to understand the details of what was known by the BBC at this time.'

However, pressure is continuing to mount regarding why Mills was kept on air despite it being known that he was interviewed under caution between 2018 and 2019.

The Beeb faced further humiliation when the Met Police confirmed on Wednesday in a statement that bosses had been spoken to on 'several occasions' about the now disgraced presenter.

A Met spokesman said: 'We have been in contact with the man's employer on several occasions, between the start of our investigation in 2017 and the present day. It would not be appropriate to share the specific nature of these discussions.'

But it was further revealed that officers are believed to have been talking to the corporation's lawyers as recently as last week after the BBC learned about the 'new information' involving the broadcaster.

It is understood this information was already known to police when the investigation into Mills was closed. There had been at least four other discussions between Scotland Yard and the BBC dating back to January 2017.

The allegations were first made to Hampshire police in 2016, involving claims of non-recent sexual offences against a teenage boy. Police have said the alleged victim fell into the age bracket 13 to 16 years old. It is believed Mills and the alleged complainant met online.

The investigation was passed from Hampshire to the Met in December 2016 and Mills, then presenting on Radio 1, was invited to attend a London police station for questioning, rather than being arrested.

A former BBC presenter contacted bosses in May 2025 to say she had received information about alleged 'inappropriate communications' involving Mills. Anna Brees, now a freelance journalist, also asked if bosses had ever received any formal complaints about the presenter relating to safeguarding, inappropriate conduct or harassment  to which she did not receive a response.

The BBC was forced to admit on Tuesday it failed to investigate. A spokesman said: 'We received a Press query in 2025 which included limited information. This should have been followed up and we should have asked further questions. We apologise for this and will look into why this did not happen.'
Skins star Mike Bailey looked worlds away from his teen TV role during a rare interview this week years after turning his back on fame.

The actor, 37, found fame as Sid Jenkins in the iconic E4 show 20072008 alongside future Superman star Nicholas Hoult and Oscar winner Daniel Kaluuya.

Now working as a drama teacher he sported bleached blonde hair and forwent spectacles which he wore in the show.

Taking to Reddit shocked fans wrote: 'I HAVEN'T SEEN HIM IN FOREVER OMG': 'Omg he is handsome? Sometimes age helps. Wow. Just wow.': 'I didnt recognise him at all': 'Omg his hair!!': 'I honestly cant see Sid there at all, crazy'.

Mike opened up about the tough realities of being a working actor and explained that he decided turn his back on the profession after attending university.

'I think I made the choice between [series] one and two to finish off at college and not really audition and stuff and get the agent'.

Skins star Mike Bailey looked worlds away from his teen TV role during a rare interview this week years after turning his back on fame

The actor, 37, found fame as Sid Jenkins in the iconic E4 show 20072008 alongside future Superman star Nicholas Hoult and Oscar winner Daniel Kaluuya

'I didn't get an agent until series two and that's when everything [in my career] slowed down massively'.

'[My career] didn't die a death, but it kind of did'.

Following Skins, Mike went on to appear in drama documentary 1066: The Battle for Middle Earth and movie We Are the Freaks opposite Benidorm's Adam Gillen before training as a teacher.

Now a large portion of the alumni boast a myriad of award-winning projects, Oscar nominations, BAFTA wins and Hollywood-laden film credits - while others have ventured to pastures anew, including one fan-favourite who became a neuroscientist, while another moved to teaching.

Nicholas's character Tony Stonem was as cool as he was manipulative - a stud with a harem of doe-eyed admirers at his heels. And while morally ambiguous in the series, the actor, then just 17, stole the hearts of viewers with his devilishly handsome looks and outrageous scheming.

Having previously starred in About a Boy when he was 11-years-old, Skins was Nicholas's second big role before reaching adulthood.

The star, now 35 - who is originally from Wokingham in Berkshire - has now more than settled into his leading man charm.

Through the noughties, he went on to star in a string of blockbuster flicks, including the X-Men series, Mad Max: Fury Road, The Favourite and The Menu. In his most recent project, he is playing Lex Luthor in the new Superman film.

Kaya Scodelario who played Effy, Tony's little sister, who often partied more than her brother in the coming-of-age show - and was often seen sneaking off at night to indulge in revelry.

Mike (far left) opened up about the tough realities of being a working actor and decided to turn his back on the profession after attending university.

Taking to Reddit shocked fans wrote: 'I HAVENT SEEN HIM IN FOREVER OMG': 'Omg he is handsome? Sometimes age helps. Wow. Just wow.'

She quickly became a fan-favourite, hence launching Kaya's successful on-screen career; despite her being cast in the role at just 14, having never acted a day in her life.

Breakout British acting star - and Oscar winner - Daniel was only 18 when he was already charming Skins viewers in his charismatic portrayal as 'Posh Kenneth'.

Next came a flurry of performances, all of which continued to build up the actor's clout, including roles in Black Mirror and Black Panther.

In 2017, he was the lead in Jordan Peele's horror flick Get Out, which earned him international acclaim.

He then starred in the director's 2022 flick, Nope, before lending his voice to fan-favourite Hobart 'Hobie' Brown in the animated Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse movies.

Before he was given the role of party boy Chris aged around 20, Joe Dempsie was on the verge of giving up on his career.

But since then, Joe's career has gone from strength to strength, having now taken on a number of starring roles including Doctor Who, England '89 and more recently, Game of Thrones and The Fades.

Considered revolutionary television today, Skins captured the imagination of an entire generation of millennials when it debuted, as audiences watched its characters indulge in outrageous sexual escapades, go on drug binges and skip school.
Gigi Hadid has broken silence on her name being mentioned in the Epstein files and admitted that it made her 'sick to my stomach.'

The 30-year-old supermodel - as well as her younger sister Bella - were both brought up in a December 2015 email exchange between Epstein as well as another individual whose identity was redacted in files released by the DOJ.

Hadid opened up about her feelings towards her appearance in the files as she responded to a fan comment on an Instagram post shared on March 29, calling Epstein a 'disgusting human being.'

The fan had written, 'I had to unfollow u bc u ain't talk bout those files Gigi.'

'Horrible to read someone you've never met speak about you that way. Especially in this context,' the star wrote in a message which appears to have since been taken down, per E! News.

The mom-of-one went on to explain that she didn't initially say anything because 'I don't want to take away from the stories of real victims of his; but your comment made me realize maybe its not clear - and it's important to let you know.'

Gigi Hadid, 30, has broken silence on her name being mentioned in the Epstein files and admitted that it made her 'sick to my stomach'

Hadid expressed to the fan that she 'grew up privileged' but added her parents 'protected me and taught me the value of hard work.

'The same hard work that got them to this country and gave them careers,' she continued.

The media personality is the daughter of RHOBH alum Yolanda Hadid and real estate developer Mohamed Hadid.

The star also explained to the fan how both she and her younger sister became models in the fashion industry.

'We applied for and my mom brought me herself to meetings with agencies in NYC just before I turned 18, two of which she was signed to in her career - Marylins and Ford'

Hadid recalled meeting with 10 agencies but only a few offered a contract including IMG Models.

'I signed to IMG in 2012,' the supermodel further expressed. 'And I've worked hard every moment since.'

She added that when the email exchange had occurred, she had only been around 20 or 21-years-old.

Hadid expressed to the fan that she 'grew up privileged' but added her parents 'protected me and taught me the value of hard work'; Hadid seen with sister Bella and parents in 2016 in Paris

'I signed to IMG in 2012,' the supermodel further expressed. 'And I've worked hard every moment since'; seen in February in NYC

'To be named in those files, I think I was 20-21 at the time he would have written that email - is disturbing, and I want to state unequivocally that I have never had any affiliation with that disgusting human being,' she said; Hadid and sister Bella seen above

'To be named in those files, I think I was 20-21 at the time he would have written that email - is disturbing, and I want to state unequivocally that I have never had any affiliation with that disgusting human being.'

In a separate comment, Hadid also told the fan: 'sending love thanks for your support x.'

Daily Mail has reached out to a rep for Hadid, but did not immediately hear back.

In the December 2015 email exchange, a redacted individual had written to Epstein: 'How did the Hadid sisters became models and make so much money?! I don't understand'

The disgraced financier had simply replied, 'You know,' to which the other individual penned, 'The father paid the agency.'

Epstein had responded with, 'No,' and later added, 'Because they follow directions, its that simple.'

Not long after her response to the fan on Instagram, Hadid was spotted during an outing in NYC this week on Friday.

She was stylishly casual in a dark navy shirt as well as a pair of light blue jeans and a tan coat layered on top.

In the December 2015 email exchange, a redacted individual had written to Epstein: 'How did the Hadid sisters became models and make so much money?! I don't understand'; seen in 2022 in NYC

She was stylishly casual in a dark navy shirt as well as a pair of light blue jeans and a tan coat layered on top

Hadid additionally slipped into a pair of burgundy loafers and carried a yellow purse over her right shoulder.

Her blonde locks were pulled back into a simple bun, revealing a pair of dangly earrings. For a final touch, the star donned a pair of fashionable shades.

Hadid has been keeping busy and was recently seen spending time with boyfriend Bradley Cooper in NYC.

The couple were first linked in 2023 and the two stars have since been seen on various outings together.

Last year in March, Hadid offered rare insight into their relationship during an interview with Vogue and gushed that they have a 'very romantic and happy dynamic.'

'To find someone that is in a place in their life where they know what they want and deserve and you both do work separately to come together and be the best partner that you can be. I just feel really lucky.'

Hadid has been keeping busy and was recently seen spending time with boyfriend Bradley Cooper in NYC; seen in 2025 in NYC

Hadid previously dated former One Direction member Zayn Malik and the pair share daughter Khai, five

The model also added, 'I respect him so much as a creative, and I feel that he gives so much to me: encouragement and, just, belief.'

Hadid previously dated former One Direction member Zayn Malik and the pair share daughter Khai, five.

Back in February, Malik admitted that he didn't think he had ever been 'in love' with the model during their past relationship, but said he will 'always' care for her as they co-parent their daughter.

Cooper is also dad to daughter Lea, nine, whom he welcomed with ex Irina Shayk.
Freddy Brazier is reportedly set to appear on SAS Who Dares Wins to prove himself.

The 21-year-old, who is the son of late Jade Goody and Jeff Brazier, became a father to Isla Jade Brazier last month.

He is now said to be in advanced talks to join the next series of the gruelling Channel 4 show.

A source told The Sun: 'Freddy wants to prove to himself and his daughter that he has what it takes to tackle the obstacles thrown at him.

'He has had a difficult few years, but Freddy wants to challenge himself after becoming a dad.

'His dad Jeff Brazier previously starred on the show and Freddy thinks he can follow in his footsteps.'

Freddy Brazier is reportedly set to appear on SAS Who Dares Wins to prove himself

The 21-year-old, who is the son of late Jade Goody and Jeff Brazier , became a father to Isla Jade Brazier last month

The Daily Mail has contacted Freddy's reps for comment.

It comes after Freddy and his girlfriend Holly have denied rumours they have split.

He had rekindled his romance with Holly, 22, before his daughter's birth. They have now hit back at claims they have parted ways once more.

Freddy's representative told Daily Mail: 'Freddy and Holly are still together. Like any young couple, theyre navigating life and growing through challenges of having a newborn.'

It comes after reports emerged they had split, with a source telling The Sun: 'Its over again. Its always been very rocky between them and everyone hoped the new baby would smooth things over. Sadly they couldnt make it work and went back to fighting.'

Freddy further added to speculation with his Instagram post on Wednesday where he said he was 'missing my baby girl'.

Sharing a photo of himself carrying Isla out of hospital on March 23, he told his followers: 'Not missed something I've created since DT school days. Missing my baby girl.'

Freddy and Holly were supported by his proud dad Jeff and older brother Bobby in the delivery room.

The couple met on TikTok in June and announced they were expecting their first child two months later. They then split in November but later rekindled their romance (pictured October)

The couple also paid tribute to Freddy's late mother Jade Goody with Isla's middle name. Jade died from cervical cancer on Mother's Day in 2009, when Freddy was just four years old.

The couple met on TikTok in June 2025 and announced they were expecting their first child two months later.

They then split in November after he 'partied with girls and smoked cannabis in her home' while she was abroad.

When they rekindled their relationship earlier this year, Freddy vowed to be the 'best dad he can be'.

Holly said she had been on a pre-booked family holiday when she learned that Freddy had invited multiple people back to her flat and left her dog Pablo alone for long periods.

She claimed that she had supported Freddy emotionally and financially, but the situation became untenable once she discovered what had happened in her home during her trip.

She added that lots had been said that was false, and she felt like she needed to have her say.

Holly went on to say how her neighbours had complained about the noise, and she knew that she could not put up with any more, so she decided to end things for good.

But after reuniting for Holly's baby shower, the pair has confirmed they're giving their romance another go, with Freddy moving back into her flat.

She has since shut down rumours that their baby will appear in a family-style reality series.

Holly made a thinly-veiled dig at the Brazier brood by telling her 96,000 TikTok followers, 'I was exploited on the internet, and I learned from it.

'My child will grow up with privacy, dignity, and safety  not as content, and definitely not as a documentary about their father's life.'

Last year, the Daily Mail revealed Jeff had been in talks with ITV about the series which would follow him and his sons as they navigate their domestic troubles, including his split from wife Kate Dwyer last November.

He has since pulled out of the Osbournes-style fly-on-the-wall documentary series, but Freddy and Bobby are reportedly 'pushing ahead with their own reality show'.
Dr Chris Brown has warned his fans not to feed their dogs chocolate eggs this Easter.

The vet warned that chocolate, which can be toxic for dogs, is best kept away from pets - but he did clarify that owners do not need to panic.

It's the official chocolate freak-out weekend of the year. But should you really panic if your dog eats an egg? Wellprobably not,' the 47-year-old wrote on Instagram.

'The amount of chocolate (and the stimulant theobromine) they need to eat for problems is actually quite high. Meaning it's the fat, sugar and foil that often causes the gut upsets first.'

Chris went on to share some handy numbers, explaining that for a 10kg dog, 400g or milk chocolate or 150g of dark chocolate was the danger zone.

For a 35kg dog, 1400g of milk chocolate or 400g of dark chocolate would cause an issue.

Dr Chris Brown (pictured) has warned his fans not to feed their dogs chocolate eggs this Easter

He added: 'Obviously, avoiding it altogether is always the best plan. If you're wondering, cats don't have a sweet tooth so usually avoid chocolate.'

It comes after Brown and his new girlfriend Lorraine Monforte went public last year.

The Bondi Vet star and Brisbane-based Channel 10 publicist, 41, confirmed their relationship in September by going on a romantic stroll in Sydney.

Daily Mail understands the couple divide their time between Brisbane and Bondi, where Chris lives and has made a name for himself as a vet.

'They are very happy together,' a source previously said.

Chris left I'm a Celeb - and Channel Ten - in 2023 to move to rival network Seven, and was replaced as host by Robert Irwin.

Meanwhile, Lorraine, known as one of the best industry liaisons in Queensland, was let go in July after more than a decade handling press out of the network's Mt Coot-tha headquarters.

It's unclear when Chris and Lorraine became a couple, but the veterinarian has always kept his romantic life under wraps.

The vet warned that chocolate, which can be toxic for dogs, is best kept away from pets - but he did clarify that owners do not need to panic

It comes after Brown and his new girlfriend Lorraine Monforte (pictured) went public last year

'It's hard to meet the right person,' Chris told Stellar magazine when asked about his dating life.

'That extra layer of speculation and interestonce you're actually in a relationship, it's easy, but it's meeting that person at the start that's really hard. You could potentially be on your first date, and you get photographed.'

Lorraine is a mother to a 10-year-old son and at least one other child, though she keeps her family out of the public eye.

In February last year, Lorraine hinted she'd met someone special when she posted a video online of herself lip-syncing to the song Cuff It by Beyonce.

'Cuff it' is a slang term for getting into a committed relationship.

A month later, she shared a photo - taken by someone else - of herself standing in the snow, gazing at the northern lights in Troms, Norway.

Chris didn't appear, but his voice could be heard in the background of another video she posted.

The Dancing with the Stars host also uploaded photos from the same location at about the same time.

They are keeping their relationship offline for now, despite it being an open secret.
Hugh Hefner's widow Crystal Harris has tied the knot, nearly nine years after the Playboy founder died at age 91.

The 39-year-old former centerfold married Hawaii businessman James Ward, 42, in an intimate ceremony held on Aitutaki in the Cook Islands.

Harris, who was married to Hefner from 2012 until his death in 2017, told People magazine, 'We chose the Cook Islands because of how remote it is.'

'There are no big chain hotels, which makes it feel incredibly peaceful and authentic. Its also home to one of the most beautiful lagoons in the world.

'Since James and I both love the ocean and nature it felt like the perfect place for us to start this chapter of our lives,' she added.

It comes nearly one year after the couple announced their engagement.

Hugh Hefner's widow Crystal Harris has tied the knot with James Ward

It comes nearly nine years after the Playboy founder died at age 91; pictured in 2010

Harris and Ward enlisted wedding planner Sandi Brown, who helped them coordinate a 'simple, elegant, and ocean-inspired' ceremony.

'Because the wedding is small, it allowed us to focus on the meaningful details rather than managing a large event,' said the former Playboy model.

'We didnt want a huge production. We wanted something quiet and personal where we could really be present with each other and the moment.'

The bride said she 'instantly fell in love with' Oksana Mukha's Margo gown, which she wore to walk down the aisle.

'It reminded me of a Disney princess dress  romantic, timeless, and very feminine,' she said of the dress, which boasted over 5,400 Swarovski crystals.

Reflecting on her engagement last year, the blonde beauty wrote on Instagram, 'April 26. The morning after he asked.

'We woke up in a world that felt softer, quieter  like it had shifted to make space for whats next. There was a stillness in the air, like even time was pausing for us.

'I look at him and know: this is the kind of love you dont search for. It arrives when youre ready  steady, curious, and full of wonder.'

The 39-year-old former centerfold married Hawaii businessman, 42, in an intimate ceremony held on Aitutaki in the Cook Islands

The couple announced their engagement in May 2025

Harris shared a photo of her husband via Instagram Stories on Friday

Harris, who was married to Hefner from 2012 until his death in 2017, told People magazine, 'We chose the Cook Islands because of how remote it is'

Debuting her romance with Ward in September 2024, Harris gushed that the new relationship 'healed' her.

After dating her beau for five months, she told People magazine he 'values her feelings' and makes her feel like the 'real me.'

She said: 'With James, my feelings are valued, validated. I am seen and I am heard.

'Im nurturing the real me, my adventurous spirit, my inner child. I feel like Ive become the person I always needed when I was growing up.'

'I feel accepted and more myself than ever before,' she detailed.

Harris famously wed Hefner when she was 26 and he was 86.

She published a memoir in 2024, Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy And Finding Myself, in which she made a number of bombshell claims, including that she never loved the late magazine publisher and felt imprisoned in their marriage.

She'd previously told Daily Mail that Hefner was agoraphobic and shunned most public excursions, and that the seemingly luxurious Playboy mansion was in a state of decay.
Sai De Silva has broken her silence two days after her husband David Craig filed for divorce.

The 45-year-old Real Housewives of New York City star, who has been married to Craig for nine years, posted a statement via Instagram Stories on Saturday.

'Thank you for the kindness, grace, and support so many of you have shown me. I'm overwhelmed by all your messages and it truly means more than you know,' she began.

The influencer and her husband share daughter London, 14, and son Rio, eight.

Her note continued, 'My heart is with my children, and my focus is on giving them as much stability and love as possible.'

Craig submitted the legal filing in New York City on Thursday morning, according to court records reviewed by the Daily Mail.

Sai De Silva has broken her silence two days after her husband David Craig filed for divorce; pictured in October 2024

Craig submitted the legal filing in New York City on Thursday morning, according to court records reviewed by the Daily Mail; pictured in May 2024

De Silva added in her statement, 'Living life publicly isn't always easy, but it's a reminder that we should all lead with compassion.

'You never really know what someone is navigating behind the scenes.'

'It was necessary to file,' Craig's lawyer Nancy Chemtob exclusively told the Daily Mail.

She withheld any specifics on the filing, noting it's too early to get into the details.

De Silva has been a cast member on the Bravo series since the show was rebooted in 2022, first appearing on season 14 in 2023.

Production for season 16 is currently underway, meaning the star's split will unfold on the show, which is expected to premiere later this year or in early 2027.

In addition to De Silva, the show will feature returning cast members Erin Lichy and Jessel Taank, plus newcomers Hailey Glassman, Erika Hammond and Daisy Toye.

Carole Radziwill will also appear in a 'friend of' role.

The 45-year-old Real Housewives of New York City star, who has been married to Craig for nine years, posted a statement via Instagram Stories on Saturday

The influencer and her husband share daughter London, 14, and son Rio, eight. Her note said, 'My heart is with my children, and my focus is on giving them as much stability and love as possible'

The couple pictured in October 2025 at the American Ballet Theatre Fall Gala

De Silva and Craig met in 2009, while the TV personality was on a vacation in Costa Rica and he was there for work.

They welcomed their two kids before tying the knot in June 2017.

Craig is from Canada while De Silva is a New York City native.

As the mom of two's career keeps her in the public eye, her now-estranged husband has always opted to stay out of the spotlight.

She once wrote on her blog, Scout the City, 'He's my perfect guy who loves his privacy and I respect that. He's supportive, encouraging and always by our side.

'I admit, he's a terrible Instagram husband but other than that we're thick as thieves.'
Tori Spelling was involved in a car accident while some of her children were in the vehicle in Temecula, California on Thursday.

The 52-year-old actress had been behind the wheel of an SUV when another vehicle allegedly hit her at a high rate of speed, per TMZ.

Law enforcement told the outlet that officers had been called to the scene of a reported crash shortly before 6pm on Thursday in the city of Temecula - which is around 85 miles east of Los Angeles.

Upon arriving, authorities came across two cars that had been damaged due to a collision.

Unconfirmed pictures linked to the crash online show a car with severe damage to the entire front of the vehicle and an SUV with parts of its bumper, lights and undercarriage missing.

Sources told TMZ that Spelling had been driving with seven kids in the car - four of her own and three others that were friends of her kids.

Tori Spelling was involved in a car accident while some of her children were in the vehicle in Temecula, California on Thursday; seen in March in Hollywood

The actress had been behind the wheel of an SUV when another vehicle allegedly hit her at a high rate of speed, per TMZ

Their car was then hit by another vehicle that allegedly ran a red light while speeding down the road.

Occupants of the vehicles were evaluated at the scene of the collision and no arrests were made at the time, per TMZ.

Spelling, her four children as well as their friends were taken to the hospital in three ambulances, TMZ reported.

They were subsequently treated for injuries such as cuts, contusions and concussions.

Eyewitnesses took a video of the scene as Spelling communicated with officers - which was obtained by TMZ.

She could be seen animatedly moving her arms around as she seemingly described what allegedly occurred during the accident.

An investigation is still underway in regards to the car collision which took place on Thursday.

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Spelling and the Riverside County Sheriff's Department for comment, but did not immediately hear back.

Occupants of the vehicles were evaluated at the scene of the collision and no arrests were made at the time, per TMZ; seen in 2025 in L.A.

An investigation is still underway in regards to the car collision which took place on Thursday

Spelling shares children Liam, 19, Stella, 17, Hattie, 14, Finn, 13, and Beau, nine, with ex-husband Dean McDermott

Back in 2011, Spelling had also been involved in a car accident with two of her children.

She had uploaded a tweet which read: 'Paparazzi chased me w/the kids 2school. I was trying to get away from him and had a pretty big accident. Took down whole wall of school.'

The star - who was pregnant at the time - added that other moms helped her by 'chasing him away.'

Spelling shares children Liam, 19, Stella, 17, Hattie, 14, Finn, 13, and Beau, nine, with ex-husband Dean McDermott.

The former couple married in 2006 but announced their split in 2023. Their divorce was finalized two years later in November 2025.

'I am officially divorced. It's been quite a journey,' the actress said on her misSPELLING podcast at the time.

'I gotta say, you guys, this is something never said - this was one of the easiest divorces in Hollywood.'

She added, 'You can quote me there. Screw it - take Hollywood out. This is one of the easiest divorces [ever].'

'I am officially divorced. It's been quite a journey,' the actress said on her misSPELLING podcast in November 2025; seen in Hollywood in 2025

'And while we had our ups and downs and problems throughout our marriage, we've had absolutely no problems throughout the divorce,' the star said; former couple seen in 2023

The Beverly Hills, 90210 alum further expressed that it was 'interesting because Dean and I were together 20 years, married 18.

'And while we had our ups and downs and problems throughout our marriage, we've had absolutely no problems throughout the divorce.'

Spelling added that both she and McDermott wanted to 'step up and be there for the five humans we chose to create out of love and setting a good example.'

While talking to People last month in March, Spelling revealed that she is not in the dating scene.

'I am not thinking about dating,' she told the outlet. 'I am in my power era and I'm rebuilding and reinventing and taking it to the next level'

'I am not thinking about dating,' she told the outlet. 'I am in my power era and I'm rebuilding and reinventing and taking it to the next level.'

The TV personality continued, 'And I'm like, "Yeah, I'm back. This is my second chapter."

'So I really... I have so many businesses that I want to build, [and build] my empire and I can date later. That can always come.'

Last week, Spelling made an appearance at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards in Los Angeles as she joined other celebrities such as Taylor Swift.
Terri Irwin has embraced the holiday spirit by sharing a sweet throwback photo of her celebrating Easter with her late husband Steve and their two children.

The reality TV star, 61, posted the rarely-seen picture to social media on Easter Sunday, which captured her and Steve posing alongside their very young children, Bindi and Robert, all four of them wearing Easter bunny ears.

Steve was seen beaming from ear to ear in the adorable photo from 2004, in which he proudly held up his daughter Bindi, while Terri tenderly cradled their newborn son Robert.

They all sported their trademark khakis in the sweet photo, which Terri captioned with some touching words: 'Easter memories. So much love.'

Many of Terri's followers quickly took to the comment section to gush over the rarely-seen picture.

'Please, please please re-create this photograph this year!' one person quipped.

Terri Irwin has embraced the holiday spirit by sharing a sweet throwback photo of her celebrating Easter with her late husband Steve and their two children. The reality TV star, 61, posted the rarely-seen picture to social media on Easter Sunday

'Such a beautiful shot of your family,' a second added.

'Robert still just as cute and Bindi looks exactly the same,' a third chimed in.

It comes after Steve's son Robert fought back tears last month in an emotional interview with Anderson Cooper.

The Wildlife Warrior, 22, was chatting to the US broadcasting veteran on his podcast All There Is about how he processes grief in the wake of his father's death.

Steve 'The Crocodile Hunter' Irwin died aged 44 off the coast of Queensland in 2006, after being pierced in the chest by a stingray while filming a nature documentary.

During the extensive interview, Robert became visibly emotional when Anderson asked if he still communicated with his father.

'Yeah, there are... there are moments where...' Robert began before choking up.

Anderson replied: 'If it's too personal, it's fine.'

Many of Terri's followers quickly took to the comment section to gush over the rarely-seen picture

Steve 'The Crocodile Hunter' Irwin died aged 44 off the coast of Queensland in 2006, after being pierced in the chest by a stingray while filming a nature documentary

Pushing on, Robert revealed that he feels closest to his father when he is by himself in nature.

'There are moments where... I'll sit... I'm always closest to Dad when I'm in the middle of nowhere, when I'm out in the bush,' he said.

'There are absolutely moments where I'll be hit with this sense of warmth  it's like something kind of wraps around me.'

He then revealed the heartbreaking question that he asks Steve in those private moments.

'I will absolutely sit and just say: "How do I go forward", you know? How do you move forward?'

Continuing, Robert said that while he is constantly reminded of his father, those moments alone provide the biggest catharsis.

Steve died on September 4, 2006, after being pierced in the chest by a short-tail stingray barb while filming in the Great Barrier Reef with Philippe Cousteau Jr.

A private funeral service was held on September 9, and Steve was buried in a private ceremony at Australia Zoo later that same day.

A public memorial service was held in Australia Zoo's 5,500-seat Crocoseum on September 30, and was broadcast live to an estimated audience of more than 300 million.
KAMPONG SPEU, Cambodia, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian villagers on Sunday organized a centuries-old ox-cart racing event here to celebrate the upcoming Khmer Lunar New Year, which runs from April 14 to 16.

Sun Meanchey, director of the Kampong Speu Provincial Department of Culture and Fine Arts, said a total of 80 pairs of oxen were taken to participate in this year's race, up from 50 pairs in last year's event.

"The event is to protect and preserve our age-old ox-cart racing tradition from extinction," he told Xinhua. "According to history, ox-cart racing tradition has existed for hundreds, or probably thousands, of years in Cambodia."

Held at a field in Snor 1 village in Chbar Mon town, about 42 km west of the capital Phnom Penh, the event saw ox-carts race on a 1-km dirt track, as hundreds of spectators enthusiastically watched and cheered on the winners of the race.

Ox-carts were used to carry dowries and elderly people for wedding ceremonies or other festivals in ancient times, and later, villagers initiated ox-cart races in their villages to mark the traditional Lunar New Year, according to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts.

"This event has not only preserved our centuries-old tradition, but also created a joyful atmosphere for our people before the Khmer New Year," said Khat Sokhay, head of the Kampong Speu Provincial Oxen Association.

Currently, the use of ox-carts is on the brink of disappearance since people turn to modern modes of transport. 
Bella Hadid displayed her toned figure in a lace bra in sizzling behind-the-scenes photo shoot snaps.

The 29-year-old supermodel - who recently rocked a skimpy bikini - jumped to her main Instagram page on Saturday to offer a glimpse at her latest shoot for the Milan-based denim brand Miss Sixty.

In one image, the star could be seen posing for a quick selfie while donning a black lace bralette as well as an unbuttoned white shirt.

Her wavy locks were swept up into a messy updo, allowing her side bangs to fall onto her forehead.

Hadid's makeup was glammed up and comprised of a warm blush to better accentuate her cheekbones.

A smoky shadow was added around her eyes while a nude-colored, matte tint was worn on her lips for a finishing touch.

Bella Hadid, 29, flaunted her toned figure as she posed up a storm in a lace bra for a series of BTS snaps from a photo shoot

The supermodel main Instagram page on Saturday to offer a glimpse at her latest shoot for the Milan-based denim brand Miss Sixty

The media personality posed for more photos while standing on a balcony which overlooked the scenic ocean in the distance.

Hadid showcased her sculpted midriff in the lace bralette while a robe was wrapped around her lower waist.

The warm sun shone down on the model as she leaned against the railing for more pictures.

The star further showcased her look by taking a selfie in the reflection of a mirror after getting her hair and makeup done.

She had the chance to explore a bedroom which was ornately-decorated with wooden furniture and various paintings on the walls.

Hadid stayed comfortable in a pair of fuzzy slippers and let her legs dangle over the edge of the bed as she sat on the mattress.

The model later wore a pastel pink leather jacket as well as a low-waisted, gray denim skirt for the photo shoot.

As the sun was setting, she also quickly snapped another mirror selfie as the room was filled with an orange hue.

The media personality posed for more photos while standing on a balcony which overlooked the scenic ocean in the distance

The warm sun shone down on the model as she leaned against the railing for more pictures

The model was also pictured stepping out onto the balcony while preparing for the photo shoot

The star further showcased her look by taking a selfie in the reflection of a mirror after getting her hair and makeup done

She had the chance to explore a bedroom which was ornately-decorated with wooden furniture and various paintings on the walls

Hadid stayed comfortable in a pair of fuzzy slippers and let her legs dangle over the edge of the bed as she sat on the mattress

The model later wore a pastel pink leather jacket as well as a low-waisted, gray denim skirt for the photo shoot

Hadid had portrayed a 'punk-inflected Marie Antoinette' in the latest photo shoot for the brand Miss Sixty - which released Drop 2 for its Spring/Summer 26 collection on Saturday.

The Italian brand 'reimagines Marie Antoinette as a modern rebel, transforming Rococo excess into a sharp, contemporary fantasy where romance is distressed, low-waisted, and defiantly undone,' per the official website.

'Pink leather, torn lacing, ribbons, and signature Miss Sixty denim create tension between opulence and rebellion, sweetness and attitude, grounding historical fantasy in modern reality.'

The campaign takes place in 'a Rococo wasteland of ruined palaces, faded chandeliers, and Haussmannian interiors, where remnants of royal decadence collide with irreverence, rewriting history for the fearless, playful it-girl of today.'

Hadid is no stranger to collaborating with the company.

Back in February, the model sported a denim ensemble from the brand as she attended the Miss Sixty presentation during Milan Fashion Week.

She flashed a cheerful smile in a denim jacket that was zipped up at the front as well as a pair of flared jeans. For a final touch, the Orebella founder slipped into a pair of red pumps.

During a recent conversation with Harper's Bazaar, Hadid reflected on how her style has evolved over the years - and how it also adapts to the different places she travels to.

As the sun was setting, she also quickly snapped another mirror selfie as the room was filled with an orange hue

Hadid had portrayed a 'punk-inflected Marie Antoinette' in the latest photo shoot for the brand Miss Sixty - which recently dropped pieces for its Spring/Summer 26 collection

Back in February, the model sported a denim ensemble from the brand as she attended the Miss Sixty presentation during Milan Fashion Week (seen above)

'I adapt to whatever environment I'm in,' she told the outlet. 'We're all so multifaceted as human beings and we can really change it up whenever we want.

'I think people can judge you for changing up your style in different years, but I have a different feeling every morning when I wake up.'

She also discussed how her days are more focused on work.

'I don't know how, for so many years, I did work and play because now it's work, work, work - and sleep.'

Hadid continued, 'And there's no leeway anymore as you get older in the fashion industry. It's all about being able to get the job done...'

'I adapt to whatever environment I'm in,' she told the outlet. 'We're all so multifaceted as human beings and we can really change it up whenever we want'; seen in March in L.A.

A few months earlier in February, Hadid talked about how she goes 'through different versions of myself' when it comes to personal style.

'And I, kind of, recirculate these in more mature ways,' she explained during an interview with British Vogue.

'But, being able to be whoever you want to be every single day is so important for us as women.'

She further expressed, 'Most days, I just pull and grab from my closet and hope that something looks good together.'
Helen Flanagan has revealed she's living out of a plastic bag days after she revealed a member of staff at a Travelodge threatened to call the police on her.

The former Coronation Street star, 35, is on the road on a theatre tour, starring as Princess Jill in the Mother Goose Easter Panto.

Taking to her Instagram Stories on Saturday, she told fans that she is too 'disorganised' for a suitcase as she revealed how she is currently living.

She said: 'I'm in Wales, I've done two shows and am having such a fun time on this tour.

'Organisation is not my strong point  obviously ADHD.

'But I could not cope with lugging my suitcase around any further, so look at this'

Helen Flanagan has revealed she's living out of a plastic bag after a 'horrible' Travelodge employee threatened to call the police on her

The former Coronation Street star, 35, is currently on a theatre tour, starring as Princess Jill in the Mother Goose Easter Panto

She turned the camera to show off her makeshift 'luggage'  a white bin bag stuffed with her belongings.

She added: 'I turned up to the theatre with a bag like this. I can't cope with a suitcase any longer!'

It comes just days after Helen criticised hotel chain Travelodge in a series of Instagram posts, claiming a staff member threatened to call the police when she slept past her check out time.

Last Monday night, the tour stopped at Mansfield. After their performance the cast and crew travelled to Northampton where they stayed in a Travelodge, ready for their Tuesday performance in the town.

But Helen took to her Instagram on Tuesday afternoon to complain about her interrupted lie in.

Posting a video from outside the Northampton branch, Helen tagged the hotel chain and wrote 'she was so horrible,' before telling her followers: 'To cut a long story short, on this theatre tour we are staying in these Travelodges. Fine.'

'I got woke up this morning, I'm due on my period and I've not been sleeping properly so I basically went to bed at half one and woke up at 12. I literally woke up to this woman at 12 o'clock banging on my door, telling me to open the door.'

Helen continued: 'I went "oh hi sorry". She said "checkout is at 12". I said "sorry I didn't know, I'll just have a quick shower and go". She said "no you can't have a shower, you need to get out now before I ring the police."'

It comes after Helen criticised hotel chain Travelodge in a series of Instagram posts, claiming a staff member threatened to call the police when she slept past her check out time

'I literally woke up to this woman at 12 o'clock banging on my door, telling me to open the door' Helen said. 'She said "you need to get out now before I ring the police"'

In another video Helen revealed that her friend Matt Wright 'came to save me'. She laughed as she explained: 'The reason why I'm crying is because I'm due on my period and I don't like being away from my kids.'

'All I need is a bit of respect, not to be woken up in the morning when I'm trying to have a lie-in and told to get out and I can't have a shower.'

She later lamented that 'it gets worse' after realising there were no shower facilities at the theatre.

A Travelodge spokesperson told the Daily Mail: 'We are sorry to hear that Helen was disappointed with her stay. We have reached out to her directly and are speaking with the hotel team to understand what happened on this occasion.'

Helen is busy working on her panto tour as well juggling parenting and promo duties for her next TV project - Celebrity Ex On The Beach.

The actress has joined the Paramount+ reality series alongside TOWIE's Dani Imbert, 27, John Grimes, 34, one half of twin duo Jedward, and Love Island star Toby Aromolaran.

On the explosive dating show, filmed in sunny Tenerife, Helen will come face-to-face with her former flames, which could include her ex-fiance Scott Sinclair or even boxer David Haye.

Helen's 13-year relationship with Scott, with whom she shares three children, ended in 2022.

Earlier this year, she laid bare the depth of her feelings for David in her autobiography Head & Heart, admitting she fell 'deeply in love' with the former world champion, though their romance proved complicated.

Now embarking on another search for love - having previously appeared on Celebs Go Dating - Helen has revealed she hopes to settle down with someone in the public eye, admitting she fears being taken advantage of outside the spotlight.

The latest series will also feature Married At First Sight UK star Amy Kenyon, 28, and Love Is Blind contestant Freddie Powell, 32, while comedian Daisy May Cooper joins as the show's new narrator.
Sydney socialite Annabelle Price has been found dead in her apartment in the beachside Sydney suburb of Maroubra.

Police were called to the home of the glamorous 34-year-old for a welfare check last Sunday, where they discovered Price's body.

'About 2.40pm (on March 29), officers from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command responded to reports of a concern for welfare at a unit on Wride Street, Maroubra,' a NSW Police statement, obtained by The Daily Telegraph, read.

'With assistance of Police Rescue, entry was forced into the unit where the body of a woman aged in her 30s was located.'

NSW Police shared that while a 'crime scene was established' there are 'no suspicious circumstances' involved.

A report is being prepared for the information of the coroner.

Sydney socialite Annabelle Price (pictured) has been found dead in her apartment in the beachside Sydney suburb of Maroubra

Police were called to the home of the glamorous 34-year-old for a welfare check last Sunday. NSW Police shared that while a 'crime scene was established' there are 'no suspicious circumstances' involved

Price was well known in Sydney's social circles and had made headlines for her colourful, and often troubled, romantic history.

The ex-model made a name for herself dating the Harbour City's wealthy financiers.

Price shared two children with her private wealth advisor ex-husband Freddie Blencke.

The pair split in 2020 after what was a tumultuous relationship which included accusations of assault.

Blencke, who had maintained his innocence, was cleared of assaulting his wife and breaching an AVO in 2022.

Before calling time on their marriage, Blencke and Price tied the knot in an intimate wedding at Maison des Polytechniciens in Paris.

Price again made headlines in 2022 when friends said the mum-of-two had been displaying 'impulsive' and 'out-of-character' behaviour following an incident on Mark Taylor's multimillion-dollar One O One superyacht.

She had reportedly argued with Taylor's model girlfriend Anna Kedzior over a pair of expensive designer sunglasses.

Price shared two children with her private wealth advisor ex-husband Freddie Blencke (left)

The pair split in 2020 after what was a tumultuous relationship

In 2023, Price announced her engagement to investor Tom Fennell (left), who was 14 years her senior. That relationship is believed to have since ended on poor terms

In 2023, Price announced her engagement to investor Tom Fennell, who was 14 years her senior.

Fennell, 52, known as a 'playboy' investor, is the managing director of Tama Capitol investment group.

He was previously married to charity fundraiser and Real Housewives of Sydney star Vanessa Fennell.

The former couple also split in 2020 and are understood to be divorced.

According to reports, Price and her two children moved into Fennell's Rose Bay apartment in 2023.

That relationship is believed to have since ended on poor terms.

If you or anyone you know needs immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
Jamie Laing declared 'vulnerability is cool' in an emotional clip on Sunday, just hours after a TV gaffe left him red faced.

The Made In Chelsea star, 37, was presenting Channel 4's Saturday coverage of The Boat Race when he announced the wrong runner-up before being forced to apologise for a member of the winning Oxford team swearing during a live interview.

Following the mishap Jamie took to his Instagram Stories with a clip from his and wife Sophie Habboo's new series Disney+ series Raising Chelsea.

The show which follows the couple ahead of welcoming son Ziggy, now four months, saw Jamie break down as he revealed his nerves over becoming a first time father.

Choking back tears he told Sophie: 'I'm feeling a bit lonely because I am struggling with the idea of parenthood because you feel a bit lonely in that sense.'

To which she replied: 'First of all you're going to be an amazing father, what are you worried about? You're going to be amazing, you are without a doubt the most loving person I have ever met in my life.'

Jamie Laing declared 'vulnerability is cool' in an emotional clip on Sunday, just hours after a TV gaffe left him red-faced

He captioned the post: 'Vulnerability is cool Raising Chelsea is on Disney+ Happy Easter'.

Jamie had been presenting for the broadcaster at the historic event, which Channel 4 were showing for the first time after winning rights from the BBC.

Cambridge University won the men's race, after Oxford's women claimed their first victory since 2016.

He interviewed victorious Oxford womens cox Louis Corrigan post-race and was quick to apologise when his interviewee uttered an expletive on live television.

When responding to Jamie's question about race tactics, Corrigan said: 'Just holding them where they needed to be, just managing how much stream we can get, how much rough water we can cope with and narrowing that down just right.

'I think we did that really well and we held them at bay. What a f***ing awesome day.'

Jamie quickly responded: 'Excuse for the language, we are celebrating it's okay.'

Presenter Clare Balding later had to issue another apology over swearing, after a member of the Cambridge team was heard shouting 'Lets f***ing go' during their post-match interview after winning the men's event.

Following the mishap Jamie took to his Instagram Stories with a clip from his and wife Sophie Habboo's new series Disney+ series Raising Chelsea

He was presenting Channel 4's coverage of the Boat Race when he announced the wrong runner-up before being forced to apologise for a member of the winning team swearing

Jamie later also had to apologise for mistakenly offering his commiserations to Cambridge as the losers of the men's event during the live presentation.

'Sorry, my mistake. That's a typo,' he said, as the camera panned to the bemused Cambridge crew amid laughter from amongst the crowd before announcing the losing crew were, in fact, Oxford.

Cambridge were heavily fancied to win, but Oxford put up a fight in the first half of the race before falling away.

Both teams had to be warned by the umpire multiple times for drifting over as they competed for prime real estate on the river, which was battered by southwesterly winds.

In the end Cambridge completed the four-mile, 374-yard course with a time of 17:56:84, 11.02 seconds ahead of their competitors, in front of thousands of riverside spectators. They have dominated the men's event in recent history, claiming seven wins in eight years. Overall, they lead 90-81.

Noam Mouelle, who has won his fourth Boat Race with Cambridge, said: 'Feeling amazing. It was a super hard race. Everyone was blowing halfway through the race but everyone had done the job early so no problem. We just had to make no mistakes. Great race.

'It'll take a bit of time to realise it. The goal was to get the job done.'

Victorious cox Sammy Houdaigui said: 'That was a fantastic race. All credit to Oxford and their eight rowers. We knew we had the right athletes in the boat. I love these guys. Hats off to Oxford.'
Denise Van Outen flaunted her jaw-dropping figure in slew of sizzling snaps as she celebrated the Easter Bank Holiday in Cheltenham amid her UK DJ tour.

The actress, 51, looked sensational in A skimpy black mini dress and fishnets, which she teamed with a pair of lace bunny ears.

Slipping her long toned legs into fishnets and her feet into metallic heels, she completed the look with a pair of fingerless leather gloves.

The stunner posed up a storm in her lavish hotel room before later hitting the decs with fellow DJ and close pal Jemma Bolt.

Later the duo playfully posed for for more snaps in the bathtub as they wrapped themselves up in fluffy towels.

Denise captioned the post: 'That was a very GOOD FRIDAY @dunkertonspark @discoliscious So much fun with @jemmabolt & @lpradelska The best stay @no131cheltenham the bed was next level comfy Cant wait for the next one!'.

Denise Van Outen flaunted her jaw-dropping figure in slew of sizzling snaps as she celebrated the Easter Bank Holiday in Cheltenham amid her UK DJ tour

The songstress, 51, looked sensational as she slipped into a skimpy black mini dress and fishnets, which she teamed with a pair of lace bunny ears

It comes after Denise has revealed she's secretly dating a mystery man, but is delighted by the fact that he has 'no interest' in the spotlight. You can read the full story here.

She previously admitted relying on dating apps to meet men as finding potential suitors has become harder since moving to the countryside.

The presenter joined exclusive dating app Raya in 2024 and admitted at the time that without it, she wouldn't have much of a love life as meeting guys 'in real life' is not as easy while living in rural Kent.

She told The Sun: 'Actually, for me, dating apps are a really good thing. I don't know how else I would meet people if I wasn't doing that.'

'When I was younger, there was the option to go out, but now I live in the country, it's not like I'm able to just go to the pub,' she added.

'Even if I went to my local, they're all my neighbours who I know anyway, so that's of no value to me.'

The performer said being a single mother to her daughter Betsy, 15 - who she shares with ex-husband Lee Mead - makes it harder to meet new people as she can't go out at night.

Referencing the end of her engagement to Eddie Boxhall, after discovering he had been unfaithful, she previously told Fabulous magazine: 'I'm not fussed either way now.

'I'm really good friends with Tamzin Outhwaite and we were saying: ''Isn't it nice to actually just be loving life and not feel pressured to have to be in a relationship or be with someone?'' I've learned to be on my own and be content.

'This industry can feel pressurised, and then when things go wrong, it's so public. You worry that people see you as a failure.

'I wonder if people say: ''Why can't she hold down a relationship? History keeps repeating itself'', but I'm not chasing it now.'

The stunner posed up a storm in her lavish hotel room before later hitting the decs with fellow DJ Jemma Bolt (pictured left)

Later the duo playfully posed for for more snaps in the bathtub as they wrapped themselves up in fluffy towels

Denise captioned the post: 'That was a very GOOD FRIDAY

She added that her relationship with Eddie only got cut short because of what she discovered he had done, admitting that was the 'sad part' of the break-up.

Denise said she was 'back to square one' but was trying to keep a 'positive outlook' and 'have an open heart'.

After her devastating split from Eddie, Denise found love again with Jimmy in July 2022, but they split after 18 months together.

Denise went public with property developer Jimmy, 55, that summer after her split from her love rat ex Eddie, who she was with for seven years.

She ended her relationship with the commodities trader in January 2022 after discovering unfaithful messages.

Eddie moved out of Denise's home following their shock split and was thought to be staying with friends.
Jacquline Jossa put on a brave face as she whisked her daughters off on a 'girly trip' to Cornwall over Easter following her split from husband Dan Osbourne.

The EastEnders star, 33, took to Instagram with a montage of the getaway which saw them stay in a top of the range chalet and take in the local sights.

Jacqueline, Ella, 11, and seven-year-old Mia, were joined by cousins as they enjoyed a spot of surfing in Newquay before playing in nearby parks and amusement arcades.

The actress captioned the post: 'First trip to Cornwall, cousins and girly trip. We stayed at the amazing @hendraholidays which I cannot recommend enough,

'The staff were so amazing and it was so brilliant to the kids! We had 2-11 year olds with us and there was honestly something for everyone. Not an ad, just mentioning because if you are heading to Cornwall which I cant believe Ive never done before!!

She went on: 'You should definitely take a look to stay here. It was close to everything too. The girls had the best time and we are definitely heading back to Newquay as soon as we can'.

Jacquline Jossa put on a brave face as she whisked her daughters off on a 'girly trip' to Cornwall over Easter following her split from husband Dan Osbourne

The EastEnders star, 33, took to Instagram with a montage of the getaway which saw them stay in a top of the range chalet and take in the local sights

'I have so many videos of the views etc so I am gonna have to make another Cornwall video'.

The couple have gone their separate ways after almost nine years of marriage following a turbulent relationship, which was plagued with claims of Dan's infidelity.

It has been revealed that Jacqueline was unable to move past her husband's past daliances during their relationship and he could no longer cope with her 'behaviour'.

A Mail+ article revealed that the ending came months ago, with a quiet admission from Dan that, after years of trying to repair the damage caused by his past, he simply 'couldn't do it anymore'. The full report is available here.

The couple have faced their difficulties over the years, with their marriage plagued by cheating allegations against Dan.

He was accused of having a fling with Love Island: All Stars winner Gabby Allen, 34, in 2018 after they were pictured cosying up together on a yacht in Marbella.

The former ITVBe star was also accused of sleeping with a mystery woman months after his wedding to Jac, and partaking in a threesome with Celebrity Big Brother model Chloe Ayling, 28, and US reality TV star Natalie Nunn, 41, which he denied.

Six months later, he was seen kissing 2018 Love Islander Alexandra Cane on a London night out.

Jacqueline, Ella, 11, and seven-year-old Mia, were joined by cousins as they enjoyed a spot of surfing in Newquay before playing in nearby parks and amusement arcades

Jacqueline gushed over daughter Ella being a 'born surfer girl' and vowed to explore more of England with the pair

There was also plenty of Cornish ice cream to enjoy

The actress captioned the post: 'First trip to Cornwall, cousins and girly trip. We stayed at the amazing @hendraholidays which I cannot recommend enough'

In 2019, during Jacqueline's appearance on I'm A Celebrity, her fellow campmate Myles Stephenson, 34, who had previously dated Gabby, told the EastEnders star he believed Dan had cheated with the Islander.

A year later, Dan finally confessed to making 'mistakes' and said 'I've done things I shouldn't have done'.

He even admitted that if Jacqueline had behaved the same way he did, he would have walked out on their relationship, saying: 'If it was the other way around I'd be gone.'

However, over the years, Jacqueline publicly supported her husband and they tried to rebuild their relationship and move forward.

When she reprised her role as Lauren Branning and returned full-time to Eastenders in 2023, the balance of their family life shifted, with Dan increasingly taking on day-to-day responsibilities at home and childcare.

Alongside daughters Ella and Mia, Dan also continued to co-parent his son Teddy, 12, from his previous relationship with Megan Tomlin.

The couple split when Megan was pregnant and Dan was already seeing Jacqueline by the time Teddy was born in December 2013.

The couple have gone their separate ways after almost nine years of marriage following a turbulent relationship, which was plagued with claims of Dan's infidelity (pictured 2020)

Two years later Dan popped the question during a romantic getaway to Greece and they tied the knot two years later at Cheshire Manor House.

In 2015 they also welcomed their first daughter together, Ella Selina and their second daughter Mia was born in 2018.

The pair split eight months into Jacqueline's second pregnancy after enduring a 'string of heated rows'.

The Daily Mail exclusively revealed at the time that the star had contacted a mystery girl to quiz her over an alleged night of passion with her estranged husband.

Jacqueline had heard on the grapevine that Dan had allegedly had sex with the woman during the summer prior, just months after their fairytale wedding.

In her message, the actress demanded to know if there was truth in the matter, insisting that she won't be angry with her if there is.

Speaking to The Daily Mail, the woman claimed she had a one-night stand with Dan after being mutual friends for a while, and meeting by chance in an Essex bar.

She alleged that the former TOWIE star told her that he was 'on a break from Jacqueline and things weren't working out' when they met.
Katie Price's husband Lee Andrews suffered another awkward AI gaffe after he posted a clip of himself 'shopping' in Marks & Spencer - despite being banned from leaving Dubai.

The former glamour model, 47, initially tied the knot with the so-called businessman, 42, in January just weeks after meeting, before holding a second, legal ceremony  much to the shock and concern of fans and family, due to reports of Lee being a scammer - something which he denies.

While Lee has presented himself as a high-flying business mogul, the Daily Mail previously shattered the illusion by revealing he has been banned from leaving Dubai after spending three weeks locked up in a UAE jail for allegedly forging his ex-girlfriend's signature to secure a 200,000 loan.

Ever since their wedding he has made various claims that he will return to the UK to be with Katie, including a snap of Wednesday implying he was at an airport.

On Sunday, Lee appeared to insinuate he was in the UK as he uploaded a clip on his Insta stories checking out lunches from the British supermarket's new High Protein range.

However, Katie's fans duly noted the video was generated by AI, with a watermark: 'not real AI generated' present over the clip.

Katie Price's husband Lee Andrews suffered another awkward AI gaffe after he posted a clip of himself 'shopping' in Marks & Spencer - despite being banned from leaving Dubai

On Sunday, Lee uploaded a clip on his Insta stories checking out lunches from their supermarket's new High Protein range

Other details included several spelling mistakes on the packaging, including 'bon5 broth' and 'pootem' instead of protein.

Since Lee married the glamour model in January, the businessman has boasted of a string of attributes, including the ability to speak 12 languages and working with Kris Jenner, but these have since been proven as untrue.

Lee - who is a self-proclaimed 'millionaire' - has also faced accusations that he took $1000 from another woman and has thus far failed to pay her back - he denied the claims on Instagram soon after.

Just this week, Lee took to Instagram to share a snap of himself in the gym, with one telling sign giving away that it was generated by AI.

The now-deleted image showed Lee posing in the gym's mirror, but in the reflection behind him, his real appearance was on display.

Lee's latest lies were exposed after he stumbled through a car crash interview attempting to justify his latest claims.

The so-called businessman has boasted himself quite the linguist and claimed to speak 12 languages fluently, however when asked to show off his skills, he struggled through just three.

Lee has also said he 'works closely' with Kim Kardashian's mother, Kris Jenner, which a source close to the billionaire family denying this to Daily Mail.

However, Katie's fans duly noted the video was generated by AI, with a watermark: 'not real AI generated' present over the clip

Since he married the glamour model (pictured) in January, the businessman has boasted of a string of attributes, but these have since been proven as untrue

Just this week, Lee took to Instagram to share a snap of himself in the gym, with one telling sign giving away that it was generated by AI

Lee has used AI to replicate the image of the background with a new version of himself in the foreground - but it's easy to spot!

In his latest interview Lee managed to speak about his wife in Spanish, despite referring to her incorrectly as his girlfriend, before the wheels came off when he was asked to do the same in Hindi and Arabic.

He told The Sun: 'I don't know the word for woman in Hindi. Hindi, I'm going to struggle with because it's like broken down. And anyone who listens to Hindi will say, 'that's not right' and I want to get it right. But let me try it in Hindi for you'.

He then went on to claim he found speaking Russian easier with Russian people as he can 'bounce off them'.

Elsewhere in the interview Lee claimed of working with Kris: 'I work with her mother directly. Kim, or should we say her mother, who manages most of her outlets...from what I understand, Kim doesn't have a voice. Kim. And obviously they've got their legal team.'

Last week Lee admitted he lied on his CV as he addressed fraud allegations after it was previously claimed that he spent three weeks locked up in a Dubai jail.

This was as a result of him allegedly forging his ex-girlfriend's signature to take out a 200,000 loan in her name and has been banned from leaving the United Arab Emirates. He denies this.
Nicola Peltz appeared to hit back at the Beckhams as she shared a snap of her extravagant Easter basket on Sunday.

Victoria Beckham, 51, had taken to Instagram earlier in the day to show off a host of personalised hampers for the Beckham family  including husband David, daughter Harper, sons Romeo and Cruz and their girlfriends Kim Turnbull and Jackie Apostel.

But their estranged son Brooklyn and his wife Nicola's names were noticeably absent amid the bitter feud.

Now Nicola has shared an insight into her and Brooklyn's separate Easter celebrations in an apparent swipe.

She posted a picture of two Easter baskets, one blue and one pink, filled to the brim with chocolate goodies, flowers and gifts.

The two baskets were in stark comparison to Victoria's meticulously laid out, personalised hampers  featuring Cadbury's Mini Eggs Easter eggs with each person's name printed on them as well as a canvas shopping bag full of wrapped gifts.

Nicola Peltz appeared to hit back at the Beckhams as she shared a snap of her extravagant Easter basket on Sunday

The two baskets were in stark comparison to Victoria's meticulously laid out, personalised hampers - featuring Mini Eggs Easter eggs with each person's name

Victoria and David Beckham celebrated Easter with the rest of the Beckham family in Miami.

The family flew out to America to celebrate the opening of Inter Miami's new $750million (566.5m) Nu Stadium in the Freedom Park entertainment district, on Saturday.

In January, Brooklyn, 27, released an explosive six-page statement aimed at his parents, where he revealed he did not wish to reconcile with his family.

Victoria shared an insight into the festivities on her Instagram stories.

In one photo, Posh Spice rocked a stripy dressing gown and bunny ears as she showed off everyone's bespoke gifts, with eggs for David, 50, sons Romeo, 23, Cruz, 21, and daughter Harper, 14.

There were also Cadbury's eggs and presents in personalised tote bags for Cruz's girlfriend, Jackie Apostel, 30, and Romeo's girlfriend, Kim Turnbull, 24.

Both joined the family in flying out to support David for his team's stadium opening.

Victoria also shared a sweet snap of David posing with a Country Life magazine and Cadbury Easter eggs.

She captioned the post: 'Happy Easter!!!'

Nicola posted a picture of two Easter baskets, one blue and one pink, filled to the brim with chocolate goodies, flowers and gifts

Victoria also shared a sweet snap of David posing with a Country Life magazine and Cadbury Easter eggs. She captioned the post: 'Happy Easter!!!'

Cruz also reshared a picture of himself and Harper at the family's 60million mansion

Cruz also reshared a picture of himself and Harper at the family's 60million mansion.

The family get-together highlighted Brooklyn and wife Nicola's absence.

The couple, who are based in America, snubbed the occasion despite it being another opportunity to reconnect.

Earlier in the day, Victoria shared a gushing tribute to her husband David after the stadium's ribbon-cutting ceremony prior to the MLS match between Inter Miami CF and Austin FC at Nu Stadium.

Victoria shared a snap of the family all posing together at the stadium, and another of her and David holding hands, with the fashion designer gazing lovingly at her beaming husband.

His sons were also quick to show their support, with Romeo sharing a picture of his father at the stadium, while Cruz shared a number of snaps of the venue.

Meanwhile, over in West Hollywood, eldest child Brooklyn appeared tense during a phone call outside the Sunset Plaza Hotel on Friday evening, as he was spotted pacing and animatedly moving his arms during the lengthy conversation.
The war in Iran is threatening to split the conservative movement, dividing it between those who see it as Donald Trumps breaking of a promise against new wars and those who see it as a necessary confrontation long overdue.

Progressives, predictably, frame it as another Middle Eastern adventure driven by Israel. Anti-war libertarians call it regime change in a new dress.

And across the world, from Brazil to Beijing, London to Karachi, the argument is the same: America is fighting Israels war.

But this isnt true. And the confusion matters, because if you misread what this war is actually about, you will misread everything that follows.

This is not a war about Israel. This is not a war for Israels sake. Israel is a beneficiary, a capable and willing local partner, but it is not the reason America is in this fight. America is playing a much bigger game, about more than what happens in the Middle East. The subtext, that Israel exercises outsize influence or drags Americans into wars they dont want, borders on the conspiratorial.

This isnt one war, but two.

Two Geopolitical Chessboards Shape the Conflict

There is a regional chessboard, on which Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the other Gulf states all play. Irans proxies, its drones and ballistic missiles, its nuclear ambitions, its funding of Hezbollah and the Houthis. All of that belongs primarily to this smaller game. Israel has always understood this board. So have the Saudis. So has everyone in the neighbourhood.

But there is a second chessboard, vastly larger, on which the United States and China are the primary players. On this board, the central question of the next 30 years is being worked out: whether the American-led global order survives, or whether China displaces it. Every American foreign policy decision, from the pivot to Asia to the tariff wars to the posture in the Pacific, is ultimately a move on this board.

America is in this fight because of China. Specifically, it is about dismantling the most significant Chinese forward base outside of East Asia.

Iran, for most of its history as an adversary of the United States, existed only on the smaller board. It was a headache. It was a regional destabiliser. It funded terrorism, harassed shipping, threatened Americas allies, and kept the Middle East expensive and unpredictable.

Irans Shift From Regional Problem to Strategic Factor

But it was not, in any direct sense, a threat to American primacy on the global stage. It was Israels problem, the Gulf states problem, and only tangentially Washingtons.

That changed when Iran made one of the most consequential strategic miscalculations of the century.

Squeezed by decades of American sanctions and increasingly isolated, Iran turned to China as its economic lifeline. The relationship deepened rapidly.

Today, roughly 90 per cent of Irans crude oil exports go to China, processed through Chinese refineries that operate beyond the reach of American sanctions enforcement. That oil revenue supplies around a quarter of Irans budget, a huge portion of which is spent on its military forces. Without Beijing, the regime cannot pay its security forces, cannot subsidise basic goods, and would soon face the kind of internal collapse that its own ideology has spent 40 years trying to prevent.

In other words, Iran has become  has made itself  utterly dependent on China.

China, for its part, was not being charitable. It was being strategic. Iranian oil, sold cheaply because Tehran has no other buyers, has helped Beijing build a strategic petroleum reserve exceeding a billion barrels, enough to sustain the Chinese economy for roughly 100 days in the event of a naval blockade.

Iranian Oil as Beijings Strategic Hedge

Chinas single greatest vulnerability is the American Navys ability to interdict its energy imports, especially at vulnerable choke points like the Malacca Straits. Iranian oil, flowing outside American oversight, was a direct hedge against that vulnerability. (So, by the way, was Venezuelas, another US operation that was ultimately about containing China.)

But the energy relationship was only part of the picture. China was also arming Iran with systems designed to threaten commercial and American military assets.

Reports emerged in February of a near-finalised deal to supply Iran with supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles capable of speeds exceeding Mach 3 and engineered to evade the Aegis defence systems deployed on American carrier strike groups.

China was replacing Iranian government and military software with closed Chinese systems, hardening Iran against CIA and Mossad cyber operations. Joint naval exercises between China, Russia, and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz were becoming regular events, building real-time operational familiarity between the three navies.

Iran had switched from the GPS system to the Chinese BeiDou system. And Iran was providing China with the port at Jask, as part of Chinas string of pearls base system in the Indian Ocean.

The picture that emerges from all of this is, as I have said, of a Chinese forward base, a lynchpin of the countrys naval architecture; cyber efforts; an economic Belt and Road influence programme  every element of Chinese power projection and empire-building  positioned at the throat of the global oil supply, armed with weapons designed to penetrate American defences and kill American sailors, and embedded in a strategic architecture whose explicit purpose is to constrain American military freedom in any future conflict over Taiwan.

Irans Transformation Into a Direct US Strategic Concern

When Iran began to look like that, it stopped being Israels problem and became Americas.

The administration itself has struggled to explain this, and its not clear why.

On March 2, Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained that the US had launched pre-emptive strikes against Iran because the administration knew an Israeli attack was imminent and wanted to prevent automatic Iranian retaliation against American bases. He said intelligence showed Iran had pre-delegated orders to military commanders to strike US assets the moment the regime was attacked by any party.

Rubio emphasised that the US chose to destroy Irans offensive capabilities first rather than sit there and absorb a blow that would have resulted in higher damage to American personnel.

Its hard to take this explanation at face value. If the trigger was simply an Israeli strike, America could have told the Israelis to sit tight. Its done it before, repeatedly and even recently.

And it doesnt fit the nature of the war. For one thing, American media reports tell us that America, not Israel, chose the timing.

Reliable sources tell us the CIA, not Mossad, tracked Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to the Saturday meeting of Iranian military leaders struck by Israel, and Trump, not Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, pulled the trigger on the joint attack.

The Americans went to war together with the Israelis because thats the best way to fight a war like this.

The Strategic Value of Local Allies in Modern Warfare

Having a capable and loyal local ally willing to deal damage and absorb blowback lowers the costs to America and increases the chances of success. If America ever finds itself in a kinetic fight with China, it presumably expects Japan and Taiwan and South Korea to play a similar role in the fighting.

But American forces have used this operation to target Iranian military positions and assets that have nothing to do with the Israeli-Iranian face-off.

In the first 24 hours of the war, American strikes, as confirmed by US Central Command (CENTCOM), focused on Iranian naval vessels, submarines, ports, and anti-ship missile positions along the southern coast.

The port of Bandar Abbas, headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, was hit. So was Jask, which China had hoped would become a permanent naval foothold on the Indian Ocean. Isfahan and Tabriz, hubs of ballistic missile production and drone assembly, were struck.

The goal, explicitly stated by US officials, was not merely to degrade stockpiles but to destroy the industrial base from which those weapons are produced, so China cannot spend the next few years quietly rebuilding it.

President Trump announced the operation in terms that could not have been more direct, explicitly mentioning elements of Iranian power  the navy, the missile production sites  that would serve as that second front in a war with China.

Russia and China Avoid Direct Involvement

One of the more revealing subplots of this war has been the behaviour of Irans supposed allies. Russia signed a comprehensive strategic partnership with Iran in January of last year. China has been Irans economic patron for years. And yet when the bombs started falling, neither moved.

Russian radar systems in Syria went dark, transponders reportedly switched off, apparently to avoid accidentally drawing American or Israeli fire. China issued statements. Neither fired a shot in Irans defence.

This matters beyond the immediate moment. The entire architecture of the alternative world order that China has been constructing  BRICS (the Belt and Road Initiative), the network of partnerships meant to demonstrate there is a credible alternative to American-led institutions  rests on the assumption that China is a reliable partner.

Every government, from Central Asia to sub-Saharan Africa to Latin America, is now watching China leave its closest Middle Eastern ally to burn. That is a blow to Chinese soft power that no diplomatic offensive can easily repair. It is an American success that will be felt for years, irrespective of how the Iran operation turns out.

America, meanwhile, has demonstrated something important: that it retains both the will and the capability to act decisively when its core interests are genuinely threatened. Not Israels interests. Not abstract liberal internationalist ideals. American interests, defined coldly and specifically.

None of this means the war is without risk. Strikes on Saudi oil infrastructure, Houthi threats to close the Bab el Mandeb Straits, the escalation in Lebanon: these are real dangers, and the costs of miscalculation are enormous.

Why Washington Now Sees Iran as a Strategic Threat

Iran, aware that it is facing an existential moment, is doing what cornered regimes do, setting as many fires as possible in the hope that the pain forces a negotiated exit. And we cannot forget the risk shouldered by Israeli civilians.

But the logic of the American position is not difficult to follow once youre looking at the right chessboard. Iran embedded itself so deeply in Chinas strategic architecture over the past couple of years that removing it became a prerequisite for American freedom of action in East Asia.

This is also why President Trump seems to be pursuing a strange sort of regime change  something very different from what George W. Bush or the neocons meant by the term.

Trump doesnt care one whit about democratisation, or, as Venezuela showed us, about changing any element of a regime that doesnt stand in Americas way.

Hes interested in regime change in Iran only because it is, in its founding theology, unswervingly anti-American. It is thus not swayable from the Chinese orbit by any other means. He doesnt need a democratic Iran, he just needs a not-anti-American Iran.

It must be said: Israel is also at war with Iran, and has focused its strikes on Iranian targets that specifically threaten Israel, such as the ballistic missile launchers.

But there are nevertheless two different wars underway in Iran, each taking place on very different strategic scales.

The Administrations Reluctance to State Its Strategy

The best-case scenario that could emerge from this war is a stable, democratic-leaning, US-orientated Iran, a more secure Gulf, a weakened Hezbollah and thus a more stable and successful Lebanon, a more secure Israel  and above all, a China less able to threaten Americas Pacific allies.

None of that is nation-building. There is no Marshall Plan in the wings, no democratic project, no idealism of the kind that animated the adventures in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is colder and more coherent. So why cant Secretary Rubio say it? Why hem and haw?

One obvious answer: they dont want to push the Chinese to more overt responses. One should always give ones enemy an excuse not to respond in kind. Its a sensible ambiguity on the world stage, but its causing damage at home. It may be time for the administration to speak clearly on its strategy  in articulated statements that answer the good-faith questions of many Americans.

Once you understand the real reasons for America to strike now, everything else about this conflict clicks into place. The loudest voices in the debate are still arguing about the smaller chessboard. The war is being fought on the larger one.
A prolific professor dubbed 'China's Nostradamus' predicted that Donald Trump would win the 2024 presidential election and go to war with Iran; his next prediction presents a chilling forecast for what is to come.

Professor Xueqin Jiang has been at the forefront of several political predictions that have since come true on his YouTube and Substack series, Predictive History.

Jiang is a Beijing-based educator and writer. He is also on the research team for Harvard's Global Education Innovation Initiative, has authored a book on education reform, and coordinated study abroad programs at China's most prestigious schools.

Jiang publishes his lessons for free online, and in 2024 he posted a lesson titled 'The Iran Trap.'

A predicted collapse

The video has received millions of views, with people now flocking to the lesson after military tensions escalated in the Middle East last weekend.

Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu struck Iran in a coordinated military effort to destroy the country's nuclear capabilities after diplomatic negotiations failed.

Iran retaliated with a barrage of military strikes against countries in the Middle East that house US military bases.

The strikes in Iran also killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei. Heightened tension in the region has led to fears of a full-blown war.

'If Trump were to win a second term, he would likely contemplate invading Iran. While an initial invasion would seem successful, American forces would quickly become bogged down in Iran's mountainous terrain,' Jiang wrote in the description of the lesson.

The professor predicted at the time that Trump would justify the war as a means of bringing democracy to the region and taking out Iran's nuclear capabilities.

Echoes of alcibiades

After the initial strikes in Iran on February 28, Trump issued a defiant video message justifying the attack, echoing similar themes that Jiang predicted.

'It has always been the policy of the United States, in particular my administration, that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon. I'll say it again, they can never have a nuclear weapon,' the president said.

Trump also denounced the Iranian regime, arguing that military force was in America's best interest.

Jiang argued in his lecture series that the military conflict would eventually mirror Athens' invasion of Sicily in 415 BCE.

The invasion occurred during the Peloponnesian War. Commanders Alcibiades and Nicias launched an ambitious effort, but underestimated their opponents' power, which ultimately weakened the Athenian empire.

Manifesting conflict

Jiang noted three major forces pushing the US toward war with Iran. He said the first was the Israel lobby, including AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee), which he argued wants a war in the Middle East to advance its interests.

The professor said the next two forces were America's desire to be a global empire and Iran's conflict with Saudi Arabia.

'America is now addicted to empire, because empire represents easy money. All money has to be channeled through the US,' Jiang continued.

He argued that Saudi Arabia threatens the existence of Iran. The two countries have long engaged in a proxy war, with Saudi Arabian forces fighting rebel groups supported by Iran, and Iranian forces fighting insurgent groups supported by Saudi Arabia.

'How these three forces manifest themselves is through Trump, so basically Trump is their champion,' Jiang continued.

The 2027 invasion timeline

He noted that Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is friends with Netanyahu, and Kushner's father was a prominent sponsor of AIPAC.

Later on in the lecture, Jiang predicted that Trump would launch a 'full-scale US invasion of Iran' in March 2027, with the partnership of Israel and Saudi Arabia, as well as the support of the United Kingdom, Australia, the United Arab Emirates and Poland.

He said he believed the announcement would be televised, and Trump would justify the invasion by claiming the Iranian people wanted democracy and freedom.

Jiang lectured that the US would frame the military conflict as a means of liberating the Iranian people and destroying nuclear capabilities in Iran.

The Trump administration has scaled back rhetoric advocating for regime change in Iran, but has still floated the idea of intervening in Iranian politics.

Jiang made a third chilling prediction in 2024. In addition to Trump's victory and the war in Iran, the professor said he believed that the US would lose the war.

Cripple the west

During a recent interview with Breaking Points, Jiang said he stood by his initial prediction, noting that Iran had 'many more advantages' over the US.

He argued that Iran has been preparing for a conflict with the US and has generated power through their proxies, including militant groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.

'The United States military is not designed to fight a 21st century war,' Jiang continued.

He explained that American military strategy is designed for 'muscle flexing' and is not sustainable, adding that the worst calamity for the US would be to send ground troops to Iran.

Jiang predicted that American allies, like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, will eventually push the US to either send ground troops or bribe Iran to stop launching strikes across the Middle East.

When asked why the US would engage in a war abroad, Jiang speculated that the successful capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro made Trump 'overconfident'.

Emergency war powers

The professor added that if ground troops are sent to Iran, Trump could request approval from Congress for emergency war powers, which could grant him a third term.

'If there's a war going on and you can delay elections and you have emergency war powers and people rally around the flag, then he probably will get a third term,' Jiang predicted.

Franklin D Roosevelt served four terms during World War II, but the 22nd Amendment was later passed to prohibit presidents from exceeding term limits even during wartime.

However, Trump has previously floated the idea. He joked during a joint press briefing with President Volodymyr Zelensky: 'So, let me just say, three-and-a-half years from now if we happen to be in a war with somebody, no more elections. Oh, thats good.'

The Trump administration has touted that the conflict in Iran is going as they planned. The president announced a 'new phase' in the joint war on Friday.

He's since ruled out negotiations with Iran, calling for an 'unconditional surrender' as military strikes continue across the Middle East.

Share your thoughts with us in the comments
JERUSALEM, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Israel has killed Mohammad Reza Ashrafi Kahi, head of commerce at the oil headquarters of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Israeli military said on Sunday.

Kahi was killed in an airstrike in Tehran on Friday, the military said in a statement.

According to the statement, the oil headquarters supports the IRGC's activities and military buildup through profits from oil sales, bypassing international sanctions.

The strike marks the latest assassination of a senior Iranian official by the Israeli Air Force since the joint U.S.-Israel attack began on Feb. 28, which killed Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and sparked the ongoing conflict. 
The US and Israel's strategy of assassinating religious, political and military leaders in Iran sets a dangerous precedent that could lead to members of their own administrations being targeted, Peter Hitchens has argued.

Speaking on the latest Alas Vine & Hitchens podcast, the longstanding Mail on Sunday columnist said that the policy of taking out foreign rulers could easily be turned on Western nations.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was assassinated in an Israeli missile strike on his home on February 28, 2026.

The Supreme Leader's daughter, granddaughter, daughter-in-law and son-in-law were also killed in the bombardment on his home in Tehran, with a number of other Iranian officials killed over the following month.

While many Iranians celebrated in the streets following the Ayatollah's death, a number of analysts have questioned the tactical shrewdness of forcibly removing an elderly leader who was already facing widespread protests in Iran and turning him into a martyr figure.

Hitchens warns of nightmare scenario from assassination tactics

Hitchens said that the policy of assassinating leaders could lead to a nightmare scenario in which a superpower like China seeks to take out a US President.

'Just imagine, if you would, ten years hence, the Western nations are at war with China over Taiwan, not a totally impossible scenario,' he said on the podcast.

'And one morning, shortly after this war begins, the President of the United States is sitting in the Oval Office in the White House, and he and his entire entourage are killed by a Chinese hypersonic missile.'

Hitchens argues that the US and its allies risk squandering the moral upper-hand if continue to stoop to such methods.

'Whatever moral advantage we may have had, we've sacrificed by using these methods and left it open to any of our future enemies when they develop the same capacity to do the same to us,' he said.

In the event of an attack on US political figures by a foreign power, the mhttps://podfollow.com/alasedia would be in outcry, Hitchens said.

'I have no doubt that the media of the Western countries would be full of horrifying pictures of the carnage and the ruins, and everybody would go on the television, and indeed on social media, to say what a despicable acts this was,' he added.

'I'm pretty certain they'd call it cowardice, and almost certainly they call it barbaric. In my view, they'd be right.

'But the Chinese would would turn around and say, "Well, hang on a minute. You do this too. Why do you complain?"'

While Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was the grand prize for the US and Israeli forces, a spate of other political, religious and military figures have also been targeted in the last month.

Hours after the death of Khamenei, Irans feared national security chief Ali Larijani, thought by many to have been the de facto leader of the country and the architect of its terror, posted a message on social media, swearing revenge.

However, he too was soon assassinated in a secretive operation after Israeli authorities received intelligence that he would travel to one of his hideout apartments near Tehran alongside his son, as opposed to his normal residence.

On Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's command, precise strikes were launched and the mission was soon complete, with one Israeli security source confidently telling Channel 12 in the aftermath: 'There is no way he survived this attack.'

Israel have not been coy about their policy of assassination, with the Prime Minister's office even releasing an image of the PM ordering the death of senior Iranian figures.

Fears grow over rising threat of political assassinations

While a Chinese attack on the US president remains a speculative scenario for the time being, the idea of foreign nations seeking to assassinate foreign political leaders is clearly a prospect many in the Trump administration are already taking seriously.

Speaking after the death of Ali Khamenei, President Trump told ABC News' Jon Karl: 'I got him before he got me. They tried twice. Well, I got him first.'

Nor is this fear new in US political circles.

Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani was assassinated on January 3, 2020 by a US drone strike while travelling to meet Iraqi prime minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi, a strike ordered by President Trump.

Soleimani was commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), with members of group planning to kill Trump's former National Security Advisor John Bolton in retaliation.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said that Shahram Poursafi, who also goes by the name Mehdi Rezayi, attempted to pay individuals in the United States $300,000 to carry out the murder in Washington, D.C. or Maryland.

To hear Peter Hitchens and Sarah Vine debate Britain's nuclear future in full, search for Alas Vine and Hitchens wherever you get your podcasts.

Share your thoughts with us in the comments

Trump slams Netanyahu over Israel's attack on Iranian oil field

President Donald Trump said Thursday that he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister and told him to stop attacking Iran's oil fields, a move that sent fuel prices skyrocketing.

Trump was asked in the Oval Office if he had talked to Bibi after the President sent out a long-winded Truth Social post Wednesday night condemning the dramatic escalation in the Iran war.

An Israeli strike had set ablaze the South Pars, with Iran retaliating against Gulf nations, including on the LNG plant in Qatar.

'Yeah, I did. I did,' Trump said, confirming a conversation with Netanyahu. 'I told them, "don't do that." And he won't do that.

'We didn't discuss, we do - we're independent, we get along great, it's coordinated, but on occasion he'll do something and if I don't like it - so we're not doing that anymore,' the President added.

The Iran war already has Americans feeling pain at the pump, with gas prices up to $3.90 a gallon nationally, compared to the $2.90 a gallon it was costing before the strikes began on February 28.

In his Truth Social post, Trump said the US 'knew nothing' about Israel's plans to hit South Pars, though threatened to 'massively blow up' the whole oil field if Iran were to retaliate again.

'I do not want to authorize this level of violence and destruction because of the long-term implications that it will have on the future of Iran, but if Qatar's LNG is again attacked, I will not hesitate to do so,' Trump warned.

Allies in both the Middle East and Europe were left furious over Israel's move, with French President Emmanuel Macron calling the move 'reckless.'

The leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan and Canada also slammed Iran on Thursday for attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Read the full story here
It's a case with all the hallmarks of a Cold War thriller.

Glamorous blonde sisters Samaneh and Soroor Ghandali were indicted in February on charges of stealing highly sensitive trade secrets from Google and other big tech companies.

But rather than working for Russia or China  both known for their formidable intelligence-gathering abilities  the pair have been linked to the Iranian regime.

Experts warn the revelation could be just a glimpse of something far more alarming: a sprawling Iranian espionage machine operating inside the United States that could help Tehran prosecute the war that's raging in the Middle East.

At the center of that digital battlefield is Charming Kitten, a shadowy hacking unit linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

For more than a decade, the group has targeted US officials, journalists, academics and defense insiders with highly tailored phishing attacks.

Rather than sophisticated hacking techniques, operatives rely on deception  posing as colleagues, researchers or trusted contacts to trick victims into handing over passwords and sensitive information.

The shadowy group has tried to interfere in the 2020 and 2024 US presidential elections and even made off with scripts from HBO show Game of Thrones.

In some cases, they go further still, creating elaborate online personas  including fake profiles featuring attractive women  to build trust before striking.

Soroor Ghandali, 32, is accused along with her sister and brother-in-law of stealing tech secrets from Silicon Valley companies.

Samaneh Ghandali, 41, is also accused of stealing tech secrets from Google and other big tech firms.

Inside Irans Covert Intelligence Operations

Among the profiles used by Iranian operatives were Shir Benzion, a model, human rights activist Elina Noomen, and London-based photographer Mia Ash.

There is no connection between the Ghandali sisters and Charming Kitten, which this month launched a spear-phishing campaign on US think-tank researchers.

But experts told the Daily Mail they highlight the multi-pronged strategy of Iran's intelligence agencies.

The Ghandali sisters were indicted in California on charges including trade secret theft and obstruction of justice along with Samaneh's husband, Mohammad Khosravi.

Prosecutors allege the trio embedded themselves inside Google and other major tech firms, using trusted positions to siphon off sensitive data tied to processor security, cryptography and other cutting-edge technologies  and funnel it back to Iran.

If proven, it would mark a stunning breach at the very core of America's innovation economy. Yet what has most rattled investigators is not just what was allegedly taken  but how.

Rather than using sophisticated tech, the defendants are accused of photographing computer screens by hand  a old-school, low-tech workaround designed to evade sophisticated cybersecurity systems.

A former Trump administration Iran expert told the Daily Mail that Iran's intelligence operations in the US have long flown under the radar because Moscow and Beijing were seen as more pressing threats.

'After China and Russia, Iran is the third most sophisticated adversary we have,' said the former official, speaking on condition that his name was not used.

'And everyone pretended for nearly a decade that Iranian operations didn't exist.'

Niloufar 'Nelly' Bahadorifar was sentenced in 2023 to four years in prison after helping funnel money that supported surveillance operations targeting an Iranian-American activist.

The model Shir Benzion is among the phony avatars used to trick American officials into clicking on a malware link.

Insider Threats and National Security Risks

He pointed to a recent drone strike on a CIA-linked site at the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia, suggesting the precision could reflect either Iran's own intelligence capabilities or support from allies such as Russia.

Tehran excels in insider recruitment, procurement networks and online intelligence gathering  capabilities that can translate directly into battlefield advantage, he said.

The three accused in California have pleaded not guilty to charges of theft of trade secrets and obstruction of justice that could put them behind bars for decades.

Former FBI counterintelligence operative Eric O'Neill described the Ghandalis alleged technology heist as a 'slow, deliberate extraction' carried out by 'trained or directed actors.'

'The most damaging breaches often originate from within,' said the author of Spies, Lies, and Cybercrime.

'The threat is not just foreign adversaries attempting to break in, but trusted individuals already inside the system choosing to betray that trust.'

The Ghandali trio's alleged ties to Iran's clerical elite only deepen the intrigue.

Samaneh Ghandali, 41, is a naturalized US citizen; Khosravi, 40, is a green card holder; and Soroor, 32, is in the US on a student visa.

Ariane Tabatabai has enjoyed a stellar career in America's national security establishment despite her alleged ties to officials in Tehran.

Alleged Links to Tehran and Family Connections

The women's father, Shahabeddin Ghandali, is described as a regime insider while Khosravi is reported to have a background in the Iranian military, suggesting the defendants were taking orders from Tehran.

High-profile Iran spy cases have been rare in the US.

But one of the most notorious cases, Monica Witt, a Texas-born former US Air Force counterintelligence agent, defected to Iran in 2013 after converting to Islam.

She is accused of handing over sensitive information and helping Iranian operatives target American intelligence personnel, allegedly enabling phishing and malware attacks. She remains a fugitive.

Elsewhere, Niloufar Bahadorifar was sentenced in 2023 to four years in prison after helping funnel money that supported surveillance operations targeting Iranian-American activist Masih Alinejad.

And in Washington, Pentagon analyst Ariane Tabatabai has faced scrutiny over alleged links to Tehran, with calls from senior Republicans to revoke her security clearance  though officials insist she has been properly vetted.

Former CIA officer and FBI agent Tracy Walder said Iran's activities are part of a long-running strategy.

For decades, she noted, Tehran  like China and Russia  has systematically targeted trade secrets and sensitive technologies to cut research costs and accelerate development.

Silicon Valley insider Samaneh Ghandali seen here delivering a presentation on cybersecurity.

The Dual Role of Irans Intelligence Operations

Its operatives are typically highly educated specialists tasked with everything from cyber intrusion to surveillance. But not all of their efforts are aimed at military gain.

'Most of them it's about crushing Iranian dissidents that are here,' Walder said, pointing to a quieter but critical mission: monitoring and intimidating critics of the regime living in the US.

That dual focus  external competition and internal control  makes Iran's intelligence apparatus uniquely complex.

And as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate, that hidden war for information may prove just as decisive as anything unfolding on the battlefield.

Because in the modern era of espionage, the most powerful weapon is not always a missile. Sometimes it is access.
China congratulates Min Aung Hlaing on being elected as Myanmar's new president: spokesperson

Xinhua) 10:20, April 05, 2026

China extends congratulations to Min Aung Hlaing on being elected as Myanmar's new president, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said here on Friday.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks in response to a query at a daily press briefing. According to media reports, Min Aung Hlaing on Friday secured more than half of the votes in Myanmar's Union Parliament, winning the country's presidential election.

Mao said China and Myanmar are traditional friends and close neighbors, jointly building a community with a shared future, adding that China follows a policy of friendship towards all the people of Myanmar.

Noting China supports the new government of Myanmar in maintaining peace and stability and pursuing development and prosperity, Mao said China stands ready to work together with Myanmar to deliver on the four major global initiatives, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and strive for more tangible outcomes in building the China-Myanmar community with a shared future to bring more benefits to the two peoples.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
MOSCOW, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Drone attacks on Sunday injured civilians in the Belgorod region and damaged part of an oil pipeline near the Baltic Sea port of Primorsk in the northwest, according to Russian officials.

"In the village of Zamostye, Grayvoron district, an enemy drone attacked a minibus that was intended to transport civilians to work. Seven people were injured", Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on his Telegram channel on Sunday.

He added that one of the injured is in serious condition.

In the Leningrad Region, Governor Alexander Drozdenko said air defense forces had shot down 19 unmanned aerial vehicles on Sunday morning. Debris damaged a section of an oil pipeline near the port of Primorsk, causing a fire.

"There are no casualties," Drozdenko added on social media.

The attack followed multiple Ukrainian drone strikes on the ports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga in late March. The port of Primorsk is Russia's largest oil terminal on the Baltic Sea and a key hub for the export of Russia's flagship Urals crude oil.

Earlier this week, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky called attacks on seaports a strategic task to damage the Russian economy. 
This photo taken on April 5, 2026 shows an ox-cart race in Kampong Speu province, Cambodia. Cambodian villagers on Sunday organized a centuries-old ox-cart race here to celebrate the upcoming Cambodian New Year, which will be observed from April 14 to 16. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)

This photo taken on April 5, 2026 shows an ox-cart race in Kampong Speu province, Cambodia. Cambodian villagers on Sunday organized a centuries-old ox-cart race here to celebrate the upcoming Cambodian New Year, which will be observed from April 14 to 16. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)

This photo taken on April 5, 2026 shows an ox-cart race in Kampong Speu province, Cambodia. Cambodian villagers on Sunday organized a centuries-old ox-cart race here to celebrate the upcoming Cambodian New Year, which will be observed from April 14 to 16. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)
DAR ES SALAAM, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Beneath the quiet coastal skies of Tanzania, rows of modest headstones at the Chinese Experts Cemetery were adorned with fresh wreaths, as leaders, diplomats, and citizens stood in silent tribute to lives lost far from home. This year's Qingming Festival was not only solemn but deeply human.

The ceremony also marked the 50th anniversary of the start of commercial operations of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), a railway that continues to carry both goods and the enduring story of friendship among China, Tanzania, and Zambia.

Decades ago, China offered assistance without conditions, sending more than 50,000 experts, engineers, and workers to East Africa. Together with Tanzanian and Zambian counterparts, they carved a railway through mountains, valleys, and wilderness, overcoming immense logistical and environmental challenges.

What emerged was not just infrastructure, but a powerful symbol of solidarity among developing nations.

Yet the story of TAZARA is not only one of ambition, but it is also one of sacrifice. Seventy Chinese experts lost their lives during the railway's construction and related projects.

On Saturday, dignitaries, including Tanzania's Minister for Home Affairs Patrobas Katambi and Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian, stepped forward to lay wreaths on their graves, bowing in tribute to the fallen.

"These are not just names," one attendee murmured as the ceremony unfolded. "They are part of our story."

Katambi described TAZARA as "far more than a railway line," calling it a living testament to mutual respect, trust, and a shared vision for development. He urged renewed commitment to preserving and modernizing the railway as a way of honoring those who built it.

Chen echoed that sentiment, noting that this railway has transported more than 30 million tons of freight and more than 40 million people over the years, making it an important economic artery for Tanzania, Zambia, and neighboring countries.

"They are heroes who built a monument of China-Tanzania and China-Africa friendship," she said.

For many in Zambia and Tanzania, TAZARA is not an abstract symbol; it is a lifeline woven into personal and national histories.

Bruno Ching'andu, managing director of TAZARA, reflected on its importance to Zambia's survival during the early years of independence.

"Without this railway, we would have suffered greatly," the Zambian national said. "It gave us access to the port of Dar es Salaam when we needed it most."

The railway enabled the movement of copper exports, agricultural goods, and essential supplies, helping stabilize economies and connect communities. Over time, it also facilitated cultural exchange, bringing people from different backgrounds together along its route.

Speakers at the ceremony emphasized that TAZARA stands apart from many infrastructure projects of the past.

Tanzania's Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation James Kinyasi Millya highlighted that China's support came at a time when it was itself still developing.

"They gave assistance purely as a gesture of friendship," he said. "No conditions, no demands, just solidarity."

He contrasted this with colonial-era railways, which were often built to extract resources rather than empower local populations.

That difference, officials said, continues to define the spirit of China-Tanzania relations today.

Half a century on, TAZARA is entering a new chapter.

A concession agreement signed in 2025 aims to revitalize the aging railway, improving efficiency and restoring its role as a key regional transport corridor. And the revitalization has been led by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, a Chinese construction company.

"To honor those who sacrificed, we must ensure this railway continues to serve future generations," he said.

China's engagement in Tanzania has also expanded significantly, encompassing major infrastructure projects and growing trade ties. According to TAZARA's official data, bilateral trade surpassed 10 billion U.S. dollars in 2025, reflecting deepening economic cooperation.

As the ceremony drew to a close, the atmosphere shifted from mourning to quiet resolve. Wreaths rested gently against the headstones, their colors vivid against the earth -- a reminder that memory, too, can be an act of renewal.

"Generation after generation will remember," Millya said. "This is a friendship written not just in history, but in blood."

Fifty years after its first trains began to run, TAZARA remains more than steel and sleepers stretching across East Africa. It is a bridge between continents, a testament to what nations can achieve together, and a living story shaped by ordinary people who did extraordinary things.

Along its tracks, the past and the future continue to meet, guided by a spirit of friendship that, like the railway itself, endures. 
Our role is to keep reaching out to one another across all the barriers we would create between ourselves and our neighbors.
Sinn Fein Councillor Kathleen McGurk was the main speaker at the Easter Commemoration in Dungiven earlier today (Sunday).

Addressing a large crowd, Cllr McGurk said: It is a great privilege to address you here today as we honour our Patriot Dead and rededicate ourselves to the 1916 Proclamation. One hundred and ten years ago, ordinary men and women did something extraordinary to break the connection with Britain and establish a 32-county Irish republic.

The vision set out in the Proclamation; of freedom, equality and economic justice, continues to inspire generations. Today, that vision remains our mission: to reunify our country and build the republic envisioned in 1916.

Ireland is changing. The old certainties of partition are gone, and a growing number of people now recognise that the future lies in unity. This is the decade in which the question of Irish unity can be resolved.

Unity will not happen by accident, it must be won. That means preparation, leadership and determination. Sinn Fein is leading that work, but others must step up. The Irish government must begin proper planning for constitutional change.

READ NEXT: Cyber attack hits IT system for Northern Ireland schools

Across Ireland, people are struggling with the cost of living, housing and pressure on public services. Sinn Fein offers a different path, one that puts workers, families and communities first.

At Easter, we honour those who went before us. We carry forward their mission as a living struggle. Our goal remains a united Ireland that cherishes all its people equally, and that future is within reach.
One of Irelands best-loved childrens stories has been brought to life in a new immersive exhibition at a Co Tyrone museum.

Children have been reading Marita Conlon-McKennas Under The Hawthorn Tree, set amid the Irish Famine, for decades since it was first published in 1990.

Now the new exhibition at the Ulster American Folk Park allows visitors to step into the world of siblings Eily, Michael and Peggy ODriscoll through soundscapes, interactive displays, scents and rarely displayed objects from across National Museums NIs collections.

It includes a full-size handcrafted hawthorn tree created by willow weaver Bob Johnston at the Ulster Folk Museum in Co Down, which features branches adorned with copper birds.

The tree is also designed to serve as a dedicated reading space for visitors, featuring the book in both English and Irish.

Other items in the exhibition include a traditional potato basket, natural history specimens and a simple shawl, intended to root the story in the realities of daily life during the famine.

Ms Conlon-McKenna said she never imagined seeing the world she created brought to life in such a way.

She attended the opening of the exhibition along with her family and visiting schoolchildren.

Seeing Eily, Michael and Peggys story take shape in a museum setting is something I never imagined when I first wrote Under the Hawthorn Tree, she said.

The book has travelled with so many readers over the years, but this is the first time the childrens journey has been interpreted in a full-size exhibition.

What the team have created gives visitors a sense of the world the children moved through, the choices they faced and the strength they found in one another.

Its been brilliant to watch the story take on a new life and I am incredibly proud that it will now continue to engage audiences on this important part of our history, as a museum exhibit.

It is the first major exhibition to open at the Ulster American Folk Park in four years, and also marks an important moment for the living history museum, which is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this July.

It comes after the Bad Bridget exhibition, which uncovered the experiences of Irish women who made the difficult decision to emigrate to North America.

Victoria Millar, senior curator of history at National Museums NI, said the childrens perspective was carefully considered in the creation of the display.

From the very beginning, our focus was on how we translate a cherished story that so many people know and love, from the page and into a physical experience that would be just as memorable and educational, she said.

Every object, every sound, every design choice was shaped by the childrens perspective in the book.

We want visitors to feel the uncertainty, the hopefulness, and the resilience that define Eily, Michael and Peggy, as they move through the exhibition.

She explained: In the first section of the exhibition, objects including a potato spade and a potato basket serve to emphasise the importance of the potato crop as well as the devastation caused by the blight.

Later in the exhibition, we have examples of objects from the museums collections, reflecting the items that the children took with them on their journey, including blankets, a ladle and a blade.

A host of animals that the children encountered on their journey are also included, ranging from a cormorant to a badger.

These are probably my favourite.

Chief executive of National Museums NI Kathryn Thomson highlighted the timing of the exhibition on the 250th anniversary of the signing of the US Declaration of Independence.

The Great Famine was one of the most important drivers of emigration to the United States, she said.

By telling this story at the Ulster American Folk Park, were connecting past and present in a way that feels meaningful.

Under The Hawthorn Tree reflects our commitment to creating a museum experience  whether youre visiting with your school, as a family or as a tourist  to explore shared histories, understand different experiences and find common ground through storytelling.

It shows how museums can hold difficult histories with sensitivity while still making them accessible, and why it is therefore so important that we continue to share them.

Under The Hawthorn Tree is included in general admission to the Ulster American Folk Park. For visiting information and opening times, please visit ulsteramericanfolkpark.org.
NEW YORK, April 4 (Xinhua) -- At least 15 people were injured, some seriously, after a vehicle plowed into a crowd at a Lao New Year parade held in New Iberia in the southern U.S. state of Louisiana on Saturday.

The driver, a 57-year-old man, is in custody. A preliminary investigation found that the incident "does not appear to be an intentional act," said Rebecca Melancon, public information officer for the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office.

Organizers of the Louisiana Lao New Year Festival said on social media that they have canceled Saturday evening's music concerts and alcohol sales. 
Pictured above: L-R: Evelyn Maris, Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Cooperation, Embassy of Ireland, Kenya; William Holmes, Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann; Noel Stapleton, Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann; Eireann O'Sullivan, Deputy Head of Cooperation, Embassy of Ireland, Kenya; Liam Guiney, Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann; Minister Christopher OSullivan T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with special responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity; Ambassador Caitriona Ingoldsby, Embassy of Ireland, Kenya; Caelainn McGrath, Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann ; Sarah Greene , Second Secretary and Consul, Embassy of Ireland, Kenya and Daithi Kearney, DkIT

Dr Daithi Kearney, Director of the Creative Arts Research Centre at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT), recently travelled to Nairobi, Kenya as part of an Irish delegation visit for the St. Patricks Day programme to promote trade and Irelands economy, celebrate our global diaspora and strengthen international partnerships.

The Irish delegation was led by Christopher OSullivan T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with special responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity. The Irish delegation engaged in an intensive schedule of meetings and events with Ministers in the Kenyan Government, the Kenyan Irish Society, and local enterprises.

Dr Kearney undertook a number of engagements in Nairobi as both a performer and academic at the invitation of the Irish Ambassador to Kenya, Her Excellency Caitriona Ingoldsby. He joined members of the Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann performing group from Boru Bru including  Liam Guiney (flute, bodhran), William Holmes (uilleann pipes, fiddle), Caelainn McGrath (dance) and Noel Stapleton (button accordion) for several events and activities.

Read also: Order of Malta Dundalk reveals staggering number of duty hours for 2025

He also chaired a special symposium organised by the Irish Embassy in collaboration with the local music organisation Ketebul Music, which was also part of the programme for the 50th anniversary of EU-Kenya relations.

Hosted at the National Theatre in Nairobi, the symposium entitled Muziki Pamoja [Music Together] sought to develop a discussion around three themes of preserve, engage and share.

The morning began with opening remarks from journalist Bill Odidi of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), Daithi and the Irish Ambassador before Daithi joined a group of Kenyan musicians for an improvised performance and later chaired a conversation that examined various instruments and their role in both Kenyan and Irish cultures.

The second session involved a series of discussions. The first, chaired by Professor Andrew J. Eisenberg of New York University Abu Dhabi, explored the significance of tradition and the task of preservation, beginning with the example of the Singing Wells Project presented by Tabu Osusa and the activities of Comhaltas, articulated by Liam Guiney and Noel Stapleton.

This was followed by a participative conversation focused on dance led by Dr Kahithe Kiiru from Bomas of Kenya and Technical University of Kenya, and choreographer Ondiego Onyango. A third session was chaired by Dr Tom Odhiambo of the University of Nairobi and focused on the role of media in recording and dissemination.

On St Patricks Day, the Irish musicians continued their collaboration with Kenyan musicians as part of a research project with Ketebul Music. This involved recording music composed by the participants with a series of interviews reflecting on the participants experience of their own tradition and collaboration in an intercultural context.

The Irish group's visit to Kenya included performances at the St. Patrick's Day Ball, a reception at the Ambassador's residence for the Kenya Young Scientist programme, and events organised by the Irish Society of Kenya. The trip highlighted the strong ties between Ireland and Kenya, with Irish missionaries playing an important role in the region.

The group returned to Ireland with offers to return for future projects, while the whole programme of events underpinned the importance of developing international relationships for both countries.

The trip will lead to a number of outputs including a music video and documentary, further compositions, and a report based on the proceedings of the symposium, which will underpin planning for future partnerships.
On Thursday 26 March 2026, Scoil Ui Mhuiri, Dunleer in mid-Louth, received the Belong To LGBTQ+ Quality Mark, recognising its work over an 18-month period to create safe, welcoming and inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ young people, at a ceremony in The Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Scoil Ui Mhuiri was among 39 postprimary schools and Youthreach centres from across Ireland recognised at the event, in total representing over 2,300 staff and 22,000 students from across the country.

Key achievements of the accredited schools are, Policy Reform, which includes implementation of robust, LGBTQ+-inclusive anti-bullying policies; a Student Voice, the establishment of LGBTQ+ and Allies clubs to foster peer support; and Community Engagement, the direct outreach to parents and the wider school community to build a culture of belonging.

The LGBTQ+ Quality Mark is the first national accreditation of its kind, supporting schools and centres in Louth and across Ireland to embed sustainable, longterm practices that protect LGBTQ+ students wellbeing and foster a culture of belonging.

Commenting at the event, Katie Jane Anderson, teacher at Scoil Ui Mhuiri said: Receiving the Belong To LGBTQ+ Quality Mark means a great deal to us. It reflects our care, commitment, and belief in inclusion - that every young person deserves to feel safe, respected, and able to be themselves.

Read also: PHOTOS: Louth community heroes honoured at Dundalk Civic Awards

"This recognition is not just about what we have achieved so far, but about the journey we are on together  listening, learning, and continuing to grow as an inclusive community. We are incredibly proud of this and remain deeply committed to making our school community a place where everyone feels that they belong.

16 schools and centres across the country were formally awarded the LGBTQ+ Quality Mark for the first time following an 18month programme of evidencebased interventions designed to strengthen LGBTQ+ inclusion and student wellbeing. A further 23 schools and centres were reaccredited, having first achieved the Quality Mark in 2023.

The ceremony marked one of the first major engagements for Belong Tos new CEO, Kieran ODonovan. Speaking at the event, Mr ODonovan (he/him) commented: This years LGBTQ+ Quality Mark accreditation ceremony highlighted the extraordinary work happening in schools and youth centres in Louth and across the country to support LGBTQ+ young people.

"Staff and students have shown real dedication to building environments where every young person feels safe, valued, and able to be themselves. While we know from our 2022 School Climate Survey that 76% of LGBTQ+ youth still do not feel safe at school, the schools recognised today are taking meaningful action to change that.

These schools and centres are leading the way. Their work shows what is possible when inclusion is prioritised, resourced, and embedded across school culture. We are proud to recognise their achievements and look forward to supporting many more schools on this journey.
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A Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) adjudicator has awarded 79,000 in compensation to a migrant worker who was found to have been subjected to what was described as egregious exploitation by a Dundalk restaurant.

The case involved Mr Vasantkumar Barot and his former employer, Madhu Foods Limited, trading as Guru Indian Cuisine, with a registered address at Park Street, Dundalk.

According to the WRC decision, Mr Barot paid almost 15,000 to secure a work permit after being promised a job as a commis chef working 40 hours per week for approximately 570 weekly.

However, the adjudication officer heard evidence that what occurred was a deception where he was deceived about the purpose of the upfront payment.

The complainant alleged he was required to work across multiple restaurant locations in Dundalk, Drogheda, Newry and Belfast, as well as on a farm, often working extremely long hours.

It is alleged that he worked on average more than 90 hours a week, the decision states, adding that his working day began early in the morning and ended extremely late at night into the early morning.

The WRC found that Mr Barot received irregular payments ranging from 99 to 1,000 and that his average hourly pay was as low as 1.61.

The adjudicator noted: The Complainant asserts that during his entire employment period, from 13/03/2023 to 04/04/2024, he did not receive payment in accordance with the [National Minimum Wage Act]. His average hourly pay rates were 2.96 and 1.61.

While the full extent of hours worked could not be verified due to lack of records, the adjudicator still ruled the complaint well-founded and awarded 24,500 in unpaid wages based on a 48-hour working week.

The Complainant has given credible evidence that he has worked significantly more than 48 hours per week, the adjudication officer stated, awarding 15,000 in compensation for excessive working hours.

Further awards were made for breaches of rest periods and working time legislation, including:

10,000 for failure to provide daily rest periods

5,000 for lack of rest breaks during shifts

5,000 for failure to provide weekly rest

Although Mr Barot had a written contract specifying a 39-hour week and a fixed salary, the WRC found it bore little resemblance to reality.

The fact is that contract was never honoured, the adjudicator said, adding that it appeared to create the appearance of lawful employment.

A nominal 300 was awarded for breaches of the Terms of Employment legislation.

The WRC found that Mr Barot had been constructively dismissed due to the employers conduct.

The decision records that the worker ultimately fled the situation, describing it as what amounted [to] economic slavery, distressed and fearful about his future.

While a claim of racial discrimination was not upheld due to insufficient corroborating evidence, the adjudicator did find that Mr Barot had been subjected to harassment on the ground of race.

There is no question that the Complainant was exploited, the decision states, before concluding that harassment was proven and warranted separate redress.

An additional 15,000 was awarded, with the adjudicator describing the treatment as most egregious.

The WRC decision notes that the Respondent failed to attend the hearing on two separate dates.

In total, the compensation awarded exceeds 79,000, including:

24,500 in arrears under the National Minimum Wage Act

15,000 for excessive working hours under the Organisation of Working Time Act

15,000 for racial harassment under the Employment Equality Act

10,000 for failure to provide daily rest periods

5,000 for failure to provide rest breaks during shifts

5,000 for failure to provide weekly rest periods

3,120 for unpaid annual leave

761.28 for unpaid Sunday premium pay

532.44 for unpaid public holiday entitlements

300 for breach of the Terms of Employment (Information) Act

Responding to the findings, Neil Bruton, Director at the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland, said:

"This decision is a significant recognition of the severe exploitation that Vasantkumar endured. He came to Ireland with hope for a better future and instead was subjected to what we described as economic slavery. We are glad that the WRC has taken these breaches seriously and made substantial awards.

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"Cases like this are not isolated. Migrant workers on employment permits are among the most vulnerable people in the Irish labour market. When a worker's right to remain in the country is tied entirely to one employer, the potential for exploitation is enormous.

We call on the State to make it easier for a worker to change employer, ensure that enforcement mechanisms are robust, that workers know their rights, and that employers who engage in such egregious exploitation face meaningful consequences."
Gardai have submitted a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions after an extensive investigation into the death of a baby in Kerry more than 40 years ago.

The body of the five-day-old infant, known as Baby John, was found with multiple stab wounds in a bag on a beach in Co Kerry in April 1984.

The high-profile discovery became known as the Kerry Babies case, and led to a state apology over the treatment of a local woman.

Joanne Hayes was arrested and charged after Baby Johns body was found in 1984, but the charge was later dropped and a tribunal of inquiry was set up to investigate the handling of her case by gardai.

Advances in DNA profiling then confirmed that Ms Hayes, as she always maintained, was not Baby Johns mother.

In 2018, taoiseach Leo Varadkar, justice minister Charlie Flanagan and An Garda Siochana apologised to Ms Hayes.

In March 2023, a man in his 60s and a woman in her 50s were arrested as part of the investigation but later released without charge.

In January 2018, An Garda Siochana announced a review into the death of Baby John, and its Kerry Division has since carried out an extensive investigation, supported by the Garda Serious Crime Review Team.

Hundreds of people have been interviewed and more than 560 lines of inquiry have been initiated.

In September 2018, Baby Johns remains were exhumed and taken to the morgue at University Hospital Kerry in Tralee for examination, and were reinterred later that afternoon.

Baby John is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Caherciveen.

On Sunday, a Garda spokesperson said: An Garda Siochana in Kerry Division supported by the Garda Serious Crime Review Team have carried out an extensive investigation into the discovery of the body of a male infant at White Strand, Caherciveen, Co Kerry, on 14 April 1984.

An Garda Siochana can confirm that an investigation file has been submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

An Garda Siochana has no further comment at this time.
No-nonsense Cork garda Nikki has grown tired of men asking if she has brought her handcuffs - so she is looking for some originality and an arresting encounter on First Dates Ireland next week.

The 40-year-old, who is motorcycle mad, has no expectations apart from saying she hopes her date doesnt hail from Donegal!

She is therefore delighted to hook up with fellow biker Emmett, 42, from Mullingar, in the episode on RTE2 on Thursday at 9.35pm.

Nikki says she is looking for someone to ground her, and care assistant Emmett admits to smiling like a Cheshire cat if hes attracted to a girl. But will they get each others motor running?

Also in First Dates Ireland, Doyle, 30, from Dublin, returns to the restaurant bringing so much sexy back, hes a potential fire hazard.

Looking for someone just as hot as himself, Doyle meets Brazilian marketing executive Enisio, 36, also from Dublin  fresh from a week-long gay cruise.

Doyle says he has entered his closed legs era, but, as these two mirror-image, jacked-up, muscle-top wearing hotties come together, how long will that last?

Keen to express himself and his unique style beyond the conservative confines of his home town, Elliott, 26, from Laois, meets fellow Midlander, Bria, 25, from Offaly, who once did the Camino to find herself but returned empty-handed.

With a tendency to overthink her dates, chatterbox Bria has already imagined every possible disaster. What happens next is anyones guess.

Emma, 21, from Limerick, pairs up with James, also 21, from Louth, who doesnt drink coffee because he has enough energy as it is .

Emma tends to go for the loudest guy in the room - preferably with the confidence to rock a tache - so will James be the one?
COLOMBO, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka has seized more than 50,000 liters of illegally hoarded fuel over the past 30 days and arrested 31 people in nationwide raids, police said on Sunday.

Police Media Spokesman Assistant Superintendent of Police F. U. Wootler said the arrests were made in raids carried out across the island from March 3 to April 4.

He said police took into custody more than 52,000 liters of fuel during the operations, including 47,006 liters of diesel, 2,668 liters of gasoline, and 2,706 liters of kerosene.

Wootler said police have initiated legal action against the suspects arrested in connection with the illegal stockpiling.

He said the operations were conducted on the instructions of the inspector general of police to arrest people who were illegally hoarding fuel and causing inconvenience to the public at a time when a global energy crisis is emerging.

Since the outbreak of the latest round of military conflict in the Middle East, Sri Lankan authorities have intensified their crackdown on fuel hoarding and black market activities, so as to address a fuel shortage caused by the conflict. 
A Cork cafe-style out-of-hours mental health service is holding an open day this Wednesday and extending a welcome to all.

Solace Cafe is a free out-of-hours mental health service offering peer support in the community when other services are not available.

Just minutes from Cork city centre, Solace Cafe offers a welcoming environment with colourful sofas and large tables so people can chat with trained staff or volunteers in a casual setting. There is always plenty of tea, coffee, and biscuits available between 6pm and 10.30pm Thursdays to Sundays.

Situated in The Next Step building on Sullivans Quay, Solace Cafe is a welcoming spot where you can gather your thoughts, draw on your strengths, and connect with others whove been through similar experiences. It is described as a comfortable, friendly, and safe environment, open to over 18s.

It is a unique space for community members seeking support during tough times. It is a comfortable, friendly, and safe environment.

The Next Step supports people who may have experienced depression, mental health or emotional difficulties in their lives.

It provides a safe and warm space that promotes positive mental health and well-being through creative and engaging activities and workshops.

The Solace Cafe and The Next Step are both holding an open day, running from 10am to 2pm, on Wednesday, April 8.
A West Cork school has received the Belong To LGBTQ+ quality mark for the first time, recognising its work over an 18-month period to create safe, welcoming and inclusive environments.

West Cork Sudbury School, Bantry, received the honour at a ceremony in The Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire.

It was among 39 postprimary schools and Youthreach centres from across Ireland recognised at the event, in total representing over 2,300 staff and 22,000 students from across the country.

Also recognised at the event, being reaccredited with the Quality Mark having been initially awarded in 2023, were Cork schools Maria Immaculata Community College in Dunmanway, and Cork citys North Monastery Secondary School and St. Aloysius School.

Key achievements of the accredited schools include the implementation of robust, LGBTQ+-inclusive anti-bullying policies, the establishment of LGBTQ+ and Allies clubs to foster peer support and direct outreach to parents and the wider school community to build a culture of belonging.

Claire Supervie, a teacher at West Cork Sudbury School, said: The LGBTQ+ Quality Mark has been a great opportunity to reflect on our school processes and policies and identify what we needed to create or change to make sure our school could become not only a safe space for LGBTQ+ students but a place that celebrates and supports them.

At West Cork Sudbury School, students help the running of the school and craft their own learning. To bring the Quality Mark into that context was an interesting challenge and required a lot of direct conversation with our students.

They've been at the centre of the changes we made. It's also been the occasion to connect and network with other schools. We visited each other, learned from each other and got to experience what allyship can mean in the education system in Ireland.

Belong Tos new CEO, Kieran ODonovan said: While we know from our 2022 School Climate Survey that 76% of LGBTQ+ youth still do not feel safe at school, the schools recognised today are taking meaningful action to change that.

These schools and centres are leading the way. Their work shows what is possible when inclusion is prioritised, resourced, and embedded across school culture.

Applications to take part in the LGBTQ+ Quality Mark initiative for the 2026/2027 academic year are now open to schools and Youthreach centres. Full details and application forms are available on the Belong To website.
A group of students from a Cork city school have been recognised on a national level in this years Green-Schools programmes Daily Swaps Challenge.

The initiative, which is run by An Taisce and took place last month, invited students across Ireland to take simple everyday actions, such as taking shorter showers, boiling less water, or donating unused clothes, to reduce water and energy use.

Schools from 18 counties took part, with students recording a total of 22,923 daily swaps.

Students from South Lee Educate Together National School were honoured with the best collaboration award, which celebrates schools that successfully bring together students, staff, families, and the wider community to maximise the impact of their project.

CHALLENGE

Throughout the challenge, the student committee encouraged water and energy conservation across the school community. They visited classrooms to present the campaign and reached out through email and social media to families, friends, and neighbours.

Geoffrey Bourke, of Uisce Eireann, said: By empowering students to lead sustainability campaigns in their schools and communities, were helping young people to understand the connections between water, energy, and the everyday choices we make.
In parts of Kenya more than three quarters of the population live below the poverty line, with communities battling disease and malnutrition, exacerbated by severe drought. Amy Campbell visited the country to see the work being done by Irish charity Concern Worldwide to address these issues in the face of dwindling international aid

Recurring droughts have seen malnutrition, food shortages, livelihood loss, illness, attacks and displacement increase in Kenya.

Irish charity Concern Worldwide aims to solve these many problems with a multifaceted approach  but their funding is being dramatically cut.

Turkana county in northwest Kenya has the highest proportion in the country of people living below the poverty line, with an overall poverty rate of more than 75%.

Moses Raminya, Concern Worldwides programme manager for the Turkana region, told The Echo that there was a severe drought in 2022, the worst in over 60 years, and after a brief respite, another drought began.

More than half of the population are pastoralists, keeping mainly goats, which they rely on as their main source of income. But, herds are dwindling as the land becomes increasingly barren.

One programme operated by Concern is a cash transfer project, which began in November 2025 and includes 144 households across Turkana.

James Ebongon, emergency response coordinator with Sabcone, an NGO that works with Concern on the project, said: These days droughts occur regularly. In the past they occurred only occasionally.

People have had to move quite some distance to access water and pasture, their animals have become emaciated and cannot be sold for a good price, there has been death of livestock and conflict has arisen as a result of migration.

The cash transfer project, implemented in areas where health data shows high rates of malnutrition among children or pregnant/lactating women, provides funding to be used for food, 5,021ksh per month (around 33.50), based on the average price of a basket of essential goods.

Through the project, Loroo village has seen malnutrition rates go from 36% in 2023/24 to 26% now, though Mr Ebongon says that anything above 15% indicates crisis levels, so the figure is still too high, and the project is set to be wound up soon due to international aid funding cuts.

One of the Loroo project participants, Nakoromwae Lochucht Ejore (46) said that two of her 20 goats have died since the start of this drought. Before the previous drought they had 50 goats, and 45 died.

When livestock suffers, people suffer, she said.

Goat vaccination clinic in Naoros. Photo:Eugene Ikua/Concern Worldwide

Concern also support vaccinating livestock from a range of diseases, so that their immune systems are better able to fight off illness even while weakened by malnutrition.

Isaac Echapan, programme manager for livelihoods, said that in a week, 108,000 goats have been vaccinated in Naoros village against Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), an epidemic disease in the region which weakens goats. Animals are also screened and treated for other diseases, such as Brucellosis and Anthrax, which can be passed from livestock to humans.

One shepherd at the vaccination clinic, David Aote Elipa, said that he can be away for up to year with the animals. He misses his family during this time, but the health of the animals is essential to their survival.

He lost a four-year-old son from malnutrition last year, and said: You have an attachment. You carried the child and saw it grow.

But he said he cannot let grief stop him working: I have to be careful so I dont lose any other children. The death of my son is still emotional but we have to survive.

INTERVENTIONS

Concern also supports health interventions for children in Turkana, such as mobile health clinics visiting communities every two weeks.

Healthcare is free, funded by the county government, but access to services is difficult. One clinic meets in the somewhat-shaded patch of ground under a large tree located in Nangolekuruk.

The mobile outreach clinics vaccinate children, offer anti-natal care and treat general illness. They also screen children for malnutrition.

Josephine Kasile, who works with the Turkana governments ministry of health, said that due to funding cuts from international donors last June, they can no longer provide food supplements for children who are moderately malnourished, only severely.

Instead, they give nutrition counselling to families of moderately malnourished children, but the families often tell them that they do not have enough food at home to follow this advice.

Most of them now dont come for screening, because they know at the end they will get nothing. This means the moderately malnourished children come back severely malnourished.

Joyce Lopua, 20, attended the clinic with her daughter Cynthia, who is one year old and has been in the programme for three months. She had been improving, but last week contracted malaria.

She is not doing well, she has deteriorated and has not been eating for a week Joyce said.

After speaking to The Echo, Joyce and Cynthia were brought directly to the doctor, who referred her to the stabilisation facility in Lodwar, which is 20km away. Joyce said that her options were to walk there, or pay to rent a motorbike.

Due to the emergency nature, Concern was able to take them directly to the facility, but later updated: The child was admitted but still not responding well. She has been diagnosed with severe pneumonia and is still under observation.

At an uplifting Concern project in Lokumwae, Turkana north, water officer James Koki said that the county government drilled a borehole in 2019, providing access to clean water.

The water had to be pumped by hand, which was time consuming and tiring, and caused congestion around the pump, he said. They also saw sickness due to people and livestock using the same tap.

With support from Concern, last year they upgraded the hand pump to a solar pump, and installed a large tank which can hold 30,000 litres of water, as well as pipes leading to four separate taps in the area.

A trough was created for livestock, while one tap runs directly to a new school. Pipes have also been utilised to create land to sustain farming, and the community, which was previously reliant only on livestock, have now planted crops - maize, sorghum and vegetables.

The rate of diseases being transmitted between livestock and people has dropped from more than 30% to zero.

Through Concern, the residents have been trained in the operation and maintenance of the new system, and a water committee has been set up which collects 100ksh per month from residents to save in case they need to get a technician out.

If there are leftover funds, the committee plans to extend the pipeline, as the government is planning to build a hospital in the area in the next five years.

Mr Koki said:

Everyone is willing to pay, and if you dont have the money you could pay with a goat, which the committee sells, and you would be given a time, maybe you can drink for two years for free.

The tank takes two to three hours to fill on a sunny day, and they have a chairperson of the water committee whose job is to watch the tank, as the only indication that it is full is overflow. When the tank is full, he switches it off through a control panel. He has trained two people already in his role, and plans to train more.

All these improvements have resulted in the population of the village growing from 500 to 2,500 in six years.

Aktela Adome, who lives in the village, said that prior to the installation of the borehole, they had to make a long walk for water.

It was taking more than eight hours, and it was on a daily basis. Ladies could not walk alone, they needed to bring a man, because you would be attacked. Sometimes they take the water, sometimes they attack the women or sexually assault them.

When you had to pump the water you would pump from morning to evening and you could develop chest problems, but we are very happy now, she said, adding that they were also pleased with the expansion of population, because there was more than enough land.

This community spirit was seen throughout Turkana. In Nangolekuruk, Joyce Lupuas husband was doing manual work for the government which the community split between them, so that each family could earn some income.

In Loroo village, participants in the cash transfer programme said that when they have no food, their neighbour will often share some of theirs, even if they have only a little themselves.

Ekiru Moses Amuygen said that he was not part of the cash transfer programme: I am only just a beggar.

He had come there that day because when people get support, they share with others.

People share food with each other because they love each other, they are not selfish, he said.

This sharing spirit can cause problems though, as Elizabeth Aule, mother of one year old Ivy who is severely malnourished, said at the health clinic in Nangolekuruk that she is given supplements for Ivy, but shares them with her other children, as they are also hungry. Her family have gone as long as two days without any food.

FISHERMAN

Like many in this village, her husband works as a fisherman, but Lake Turkana is expanding due to climate change meaning there is more shallow water than previously, which is home to crocodiles. A neighbour of theirs lost his leg and hand to a crocodile attack three years ago, and since then many have been too afraid to fish.

In some areas, cash transfer participants are provided half with funds to buy food half with items like sanitary products, cans to collect water, tabs to treat water and pellets to feed goats.

Ewoi Lokamar, one of the people receiving this aid in Naoros, told The Echo that they also have a problem with wild animals. He has lost 13 goats in the last six months to hyena attacks.

Ewoi Lokamar at the livestock feed distribution in Naoros. Photo:Eugene Ikua/Concern Worldwide

While the water project in Lokumwae is now owned and managed largely by the community after an initial investment by Concern with US Aid funding, many of the other programmes are at risk as their current funding systems are set to stop very soon.

Asked how she felt when she heard the programme would be stopping due to international aid cuts, Elizabeth Aule in Nangolekuruk said: We understood the funding was just a donation, maybe the people supporting us didnt have the money anymore.

But Alessandro Bini, Concerns director for the region, said: It is not the money that is lacking, it is a lack of priority.

As well as huge cuts to US foreign aid, there has been cuts across the world from the end of 2024, he said, partly due to an increase in right wing European governments like in The Netherlands and Sweden.

Even the Labour government in the UK has cut international funding by around 60% to 70%. Each cut is compounded on the other.

One big exception to this is Ireland, they are maintaining their funding and even increasing it with funds for specific crises.

Nellie Kingston, Kenyas Cork-born country director, said that this support is mirrored by the Irish people: So many people, not wealthy people, donate to us every month.

Ireland is very good at empathising with others in need. When I was younger, in school doing history, the talk of the famine and war of independence  there were people with a living memory of what it was like to be malnourished. I remember seeing malnourished children in Ireland in the 70s.

Its in the DNA of the country, we share a history more with the colonised countries in Africa than the uncolonised countries in Europe.

Faith is very important across Turkana, and the residents have that same solidarity as the Irish.

In Loroo village, Ewoi Lookapelo Lookamol said: We pray to God to look after our children, we pray for rain, for our livestock, and for peace.

This area is peaceful, so when they pray for peace, theyre praying for other countries, she said.

But the future is uncertain in Turkana.

Mr Bini said: The local government doesnt have funding for a lot of the vital activity. Everyone is frantically looking around for another donor, but there is no replacement.

He said that the US government has provided $2bn in aid funding, to be distributed through the United Nations across the entire world for the next six months, and they are unsure if more is coming after that.

He added that the US is spending $1bn a day on the war in Iran.

An increase spend on defence is taking from international aid, and we are not talking about it enough. Countries are more interested in k

David Aote and Ebei Tukon. Photo:Eugene Ikua/Concern Worldwide

illing people than saving them.

To learn more about Concern Worldwides work and how to help visit www.concern.net.
A North Cork village could die for the lack of just 600,000 from Uisce Eireann, while another, just a few kilometres from the city, is already on its knees, due to lack of investment from the utility.

Standing orders were suspended at a recent Cork County Council meeting to discuss a critical infrastructure deficit hanging over the village of Kiskeam like the Sword of Damocles.

Meanwhile, it was stated that in Carrignavar, on the outskirts of Cork, no new homes have been built for 18 years, due to the lack of a proper sewerage treatment plant.

Fianna Fail councillor Bernard Moynihan said the recent vibrancy of Kiskeam is being put under severe threat by Uisce Eireanns refusal to put small beer money into extending its sewerage system and without this, its survival is under real threat.

Last week two planning applications were turned down because of this and more will happen. This is going to sterilise the village. It only needs an additional tank to be dug into the ground. This is incredibly serious issue,

he said.

Mr Moynihan outlined how the village had reinvented itself in recent years, now hosting an impressive remote working hub, which has made it very attractive. He said one man working there is designing a plant for Pfizer in Switzerland.

However, he said the lack of infrastructure means no new blood will be able to move in and this will impact numbers in the school and sporting clubs.

He asked senior council officials to meet with Uisce Eireann and lobby intensively for the infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Fianna Fail councillor Sheila OCallaghan raised the situation in Carrignavar and saying not upgrading its sewerage system has seriously impacted housing in its village core.

She said instead of just stagnating, it has actually lost households in recent years, despite having two schools and an outdoor heated swimming pool which opens for eight weeks in the summer.

A solution proffered by county engineer Brendan Maher could be to pump sewerage from there for treatment in Whitechurch, but Ms OCallaghan said it could take up to seven years to complete.

Uisce Eireann have Carrignavar on a list of areas nationally needing small projects. The first seven are underway but its 13th and the utility wont say when it will be tackled.

Its a very small investment needed, Ms OCallaghan said.
(Photo: Courtesy: @VATICAN MEDIA.)Crowds gathered for the Urbi et Orbi blessing at the Vatican on April 5, 2026.

In his first "urbi et orbi" Easter Sunday address, Pope Leo XIV used the words of his predecessor and warned of the globalization of indifference to growing conflicts, urging those fighting to lay down their weapons.

"We are growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it, and becoming indifferent. Indifferent to the deaths of thousands of people," said Pope Leo from his balcony at St. Peter's on April 5, 2026.

The much-watched "urbi et orbi" is the annual papal address to "the city (Rome) and to the world"

Leo said, "Indifferent to the repercussions of hatred and division that conflicts sow. Indifferent to the economic and social consequences they produce, which we all feel. There is an ever-increasing ' globalisation of indifference,' to borrow an expression dear to Pope Francis.

"There is an ever-increasing 'globalization of indifference,' to borrow an expression dear to Pope Francis,who one year ago from this loggia addressed his final words to the world.

In those words, Francis said, "What a great thirst for death, for killing, we witness each day in the many conflicts raging in different parts of the world!" (Urbi et Orbi Message), 20 April 2025).

He appealed to world leaders to choose "not to dominate others, but to encounter them," according to Vatican News.

Pope Leo, the first pontiff from the United States, also announced that he will lead a prayer vigil for peace on April 11 in Saint Peter's Basilica.

"Let those who have weapons lay them down!", the Pope urged on Easter Sunday.

He spoke before tens of thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square, and urged "those who have the power to unleash wars" to choose peace.

Such a peace should not be "imposed by force", he stressed, but one achieved through dialogue  "not with the desire to dominate others, but to encounter them."

The Pope stressed that Easter peace is not merely "the silence of weapons" but also an inner peace which "touches and transforms the heart of each one of us."

"Let us allow ourselves to be transformed by the peace of Christ", Pope Leo urged, entrusting to the Lord "all hearts that suffer and await the true peace that only he can give."

.
Samsung is putting the final nail in the coffin for its own messaging app. The smartphone maker posted an "End of Service Announcement" on its website, revealing that the Samsung Messages app will no longer be available by July of this year. Samsung also recommended that anyone still using Samsung Messages switch over to Google Messages as the default messaging app.

For Samsung Messages users in the US, the switch to Google offers RCS messaging that lets you send high-quality media, join group chats and get real-time typing indicators no matter the smartphone's OS. Galaxy smartphone owners may lose out on some of the Samsung Messages customization options, but Google Messages will make up for it generative AI from Gemini that can remix your photos in chats. On top of those features, Google Messages makes it easier for Samsung users to switch chats between a smartphone, tablet or smartwatch.

It's no surprise that Samsung is only using Google Messages from now on, since it has been phasing out Samsung Messages for a few years now. Dating back to the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6, and then followed by the Galaxy S25 series, Samsung stopped preloading the Samsung Messages app and instead pre-installed the Google Messages app. The Samsung Messages app is still available on the Galaxy Store, but Samsung said the exact final date will eventually be announced on the app itself.
KIEV, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Five people were killed and 25 others injured on Saturday in a Russian drone attack on Ukraine's frontline city of Nikopol, local authorities reported.

Several Russian FPV drones hit a market in the city located in the central Dnipropetrovsk region, causing a fire and damaging market pavilions as well as a nearby shop, said the regional military administration.

Eight of the injured were hospitalized with shrapnel wounds, blast traumas and burns, including a 14-year-old girl who remains in severe condition. 
More than 11kg of illegal bushmeat has been seized and a man arrested following a food crime operation in south-east London.

Officers from the Food Standards Agencys National Food Crime Unit (NFCU), working alongside the Metropolitan Police, carried out the raid at a property in the Peckham Rye area as part of efforts to tackle illegal meat entering the UK food chain.

During the operation, authorities recovered bushmeat including cane rat and antelope.

Bushmeat is wild animal meat, often sourced from tropical regions, and is illegal to import into the UK without proper controls.

A 51-year-old man was arrested at the scene and has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

Officials said the operation forms part of ongoing work to tackle the illegal meat trade in the UK, which can pose a risk to public health.

Illegally imported meat bypasses strict safety and hygiene checks required for food sold in the UK and may carry disease or contamination.

The NFCU said it had worked closely with police and specialist partners to identify those suspected of involvement.

An NFCU spokesperson said the operation was part of efforts to disrupt the illegal meat trade and prevent unsafe products from reaching the public, adding that consumers should not buy or eat such products as they may pose serious health risks.

The agency added it remains vigilant to the threat of illegal meat entering the food chain and will continue to take enforcement action.

The case comes amid wider concerns over illegal meat entering the UK food supply. In a separate investigation, more than 70,000 was seized from a meat fraud operation in London, where officers uncovered large quantities of animal by-products not intended for human consumption being processed for sale.

Anyone with concerns about food products is advised to report them to their local authority.
The buzz around Nitesh Tiwaris Ramayana has reached a fever pitch after the recent teaser launch in Los Angeles as well as in India yesterday. During the event, Ranbir Kapoor, who plays Lord Rama, shared his excitement about working with Kannada superstar Yash. Specifically, he highlighted how Yashs portrayal of the antagonist, Ravana, will offer a fresh perspective to the legendary epic.

Ranbir acknowledged the massive stardom Yash brings to the project, mentioning that the role of Ravana requires a specific kind of gravity. Speaking to the media and fans, he praised his co-stars aura, saying, "Yash, of course, he has the stardom that he has. To play Ravana, you need somebody who has that aura and screen presence. His interpretation of Ravana is very different from what we have seen over the years. I think thats something which the audiences will really enjoy watching on the big screen."





View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alia Bhatt  (@aliaabhatt)



While the full look of Ravana remains under wraps, the Rama teaser which released in India yesterday, offered fans a fleeting but impactful glimpse. The footage showed Ravana moving toward the Pushpak Vimaana and teased the iconic fight with Jatayu after the kidnapping of Sita. Beyond his performance, Yash is also serving as one of the producers for the film. His involvement comes from a long-term goal to elevate Indian cinema on the global stage. Last year, Yash explained his decision to collaborate with producer Namit Malhotra, sharing a shared vision and a chance encounter with a top-tier VFX studio in Los Angeles.

Yash told Variety in April 2025, "It has been my long-term aspiration to make films that will showcase Indian cinema on a global level. Namit and I had various ideation sessions, and coincidentally, our synergy on the vision for Indian cinema aligned perfectly. We brainstormed various projects, and during these discussions, the subject of Ramayana came up."

Ramayana features an ensemble cast including Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman. The project aims to blend traditional Indian storytelling with international expertise, featuring a musical score composed by the legendary duo of Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman. The first part is scheduled for a global theatrical release during Diwali 2026, with the concluding chapter, Part 2, slated for Diwali 2027.





Also Read: His Eyes Speak Different Language Now  Indira Krishnan on Ramayana Co-star Ranbir Kapoor
West Bend, Wisconsin--(Newsfile Corp. - April 4, 2026) - Martinson Manufacturing today announced the launch of its Perfect Fit Guarantee, a customer-first policy that promises free remakes for any custom window insert that doesn't fit perfectly, even if the measurement error was the customer's fault. The announcement addresses a critical barrier in the custom home cooling market, where purchase hesitation due to measurement anxiety has prevented thousands of homeowners from finding effective portable AC solutions.

According to the Baymard Institute, 48% of online shoppers abandon purchases due to concerns about product fit and compatibility. For custom-manufactured products, this hesitation is even more pronounced, with customers fearing they'll be stuck with an expensive mistake.

"We kept hearing the same concern from potential customers: 'What if I measure wrong and waste my money?'" said Joe Martinson, Founder of Martinson Manufacturing. "The Perfect Fit Guarantee removes that fear completely. If your window insert doesn't fit perfectly, we'll remake it for free and ship it out the next business day. No questions asked, no hassle, even if the measuring mistake was yours."

The Perfect Fit Guarantee comes at a time when the portable air conditioning market is experiencing significant growth. The global portable AC market is projected to reach $3.2 billion by 2028, driven largely by climate change and the increasing frequency of heat waves in traditionally temperate coastal regions.

How the Perfect Fit Guarantee Works:

Customers receive step-by-step measuring video guidance designed for non-technical users

Every order is reviewed by the operations team before fabrication begins

If the insert doesn't fit perfectly, customers simply email with adjustment specifications

A new insert is manufactured and shipped within one business day at no charge

The guarantee covers all measurement errors, regardless of who made them

Martinson Manufacturing has produced over 10,000 custom window inserts since its founding, with "perfect" being the most commonly used word in customer reviews. The company specializes in casement window solutions, a window type that represents 95% of its sales and has been historically underserved by standard portable AC installation kits.

"We're not in the business of leaving customers stuck with something that doesn't work," Martinson added. "If something isn't right, we fix it. That's how we've always operated, and the Perfect Fit Guarantee simply makes that promise official."

The announcement reinforces Martinson Manufacturing's position as the premium alternative to DIY solutions in the portable AC accessory market. With a two-business-day manufacturing lead time and delivery within 5-7 days, the company has built its reputation on speed, precision, and customer care.

For more information about the Perfect Fit Guarantee or to order a custom window insert, visit https://martinsonmanufacturing.com.

About Martinson Manufacturing

Martinson Manufacturing is a Wisconsin-based manufacturer specializing in custom plexiglass window vent kits for portable air conditioners. Founded by Joe Martinson, the company serves homeowners in coastal regions who need professional-grade cooling solutions for casement and specialty windows. With over 10,000 installations and a commitment to white-glove customer service, Martinson Manufacturing has established itself as the leading provider of custom portable AC window solutions in the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/291220

Source: Jeremy McGilvrey
West Bend, Wisconsin--(Newsfile Corp. - April 5, 2026) - Martinson Manufacturing announced today that it has surpassed 10,000 custom window inserts sold, a milestone that establishes the company as the leading provider of portable air conditioner window solutions for casement and specialty windows in the United States. The achievement, reached in Q1 2026, represents seven years of growth since the company's founding in 2019.

The milestone comes as the portable air conditioning market continues its rapid expansion. According to Grand View Research, the global portable air conditioner market size was valued at $2.1 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.8% from 2024 to 2030, driven primarily by climate change and increasing temperatures in traditionally temperate regions.

"When we started in 2019, we weren't sure if there was even a market for custom casement window solutions," said Joe Martinson, Founder of Martinson Manufacturing. "Reaching 10,000 units sold proves that thousands of homeowners have been desperately searching for a professional alternative to cardboard and duct tape. This milestone validates that the market was underserved, not nonexistent."

Martinson Manufacturing specializes in custom plexiglass window vent kits designed specifically for casement windows, which represent 95% of the company's sales. Unlike sliding windows, which have multiple standard solutions available, casement windows have historically been ignored by major portable AC manufacturers, leaving homeowners to create makeshift DIY solutions.

Key Milestone Metrics:

10,000+ custom window inserts manufactured and shipped since 2019

95% of sales for casement windows, an underserved market segment

"Perfect" identified as the most common word in customer reviews

Two-business-day manufacturing lead time maintained across all orders

Less than 2% remake rate despite custom nature of every product

The company's growth trajectory reflects broader trends in home cooling needs. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, residential air conditioning usage has increased by 23% over the past decade, with the most significant growth occurring in coastal regions that previously relied on natural ventilation.

"Each of these 10,000 window inserts represents a homeowner who was sweating, frustrated, and couldn't find a solution that worked for their specific window type," Martinson explained. "We're not just manufacturing window inserts - we're providing relief to people who've been searching for years."

Industry analysts note that Martinson Manufacturing's success in a previously undefined market category demonstrates the value of specialization. Research from Harvard Business Review indicates that companies focusing on underserved niche markets achieve 3-5 times higher customer retention rates than generalist competitors.

The 10,000-unit milestone also reflects the company's operational excellence. With a two-business-day turnaround time and a Perfect Fit Guarantee that promises free remakes for any fit issues, Martinson Manufacturing has built its reputation on speed, precision, and customer care.

Martinson Manufacturing serves primarily coastal homeowners who prioritize premium solutions over DIY alternatives. The company's customers typically discover the brand through organic search and YouTube, often after years of unsuccessful attempts to find compatible solutions.

"This milestone isn't the end - it's validation that we're solving a real problem," Martinson added. "As summers get hotter and more coastal homeowners need cooling solutions, we're positioned to serve a market that mainstream manufacturers continue to ignore."

For more information about Martinson Manufacturing and its custom window solutions, visit https://martinsonmanufacturing.com.

About Martinson Manufacturing

Founded in 2019, Martinson Manufacturing is a Wisconsin-based manufacturer specializing in custom plexiglass window vent kits for portable air conditioners. The company serves homeowners in coastal regions who need professional-grade cooling solutions for casement and specialty windows. With over 10,000 units sold, a two-business-day manufacturing lead time, and a Perfect Fit Guarantee, Martinson Manufacturing has established itself as the market leader in custom portable AC window solutions in the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/291221

Source: Jeremy McGilvrey
Die Eskalation im Iran-Konflikt hat die Energiepreise mit voller Wucht nach oben getrieben. Was zunachst nach einer kurzfristigen Reaktion aussah, entwickelt sich zunehmend zu einem strukturellen Problem: Die Strae von Hormus ist blockiert, wichtige LNG- und Olanlagen stehen still oder werden gezielt angegriffen. Eine schnelle Entspannung ist nicht in Sicht  im Gegenteil, die Lage spitzt sich weiter zu.



Fur die Weltwirtschaft bedeutet dies wachsende Risiken. Steigende Energiepreise erhohen den Inflationsdruck, gefahrden Zinssenkungen und bringen die ohnehin hoch bewerteten Aktienmarkte ins Wanken. Doch wo Risiken entstehen, ergeben sich auch Chancen.



Denn von einem dauerhaft hoheren Energiepreisniveau profitieren nicht nur Ol- und Gasunternehmen. Auch Versorger, erneuerbare Energien sowie ausgewahlte Rohstoff- und Agrarwerte rucken in den Fokus. In diesem Umfeld konnten gezielt ausgewahlte Unternehmen uberdurchschnittlich profitieren  unabhangig davon, ob die Krise anhalt oder nicht.



In unserem aktuellen Spezialreport stellen wir drei Aktien vor, die genau dieses Profil erfullen: Krisenprofiteure mit solidem Geschaftsmodell, attraktiver Bewertung und langfristigem Potenzial.



Jetzt den kostenlosen Report sichern  und Ihr Depot auf den Energiepreisschock vorbereiten!
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You can find more information on Youtube and axinocapital.de Silver's sharp correction, a new price reality above $50, and why insiders see major upside ahead. Peter Krauth explains shifting investor mindset, rising miner margins, and why silver mining stocks may be entering their next phase. silver silverprice mining stockmarket peterkrauth No investment advice! Always trade at your own risk! More insights at ? axino.com For 35 years, we have known how to earn money sustainably with shares in the commodities sector and build up a fortune in the process. The axinocapital channel offers insights into our actions, our many years of experience and access to high-growth stocks in the precious metals, commodities and technology sectors from Australia and Canada. As Seybold Investment GmbH & AXINO invests its own money in the companies we feature, there is a potential conflict of interest as defined by MiFID II. We would like to point out that axinocapital is a playback channel of AXINO Capital GmbH and therefore a purely commercial provider. The videos broadcast does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell. We recommend that you seek advice from your bank or an independent asset manager before making any decision. The content shown may be subject to conflicts of interest in accordance with MiFID, which we are happy to disclose. Please therefore note our disclaimer! www.axinocapital.de/disclaimer This is the English version of youtube.com/@axinocapital Enthaltene Werte: XD0002747026,XD0002746952,IE00BQQP9G91

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Die hier angebotenen Beitrage dienen ausschlielich der Information und stellen keine Kauf- bzw. Verkaufsempfehlungen dar. Sie sind weder explizit noch implizit als Zusicherung einer bestimmten Kursentwicklung der genannten Finanzinstrumente oder als Handlungsaufforderung zu verstehen. Der Erwerb von Wertpapieren birgt Risiken, die zum Totalverlust des eingesetzten Kapitals fuhren konnen. Die Informationen ersetzen keine, auf die individuellen Bedurfnisse ausgerichtete, fachkundige Anlageberatung. Eine Haftung oder Garantie fur die Aktualitat, Richtigkeit, Angemessenheit und Vollstandigkeit der zur Verfugung gestellten Informationen sowie fur Vermogensschaden wird weder ausdrucklich noch stillschweigend ubernommen. ABC New Media hat auf die veroffentlichten Inhalte keinerlei Einfluss und vor Veroffentlichung der Beitrage keine Kenntnis uber Inhalt und Gegenstand dieser. Die Veroffentlichung der namentlich gekennzeichneten Beitrage erfolgt eigenverantwortlich durch Autoren wie z.B. Gastkommentatoren, Nachrichtenagenturen, Unternehmen. Infolgedessen konnen die Inhalte der Beitrage auch nicht von Anlageinteressen von ABC New Media und / oder seinen Mitarbeitern oder Organen bestimmt sein. Die Gastkommentatoren, Nachrichtenagenturen, Unternehmen gehoren nicht der Redaktion von ABC New Media an. Ihre Meinungen spiegeln nicht notwendigerweise die Meinungen und Auffassungen von ABC New Media und deren Mitarbeiter wider. ( Ausfuhrlicher Disclaimer )
Cherkasy Chemical Fiber to Hold Shareholders Meeting on April 30

PJSC Cherkasy Chemical Fiber will hold its annual general meeting of shareholders on April 30, 2026, via remote participation. The agenda includes the results of operations for 2025, annual financial statements, and other matters related to company management. Cherkasy Chemical Fiber is a large industrial enterprise, also known as the operator of the Cherkasy Thermal Power Plant. The company has historically operated in the chemical industry, and in recent years its significance has also been linked to heat generation for the city.

According to the Opendatabot system, the company is registered in Cherkasy and operates in the chemical production and energy sectors. The companys key shareholder is Azot PJSC (Cherkasy), which is part of the OSTCHEM business group. Through this structure, control over Cherkasy Chemical Fiber is exercised by a group of companies linked to Ukrainian businessman Dmytro Firtash, who is the ultimate beneficiary of the relevant assets.
Ukrainian Capital Bank has scheduled a shareholders meeting for April 29

JSC Ukrainian Capital Bank will hold its annual general meeting of shareholders on April 29, 2026, via remote participation. Shareholders will review the banks financial statements, financial results, and development strategy.

The bank operates in the corporate segment and serves business clients. According to Opendatabot data, a controlling stake (over 75%) is held by Ukrainian businessman Andriy Onistrat through affiliated entities. The bank is actively engaged in the settlement and cash management services segment and business financing.
JERUSALEM, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz suggested on Sunday that Israel was involved in efforts to rescue two U.S. airmen from Iran.

Speaking in a video statement following a situational assessment meeting, Katz described the operation as "an expression of the close cooperation" between Israel and the United States.

"I commend our American partners on the safe rescue of the U.S. aircrew," he added, without providing further details.

The two crew members from a downed F-15E fighter jet in Iran were recovered after a "heavy firefight," U.S. officials told media earlier on Sunday. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the rescue on his Truth Social platform, saying the second rescued pilot is injured but remains "safe and sound."

The aircraft went down earlier Friday in southern Iran. One crew member was recovered earlier, while both U.S. and Iranian forces had been searching for the second. 
by Hebah Abbas

In an era marked by geopolitical realignment, accelerated technological change, and structural adjustments in global supply chains, the central question for nations is no longer how to grow rapidly, but how to grow sustainably, strategically, and with resilience.

Within this evolving global landscape, China's pursuit of high-quality development presents a modernization path anchored in innovation, ecological civilization, and long-term planning. This approach reflects a shift from growth measured by scale to advancement defined by structural optimization and internal capacity building.

High-quality development has become a guiding principle shaping China's economic governance, industrial upgrading, and green transformation. It integrates technological progress, social stability, and environmental stewardship into a coherent national strategy, emphasizing systematic coordination and structural optimization rather than isolated breakthroughs.

As the world's largest investor in renewable energy capacity, China demonstrates that its green commitments are embedded in industrial policies and financial mobilization, rather than remaining at the level of rhetoric. Carbon peaking and carbon neutrality targets are being implemented through upgrades in manufacturing, infrastructure modernization, and innovation ecosystems. Modernization and sustainability function as mutually reinforcing pillars rather than alternatives.

Equally significant is China's vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity. Through the Belt and Road Initiative, connectivity has evolved from a trade facilitation mechanism into a multidimensional platform encompassing logistics corridors, energy systems, digital infrastructure, and industrial cooperation. This framework aligns closely with the trajectory of China-Gulf relations and is expected to gain strategic momentum at the anticipated 2026 China-GCC Summit.

From a Kuwaiti perspective, this development model resonates strongly.

Kuwait's national development strategy prioritizes economic diversification, infrastructure modernization, and system-level resilience. As a key crossroads connecting Asia and the Arab world, Kuwait recognizes that long-term prosperity depends on integrated logistics networks, advanced utilities systems, and knowledge-based growth. Within the framework of the 2035 National Vision, Kuwait is committed to establishing itself as a regional financial and logistics hub, a goal that aligns naturally with China's high-quality development and Belt and Road cooperation.

Historical experience reinforces this conviction. In the aftermath of the 1990 Iraqi invasion, Kuwait faced severe environmental devastation as oil well fires darkened the skies. Today, those skies are clear. Reconstruction was not merely physical; it involved rebuilding institutional capacity and technical expertise. A new generation of Kuwaiti engineers and planners now manage advanced desalination plants, smart grid systems, and digital infrastructure platforms that underpin national stability.

The transition from environmental catastrophe to sustainable planning demonstrates disciplined reconstruction and long-term strategic resolve. This experience also heightens Kuwait's awareness of green development and technological advancement, laying a practical foundation for cooperation with China in renewable energy and infrastructure.

Within this trajectory, the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port exemplifies strategic complementarity. Following the signing of the 4.1 billion dollar EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contract in December 2025, the project has entered its formal execution phase. This milestone represents not only engineering collaboration but also institutional alignment, shared standards, and coordinated oversight. The port is positioned as a critical node linking northern Gulf trade with regional and land-based supply chains, enhancing Kuwait's role in regional logistics.

As Kuwait advances its ambition to become a northern Gulf logistics hub, cooperation in port development, maritime connectivity, and technical integration strengthens its function within regional and global trade networks. In this process, China's industrial sophistication converges with Kuwait's geostrategic positioning in a practical and forward-looking manner.

Beyond physical infrastructure, cooperation on utilities illustrates a high-quality concrete partnership. Chinese enterprises collaborating with regional counterparts have supported the modernization of grids, the integration of renewable energy, and the development of advanced water treatment systems. These initiatives have yielded measurable improvements in transmission reliability and water efficiency, reinforcing energy security and public confidence. Such cooperation emphasizes capacity building and technology transfer, rather than merely project delivery.

Naturally, partnerships of this scale face technical and regulatory complexities. Differences in standards, procurement procedures, and certification frameworks require structured coordination. Through joint technical committees and institutional dialogue, these challenges are systematically addressed. The ability to manage complexity reflects institutional maturity and long-term commitment.

Importantly, the alignment between China and Kuwait is not based on identical development models. China's modernization emphasizes industrial depth, technological self-reliance, and manufacturing scale, while Kuwait's strategy focuses on logistics connectivity, energy system optimization, and regional integration. These differences are complementary rather than competitive, forming a resilient architecture of cooperation based on structural alignment rather than superficial convergence.

People-to-people exchange further strengthens this foundation. For over five decades, Chinese medical teams have served in Kuwait, building trust at the human level. Educational cooperation, cultural dialogue, and technological collaboration deepen mutual understanding beyond economic indicators. This "soft connectivity" complements the "hard connectivity" of infrastructure and trade, reinforcing the strategic partnership.

In 2026, as China and Kuwait celebrate the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the partnership has evolved from transactional engagement to a layered strategic relationship spanning infrastructure, energy, healthcare, digital innovation, and knowledge exchange.

In a world of uncertainty, stability is achieved through disciplined planning, institutional coordination, and a shared long-term vision. China's high-quality development pathway and its advocacy of a community with a shared future for humanity offer valuable insights into how modernization, sustainability, and social cohesion can advance in parallel.

From Kuwait's vantage point, cooperation with China is not merely about projects or trade volumes: It involves shaping a durable development architecture capable of supporting future generations.

Through structured engagement and mutual respect, Kuwait and China continue to move forward together, contributing to a more stable, interconnected, and sustainable global order.

Editor's note: Hebah Abbas is the chairwoman of the Sustainability Committee at the Kuwait Water Association, and a member of the Executive Committee of the World Utilities Congress 2026.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Xinhua News Agency.
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.
Followers of Iraq's Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr chant slogans as they wave national Iraqi flag during a protest against U.S. and Israeli attacks on multiple cities across Iran, in Tahrir Square, Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, April 4, 2026.




Operation Roaring Lion: Hundreds of Weapons Discovered Inside School in Southern Lebanon During Shayetet 13 Operation

Israel Defense Forces

27.03.26

In a targeted operation in southern Lebanon, IDF forces uncovered a large cache of weapons hidden inside a school in the area of Al-Khiyam-a discovery that once again exposes how terrorist organizations embed military infrastructure deep within civilian environments.

The operation was carried out by Shayetet 13, acting on precise intelligence, as part of ongoing ground activity led by troops from the Givati Brigade to strengthen security along the northern front. The forces operated in the Al-Khiyam area following indications that the site was being used to store weapons, despite its civilian designation.

Inside the school, troops located hundreds of weapons and combat materials. Among them were anti-tank rockets, mortar shells, grenades, launchers, light firearms, and large quantities of explosive devices, explosive materials, and detonation mechanisms-all prepared for use.

Weapons found in school

What made the discovery even more striking were clear markings of the United Nations' UNHCR agency found within the compound. The presence of internationally marked materials alongside a large weapons stockpile highlights the extent to which civilian spaces, including institutions meant to serve and protect, are being exploited for terrorist purposes.

This is not an isolated case. Hezbollah has consistently embedded its military capabilities within civilian infrastructure, deliberately operating from within populated areas. By doing so, the organization not only advances its ability to carry out attacks, but also places Lebanese civilians directly in harm's way.

The findings in Al-Khiyam serve as a stark example of this strategy in action-a school repurposed into a weapons depot, positioned within a civilian community.

Through operations like this, IDF forces continue to locate and dismantle terrorist infrastructure, working to reduce the threat posed to Israeli civilians and to prevent further escalation along the border.

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German foreign minister calls for ending EU unanimity principle

Azerbaijan State News Agency - (AZERTAC)

04.04.2026 [16:19]

Baku, April 4, AZERTAC

Germany's foreign minister on Saturday called for the European Union to end its unanimity principle in decision-making, especially in foreign and security policy, Anadolu Agency reported.

"We should abolish the unanimity principle in the EU in foreign and security policy before the end of the current legislative period so as to be better capable of acting internationally and to be truly grown-up," Johann Wadephul said.

Speaking to the Funke Media Group, as cited by the DPA news agency, Wadephul also highlighted a recent dispute with Hungary over a large EU-backed loan to Ukraine.

Wadephul instead expressed support for decisions based on qualified majority voting among the EU's 27 member states.

"All the experience that we have gained over recent weeks with aid for Ukraine and sanctions on Russia indicate this," he added.

Hungary has been blocking a 90 billion ($103 billion) loan to Ukraine, creating a political impasse within the bloc.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has tied his country's approval to the restoration of Russian oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline. Budapest claims Ukraine deliberately halted the flow, while Kyiv says the disruption followed damage caused by a Russian strike and has rejected calls for inspections.

On Hungary's looming April 12 general elections, Wadephul said that it is up to Hungarians to choose their government and that Germany would work with any Hungarian administration.

Orban, Hungary's prime minister since 2010, is known for often taking exception with the views of his EU colleagues.

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Statement by the Spokesperson on the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action

European External Action Service (EEAS)

04.04.2026

EEAS Press Team

Anti-personnel landmines, improvised explosive devices and explosive remnants of war continue to kill and maim civilians long after conflict ends. Children are disproportionately affected. Mines also obstruct humanitarian access, delay recovery and hold back development.

On this International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, the European Union honours the courage and dedication of deminers and humanitarian personnel in their daily work to protect others, working on the frontline of this challenge. We stand with victims and survivors, and reaffirm our commitment to protecting their rights, dignity, and inclusion.

The scale of the challenge remains immense. Each year, the European Union provides over EUR 100 million for mine action. Our funding supports clearance, support for victims and their families - including medical care, rehabilitation, and social and economic reintegration - as well as education in affected communities.

Nowhere is the devastation more evident than in Ukraine. Around a quarter of Ukrainian territory is contaminated with mines, found in parks, beneath roads, and scattered across farmland. Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, the European Union and its Member States have mobilised over EUR 360 million for demining efforts. We are the largest donor in Ukraine., supporting specialist equipment, detection dogs and the restoration of poisoned with explosive remnants of war.

Sustained international engagement is essential for post-war recovery and resilience in every country affected, including Ukraine. This is why the EU remains firmly committed to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention and its universal application. We welcome Croatia being declared mine-free in March 2026, and the steps taken by Tonga, the Marshall Islands, and Lebanon to strengthen the Convention. A mine-free future is possible, with resolve, international support and sustained effort.

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Italian Eurofighters conclude NATO Air Policing Mission in Estonia following consecutive deployments

NATO Allied Air Command

Apr 4 2026

RAMSTEIN, Germany -- The Italian Air Force has concluded its NATO Air Policing deployment at Amari Air Base, Estonia, after completing two consecutive rotations in support of the Alliance's Baltic Air Policing mission. The Italian Eurofighter detachment now hands over responsibility to the incoming Portuguese Air Force, ensuring the continued protection of NATO airspace on the Alliances eastern flank.

During their deployment, Italian Eurofighters maintained continuous Quick Reaction Alert under NATO's Integrated Air and Missile Defence system. Operating from Amari Air Base, the detachment contributed to the safeguarding of NATO airspace over the Baltic region, reinforcing NATO's deterrence and defence posture under Eastern Sentry.

Over the course of the mission, the Italian detachment accumulated more than 1,300 flying hours, demonstrating sustained operational readiness. The persistent air surveillance capability ensured the ability to respond rapidly to any unusual or uncoordinated air activity near NATO airspace.

The Italian's participated in multinational training and exercises, including Furious Wolf, as well as close air support training with Latvian forces. Air-to-air training missions were conducted alongside Spanish, Portuguese and Finnish fighter aircraft, further enhancing interoperability.

" The Italian detachment fully achieved the assigned mission to safeguard the airspace in the Baltic region; prolonged operations in such a challenging and dynamic environment confirmed once again the high level of training, the professionalism and dedication of Italian Air Force and Army personnel, who have operated continuously in great synergy" said Colonel Fabio DE MICHELE, Italian Air Force Detachment Commander. "Working alongside our Estonian friends enhanced our mission capabilities, ensuring the continued security of NATO airspace."

The detachment contributed to four Flexible Deterrence Options (FDOs, integrating into NATO's command and control framework while refining procedures and coordination with other Allied forces. These events ensure common standards and operational effectiveness across the Alliance. In addition, the detachment conducted extensive community engagements and provided continuous counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Joint terminal attack controller support to the Hosting Nation ensuring NATO readiness.

The detachment capitalized on activities including Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems training, where Italian Eurofighters operated against Estonian drone systems to enhance defensive capabilities against emerging threats.

The seamless transition to the Portuguese Air Force ensures uninterrupted continuation of NATO's Air Policing mission in Estonia. Regular rotations of Allied fighter detachments highlight the Alliance's ability to maintain a persistent and credible air defence posture.

NATO continues to demonstrate unity, readiness and resolve through its coordinated activities under Eastern Sentry. The conclusion of the Italian rotation reinforces the Alliance's commitment to collective defence and to maintaining a flexible and scalable presence on the eastern flank.

Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office

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Trump Gives Tehran 48 Hours To Make Deal, Open Strait Or Face 'Hell,' As Aviator Search Goes On

By RFE/RL April 04, 2026

US President Donald Trump on April 4 told the Iranian regime that "time is running out" and that it must make a deal or open the crucial Strait of Hormuz to shipping or face "hell," renewing an earlier threat in which he vowed to send Iran "back to the stone ages."

"Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out - 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them. Glory be to GOD!," he wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Later, Trump posted a video of what he said was a "massive strike" on Tehran that killed many of Iran's military chiefs.

"Many of Iran's Military Leaders, who have led them poorly and unwisely, are terminated, along with much else, with this massive strike in Tehran!" he wrote.

The remarks came as US forces searched for a missing crew member after an F-15E jet fighter was shot down a day earlier over Iran. One crew member has been rescued, US officials said.

Trump has previously set deadlines for Iran to make a deal or to open the Strait of Hormuz, through which some 20 percent of global oil and natural gas supplies pass. Tehran has effectively blocked the passage, leading to a worldwide energy crisis.

On March 30, Trump said that "if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached" by April 6. US forces will react " by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!)"

Trump on March 21 originally gave Tehran a 48-hour deadline, but then extended it, saying he wanted to give talks a chance to succeed.

Iran has rejected a 15-point US plan presented to it through Pakistani mediators but on April 4 left open the possibility of further negotiations.

In an April 1 televised address, Trump also suggested peace talks -- either directly or indirectly -- were still possible, but he also threatened to bomb Iran "back to the stone ages" and "hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks."

After Trump's latest remarks, General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi said Trump's threat was a "a helpless, nervous, unbalanced, and stupid action."

In a statement through Iran's central military command, Aliabadi warned he US president that "the simple meaning of this message is that the gates of hell will open for you."

Frantic Search For Crew Member

Meanwhile, US forces frantically searched to rescue a second crew member of an F-15E fighter jet that was shot down on April 3 over Iran. One crew member, who ejected from the crippled aircraft, has been recovered, US officials said.

Iran was also scrambling to capture the US aviator and have offered rewards to anyone who can find and turn the crew member over to the authorities. There has been no word on the potential condition of the second crew member.

A US official said another US Air Force warplane, an A-10 attack aircraft, crashed in the Persian Gulf and that the lone pilot in that incident was safely recovered. Full details were not immediately available.

US officials told reporters that the A-10 was damaged by Iranian fire during the rescue of the F-15E crew member but managed to fly into Kuwaiti air space, where the US aviator safely ejected and the aircraft crashed into Kuwaiti territory.

So far during the conflict, 13 US service members have been killed and 365 have been injured, according to the Pentagon's online database of US military casualties.

Bushehr 'Shockwaves'

Meanwhile, nuclear experts expressed concerns when an air strike reportedly hit the grounds of Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant. Neither the US nor Israeli militaries have confirmed any involvement in an attack on the facility.

According to a post on X, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that Iran had informed the body that "one of the site's physical protection staff members was killed by a projectile fragment and that a building on site was affected by shockwaves and fragments."

Russia on April 4 said it was evacuating an additional 198 members of its staff from the nuclear power plant. The operator of the plant, Rosatom, has been evacuating staff since the start of the US-Israeli war with Iran war broke out on February 28.

With reporting from RFE/RL's Radio Farda, RFE/RL's Alex Raufoglu in Washington, Reuters, and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-deadline-iran-bushehr- hormuz/33724801.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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US Search For Missing Crew Member Continues, As Strike Reported Near Iran Nuclear Plant

By Alex Raufoglu and RFE/RL's Radio Farda April 04, 2026

Rescue teams are continuing to search for a US crew member missing after their fighter jet was brought down over Iran, as reports emerged of a strike near the Bushehr nuclear power plant.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on April 4 that Iran had informed it of a projectile striking close to the Bushehr site.

According to a post on X, IAEA said that Iran had also informed the body that "one of the site's physical protection staff members was killed by a projectile fragment and that a building on site was affected by shockwaves and fragments."

The nuclear watchdog said that "No increase in radiation levels was reported."

The reported strike has not been independently confirmed, and neither the US nor Israeli militaries have confirmed any involvement in an attack on the facility.

Meanwhile, a US official has told RFE/RL that one crew member has been recovered while the search is ongoing for the second after the downing of a warplane, a two-seat F-15E jet, on April 3.

Separately, a US official later said another US Air Force warplane, an A-10 attack aircraft, crashed in the Persian Gulf and that the lone pilot in that incident was safely recovered. Full details were not immediately available.

Iranian state media also reported the downing of both planes. Iranian officials said they also were searching for the missing crew member of the first plane and urged citizens to report to the authorities any information that could lead to the airman's capture.

Specifics of the Iran rescue mission were not provided by the US official who spoke to RFE/RL.

The US military did not comment, but US President Donald Trump told NBC News that the downing of the jet would not affect negotiations with Iran as he continues to pressure Tehran to accept a US peace deal that regime figures have so far rejected.

Should a crew member be captured by Iranian forces, it would raise already high tensions and likely complicate US efforts as it attempts to fully degrade Tehran's military assets and force the regime to agree to peace terms set out by Trump.

Israel has postponed its planned strikes on Iran so as not to interfere with the search efforts for the US crew member, Western officials told reporters on a call.

Search-And-Rescue Strategy

Asked what a potential search-and-rescue operation would involve, Richard Allen Williams, a retired US Army colonel and former NATO Defense Investment Division official, told RFE/RL that such missions are typically highly coordinated and heavily protected.

He explained that commanders would likely deploy a dedicated air-surveillance aircraft to oversee the operation, supported by air-security assets and ground forces capable of providing suppressive fire if needed.

These units would work to secure the crash site while rescue teams home in on the downed aircraft's GPS signal.

Additional aircraft and backup resources would remain on standby to respond quickly to any escalation or complications, he added.

Photos And Videos

Iranian sources published photos and videos of what they claimed was evidence of the incident.

"Military forces have launched a search operation to find the American fighter pilot who was hit earlier today," Iran's Fars news agency, which is close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), reported.

While US military aircraft have crashed or been hit by Iranian missiles or drones while on the ground since the war broke out on February 28, the downing of the fighter jet, if confirmed officially, would be the first reported case of a US warplane downed by hostile fire.

On March 12, six US service personnel were killed when a KC-135 refueling tanker crashed after a mid-air collision with another refueling aircraft.

Just over two weeks later, on March 27, an Iranian missile and drone strike hit the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, injuring at least 12 American troops and heavily damaging at least two KC-135 aerial refueling planes.

Three US Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagles were shot down over Kuwait on March 2 by friendly fire from Kuwaiti air defenses. The six crew members ejected safely into Kuwait.

Iran Launches Strikes Across Region

The report of the downing comes as Iran launched attacks across the Middle East on April 3, setting parts of a major Kuwaiti oil refinery ablaze and triggering air defense responses across the Gulf, as the war with the United States and Israel neared the end of its fifth week.

The refinery has been targeted several times since the war began and state-run Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said firefighters were working to put out multiple fires from the strikes. Electricity, water, and renewable energy infrastructure in Kuwait were also hit in the attack.

Tehran continued to keep the pressure on Israel and its other Gulf Arab neighbors. Saudi Arabia said it had destroyed several Iranian drones, air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain, defenses were activated in the United Arab Emirates, and Israel reported incoming missiles.

Authorities in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates said an Egyptian citizen was killed at least 12 other people suffered "minor to moderate" injuries on April 3 in Iranian air attacks. Officials said seven Nepali nationals and five Indian citizens were injured.

Abu Dhabi official said the emirate's Habshan gas facilities suffered significant damage from falling debris after air defense operations.

US Has 'Not Even Started'

The latest wave of Iranian attacks follows comments from US President Donald Trump late on April 2 where he signaled further escalation, saying Washington had "not even started" its campaign against Iran and warning that more strikes on infrastructure were imminent, even as diplomatic efforts to contain the war showed little progress.

"The US hasn't even started destroying what's left in Iran," he wrote in a series of social media posts, adding that targets could include bridges and power plants. "Iran's leadership knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!"

He also shared video of a US strike on a newly built bridge linking Tehran and the nearby city of Karaj. Iranian state media said the attack killed eight people and wounded 95. Iranian media said a separate drone strike hit a Red Crescent warehouse in the southern province of Bushehr, destroying two containers. The port city is a key maritime hub and home to Iran's only nuclear power plant.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli strikes have destroyed about 70 percent of Iran's steel production capacity, significantly hitting Tehran's ability to manufacture weapons.

"Together with our American friends, we continue to crush the terror regime in Iran. We are eliminating commanders, bombing bridges, bombing infrastructures," Netanyahu said in a video statement.

Britain To Deploy Systems To Kuwait Amid Attacks

The latest exchange of attacks underscores how the war, which began with coordinated US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, is expanding across the region, disrupting global energy flows and raising pressure on world powers to secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for oil and gas supplies.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office announced on April 3 that the country will deploy its Rapid Sentry air defense system to Kuwait to help protect British and Kuwaiti interests in the Gulf.

The Rapid Sentry is a ground-based short-range air defense system aimed at countering drone threats.

Iran has continued to target energy infrastructure across the Gulf while maintaining pressure on shipping routes through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies pass in peacetime.

In a social media poston April 3, Trump said: "With a little more time, we can easily open the Hormuz Strait, take the oil, and make a fortune. It would be a 'gusher' for the world???"

Oil markets have reacted sharply and sent prices climbing. Shipping through the strait, once a stable corridor for global trade, has been increasingly disrupted.

Trump has said it is not the responsibility of the United States to reopen the waterway, urging countries that rely on the route to take action themselves.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/rescue-operation-us-jet-downed- iran/33724346.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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MUSCAT, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Oman and Iran held a meeting to discuss possible options to ensure the smooth flow of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz amid current regional tensions, Oman's Foreign Ministry said on Sunday.

Oman's Foreign Ministry said in a post on X that the two countries held a meeting on Saturday at the level of deputy ministers in the foreign ministries of the two countries, attended by specialists from both sides.

During the meeting, experts from both sides presented a range of views and proposals, which will be further studied, said the ministry.

The talks come amid ongoing escalation in the region following exchanges of attacks involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, which have raised concerns over maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz. 
Saudi Arabia Condemns Rapid Support Forces Attack on Al-Jabalain Hospital in Sudan's White Nile State

Saudi Press Agency

Saturday 16/10/1447

Riyadh, April 04, 2026, SPA -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's condemnation and denunciation of the Rapid Support Forces' targeting of a hospital in Al-Jabalain, White Nile State, Sudan, which resulted in deaths and injuries, including among medical personnel.

In a statement, the ministry said: "The Kingdom affirms that these reprehensible acts cannot be justified under any circumstances and constitute a flagrant violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and the principles of the true Islamic faith."

The Kingdom called for an immediate cessation of these violations and adherence to the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan, signed on May 11, 2023.

The Kingdom reiterated its firm position on the need to preserve Sudan's unity and legitimate institutions, as this is the only way to fulfill the aspirations of the noble Sudanese people for security and stability.

-- SPA

16:59 Local Time 13:59 GMT

0016

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"We Got Him" - Missing US F-15E Crew Member Rescued In Iran

By Alex Raufoglu April 05, 2026

US forces early on April 5 rescued the second crew member of a downed F-15 fighter jet in Iran, US officials said, concluding a high-risk combat search-and-rescue mission deep inside hostile territory.

"We got him," US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social shortly after word of the rescue was made public. "He sustained injuries, but he will be just fine," he added.

The F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down by Iranian air defenses on April 3, becoming the first US aircraft lost over Iran during the five-week conflict. The first crew member was recovered within hours of ejecting from the crippled jet.

"Mission accomplished," a US official told RFE/RL following the operation.

US Special Operations Forces

The second crew member -- identified as the weapons systems officer (WSO) -- was recovered early on April 5 local time in a complex, multi-layered rescue effort involving US Special Operations forces and other military units.

According to US officials and regional sources cited by Fox News, both the rescued airman and the recovery team have since safely exited Iran.

There was no immediate official update on the WSO's condition.

Both crew members ejected when their aircraft was struck during a nighttime mission over southwestern Iran. According to Axios and Fox News, they quickly established contact with US forces using emergency communications equipment.

The WSO reportedly used Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) training to avoid capture, moving away from the wreckage and taking cover on elevated terrain, where an emergency beacon was activated to guide rescuers.

US officials said Iranian forces, including members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated Basij units, were actively searching for the downed airman. American rescue teams faced attempts to intercept the operation, and US forces engaged to keep Iranian units at bay.

Ground Fighting

Fox News, citing sources briefed on the mission, reported that fighting occurred on the ground during the rescue, though no US personnel were killed. Videos circulating from local witnesses allegedly show casualties among Iranian forces involved in the search effort.

"It was a very complex operation to retrieve the downed service member," a source familiar with the mission told Fox News, noting that multiple branches of the US military were involved.

The operation included elite rescue personnel such as US Air Force Pararescuemen, supported by layered air and ground assets. Two rescue helicopters were reportedly hit by enemy fire during the mission, with crew members wounded but able to withdraw safely from Iranian territory.

Hours before the rescue was confirmed, Iranian media reported air strikes in southwestern Iran, where the missing crew member was believed to be hiding.

Western officials said Israel delayed planned strikes in the area to avoid disrupting US rescue operations. The New York Times, citing an Israeli official, reported that Israel shared intelligence with US forces.

Iranian authorities were also searching for the crew members and had reportedly offered rewards to civilians who could capture and hand them over.

In a related incident, Fox News confirmed that an A-10 Warthog providing cover for the rescue effort crashed on April 3 in Kuwait. The pilot ejected safely and was recovered.

The downed F-15E was described as largely destroyed on impact.

US officials had warned that the capture of an American crew member by Iranian forces could have sharply escalated tensions and complicated Washington's broader military objectives in the conflict.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/crew-member- f15-rescued-/33725134.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 04 April 2026 - Day 1501

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that in total, 128 combat clashes have taken place since the beginning of this day.

The defense forces continue to stop the Russian enemy, destroy personnel and deplete the invaders' combat potential by creating a systematic fire effect.

The Russian opponent made 54 airstrikes, dropped 159 controlled airstrikes. In addition, Russian troops engaged 6144 kamikaze drones to impress and carried out 2701 shelling of settlements and positions of Ukrainian troops.

In the Northern Slobozhansky and Kursk directions, the Russian enemy carried out 73 shelling of the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements, seven of them in particular - with the use of reactive systems of arson fire.

In the South-Slobozhansky direction, the Russian enemy six times stormed the positions of Ukrainian units in the areas of the settlements of Vovchansk, Ohrimivka and Ambarne. Two clashes are underway.

In the Kupyansky direction, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled four Russian assaults in the areas of the settlements of Kurilivka, Pishchnya, Kivsharivka, Novoplatonivka and Novoosinove. Three more clashes are ongoing so far.

In the Lyman direction, Ukrainian soldiers repelled one attempt by the zagarbnikiv to advance in the direction of the Lyman settlement.

In the Slovak direction, Ukrainian soldiers repel two Russian assaults in the areas of Platonivka and Yampol.

In the direction of Kramatorsky, the Russian enemy did not carry out attacks.

The Defense Forces successfully repelled 26 Russian assaults in the Konstantinivka direction near Konstantinovka, Pleshiyivka, Illinivka, Stepanivka, Novopavlivka, Dovgoi Balka and Sofiyivka.

Russian forces made 24 attacks in the Pokrovsky direction. The Russian occupiers tried to advance in the areas of settlements Bilitske, Rodinske, Pokrovsk, Udaachne, Grishine, Mirnograd, Novomikolaivka and towards the New Donbass. Three clashes are still ongoing.

According to preliminary estimates, 67 Russian occupants were eliminated and 44 wounded in this direction; one car unit and 14 enemy special equipment units were destroyed, one cannon, two tanks damaged, one combat armored vehicle, five vehicles units and seven enemy infantry shelters. Destroyed or suppressed 207 unmanned aircraft of different types.

In the Oleksandrivsky direction, Russian forces tried eight times to improve their position by attacking in the areas of settlements Oleksandrograd, Sichneve and Verbove. Aviation strikes were felt on the outskirts of settlements Ivanivka, Dobropasove, Levadne and Vyshneve. There is currently one confrontation in progress.

In the Gulyaipil direction there were ten Russian attacks in the areas of Varvarivka, Zaliznychny, Gulyaipilsky, Pryluk, Olenokostyantinivka and Mirnoy. The Russian enemy caused air strikes in the areas of Vozdvizhensky, Novoselivka, Rybal sky and Lyubitsky.

In the orihiv direction, the Russian enemy tried to advance in the area of the settlement stepovo. In addition, the Russian enemy caused aviation strikes on the areas of popnogirsk and Grigorivka.

In the Pridniprovsk direction, Ukrainian defenders successfully stopped three assault actions in the direction of Antonivsky Bridge and near the island of White Chest.

In other directions, there have been no significant changes in the environment.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that over the previous 24 hours, in return to terrorist attacks launched by Ukraine against civilian facilities on the territory of the Russian Federation, the Armed Forces of Russia have carried out a group strike with long-range, air- and ground-launched high-precision weapons as well as with unmanned aerial vehicles against the facilities of the Ukrainian defence and energy industries used in the interests of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The goals of the strike were achieved. All the assigned targets were engaged.

The Sever Group of Forces improved the situation along the front line. Russian troops engaged manpower and hardware of a mechanised brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and two territorial defence brigades close to Bachevsk, Novaya Sech, and Khrapovshchina (Sumy region).

In Kharkov region, units of a mechanised brigade and a motorised infantry brigade of the AFU, a territorial defence brigade, and a national guard brigade have been hit near Aleksandrovka, Kazachya Lopan, Izbitskoye, and Volchanskiye Khutora (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 175 troops, an armoured fighting vehicle, 18 motor vehicles, and two field artillery guns. An electronic warfare station and nine ammunition and materiel depots were neutralised.

The Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. In addition, strikes were delivered at manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a territorial defence brigade close to Borovaya, Studenok in Kharkov region, Shchurovo, Stary Karavan, and Krasny Liman (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses amounted to more than 180 troops, an infantry fighting vehicle, five armoured fighting vehicles, 22 motor vehicles, two field artillery guns, one Grad MLRS, and three ammunition depots.

The Yuzhnaya Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Units of four mechanised brigades, a motorised infantry brigade, and an assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been hit near Kramatorsk, Slavyansk, Druzhkovka, Rai-Aleksandrovka, and Konstantinovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy lost up to 70 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, 16 motor vehicles, five field artillery guns, and one Grad MLRS vehicle. Seven ammunition, materiel, and POL depots were neutralised.

The Tsentr Group of Forces improved the situation along the front line. Russian elements hit two mechanised brigades, a jaeger brigade, an assault brigade, an assault regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a marine brigade, and a national guard brigade near Dobropolye, Vodyanskoye, Petrovka, Varvarovka (Donetsk People's Republic), Novopavlovka, Gavrilovka, and Novopodgorodnoye (Dnepropetrovsk region).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 380 troops, four infantry fighting vehicles, seven armoured fighting vehicles including a U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, a field artillery gun, 15 motor vehicles, and one ammunition depot.

The Vostok Group of Forces continued advancing to the depth of the enemy's defences. Strikes were delivered at formations of two mechanised brigades, an assault brigade, and two assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Vozdvizhevka, Lyubitskoye, Kopani, Novoselovka (Zaporozhye region), and Velikomikhaylovka (Dnepropetrovsk region).

Up to 290 troops, one infantry fighting vehicle, and nine motor vehicles of the enemy have been neutralised.

The Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of a mechanised brigade, a UAV brigade of the AFU, and a territorial defence brigade near Orekhov, Preobrazhenka (Zaporozhye region) and Kherson.

Up to 65 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, 11 motor vehicles, three electronic warfare stations, and one materiel depot were neutralised.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack drones, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces struck infrastructure of military airfields as well as temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 142 areas.

Air defence systems shot down six guided aerial bombs, one Flamingo long-range cruise missile, and 308 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation the enemy has lost: 671 aircraft, 284 helicopters, 131,025 unmanned aerial vehicles, 653 anti-aircraft missile systems, 28,687 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,696 MLRS combat vehicles, 34,276 field artillery guns and mortars, and 58,596 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised.

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Cube satellite to gauge space radiation for Artemis II mission

KOREA.net

Apr 03, 2026

By Charles Audouin

K-RadCube, a domestically developed cube satellite to measure space radiation, on April 1 at 6:35 p.m. was launched aboard the Space Launch System rocket for the Artemis II lunar mission from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) said that at 11:58 p.m. that day, K-RadCube successfully separated at an altitude of about 40,000 km and entered a high orbit around Earth.

The K-RadCube observes the conditions of space radiation from a highly elliptical orbit to secure basic data for radiation risk assessment, a key element in future manned explorations of the moon and deep space. This is Korea's first cube satellite put into space with a manned NASA crew.

The cube satellite flies in an orbit ranging in altitude between 200 km and 70,000 km, moving in and out of the Van Allen belts to observe the distribution and characteristics of high-energy particles in radiation environments.

Equipped with semiconductors from Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, K-RadCube will also confirm the durability of such chips exposed to radiation in extreme space conditions.

KASA announced its attempts to communicate with the ground station in Maspalomas, Spain, to obtain data from the satellite from K-RadCube's mission control center. It was also tracking satellite signals by linking with other stations in Punta Arenas, Chile, Hawaii and Singapore.

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Saudi Arabia Achieves Historic Milestone with Launch of 'Shams' Satellite Aboard Artemis II Mission

Saudi Press Agency

Saturday 16/10/1447

Riyadh, April 04, 2026, SPA -- The Saudi Space Agency announced today the successful launch and initial communication with the Saudi satellite "Shams," which was deployed aboard the Space Launch System (SLS) as part of the Artemis II mission. With this achievement, the Kingdom becomes the first Arab nation to participate in a space mission under the historic Artemis program, which aims to accelerate scientific innovation and foster high-impact international partnerships that contribute to shaping the future of space for humanity.

Artemis II represents the second phase of the Artemis program, led by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in collaboration with international partners. The mission aims to return humans to the vicinity of the Moon for the first time in more than five decades, paving the way for future missions to Mars. It carries a crew of four astronauts on the first crewed lunar flyby mission aboard the Orion spacecraft, powered by the Space Launch System (SLS), the most powerful launch vehicle ever developed. The mission also carries the Saudi satellite "Shams" as part of its scientific payload.

The "Shams" satellite will operate in a highly elliptical orbit (HEO), ranging from approximately 500 km to 70,000 km above Earth. This orbit enables broad coverage for monitoring solar and radiation activity, enhancing space weather research, providing an advanced scientific environment, and supporting critical applications associated with it.

"Shams" represents a multi-first achievement. It is the first Arab mission launched as part of the Artemis program and the first national mission dedicated to space weather monitoring, underscoring the Kingdom's progress in advanced space technologies. The satellite was developed domestically by Saudi talent, supported by initiatives under the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP), one of the key enablers of Saudi Vision 2030.

The mission aims to study space weather and monitor the effects of solar and radiation activity on Earth through four main scientific domains: space radiation, solar X-rays, Earth's magnetic field, and high-energy solar particles.

This scientific mission contributes to enhancing the reliability and sustainability of critical sectors linked to space, such as communications, aviation, and navigation, by providing data that supports operational readiness and strengthens the security of the technical infrastructure relied upon globally in daily life.

Acting CEO of the Saudi Space Agency Dr. Mohammed bin Saud Al-Tamimi stated, "This achievement is the result of the unwavering support received by the space sector from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, whose vision has empowered national talents and enhanced their capabilities to participate in leading global space missions. This milestone reflects the Kingdom's scientific and technological advancement under Vision 2030 and underscores its active role in developing advanced technologies and shaping the future of space for humanity."

For his part, CEO of the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP) Eng. Jameel bin Ahmed Al-Ghamdi stated that developing the "Shams" satellite within the Kingdom reflects the impact of the program's initiatives in localizing advanced technologies and building competitive national industrial capabilities. He emphasized that this achievement demonstrates the integration of national efforts in empowering talent and strengthening local content, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

The Saudi Space Agency affirmed that this achievement embodies the Kingdom's vision to promote innovation, develop national capabilities, and build high-value international partnerships, further reinforcing its role in shaping the future of space exploration.

-- SPA

18:59 Local Time 15:59 GMT

0023

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China-Pakistan joint naval exercise concludes in north Arabian Sea

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Apr 04, 2026 06:47 PM

The China-Pakistan "Sea Guardian IV" joint naval exercise concluded on April 1, as the Chinese People's Liberation Army's (PLA) guided-missile frigate Daqing and Pakistani naval vessels parted ways in the northern Arabian Sea, marking the end of the drills, according to CCTV News.

The exercise kicked off on March 25 and was conducted in two phases: exchanges at harbor and live sea drills. During the joint exercise, ships from both sides took turns serving as the command vessel, per the report.

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Enlarged Plenary Meeting of DPRK Cabinet Held

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, April 4 (KCNA) -- An enlarged plenary meeting of the Cabinet of the DPRK was held at the Cabinet through video-conferencing on Friday.

The meeting was guided by Pak Thae Song, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, vice-president of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK and premier of the Cabinet, Kim Tok Hun, first vice-premier of the Cabinet, and Pak Jong Gun, vice-premier of the Cabinet and chairman of the State Planning Commission.

Present there were Vice-Premiers Pak Hun and Ri Kyong Il and other members of the Cabinet.

Attending it as observers were officials of the organs under the Cabinet, ministries and national agencies, chairpersons of the provincial, city and county people's committees and officials of the agricultural guidance organs and major industrial establishments.

The meeting reviewed the work in the first quarter of the year to thoroughly implement the decisions of the Ninth Congress of the WPK and the First Plenary Meeting of the Ninth Central Committee of the WPK and discussed the measures for carrying through the important tasks set forth in the historic policy speech the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un made at the First Session of the 15th Supreme People's Assembly.

Pak Thae Song conveyed the relevant contents of the policy speech made by the respected General Secretary Kim Jong Un at the First Session of the 15th SPA.

Kim Tok Hun made a report.

The reporter referred to the fact that at the historic Party Congress, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un clarified the immortal great programme illuminating the bright path for leading to greater victory the cause of the DPRK, which entered the period of comprehensive development, and bringing more comprehensive and innovative progress in all realms of the revolution and construction and is guiding the struggle for its realization.

He said that various sectors and units have successfully fulfilled their national economic plans for the first quarter of the year in the course of accelerated advance to carry out the main tasks for socialist economic construction clarified at the Party Congress.

He noted that thanks to the extraordinary enthusiasm for the revolution and struggle and patriotism of all the people boundlessly faithful to the leadership of the Party Central Committee, the torch of the emulation movement for increased production was kindled in Sangwon, Chonsong and other parts of the country and the first precious fruition of this year was brought about for making a breakthrough in implementing the new Five-Year Plan.

The reporter stressed the need for all officials to steadily raise their qualifications and abilities, attach importance to principles and figures and thoroughly overcome all negative elements hindering the DPRK's advance, with their extraordinary readiness that the Party's decisions should be perfectly implemented under any conditions and with a keen sense of responsibility for their duty.

Speeches were made at the meeting.

The enlarged plenary meeting called for carrying out the national economic plan for the second quarter of the year without fail and further enhancing the role of the Cabinet in attaining the new long-term goals set forth at the Party Congress, and took necessary practical measures. -0-

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Iran - Arrest of Nasrin Sotoudeh (April 3, 2026)

France - Ministere de l'Europe et des Affaires etrangeres

France was deeply concerned by the announcement of yesterday's arrest of lawyer and human rights defender Nasrin Sotoudeh, winner of the Sakharov Prize.

This arrest illustrates yet again the Iranian regime's systematic policy of persecution and intimidation of human rights activists. It must stop.

France calls for the immediate release of Nasrin Sotoudeh and all those detained arbitrarily in Iran. It expresses its concern over the alarming news concerning the health of Narges Mohammadi. It stands shoulder to shoulder with the Iranian people, who must be able to exercise their fundamental rights and freely choose their own future.

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'Gates of hell await you': Senior cmdr. warns aggressors against targeting Iran's infrastructure

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 04 April 2026 10:11 PM

Iran's highest operational command unit has issued a stern warning to the United States and the Israeli regime, declaring that any attack on the Islamic Republic's infrastructure would open the "gates of hell" on the aggressors.

Major General Ali Abdollahi, commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which coordinates operations between Iran's Army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), made the remarks on Saturday.

"The aggressive and warmongering US president, after suffering repeated defeats, has, in a desperate, nervous, unbalanced, and foolish move, threatened our country's infrastructure and national assets," he said, referring to recent comments by Donald Trump.

The commander stressed that the Iranian Armed Forces have acted on every commitment made since the beginning of the US's and the Israeli regime's latest bout of unprovoked aggression against the Islamic Republic on February 28.

"Since the beginning of the imposed war, we have acted on everything we have said. The simple meaning of this message is that the gates of hell will be opened on you," he asserted.

He warned that any enemy aggression would trigger "devastating and sustained attacks" on all infrastructure used by the "terrorist American army" and the Zionist regime.

The commander underlined Iran's resolve, stating, "We, the Armed Forces, will never hesitate for a moment in defending the rights of our nation and safeguarding our national assets, and we will put every aggressor in their place."

The remarks came amid the forces' ongoing retaliatory Operation True Promise 4 in the face of the aggression.

The operation has seen the servicemen slam hundreds of ballistic and hypersonic missiles as well as attack drones into strategic and sensitive American and Israeli targets across the region.

They have launched at least 95 waves of counterstrikes as part of the operation, some being carried out in coordination with Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement and Yemen's Armed Forces.

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US-Israeli aggression on Iran: What happened on 36th day of the imposed war

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 04 April 2026 9:47 PM

By Press TV Website Staff

Thirty-six days into the US-Israeli war on Iran, launched on February 28 with the assassination of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and top-ranking commanders, the military aggression continues to target civilian and industrial infrastructure across the country.

US-Israeli airstrikes on Saturday hit civilian and industrial sites in Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan, Ilam, and Qom, as well as the Mahshahr Petrochemical Special Zone and a cement factory in southern Hormozgan province.

The International Red Crescent Society (ICRS) reported that more than 1,900 civilians have been killed since the unprovoked and unjustified US-Israeli war on Iran began.

US President Donald Trump's 'Stone Age' rhetoric sparked massive backlash. President Masoud Pezeshkian called it a clear admission of intent to commit a "massive war crime."

Trump has now issued a 48-hour ultimatum on the "opening" of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that "all hell will break loose" if no agreement is reached.

Iranian authorities have dismissed the warning, vowing to defend the country and defeat all enemy plots with the same conviction that has been demonstrated in the past 36 days.

The IAEA confirmed that a US-Israeli projectile struck near the Bushehr nuclear plant, the fourth such incident in recent weeks, as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned of a potential radiological catastrophe.

American media said that Iran's downing of two American military aircraft represents an exceptionally rare blow to US power, proving that Tehran retains its capacity for retaliation.

New data reveals that maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has plummeted to less than five per cent of pre-war averages, even as India has secured its first shipment of Iranian crude in seven years, with payment processed without a hitch.

Austria also rejected Washington's request to use its airspace, with its Vice Chancellor declaring: "No to Trump's war."

Key developments from Day 33 of the imposed war:

Trump asked US lawmakers to approve a massive $1.5 trillion military budget for 2027, as America faces rising costs from its military aggression against Iran.

According to data from the Pentagon's Defense Casualty Analysis System, the number of US military personnel wounded in the war against Iran has reached 365.

The retaliatory attacks by Iran have forced the US military to evacuate 1,500 sailors and their families back to the US from the NSA base in Bahrain, and are struggling to have basic amenities, Washington-based National Public Radio (NPR) reported.

After an hour of announcing his resignation, the US Army Chief of Staff issued an unprecedented warning referring to Trump as "a madman [who] will drive the great American military to destruction," as per reports.

Trump wrote on Truth Social: "Remember when I gave Iran ten days to reach an agreement or open the Strait of Hormuz? Time is running out48 hours remain before all hell breaks loose upon them."

A recent poll showed 78 per cent of Israeli settlers still support the war against Iran, though pollsters warn this backing could eventually erode.

Australia's government urged motorists to fill their cars at city petrol stations ahead of any long road trips over the Easter holiday. Energy Minister Chris Bowen said hundreds of service stations in rural towns had run out of diesel nationally.

State-run public transport in Pakistan's capital and most populous province of Punjab will be free for the coming month amid a fuel crisis in the country.

The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said its Food Price Index, which measures monthly changes in international prices of a basket of food commodities, rose 2.4 per cent in March.

The Associated Press reports that voting on Bahrain's Security Council resolution concerning the forceful reopening of the Strait of Hormuz has been postponed from tomorrow until next week, as member states struggle to reach a consensus and avoid a Russian-Chinese veto.

According to statistics released by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), since the start of US-Israeli aggression against Iran, more than 1,900 civilians, including women and children, have been killed, and at least 20,000 others have been wounded.

US-Israeli airstrikes hit sites in Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan, Ilam, and Qom. US-Israeli airstrikes also hit the Mahshahr Petrochemical Special Zone.

US-Israeli drone attacks in Hormozgan Province targeted a cement factory.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said that the attack on the US Embassy in Riyadh has no connection with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Pezeshkian said he discussed with Finland's president Trump's threat to bomb Iran "back to the Stone Ages," describing the US president's rhetoric as a frank acknowledgment of intent to commit a "massive war crime" and calling on the international community to abandon its neutrality.

Austria has rejected Washington's request to utilize Austrian airspace in the war against Iran, distancing itself from "Trump's war." Andi Babler, Vice Chancellor of Austria, posted on X: "We want no connection to Trump's politics of chaos and his war, which will bring us the next energy crisis. Neutrality is a precious asset in our country. No to war."

Reuters, in a recent report referencing the joint American-Zionist military aggression against Iran, wrote: "A war that began with the aim of weakening Iran may instead lead to its empowerment." According to the report, Persian Gulf Arab states now see themselves as the primary victims of Washington's adventurisma war that has allowed Iran to impose upon the world its complete control over the global energy market as a new reality.

The Associated Press reported that Iran's downing of two US military aircraft represents an extremely rare blow to it over the past 24 years, demonstrating that despite Trump's claims of having "completely destroyed" Iran's defensive capabilities, the Islamic Republic retains the capacity for reciprocal response.

FM Araghchi warned that recurrent attacks targeting the country's only nuclear power plant in Bushehr, as part of the ongoing US-Israeli aggression, could lead to a huge radiological catastrophe in the region.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), without condemning the attack, announced that Iran had informed the agency that a US-Israeli projectile struck near the Bushehr nuclear plant premises this morning, the fourth such incident in recent weeks.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi expressed deep concern and emphasized that nuclear power plant sites or their vicinities must never be attacked.

Araghchi wrote on X: "We are deeply grateful to Pakistan for its efforts and have never refused to go to Islamabad. What matters to us are the conditions for a definitive and sustainable end to the illegal war imposed upon us."

The Hanzalah hacking group exposed the identities of 50 senior officers from Israel's Unit 9900. Unit 9900 is among the "world's most powerful" geospatial intelligence divisions, collecting strategic intelligence through drone and satellite imagery and 3D mapping for targeted assassination operations.

New data revealed that the American-Israeli war against Iran has reduced maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz to less than five per cent of pre-war averages. The average number of vessels transiting the Strait pre-war was approximately 129 per day. Since this vital waterway was closed, average transits have fallen to just six vessels daily. These six daily vessels transit only with special permission from Iran through a controlled corridor.

Experts believe the 95 per cent reduction in vessel traffic through this vital waterway, once the passage for approximately one-fifth of the world's oil, will have profound consequences for global energy and essential goods supply chains.

The Indian oil ministry says the country has purchased its first oil shipment from Iran in seven years without facing any problems in payments amid restrictions on the flow of crude oil from the Persian Gulf resulting from US-Israeli aggression on Iran.

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This aerial drone photo taken on April 4, 2026 shows a view of the Shilaquan Canyon in Tangwang Town of Dongxiang Autonomous County, Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Gansu Province. Shilaquan Canyon has an average elevation of approximately 2,000 meters. The red sandstone and gravel layers on both sides of the canyon have been shaped by water erosion and wind abrasion, forming a distinctive Danxia landform. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

This aerial drone photo taken on April 4, 2026 shows a view of Danxia landform in the Shilaquan Canyon in Tangwang Town of Dongxiang Autonomous County, Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Gansu Province. Shilaquan Canyon has an average elevation of approximately 2,000 meters. The red sandstone and gravel layers on both sides of the canyon have been shaped by water erosion and wind abrasion, forming a distinctive Danxia landform. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

This aerial drone photo taken on April 4, 2026 shows a view of the Shilaquan Canyon in Tangwang Town of Dongxiang Autonomous County, Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Gansu Province. Shilaquan Canyon has an average elevation of approximately 2,000 meters. The red sandstone and gravel layers on both sides of the canyon have been shaped by water erosion and wind abrasion, forming a distinctive Danxia landform. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

This aerial drone photo taken on April 4, 2026 shows a view of Danxia landform in the Shilaquan Canyon in Tangwang Town of Dongxiang Autonomous County, Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Gansu Province. Shilaquan Canyon has an average elevation of approximately 2,000 meters. The red sandstone and gravel layers on both sides of the canyon have been shaped by water erosion and wind abrasion, forming a distinctive Danxia landform. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

This aerial drone photo taken on April 4, 2026 shows a view of Danxia landform in the Shilaquan Canyon in Tangwang Town of Dongxiang Autonomous County, Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Gansu Province. Shilaquan Canyon has an average elevation of approximately 2,000 meters. The red sandstone and gravel layers on both sides of the canyon have been shaped by water erosion and wind abrasion, forming a distinctive Danxia landform. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

This aerial drone photo taken on April 4, 2026 shows a view of the Shilaquan Canyon in Tangwang Town of Dongxiang Autonomous County, Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Gansu Province. Shilaquan Canyon has an average elevation of approximately 2,000 meters. The red sandstone and gravel layers on both sides of the canyon have been shaped by water erosion and wind abrasion, forming a distinctive Danxia landform. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

This aerial drone photo taken on April 4, 2026 shows a view of the Shilaquan Canyon in Tangwang Town of Dongxiang Autonomous County, Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Gansu Province. Shilaquan Canyon has an average elevation of approximately 2,000 meters. The red sandstone and gravel layers on both sides of the canyon have been shaped by water erosion and wind abrasion, forming a distinctive Danxia landform. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)

This aerial drone photo taken on April 4, 2026 shows a view of the Shilaquan Canyon in Tangwang Town of Dongxiang Autonomous County, Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Gansu Province. Shilaquan Canyon has an average elevation of approximately 2,000 meters. The red sandstone and gravel layers on both sides of the canyon have been shaped by water erosion and wind abrasion, forming a distinctive Danxia landform. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)
True Promise 4: Iran and resistance axis ops. against US-Israeli assets on April 4

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 04 April 2026 8:57 PM

By Press TV Website Staff

Iranian armed forces and resistance groups across the region continue to carry out retaliatory military operations against the United States and the Israeli regime.

On Saturday, April 4, 2026, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian Army conducted multiple operations as part of Operation True Promise 4, which was launched immediately after the US-Israeli coalition carried out an unprovoked act of aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran on February 28.

Iranian armed forces have so far carried out 95 waves of missile and drone strikes with advanced weaponry targeting Israeli military facilities in the occupied territories, as well as US occupation bases and assets scattered across the West Asia region.

The Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq have also joined the front against the external aggressors, inflicting heavy blows on the enemy.

Hezbollah's operations have been primarily focused on Israeli military sites in the occupied territories. Its operations are both in response to the assassination of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and the relentless ceasefire violations by the Israeli regime over the past year.

Iraqi resistance groups have also been carrying out daily operations, primarily against American military assets in Iraq and other Arab countries.

Below is a list of operations carried out by the Iranian armed forces, as well as resistance movements in Lebanon and Iraq, against the US and the Zionist regime on April 4:

Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC):

Downed the MQ1 drone belonging to the American-Israeli forces, under the control of the country's integrated air defense network, in the skies of Isfahan province.

In the 93rd wave of Operation True Promise 4, under the sacred code "O Umm al-Banin" and dedicated to all mothers of martyrs, especially Izzat Banu (a mother of a martyr), targeted locations of industrial-military centers and deployment sites of the Israeli regime's army command posts and units in areas of the south, center, and north of the occupied territories and Tel Aviv.

The operation used ballistic and heavy solid and liquid-fueled missiles, including Khorramshahr, Kheibar Shekan, and Emad, equipped with guided and multiple-warhead payloads, along with suicide drones.

Locations in "Dimona", the Naqab, Bir Al-Sabi', and "Ramat Gan" were struck by heavy attacks, penetrating the multi-layered air defense systems.

The 94th wave of Operation True Promise 4 used a barrage of ballistic and heavy solid and liquid-fueled missiles, including Khorramshahr, Kheibar Shekan, and Emad, equipped with guided and multiple-warhead payloads, along with suicide drones.

In this operation, locations in "Dimona", the Naqab, Bir Al-Sabi', and "Ramat Gan" were struck by heavy attacks, penetrating the multi-layered and ultra-advanced air defense systems.

In the 95th wave of Operation True Promise 4, the IRGC targeted and destroyed a US Patriot missile defense system in northern Bahrain, US HIMARS rocket batteries in Kuwait, and a US command center and training facility for senior military personnel in the UAE.

It also successfully struck the MSC Ishika, an Israeli commercial vessel operating under a third-party flag, at Bahrain's Khalifa Bin Salman Port, along with multiple locations across Israeli-occupied territories using Qadr multi-warhead missiles.

This wave, involving advanced missiles like Haj Qasem, Kheibar Shekan, and Qadr, also targeted facilities of the US technology giant Oracle in the UAE.

Iranian Army:

Targeted the radar for detection and identification of missiles and combat drones of the US military, the aluminum industries in the UAE, and the headquarters of the mechanized, armored, and helicopter battalions of the US military in Kuwait with barrages of powerful Arash 2 attack drones.

The American-Israeli enemy has invested significantly in the UAE's aluminum industries and uses it in the production of various fighter jets, including the F-35, as well as missiles, tanks, and armored vehicles.

Hezbollah:

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the town of Ainata with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a "Merkava" tank in the town of Houla with a guided missile.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and vehicles at the Kahil triangle in the border town of Al-Ras with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Liman" barracks north of the "Nahariya" settlement with a swarm of attack drones.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the vicinity of a helicopter landing pad recently established by the Israeli regime to evacuate its casualties in the border town of Maroun Al-Ras with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Kiryat Shmona" settlement for the second time with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and within the framework of the warning issued by the Islamic Resistance to a number of settlements in northern occupied Palestine, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Metulla" settlement with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Neria" Mountain base, which is part of the "Meron" air control and operations management base in northern occupied Palestine, with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their vehicles and soldiers in the "Misgav Am" settlement with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the "Beit Hillel" settlement with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the "Yiftah" barracks with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the newly established artillery positions of the Israeli military in the "Avivim" settlement with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the newly established Israeli artillery batteries in the "Yir'on" settlement with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of the Israeli soldiers and their vehicles at Al-Friz hill in the town of Ainata with a rocket barrage.

Targeted an Israeli military bulldozer and a "Merkava" tank belonging to the Israeli army in the vicinity of the towns of Khiam and Taybeh in southern Lebanon with attack drones.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters sniped an Israeli soldier in the vicinity of the Khiam detention center.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and within the framework of the warning issued by the Islamic Resistance to a number of settlements in northern occupied Palestine, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Kiryat Shmona" settlement with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the square of the town of Al-Qantara with rocket barrages.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their vehicles in the "Kfar Yuval" settlement with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Shraga" base (the administrative headquarters of the Golani Brigade) north of the occupied city of Akka with a swarm of attack drones.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of the Al-Samaqa site in the occupied Kafr Shuba hills with a swarm of attack drones.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted infrastructure belonging to the Israeli army in the occupied city of Safad with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Meron" air surveillance and operations management base in northern occupied Palestine with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the town of Al-Bayyada with a rocket barrage.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers in the town of Al-Bayyada with an attack drone.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their vehicles in the town of Rashaf with artillery shells.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their vehicles on Tell al-Sal'a in the town of Al-Qantara with artillery shells.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their vehicles at Jnijel Heights in the town of Al-Qantara with artillery shells.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their vehicles in the Al-Sadr area in the town of Ainata with artillery shells.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, Islamic Resistance fighters targeted early warning equipment of the Israeli army in Jabal Al-Sheikh with a swarm of attack drones.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the newly established headquarters of the artillery battalion of the 146th Division south of the "Kabri" settlement with a swarm of attack drones.

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in the framework of the warning issued by the Islamic Resistance to a number of settlements in northern occupied Palestine, the Islamic Resistance fighters targeted the "Nahariya" settlement with a rocket barrage.

Yemeni military:

In support of Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine, and within the framework of confronting the Zionist scheme that seeks to establish a "Greater Israel" under the guise of a "new Middle East," Yemeni military forces carried out their fifth military operation.

This operation was conducted using a cluster ballistic missile and a number of drones, targeting the "Al-Lydd" airport in the "Jaffa" area and vital and military targets of the Israeli military in southern occupied Palestine.

This operation was conducted jointly with the IRGC, the Iranian Army, and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and it successfully achieved its objectives.

Islamic Resistance in Iraq:

Targeted the American military assets in the provinces of northern Iraq with appropriate weapons.

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Iran's missile strikes force 1,500 US sailors out of Bahrain: Report

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 04 April 2026 6:12 PM

Hundreds of US sailors have been forced out of Bahrain after their base came under attack by Iran's retaliatory missile and drone strikes, a report says.

Bahrain hosts the US Navy's Fifth Fleet at Naval Support Activity Bahrain (NSA Bahrain) in the capital Manama.

At the time the US and Israel launched their joint military aggression against Iran on February 28, around 8,000 US military personnel were stationed at the base.

Video circulating on social media showed Iranian drones and missiles striking the US naval base multiple times on the first day the country was assaulted by the US and Israel.

The retaliatory attacks forced the US military to evacuate 1,500 sailors and their families back to the US from the NSA base, Washington-based National Public Radio (NPR) cited a Navy spokesman as saying.

In addition to the base in Bahrain, US soldiers have been evacuated from other US military bases in the region, the NPR said.

It said American sailors keep arriving at the US naval base in Norfolk, Virginia, with little more than the clothes they could fit in a backpack.

The sailors, the report said, left cars and furniture behind as they rushed to leave amid Iran's retaliatory airstrikes.

Struggling to protect US forces from Iran's drone and missile strikes, the Pentagon has issued a new federal contract notice seeking private contractors to provide "prefabricated, transportable, hardened shelter systems designed to protect personnel from blast and fragmentation threats."

The Pentagon said at least 13 US military forces have been killed and 365 wounded as of Friday.

Meanwhile, US investigative news site the Intercept reported that US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees military operations in West Asia, is engaged in "casualty cover-up."

It said CENTCOM has provided "low-ball and outdated figures" and failed to provide details about its fatalities.

It has also refused to provide a simple count of US bases that Iran's drones and missiles have attacked.

"We have nothing for you," a CENTCOM spokesperson told The Intercept.

Over the past five weeks, US bases in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait have come under Iran's powerful drone and missile strikes.

Iran has called on regional countries to report the whereabouts of US troops. It has also demanded "the expulsion of the US forces from the region for their own security."

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Iran Army conducts drone strikes against US bases in UAE, Kuwait

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 04 April 2026 6:00 PM

Iran's Army has conducted new drone strikes targeting US military positions in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, as the US-Israeli war against the Islamic Republic entered its sixth week.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the army said its forces targeted a radar system used for the detection and identification of missiles and combat drones, as well as aluminum industries in the UAE, using Arash 2 drones.

It added that drone strikes were also carried out against US command headquarters of mechanized, armored and helicopter units in Kuwait.

The statement said some Arab media outlets had reported explosions in both Kuwait and the UAE.

According to the army, the United States and Israel have made "considerable" investments in the UAE's aluminum sector, which it said is used in the production of military hardware, including fighter jets, missiles, tanks and armored vehicles.

The Iranian army said the strikes were carried out in response to US-Israeli attacks on Iran's industrial centers, adding that its forces would continue operations.

Iran's armed forces said they would make the enemies "realize their miscalculation" in launching the war against the country.

The terrorist war on Iran began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched attacks on the country.

The Islamic Republic responded forcefully, launching precision strikes on sensitive Israeli targets and US bases across the region.

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US intelligence admits Iran repairs 'missile bunkers' within hours of attacks

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 04 April 2026 4:54 PM

US intelligence agencies acknowledge that Iran is quickly repairing its "underground missile bunkers" and returning them to operation within hours.

The New York Times cited US intelligence reports as saying that Iranian operatives have been digging out the bunkers and silos struck by the US and Israeli airstrikes.

Since the US and Israel launched their joint military aggression against Iran on February 28, Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed they have made "substantial progress" in weakening the country's missile capabilities.

The Pentagon also claimed this week that it had struck 11,000 targets in Iran.

Iran, the reports said, retains the ability to use its remaining arsenal of ballistic missiles and missile launchers to attack Israel and US assets and military bases in the region.

The reports also said that it has been difficult to assess how many launchers may be in bunkers or caves struck by the US or Israeli airstrikes.

They said, "The underground bunkers, caves or silos can appear at first to be damaged; in reality, Iran has been able to quickly dig out the launchers and fire them again."

The Israeli publication, Haaretz, reported earlier that Iran had used bulldozers to dig out missile launchers that had been buried under rubble.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has claimed that a "severe diminishing" of Iran's missile launch capability is one of the primary aims of the unprovoked war against Iran.

War Secretary Pete Hegseth has also boasted repeatedly about "the declining numbers" of Iranian missile strikes.

"Yes, they will still shoot some missiles, but we will shoot them down," Hegseth said on Monday.

Now intelligence reports cast doubt on the Trump administration's claim that the US is destroying Iran's missile capability, a "key goal" it said it had set out to achieve in the war against the Islamic Republic.

Over the past five weeks, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps' retaliatory missiles and drone strikes have caused billions of dollars in damage to the US assets in the region.

The unprovoked war, which has roiled energy and stock markets worldwide, disrupted shipping, and resulted in casualties among US troops across the region, has already brought Trump under growing pressure at home to end it.

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Trump must be removed instead of US military commanders: Senior Iranian official

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 04 April 2026 4:45 PM

A senior Iranian official has sharply criticized recent claims about the country's air defense capabilities, suggesting that US President Donald Trump should be removed instead of military commanders.

Mohsen Rezaei, a member of Iran's Expediency Discernment Council, made the remarks in a post on X on Saturday, a day after Iran downed a US fighter jet, an F-15E, over its territory.

Rezaei noted that the alleged destruction of Iranian air defense systems was "false," arguing that recent incidents involving the downing of enemy aircraft demonstrate that such claims were misleading.

In his post, Rezaei wrote that assertions about the elimination of Iran's air defenses were "as always, a lie."

He added that rather than dismissing military commanders, it would be better to remove Donald Trump.

Rezaei further emphasized that Iran has been preparing for such confrontations for years, warning that "surprises will continue," a reference to the country's ongoing retaliatory strikes.

In a speech on Wednesday, Trump claimed that Iran's air force was "in ruins" and that "their ability to launch missiles and drones is dramatically curtailed."

However, that assertion was quickly unraveled on Friday when Iran downed an F-15E fighter jet over its territory.

Two Black Hawk helicopters involved in the search and rescue for the crew of the F-15E were also struck by incoming fire and an A-10 aircraft was hit in a separate incident and crashed in a neighboring country.

The US and Israel started a fresh round of aerial aggression on Iran on February 28, some eight months after they carried out unprovoked attacks on the country.

Iran began to swiftly retaliate against the strikes by launching barrages of missile and drone attacks on the Israeli-occupied territories as well as on US bases in regional countries

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Iranian tribals struck two US Black Hawk helicopters in mountainous terrain: IRGC

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 04 April 2026 3:24 PM

Iranian tribal fighters from central Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad and Bakhtiari provinces struck two US Black Hawk helicopters that had entered Iranian airspace, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said in a statement on Saturday.

IRGC said the helicopters were operating in rugged, inaccessible mountainous areas far from the presence of Iran's regular armed forces.

They had reportedly crossed into Iranian territory to rescue pilots from the American fighter jet that was downed by IRGC air defense forces.

Each tribal group independently engaged and successfully struck the two Black Hawk helicopters, the IRGC said in the statement.

The IRGC lauded the tribal fighters as "valiant" who have always been brave, honorable, and victorious guardians of the Islamic Republic of Iran."

The incident marks a notable development in the ongoing US-Israeli military aggression against Iran, now in its sixth week.

According to experts, it suggests that irregular and locally organized resistance forces are playing an active role in confronting foreign military incursions, particularly in difficult terrain where conventional forces are less present.

Iranian integrated air defense forces downed at least two fighter jets and five drones and missiles on Friday, describing it as a "black day" for the American and Israeli air forces.

The IRGC's Aerospace Defense Force fighters successfully hunted and destroyed two cruise missiles in the skies of Khomein and Zanjan, according to the statement.

Additionally, two MQ-9 attack drones were shot down in the skies of Isfahan, and one Hermes drone was destroyed in the skies of Bushehr.

Also on Friday, Iran's Army announced that it downed an American A-10 Warthog warplane over the country's southern waters near the Strait of Hormuz.

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Iranian Army strikes key sites at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 04 April 2026 3:02 PM

The Iranian Army says it has carried out a large-scale drone operation targeting key positions of the Israeli regime at Ben Gurion Airport.

The Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran says it carried out a large-scale drone operation targeting key positions of the Israeli regime at Ben Gurion Airport in response to ongoing US-Israeli aggression against Iran.

In a statement released early Saturday, the army said its forces struck several strategic facilities at the airport, including a newly built control tower, control towers at Terminals 1 and 2, navigation systems, as well as airport antennas and radar installations.

According to the statement, the operation was launched at dawn and involved a heavy deployment of drones aimed at disrupting the enemy's military air traffic command and coordination systems.

The Iranian Army said the strikes were intended to hinder the guidance of attacking fighter jets, interfere with aerial operations, and degrade the enemy's surveillance and electronic warfare capabilities.

The statement added that the operation was conducted in response to continued aggression and crimes by the United States and Israel, including their use of Ben Gurion Airport for military strikes against Iran.

The army also emphasized that retaliation for those martyred in recent attacks is "certain," warning that its response will continue without interruption and will be proportionate to the scale of enemy actions.

The United States and Israel launched military aggression against Iran in late February, attacking 30 targets across Tehran and assassinating the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, along with several senior Iranian officials.

Since then, Iranian armed forces have retaliated strongly by launching barrages of missiles and drones at Israeli-occupied territories, as well as US bases across the region.

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Iran hits US Patriot system, HIMARS rocket batteries in wave 95 of reprisal strikes

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 04 April 2026 1:56 PM

The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force and Naval Forces have launched precision strikes targeting a US Patriot missile defense system in northern Bahrain, among other key targets across the region, as part of the 95th wave of retaliatory operations.

In a statement released on Saturday, the IRGC Public Relations Department said: "A comprehensive, multi-faceted operation was launched this morning."

The retaliatory strikes, carried out as part of Operation True Promise 4, utilized the IRGC's advanced missiles, including Haj Qasem, Kheibar Shekan, and Qadr.

US HIMARS rocket batteries located in Kuwait, together with a US Patriot missile system in northern Bahrain, were among "key targets destroyed in the operation," the IRGC said.

The forces also managed to target US HIMARS launcher units, a command center and training facility for senior US military personnel and instructors in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The facilities of the American technology giant Oracle in the UAE were also targeted, according to the statement.

In a coordinated naval strike, the IRGC said, MSC Ishika an Israeli commercial vessel operating under a third-party flag was successfully targeted at the Khalifa Bin Salman Port in Bahrain.

During the operation, multiple locations across the Israeli-occupied territories were also targeted by "heavy strikes, involving Qadr multi-warhead missiles," said the statement.

The IRGC launched its retaliatory operation immediately after the US and Israel launched their illegal war against Iran on February 28.

More than one month into the joint military aggression, Iran's retaliatory strikes on US bases across the region have caused billions of dollars in damages, according to reports.

Notable among these strikes is the damage to a pivotal US Air Force E-3 Sentry AWACS command and control plane during the March 27 missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.

The retaliatory attacks have also damaged or destroyed radar systems, a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system and Reaper drones in attacks on US bases in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait.

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Iran warns of radioactive catastrophe after 4th attack on Bushehr nuclear plant

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 04 April 2026 1:45 PM

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that recurrent attacks targeting the country's only nuclear power plant as part of the ongoing US-Israeli aggression could lead to a huge radiological catastrophe in the region.

Araghchi said in a Saturday post on his X account that a renewed attack earlier in the day on the Bushehr nuclear power plant, located on the Persian Gulf coast in southwest Iran, could lead to a radioactive fallout endangering life in the entire region.

The foreign minister criticized the silence and inaction of Western governments in condemning the highly dangerous attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities as he drew a parallel between a similar alleged attack by Russia on a major Ukrainian nuclear power plant in early 2022.

"Remember the Western outrage about hostilities near Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine? ... Israel-U.S. have bombed our Bushehr plant four times now. Radioactive fallout will end life in GCC capitals, not Tehran," he said, making a reference to member states of the (Persian) Gulf Cooperation Council.

Araghchi further criticized US-Israeli attacks on Iran's civilian and non-military infrastructure, including attacks earlier on Saturday on the country's petrochemical facilities.

He said such attacks expose the real nature of the US-Israeli aggression on Iran and the fact that it is aimed at weakening Iran's economic and civilian capabilities as a developing country.

"Attacks on our petrochemicals also convey real objectives," said the top diplomat.

The comments come as the United States and Israel continue to launch air strikes on Iran's economic facilities, including on bridges, steel mills and other factories, as part of an aggression that began in late February.

Iran has responded fiercely to the attacks by hitting US-related targets in the Persian Gulf and West Asia region as well as areas in the Israeli-occupied territories.

Iran has also tightened its restrictions on the flow of energy through the Strait of Hormuz, causing international oil prices to hit record highs.

Iranian authorities have indicated the measures will continue until the aggressors are fully punished.

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'This war is Israel's war': World facing 'security breakdown', says Qalibaf

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 04 April 2026 1:39 PM

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf says the ongoing aggression is "Israel's war," adding that its security repercussions and resulting losses have extended beyond the region and affected the wider world.

"This war is Israel's war, and the resulting security breakdown and losses have affected the world," Qalibaf said in an interview with Al Jazeera Arabic.

He added that Iran has prepared for this confrontation and proven its ability to defend itself.

"Iran was forced to target US bases and interests in the region to preserve its presence," he said, warning that any further escalation against Iran "will be met with a decisive and broad response" directed at US interests.

According to Qalibaf, maintaining stability in the region serves the interests of all regional states, and Iran considers sustainable security a priority.

He added that countries in the region are capable of safeguarding their interests through bilateral and multilateral security arrangements "without foreign interference."

Qalibaf further said that the key sources of regional instability must be addressed, emphasizing that security should be established "without the involvement of the United States and Israel."

The US and Israeli regimes launched their military aggression against Iran in late February by attacking 30 targets across Tehran, assassinating Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and several senior Iranian officials.

Since then, Iranian armed forces have retaliated strongly by launching barrages of missiles and drones at Israeli occupied territories as well as US bases across the region.

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Playing with fire on Taiwan question comes at cost for Japan

Xinhua) 11:17, April 05, 2026

The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Monday countermeasures against Keiji Furuya, a member of Japan's House of Representatives, for his egregious moves, including collusion with "Taiwan independence" separatist forces for provocative moves.

The countermeasures are just acts based on Chinese law, aimed at safeguarding national interests, and in line with international norms. More importantly, they are a firm and forceful response to the wanton provocations and reckless actions of the Japanese side.

This sends a clear message to Tokyo: anyone or any force that crosses the line and plays with fire on the Taiwan question will bring trouble on themselves and suffer the consequences.

The Taiwan question lies at the very core of China's core interests and is a red line that must not be crossed. Given its historical responsibilities, the Japanese side should exercise even greater prudence in its words and actions.

China has repeatedly stated its solemn position against the provocative and erroneous remarks on Taiwan made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi last year.

Yet Japanese politicians such as Furuya ignored China's statements and escalated their provocations on the Taiwan question, gravely violating the one-China principle and the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan.

These actions are eroding the political foundation of China-Japan relations and pushing the bilateral relationship into a deeper crisis.

Recent alarming developments, like harassment against Chinese nationals in Tokyo and the intrusion of a Self-Defense Forces officer into the Chinese embassy, show that far-right ideologies and forces are running rampant in Japan, with "neo-militarism" gaining dangerous momentum.

The Japanese public and the international community should stay alert. Such deliberate manipulations of China-related issues and the creation of disturbances serve a clear purpose -- to hype up the so-called "external threat" to mislead public opinion, create a pretext for military buildup, and pursue ulterior political agendas.

China will never allow Japanese right-wing forces to reverse the course of history, nor will it permit any external interference in the Taiwan question or the revival of Japanese militarism.

It is time for the Japanese government to engage in serious self-reflection and correct its mistakes, honor its commitments through concrete actions, and immediately cease all acts that damage China-Japan relations and threaten regional peace and stability.

If Tokyo persists in its misguided course and acts willfully, it will pay a heavier price.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
KABUL, April 5 (Xinhua) -- A three-day exhibition titled "Cultural Diplomacy" has opened in Herat, western Afghanistan, offering a vibrant platform for cultural exchange and international dialogue, the local media Tolo news reported on Sunday.

According to the report, the event showcases 130 diverse artworks, highlighting the region's rich heritage and contemporary creativity.

The exhibition aims to strengthen cultural ties and foster mutual understanding by bringing together domestic and international guests, it added.

Officials emphasized that the event encourages deeper cultural appreciation, as visitors can explore a wide array of artistic styles, underscoring the enduring legacy and dynamic practices of Afghan artistry. 
Araghchi: Conclusive, lasting end to illegal US-Israeli war a priority for Iran

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 04 April 2026 12:37 PM

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says a "conclusive and lasting" end to the illegal war imposed on Iran by the United States and the Israeli regime since late last month is a priority for Tehran.

In a post on his X account on Saturday, Araghchi expressed Iran's deep appreciation for Pakistan's efforts to restore peace and security to the region following the US-Israeli war against the Islamic Republic, which began on February 28.

He added that US media have misinterpreted Iran's position.

The top diplomat further stated that Iran is "deeply grateful to Pakistan for its efforts and has never refused to go to Islamabad."

"What we care about are the terms of a conclusive and lasting end to the illegal war that is imposed on us," Araghchi emphasized.

Pakistan has repeatedly reiterated its principled stance condemning military aggression against Iran's national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Islamabad recently hosted a quadrilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia as part of a diplomatic effort to end the war.

A number of Western media outlets have in recent days claimed that Iran opposes Pakistan's mediation and any negotiations with the US in Islamabad.

Pakistani officials have rejected such claims.

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All US terrorists will ultimately flee region like USS Gerald R. Ford commander: IRGC Quds Force chief

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 04 April 2026 11:18 AM

Chief Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force Brigadier General Esmaeil Qaani says "all American terrorists" will ultimately flee the region in the same way the USS Gerald R. Ford commander fled the Red Sea in the face of Iranian retaliatory strikes.

In a post on his X account on Saturday, Qaani said that the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford was forced to retreat from the Red Sea due to fear of Yemeni forces.

"The criminal Trump should apparently fire the commander of the USS Gerald R. Ford too," Qaani said.

He noted that the US warship, after weeks of "wandering" in the region, ultimately withdrew without transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

"Fearing Yemen's heroic Mujahedeen and steadfast people, he didn't dare cross the Bab al-Mandab strait," Qaani asserted, referring to the strategic chokepoint between the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa.

"After two weeks of wandering and a fabricated story, he fled the Red Sea and the region," he added.

Qaani reiterated that the "ultimate fate of all American terrorist forces is to flee the region."

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the US Navy's newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, had been sent to West Asia to take part in the US-Israeli aggression against Iran.

The US and Israeli regimes launched their military aggression against Iran in late February by attacking 30 targets across Tehran, assassinating the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and several senior Iranian officials.

Since then, Iranian armed forces have retaliated swiftly by launching barrages of missiles and drones at Israeli occupied territories as well as US bases across the region.

According to Iran's Ministry of Defense, Iranian forces have killed at least 600 American troops at various US bases since the start of the aggression.

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IRGC: Israel's industrial, military sites targeted in latest strikes

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 04 April 2026 10:44 AM

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says it has targeted the Israeli regime's industrial and military sites, as well as locations hosting commanders and army units, in the 94th wave of Operation True Promise 4.

In a statement on Saturday, the IRGC said the strikes were carried out in the early hours of the day as part of the 94th wave of Operation "True Promise 4." The attacks reportedly hit targets in the south, center, and north of the occupied territories, including Tel Aviv.

According to the statement, ballistic missiles and heavy solid- and liquid-fuel projectiles, including Khorramshahr, Kheibar Shekan, and Emad missiles, as well as suicide drones, were used in the strikes.

The IRGC said locations in Dimona, the Negev, Beersheba, and Ramat Gan were hit "in line with the tactic of deep, successive fire," following the failure of Israel's "multi-layered and highly advanced" air defense systems to intercept the incoming missiles.

The statement further said that the attacks had prompted "prostration of gratitude by the nations of the region and the raising of believers' hands toward the sky across the Islamic world," describing it as a major achievement for Iran's armed forces.

It also highlighted the role of regional allies, saying that the Yemeni fighters launched ballistic missile strikes on southern occupied Palestinian territories, while Iraqi resistance groups carried out 19 missile-drone operations in recent hours.

The IRGC stressed that retaliation for "the blood of all the oppressed, especially the oppressed of Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and other Islamic lands," will continue through intensified missile and drone operations.

The terrorist war on Iran began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched attacks on the country, including a carpet-bombing strike on a residence in central Tehran that martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

The Islamic Republic responded forcefully, launching precision strikes on sensitive Israeli targets and US bases across the region, catching both sides by surprise.

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Five injured as US-Israeli airstrikes target six petrochemical plants in Khuzestan

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 04 April 2026 10:30 AM

US-Israeli airstrikes have targeted six petrochemical plants across the southwestern Iranian province of Khuzestan, leaving at least five wounded.

According to local media, the US-Israeli attacks were carried out in eastern and western Mahshahr city at 10;45 a.m. local time on Saturday.

The city's petrochemical plants, including Fajr 1, Fajr 2, Rejal, Abu Ali, Bandar Emam, and Amir Kabir, were hit with air-to-ground missiles.

According to a statement released by the local authorities, the probability of death or injury of the employees is high.

The Shalamcheh border crossing between Iran and Iraq was also hit and severely damaged, according to local authorities.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Public Relations Department of Mahshahr's Petrochemical Region said that all employees have been evacuated from the plants, and the electricity has been cut off from the region.

First responders, medical personnel, and the fire department are present in the region, and the situation is under control, the statement read.

The US and the Israeli regime launched a war of aggression against Iran on February 28, assassinating the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei and several high-ranking military commanders despite the ongoing Tehran-Washington negotiations on Iran's peaceful nuclear program.

In return, the Iranian Armed Forces have carried out a series of missile and drone operations against US interests across West Asia and Israeli positions in the occupied territories.

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Tehran vows to target Israeli embassies in region if its missions come under fire

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 04 April 2026 10:20 AM

Iran's highest operational command unit has warned that any aggression targeting the country's diplomatic missions will be met with retaliatory attacks on the Israeli regime's embassies across the region.

Ebrahim Zolfaqari, the spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, on Saturday cautioned the "desperate and declining Zionist regime" against any attack on Iran's diplomatic centers.

"In the event of any aggression or attack on any embassy or diplomatic center of the Islamic Republic of Iran, all the identity-less and fake embassies of that regime in the region will be considered legitimate targets by the powerful armed forces of Islamic Iran and will be struck," the statement said.

"Do not forgetwhat we say, we will act upon swiftly and decisively," it added.

Earlier on Saturday, the IRGC, in a statement, referred to a report by The Wall Street Journal claiming that the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia's capital had been attacked, saying the incident "has absolutely no connection to the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran."

The statement said that given the Israeli enemy's strategy in the region, the attack was "definitely carried out by the Zionists."

The US and Israel started the latest round of unlawful military aggression on Iran on February 28, some eight months after they carried out unprovoked attacks on the country.

The attacks led to the martyrdom of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and hundreds of Iranian civilians, including women and children, as well as several senior military commanders.

Iran has carried out extensive retaliatory attacks on US assets in the region and on locations in the Israeli-occupied territories since the very first day of the US-Israeli aggression.

The Islamic Republic says it respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbors and that its reprisal attacks are directed at US assets and bases on their soil.

It has also warned regional countries not to allow their territory to be used for attacks against Iran.

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At least 1,900 civilians killed in Iran due to US-Israeli aggression: Official

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 04 April 2026 9:52 AM

Since the start of US-Israeli aggression against Iran, more than 1,900 civilians, including women and children, have been killed, and at least 20,000 others have been wounded, according to the Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

In a post published on X on Saturday, Jagan Chapagain said: "In Iran, the human rights situation is rapidly deteriorating."

He praised the Iranian Red Crescent Society's staff, stating that despite the worsening condition, they continue to "respond with remarkable courage, providing emergency care and health services across the country."

The IFRC continues to support the IRCS through operational support and international procurement of critical supplies, he emphasized.

"I call on the international community to show solidarity and support our emergency appeal, and the operation in Iran," he noted.

In a statement released Wednesday, the IRCS said that the US-Israeli airstrikes had damaged or destroyed more than 115,000 civilian structures across the country over the previous five weeks.

"115,193 civilian units, including 91,498 homes and 22,580 commercial facilities, have suffered severe damage or been completely destroyed," it added.

At least 736 schools and educational centers have been directly hit and either completely destroyed or severely damaged by the US-Israeli attacks, according to the statement.

The US and Israeli armed forces launched their military aggression against Iran in late February by attacking 30 targets across Tehran, assassinating the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei and several senior Iranian officials.

Since then, Iranian armed forces have retaliated swiftly by launching barrages of missiles and drones at Israelioccupied territories as well as US bases across the region.

According to Iran's Ministry of Defense, Iranian forces have killed at least 600 American troops at various US bases since the start of the aggression.

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IRGC condemns US embassy attack in Riyadh, says Iran had nothing to do with it

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 04 April 2026 8:16 AM

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the Iranian Armed Forces had nothing to do with an attack on the US Embassy in Riyadh, warning regional countries of American-Zionist plots to sow seditions.

In a statement released on Saturday, the IRGC referred to a report by The Wall Street Journal that claimed the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia's capital had been attacked.

The IRGC strongly condemned the incident and stated, "This event has absolutely no connection to the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran."

The statement added that given Israel's strategy in the region, the attack was "definitely carried out by the Zionists."

The IRGC also pointed out that the target bank of Iran's armed forces has been clearly announced in advance, and that necessary warnings about the Israeli regime's seditious activities have been given to neighboring and Muslim countries.

It further urged nations in the West Asia region to remain alert against US-Israeli efforts aimed at destabilizing and destroying the region.

The US and Israel started the latest round of unlawful military aggression on Iran on February 28, some eight months after they carried out unprovoked attacks on the country.

The attacks led to the martyrdom of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and hundreds of Iranian civilians, including women and children, as well as several senior military commanders.

Iran has carried out extensive retaliatory attacks on US assets in the region and on locations in the Israeli-occupied territories since the very first day of the US-Israeli aggression.

The Islamic Republic says it respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbors and that its reprisal attacks are directed at US assets and bases on their soil.

It has also warned regional countries not to allow their territory to be used for attacks against Iran.

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Iran Blasts US-Israeli Bombardment of Universities, Killing of Scientists

Sputnik News

20260404

The US and Israel have attacked more than 30 Iranian universities since the start of this war, and murdered over 60 professors since June 2025, Minister of Science, Research and Technology Hossein Simaee Sarraf told Sputnik.

"These professors...did not die as a result of a single attack or bombing. The US and Israel deliberately targeted them and planned their killing. This is a crime not only against international law, but a moral one," Saraf said.

Iran's scientific development is the "heritage of all humanity," and "cannot be stopped" by the US and Israel's brutal attacks, the minister stressed.

The 1979 Revolution endowed Iran with "millions" of scientists and young researchers.

The coalition can't kill them all, Saraf noted.

 Sputnik

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Consequences of Strikes on Iran's Bushehr NPP to Destroy Life in Arab Countries - Araghchi

Sputnik News

20260404

TEHRAN (Sputnik) - Radioactive consequences from strikes on the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant will destroy life in the capitals of Persian Gulf countries, not in Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday.

Earlier in the day, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) said that the Bushehr NPP site came under fire from the United States and Israel, and one of its employees was killed.

"Remember the Western outrage about hostilities near Zaporizhzhia [Zaporozhye] Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine? Israel-U.S. have bombed our Bushehr plant four times now. Radioactive fallout will end life in GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council] capitals, not Tehran," Araghchi said on X.

Previously, the AEOI reported three strikes on the Bushehr nuclear power plant on March 17, 24, and 27. Iran also recorded two attacks on the Natanz nuclear facility on March 1 and 21, as well as a strike on the heavy water plant in Khondab on March 27 and on the uranium concentrate production plant in Ardakan. Iran has accused the US and Israel of carrying out these attacks.

On February 28, the United States and Israel launched strikes on targets in Iran, including in Tehran, causing damage and civilian casualties. Iran responded by striking Israeli territory and US military facilities in the Middle East.

 Sputnik

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Nuclear Risk Rising Daily Amid Bushehr Nuclear Plant Attacks Rosatom CEO

Sputnik News

20260404

The events at Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant are developing according to the most undesirable forecast, Russian nuclear power corporation Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev said on Saturday.

"Unfortunately, events are developing according to the most undesirable forecast. As they say, our bad premonitions did not deceive us. In general, the identification of the conflict and the escalation around the Persian Gulf lead to corresponding consequences... Today at about 7:20 a.m. Moscow time [4:20 GMT], a blow was actually struck to the physical protection circuit of the station, and the first death of an employee was recorded," Likhachev told reporters.

It remains unclear whether the incident was accidental or a deliberate attack, Rosatom CEO said.

"Unfortunately, the likelihood of a possible nuclear incident causing damage is only increasing day by day, unfortunately, they are confirmed by the events of today," Likhachev said.

Likhachev added the main phase of evacuation of Russian specialists from Iran's Bushehr NPP began on Saturday, about 20 minutes after the strike. The evacuation of 198 personnel is being carried out by bus, with the journey across nearly all of Iran expected to take two-and-a-half to three days, he said.

"Of course, we have informed the relevant services of Israel and the United States. We are very grateful to our [Russian] Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Defense, and our special services for this cooperation. Here we work as a single mechanism, we support each other. I bow low for caring for our comrades," Likhachev added.

Iran is taking extensive measures to secure the evacuation route for Russian specialists from the NPP, with coordination also underway with Armenian authorities, Rosatom CEO said. The evacuated personnel are expected to depart later from Yerevan airport, he added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is closely monitoring the situation around the Bushehr plant, paying particular attention to the plant's operations and Russian personnel, Likhachev also said.

Earlier in the day, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) said that the Bushehr NPP site came under fire from the United States and Israel, and one of its employees was killed.

 Sputnik

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ISTANBUL, April 5 (Xinhua) -- As the exchange of ballistic missiles partly redefines modern warfare in the Middle East, Turkish archaeologist Nezih Basgelen has warned that the world's cultural heritage is being left "defenseless".

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Basgelen, head of Turkiye's Cultural and Natural Heritage Monitoring Platform, said that existing international frameworks are struggling to account for the destructive shockwaves generated by the powerful modern weaponry.

"On one hand, we have ballistic missiles; on the other, new supersonic weapons and the immense pressure they generate. Even when military targets are the intended aim, the sheer destructive power and high-pressure waves of these missiles are causing 'new effects' on nearby cultural assets that have not been sufficiently addressed," Basgelen said.

He pointed to the Blue Shield, an international organization established in 1996 by the world's leading archival and museum bodies in implementing the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. Often called the "Cultural Red Cross," it was designed to mark and help protect heritage sites during armed conflicts.

Basgelen said that the relevant decades-old mechanisms are now both physically and legally insufficient in the face of modern ballistic missiles, leaving historical sites with what he described as "paper-thin protections."

Noting a "glaring gap" between established protocols and the intended survival of historical sites, he said that while peacetime conservation accounts for minor vibrations from city traffic, the shockwaves from modern missiles leave historical structures "crumbled on the ground."

These concerns are underscored by documented damage across the Mideast region. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which monitors 29 world heritage sites in Iran, recent military strikes have caused irreversible vibration-induced damage.

Reports indicate that the historic Hall of Mirrors in Tehran's Golestan Palace suffered extensive glass and structural fractures from atmospheric pressure waves. The tilework of Isfahan's Jameh Mosque and Naqsh-e Jahan Square has also experienced significant shedding due to high-decibel acoustic shocks.

Basgelen noted that the devastation caused by missile strikes is not limited to Iran. UNESCO has confirmed damage to heritage-listed modern architecture in the "White City" of Tel Aviv, while the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls remain under high-risk observation due to structural tremors caused by nearby missile interceptions and heavy munitions.

"The United Nations, UNESCO, the Blue Shield, and other international bodies must urgently convene to examine this new reality from every angle and develop new procedures," he said. "We must wake up and act before we witness the total collapse of our collective memory on a global scale."

The expert also proposed integrating international heritage protection mandates directly into the curricula of war colleges and military academies worldwide.

"These heritage sites must be meticulously mapped and recognized as 'no-strike zones' within their operational systems," Basgelen emphasized.

"There is no room for error or delay -- the technical reality of modern missiles must be matched by a technical reality in our defense strategies," he said.

"If we do not act, we will face grave and irreversible losses," he warned. 
US-Israeli Strike Kills Wife of Iran's Top Foreign Policy Advisor  Pezeshkian

Sputnik News

20260404

The Iranian army confirmed that two US combat aircraft were shot down within 24 hours. One pilot is still missing in Iranian territory. According to US media reports, two rescue helicopters were hit by Iranian fire.

An F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran, and an A-10 Warthog crashed near the Strait of Hormuz around the same time, the New York Times reported, citing a US official.

One of the two F-15 pilots has been rescued, NBC News confirmed. Search operations continue for the second crew member. Two US Air Force HH-60G "Pave Hawk" combat rescue helicopters involved in the search were hit by Iranian fire  all service members aboard survived.

President Trump dismissed any impact on potential negotiations.

"No, not at all. No, it's war. We're in war," he told NBC News.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier denied any negotiations were taking place, only message exchanges.

On February 28, the United States and Israel launched strikes on targets in Iran, including in Tehran, causing damage and civilian casualties. Iran responded by striking Israeli territory and US military facilities in the Middle East.

 Sputnik

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Secretary Rubio Revokes Green Cards of Foreign Nationals with Ties to Iranian Terror Regime

US Department of State

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

April 4, 2026

Last night, the niece and grand niece of deceased Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Major General Qasem Soleimani were arrested by federal agents following Secretary of State Marco Rubio's termination of their lawful permanent resident (LPR) status.

Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter are now in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. As identified by both press reporting and her own social media commentary, Soleimani Afshar is an outspoken supporter of the totalitarian, terrorist regime in Iran.

While living in the United States, she promoted Iranian regime propaganda, celebrated attacks against American soldiers and military facilities in the Middle East, praised the new Iranian Supreme Leader, denounced America as the "Great Satan," and voiced her unflinching support for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a designated terror organization. Afshar Soleimani pushed this propaganda for Iran's terrorist regime while enjoying a lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles, as attested to by her frequent posting on her recently deleted Instagram account.

In addition to the termination of Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter's LPR status, Afshar's husband has also been barred from entering the United States.

Earlier this month, Secretary Rubio also terminated the legal status of Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani, daughter of former Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Larijani, and her husband Seyed Kalantar Motamedi. Both Ardeshir-Larijani and Motamedi are no longer in the United States and are barred from future entry.

The U.S. Department of State extends its appreciation to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for their continued partnership and collaboration in keeping Americans safe.

The Trump Administration will not allow our country to become a home for foreign nationals who support anti-American terrorist regimes.

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UN nuclear agency chief 'deeply concerned' by reports of latest attack on Iran power plant

4 April 2026 - Reports of yet another projectile strike near the Bushehr nuclear power plant prompted Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to register his deep concern on Saturday.

The IAEA was informed of the strike - the fourth such incident in recent weeks - by Iranian officials. Iran also informed the agency that a member of the site's physical protection staff members was killed by a projectile fragment and that a building on site was affected by shockwaves and fragments.

Mr. Grossi emphasised that nuclear power plant sites or nearby areas must never be attacked, noting that auxiliary site buildings may contain vital safety equipment. No increase in radiation levels was reported, following the latest incident.

Reiterating call for maximum military restraint to avoid risk of a nuclear accident, Mr. Grossi again stressed the paramount importance of adhering to the IAEA's seven pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during a conflict (see below).

The previous strike on Bushehr took place on 18 March, when a structure about 350 metres from the reactor was hit and destroyed. No damage to the reactor or injuries were reported, but the agency warned that any attack near nuclear facilities risks violating key safety principles.

Earlier in the month, in an address to the IAEA Board at the agency's headquarters in Vienna, Austria, Mr. Grossi underscored the risk of a nuclear incident from the military escalation since Iran "and many other countries in the region that have been subjected to military attacks have operational nuclear power plants and nuclear research reactors".

The seven pillars for nuclear safety and security in armed conflict

The Seven Indispensable Pillars were introduced by the IAEA Director General in March 2022 to address the unprecedented challenge of maintaining nuclear safety and security when facilities are in a warzone.

The physical integrity of facilities - whether it is the reactors, fuel ponds or radioactive waste stores - must be maintained. All safety and security systems and equipment must be fully functional at all times. The operating staff must be able to fulfil their safety and security duties and have the capacity to make decisions free of undue pressure. There must be a secure off-site power supply from the grid for all nuclear sites. There must be uninterrupted logistical supply chains and transportation to and from the sites. There must be effective on-site and off-site radiation monitoring systems, and emergency preparedness and response measures. There must be reliable communication with the regulator and others.

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Zelenskyy Accuses Russia Of 'Easter Escalation' After Deadly Overnight Strikes

By Zamira Eshanova April 04, 2026

Marking the 1,500th day of the full-scale invasion, Russia launched a massive wave of air strikes across Ukraine during the night of April 3-4.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized the assault as an "Easter escalation," following the Kremlin's formal rejection of his earlier proposal for a temporary holiday truce.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russian forces targeted Ukraine with 286 drones, including around 200 Shahed drones. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 260 of these, according to the air force, while 11 drones struck 10 locations and debris fell in six locations. Fourteen people were reported dead across Ukraine.

Five people were killed and 19 injured when Russian forces struck a market in Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk region, with drones on the morning of April 4, the Office of the Prosecutor General (OGP) reported. Prosecutors and law enforcement are investigating the site, with the OGP calling it "another Russian war crime.

Russian forces attacked Ukraine's Naftogaz infrastructure in the Poltava region on April 4 with drones, sparking a fire and a second strike later, but no one was injured. Naftogaz facilities have been hit more than 40 times since the start of the year.

In the Zhytomyr region, west of Kyiv, rescuers searched for survivors beneath the rubble of homes destroyed in Russian strikes, while in the Sumy region, attacks early on April 4 injured 11 people, including a 15-year-old child, after drones hit a 16-story apartment building and private homes, according to the National Police of Ukraine and the State Emergency Service.

Police also reported that in the past 24 hours in Sumy, Russian strikes killed three people and injured 22 others, including children.

Ukrainian Condemnation

In an April 3 post on her official X account, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko condemned Russia's daylight attacks.

"The purpose of these daytime strikes is clear. Russia is deliberately trying to increase the number of civilian victims, disrupt life, spread fear, and damage Ukraine's infrastructure, Svyrydenko said.

Meanwhile, Ukraine launched drone and missile strikes deep into Russian territory. Russia claimed to have intercepted a total of 192 Ukrainian drones overnight.

According to Reuters, a combined attack on the Rostov region killed at least one person, injured four others, and damaged a logistics warehouse in Taganrog, a port city in southwestern Russia.

Significant damage was reported in the Morozov industrial zone in the Leningrad region, where a strike on a facility producing solid fuel for Topol-M missile systems and high-grade explosives hospitalized two people, according to regional Russian authorities.

Further north, drones targeted Togliatti in the Samara region, home to the major chemical fertilizer producer TogliattiAzot, according to Russian regional authorities.

Additionally, a Ukrainian drone strike sparked a fire on a foreign-flagged commercial vessel in the Sea of Azov, Reuters reported.

On April 4, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that its air defense systems shot down a Flamingo cruise missile and 308 Ukrainian drones in the past 24 hours.

Zelenskyy: Record Russian Losses In March

Following the overnight attacks, Zelenskyy announced on his official X account that "Russian losses this March have reached their highest level since the start of the war."

"Our drone strikes alone resulted in 33,988 Russian service members killed or seriously wounded, while artillery and other strikes eliminated another 1,363 Russian occupiers," the Ukrainian president said.

"That means more than 35,000 Russian losses in just one month, and these are clearly verified losses. We have video documentation of every such strike in our system."

All war casualty estimates are difficult to independently confirm due to the challenges of verification in active combat zones.

Zelenskyy also noted that the number of Russian air defense systems destroyed has increased, with 274 such systems hit in March.

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported on the morning of April 4 that since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, approximately 1,302,370 Russian service members have been killed or wounded, including 1,110 in the past 24 hours.

Russia has not officially released updated figures of soldiers killed since September 2022, but NATO sources estimate that as many as 1.15 million Russian have been killed or wounded since the full-scale invasion began.

Zelenskyy said in February that Ukraine has lost 55,000 soldiers, with many additional personnel listed as missing.

The Ukrainian president on April 4 met in Istanbul with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who told Zelenskyy that Turkey would continue to support negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.

The Turkish presidency office said Erdogan told Zelenskyy that Ankara attaches great importance to maritime safety in the Black Sea and that the security of energy supplies remains crucial.

Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram that "we agreed on new steps in security cooperation. This concerns, first of all, those things with which we can support Turkey: expertise, technology, experience."

"There is a fundamental political willingness to work together, and our teams will finalize the details in the coming days," he added.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/zelenskyy-russia-easter- escalation/33724676.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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During a Meeting in Istanbul, the Presidents of Ukraine and Turkiye Discussed Strengthening Cooperation in the Areas of Security and Energy

President of Ukraine

4 April 2026 - 19:32

At the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Head of State thanked Turkiye for its support to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's full-scale aggression and for its assistance in securing the return of our people from captivity.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Recep Tayyip Erdogan also discussed the situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region. The President of Ukraine informed his counterpart about the results of his visits to countries in the region, the important agreements reached, and the experience Ukraine can share.

According to the Head of State, Ukraine is ready to share its expertise in protecting lives with all those who also help us protect lives. The leaders discussed in detail the deepening of security cooperation, including the implementation of joint projects in the defense industry, as well as other steps toward a mutually beneficial partnership.

"It is important that joint and coordinated actions strengthen the protection of life and help deliver greater security to people in every part of the world. We agreed on new steps in security cooperation. This primarily concerns areas where we can support Turkiye - expertise, technology, and experience," the President of Ukraine said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also shared details of contacts with the American team. Recep Tayyip Erdogan assured that Turkiye is ready to play a significant role in achieving a reliable peace for Ukraine and supports Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The President of Turkiye also confirmed that his country is ready to host the next round of talks between the delegations of Ukraine, the United States, and Russia.

The leaders also discussed other areas of cooperation and agreed to remove all obstacles to developing bilateral trade.

Special attention was given to energy cooperation. The Presidents discussed practical steps to implement joint projects in developing gas infrastructure, as well as opportunities for the joint development of gas fields.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed that a meeting between Naftogaz CEO Sergii Koretskyi and Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkiye Alparslan Bayraktar will take place tomorrow.

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President Discussed Support for Ukraine and Efforts to Achieve a Dignified Peace with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

President of Ukraine

4 April 2026 - 20:42

In Istanbul, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

The Head of State congratulated His All-Holiness on the upcoming Easter and thanked him for his support and constant prayers for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed particular gratitude for the support provided to the families of Ukrainian servicemembers and for the "Warmth for Ukraine" initiative, which supplies energy equipment to affected regions.

One of the main topics of the meeting was the plight of Ukrainian children and what they are forced to endure because of Russian aggression. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew emphasized that he continually prays for all Ukrainian children, including those abducted by Russia, as well as for all Ukrainians held in captivity.

The President provided an update on the negotiation process aimed at achieving a dignified peace, including contacts with the American team.

The development of the church in Ukraine was also discussed during the meeting.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew expressed his condolences over the passing of the Honorary Patriarch of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine, Filaret.

The President invited His All-Holiness to visit Ukraine and noted that this year marks the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Ukraine's independence. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew thanked him for the invitation and added that this year also marks the 35th anniversary of the beginning of his patriarchal service. According to him, these two dates could be combined and celebrated together.

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JERUSALEM, April 5 (Xinhua) -- A missile attack from Iran sparked a fire at a key industrial chemical complex in southern Israel on Sunday, Israel's state-owned Kan TV News reported.

Video footage circulating on social media showed a large plume of smoke rising above Neot Hovav, a major industrial area in the Negev Desert used mainly for chemical production and hazardous waste treatment. Loud blasts were heard.

Kan TV News reported that it was the third time the complex had been hit by a missile, or missile fragments, from Iran since the start of the regional conflict in late February.

The Israeli military confirmed it had activated sirens in the region. It later said search and rescue forces were on their way to "a site in southern Israel where reports of impact have been received," without specifying the location. 
Next article: US deports eight people 'of African origin' to Uganda

Cameroons President Paul Biya to get Deputy for first time in his 43-year rule

Previous article: Cameroons President Paul Biya to get Deputy for first time in his 43-year rule

Featured

Legal groups condemn arrival of a dozen African deportees from US to Uganda

aljazeera.com International News Apr - 05 - 2026 , 18:41 5 minutes read

Legal groups in Uganda have announced that a dozen deportees from the United States are expected to land in the country, following a deal with President Donald Trump.

On Thursday, the Uganda Law Society and the East Africa Law Society announced they had gone to court to challenge the deportation, which they called an undignified, harrowing and dehumanising process.

We have approached the Courts of Law in Uganda and the region, seeking bespoke reliefs designed to arrest this patent international illegality, Asiimwe Anthony, the vice president of the Uganda Law Society, wrote in a statement.

Our perspective of the matter is broader than a single act of deportation. We view it as but one gust from the ill winds of transnational repression that are blowing across our world.

Thursdays deportation marks the first confirmed instance of deportees being transferred from the US to Uganda.

The 12 people reportedly landed at the Entebbe International Airport, some 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Kampala, by private aircraft. No identifying information was provided about the deportees.

But the deportation is the latest example of Trumps far-reaching efforts to offload immigrants to third countries, where they have no personal connections  and may not even know the language.

Scrutiny of third country deportations

So far, Trump has struck deals with a number of countries to accept deported foreigners. They include at least six African countries, among them Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Rwanda, Eswatini and South Sudan.

The deal with Uganda came to light last August. The countrys Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the agreement was a temporary arrangement and that priority would be given to deportees from other African countries.

Unaccompanied children and people with criminal records would not be allowed under the deal, according to the ministrys statement at the time.

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It is unclear whether Uganda received payment for its decision to accept third-country deportations.

Other countries, though, have signed multimillion-dollar deals. El Salvador was given nearly $6m to imprison deportees from the US, Equatorial Guinea got $7.5m, and Eswatini nabbed $5.1m.

There is no official estimate about the total cost of these third-country deals, but Senate Democrats in the US have estimated that at least $40m in funding has been given as incentives for countries to accept deportations.

Most of those funds, the Democrats added, were disbursed in lump sums before any deportees arrived. They also note that those funds are separate from the additional costs of the deportation flights: US military aircraft can cost $32,000 per hour to operate.

Through its third country deportation deals, the Trump Administration is putting millions of taxpayer dollars into the hands of foreign governments, while turning a blind eye to the human costs, Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen said in a February statement.

For an Administration that claims to be reigning in fraud, waste and abuse, this policy is the epitome of all three.

Critics have also questioned whether the countries receiving US deportees are adequately safe.

In the past, the US has criticised Uganda for significant human rights abuses, citing reports of extrajudicial killings, life-threatening prison conditions, and torture and other degrading treatment from government agencies.

It also noted that Uganda had government restrictions against human rights and civil society organisations, and that consensual same-sex conduct was outlawed.

According to the United Nations, Uganda already plays host to nearly 1.7 million refugees and asylum seekers, as people flee violence in neighbouring countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan.

An authoritarian project?

In his letter on Thursday, Anthony, the vice president of the Uganda Law Society, called the US deportations part of a broader authoritarian project that his group felt compelled to oppose.

This development and the attendant illegalities that accompany it are reminiscent of a dark past that the global family of humanity supposedly put behind itself in the pursuit of the ideal that every human being is born equal, Anthony wrote.

He added that US actions under Trump were paving the way for similar policies elsewhere.

In the United States, the militarisation of society has given carte blanche to captured democracies in Africa to carry on with despotism unchecked, he said.

Still, the Trump administration has defended the deportations as legal under the US Immigration and Nationality Act, which has loopholes for removals to safe third countries.

The Trump administration has also pointed to diplomatic assurances from the third countries in question that US deportees would not face persecution.

The third-country policy has, however, faced numerous legal challenges. While the US Supreme Court has largely let such removals proceed, a lower court once again ruled in February that the policy could infringe upon immigrants due process rights.

In the case of Salvadoran immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia, lawyers have even argued that his deportation to a country far from home was evidence of vindictiveness on the part of the Trump administration.

Uganda has been floated as one of the destinations for Garcia, who was wrongfully deported in March 2025 and then returned to the US in June, only to face deportation proceedings once more.

Trump has pushed an aggressive programme of mass deportation since returning to the White House for a second term in 2025.

At least 675,000 people have been removed under his administration as of January, according to US government statistics.
Featured

Capacity over politics  Mahama defends awarding contracts to NPP-linked firms

Mohammed Ali Apr - 05 - 2026 , 11:55 3 minutes read

President John Dramani Mahama has said he resisted pressure from within his own political support base to exclude contractors perceived to be aligned with the opposition from benefiting under the governments flagship road programme.

Speaking at the Kwahu Easter Business Forum at the Kwahu Convention Centre on April 4, 2026, the President indicated that contract awards under the Big Push road initiative would be based solely on capacity rather than political affiliation.

According to him, some supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had expressed concern about contractors believed to be linked to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) securing projects under the programme.

However, he said those raising the concerns acknowledged that the contractors in question had the technical and financial capacity to execute the projects but argued that firms associated with the NDC should be prioritised.

Dont they have the capacity to do the job? President Mahama said he asked.

He explained that the discussion ended at that point, as competence remained the overriding consideration.

They have the equipment. They employ Ghanaians. Anybody who has the capacity to move the project should be given it. For me, it is not about who does the project. The credit is that at the end of my term of office, I was able to repair all those roads, he said.

President Mahama emphasised that his administration does not apply political criteria in the award of public contracts.

I dont have political colours when I look at the Ghanaian private sector, he added.

The President described the Big Push initiative as a major national road rehabilitation programme expected to cover more than 2,000 kilometres of roads across the country.

He cautioned that the politicisation of business has historically undermined private sector growth in Ghana, particularly during transitions of political power.

Many companies start and because Ghana is a democratic country, potentially every eight years there is a changeover in government. Often, if a business is seen to be associated with one party or another, victimisation begins, he said.

President Mahama further advised entrepreneurs against building businesses solely around government contracts, warning that such models leave firms vulnerable to political change.

The issue of political neutrality in business was also highlighted in remarks attributed to Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, delivered on his behalf by the Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe, Jerry Ahmed Shaib.

The prepared statement warned that the politicisation of indigenous businesses risks weakening their competitiveness.

When we politicise local enterprise, we create an uneven playing field that stifles innovation and discourages risk-taking, the Minority Leaders prepared address stated. When this happens, it is foreign businesses that profit while our indigenous enterprises struggle.

The Kwahu Easter Business Forum, now in its third edition, was initiated by President Mahama and Chief of Staff Julius Debrah as a platform to promote dialogue on private sector growth and investment.

The 2026 event brought together entrepreneurs, banking executives, heads of state-owned enterprises and senior government officials to explore strategies for expanding Ghanas business landscape.
Featured

Rainstorm wreaks havoc: Faulty transformers, feeder failures leave parts of 3 regions without power

GraphicOnline Apr - 05 - 2026 , 10:35 2 minutes read

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is battling multiple network failures across three regions following a combination of technical faults and a heavy rainstorm that has left scores of communities without power over the weekend.

In the Volta Region, engineers are working to rectify a fault on the Tsito Feeder that has disrupted electricity supply to Tsaweunu, Sokode Ando, Sokode Gbagble, part of Sokode Gbogame, and surrounding areas. The company confirmed the outage in a statement issued Saturday, April 4, 2026, but did not provide a timeline for full restoration.

Meanwhile, in the Tema Region, residents of Community 25 and its surrounding areas have been plunged into darkness following the failure of two transformers at the Community 25 substation. The ECG confirmed that engineers have been deployed and are working assiduously to restore supply as soon as possible.

The most extensive damage, however, has occurred in the Central Region, where a heavy rainstorm that swept through Assin Fosu has caused widespread faults in the ECG network. According to a statement issued Sunday, April 5, 2026, the storm has left several communities without power, including Nsuta, Dadieso, Andoe, Besease, Assin Manso, Ochiso, the Assin South District Assembly, Darmang, Domeabra, Juaben, and surrounding areas.

"The outage being experienced is as a result of faults in our network due to heavy rainstorm at Assin Fosu," the ECG stated, adding that engineers have been mobilised to rectify the faults and restore supply.

The company has not indicated how long restoration efforts might take, but assured affected customers that teams are working diligently to resolve the issues. In all three regions, the ECG urged customers experiencing outages to report through its Contact Centre, the ECG PowerApp, or its official social media handles.

The incidents come as Ghana enters the peak of the rainy season, with storms increasingly causing damage to power infrastructure. The repeated weather-related disruptions have raised fresh concerns about the resilience of the national electricity distribution network and the need for accelerated investment in storm-proofing measures.

The ECG has extended its apologies to all affected customers, acknowledging the inconvenience caused by the unplanned outages. The company has urged the public to remain patient as engineers work to restore normal supply across the affected regions.
Apple at 50: Three products that changed how we live - and three that really didn't

Previous article: Apple at 50: Three products that changed how we live - and three that really didn't

Featured

New Google feature lets you fix your old email address without losing data

GraphicOnline Technology Apr - 05 - 2026 , 17:51 2 minutes read

Google has introduced a long-awaited feature allowing users to change their Gmail address names, marking a major shift in how people manage their digital identities after more than two decades of the platforms existence.

The update enables users to modify the portion of their email address that appears before @gmail.com, offering a level of flexibility that has previously not been available. The feature is being rolled out first in the United States, with access across Android devices, iPhones, iPads and desktop browsers.

The company said the change is intended to give users greater control over how they present themselves online, particularly for those who created email addresses years ago that may no longer reflect their personal or professional identity.

To address concerns about disruption, Google indicated that updating a Gmail address will not affect access to existing services. Users will still be able to log in to Google platforms and third-party applications using either the old or new address, while emails sent to both will continue to be delivered without interruption.

The feature operates in a manner similar to an email alias, ensuring continuity across linked accounts. Existing emails, contacts and data will remain intact, allowing users to transition seamlessly without losing information or access.

However, Google has introduced safeguards to prevent abuse of the system. Users will be permitted to change their Gmail address name only once every 12 months, with a lifetime limit of three changes per account. The restriction is aimed at reducing the risk of fraud and impersonation.

The development comes as Gmail approaches its 22nd anniversary, with millions of users worldwide still relying on addresses created in the early years of the service. The new option offers an opportunity for users to update outdated or poorly chosen usernames without having to create entirely new accounts.

Google said the feature will be expanded to other regions outside the United States in due course, although no specific timeline has been announced.

The rollout is part of broader efforts by the company to enhance user experience and modernise its services in response to evolving digital needs.
There may be trouble brewing on the horizon for the Galaxy A57 and A37  the results from last weeks poll are in and the consensus is that the two phones are overpriced. And that there is some serious competition in the mid-range market. Luckily, Galaxy A phones dont stay at MSRP for long, so the first issue will correct itself soon enough. If it hasnt already  were seeing deals in some markets.

Zooming in on the Samsung Galaxy A57, there is interest there, but it is strongly contingent on a lower price or a good bundle deal. At least one person in the comments appreciated the thinner and lighter build of the phone. That said, most commenters focused on the price  people agree with our hot take that you shouldnt buy an A57 or A37 at MSRP.

Many brought up the Galaxy S24 FE and S25 FE, which are similar enough to the A57 in pricing while offering some premium features like a high-end chipset and a telephoto camera. Until the A57 price drops significantly, the FE models will be the better deal.

Also, quite a few people said that they turned their backs on the Galaxy A5x series after it dropped the microSD slot  the A55 was the last model to have one. Samsung can always bring it back if it wants to, but the general market trend is in the other direction.

What is there to say about the Samsung Galaxy A37? More than half of the voters in our poll think that there are better mid-rangers out there  for some that is the A57, while others are looking at other brands entirely.

In some regions, you can get a flagship killer equipped with a Snapdragon 8-series chip for the same price as the Galaxy A37, making this fairly plain mid-ranger a non-starter.

Samsungs Galaxy A phones always sell better than tech enthusiasts think they will  we dont doubt that a year from now, the A57 and A37 will have sold in great numbers. However, we cant help but feel that Samsung is missing an opportunity here to make its A-series even more popular.

Samsung Galaxy A57 5G

Samsung Galaxy A37 5G
GAZA, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Four Palestinians were killed and several others injured on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike targeting the al-Tuffah neighborhood in eastern Gaza City, according to Palestinian security and medical sources.

Security sources said that an Israeli drone fired at least one missile at a group of Hamas security personnel in the area.

Medical sources confirmed the four fatalities, adding that the injured were transferred to nearby hospitals.

In recent weeks, Israeli forces have carried out multiple airstrikes targeting security checkpoints and police vehicles in the Gaza Strip, resulting in casualties. The Israeli military often says such operations are aimed at armed elements or perceived threats.

Separately, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Sunday that its troops operating in the northern Gaza Strip on Saturday identified a "terrorist cell" posing an immediate threat to them, and "precisely struck and eliminated" it.

These strikes come amid ongoing tensions and reported violations of a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel that has been in effect since Oct. 10, 2025.

Gaza-based health authorities reported on Sunday that hospitals in the enclave received four bodies and five injured individuals over the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 716 since the ceasefire took effect, with 1,968 others wounded. Since the outbreak of the war in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023, the overall death toll has risen to 72,292, with 172,073 injured. 
Guams first touchless car wash, Velocity360 AutoWash, opened its doors in Hagatna.

One of the benefits of touchless carwashes is that it reduces the risk of damage to a cars body and paint.

Velocity360 AutoWash, which opened on March 28, is located at the Agana Shopping Center towards the Hagatna Pool entrance. It is owned and operated by FJR Enterprises Inc.

Randy Sager, CEO of FJR Enterprises, told the Pacific Daily News that he and Frank Russo have been in the car wash business for more than 25 years, operating several carwashes in Hawaii and attending the International Car Wash Association Convention in Las Vegas for the last four years.

Russo also operates a car wash at Andersen Air Force Base.

Sager said he was waiting a long time for a touchless car wash on Guam. As a car enthusiast with five cars, he said he wanted something that all could enjoy.

We want those people that dont want their car to be brushed. They want to have a touchless wash, he said.

Touchless car washes dont involve large brushes, which could cause swirl marks or scratches, Sager said, but instead use high pressure washers and dryers alongside a suite of state-of-the-art sensors to evenly apply cleaning solutions and protectants across a cars body.

Maximum efficiency

Velocity360 uses equipment designed by Petit Industries, a U.S. based car washing business.

Petits president, Tom Petit Jr., incorporated aerospace designs and technology into many of its car washing products.

Sager said the car wash is very technically designed and provides maximum efficiency.

With each full-service wash lasting about three minutes, the facility can process between 18 and 20 cars every hour.

The facility measures about 60 feet long, while the bay itself is about 20 feet wide and 18 feet tall, which fits most make and models of vehicles.

The internal bay is lined with an anti-microbial wall system, which makes the bay resistant to dust, dirt and mold.

Depending on the package, customers can get a ceramic coating on their vehicle.

This coating helps protect the cars paint against UV light and salt spray, all problems car owners on Guam face.

Sager said the ceramic coating offered in Velocity360s gold package, offers about three to five months of protection. He recommends that drivers that opt to get ceramic coating come in two to three times to increase its effectiveness.

He said the car wash is intuitive for drivers, though there is a slight learning curve for some drivers to nail the timing for the drying portion of the wash.

For all to enjoy

The car wash operates on a three-tier system: bronze, silver, and gold. Each tier includes the services from the one below it.

Bronze offers a hot foam presoak, high velocity wash, spot free rinse, and drying using variable frequency drive blowers at $16.

Silver offers an underbody wash, clearcoat protectant, and triple foam at $20.

Gold offers wheel bright cleaning and ceramic coating at $24.

The car wash also operates a self-vacuum service at $3 for a five-minute vacuum.

Velocity360 does not accept cash and operates only on contactless debit or credit card payments and a monthly subscription service is in the works, according to Sager.

The carwash is open 24/7 and is monitored by the Velocity360 team remotely.
A woman who admitted to her role in a Texas-Guam methamphetamine trafficking ring will spend 15 years in federal prison, breaking down in court on Thursday as she described how her son told her she had no right to be his mother.

Liana Joelene Cabrera, 43, told the court that was the moment that forced her to confront her addiction and change, calling her time in prison a blessing in disguise.

Cabrera was involved in a large-scale trafficking operation that investigators said moved thousands of grams of high purity methamphetamine between Guam and Texas. Some of the meth were intended for distribution inside the prison on Guam.

District Court Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood on Thursday sentenced Cabrera to 180 months, or 15 years, with credit for time served for her role in a meth trafficking conspiracy and unlawful use of the mail to distribute drug proceeds between Guam and Texas.

Thank you for the 15 years, Cabrera said, wiping tears from her face.

Its still a long time, Tydingco-Gatewood replied.

Cabrera said the 15-year sentence is better than 23 years.

Authorities said Cabrera worked with Edward Demapan, a convicted murderer who was found guilty in September 2025 of meth trafficking while in prison.

U.S. Attorney Benjamin Petersburg recommended a 292-month sentence, arguing Cabrera played a significant role in the operation based on the number of packages and communications linking her to Demapan.

Cabrera faced a potential sentence of 324 to 405 months, or 27 to nearly 34 years, under federal statutes.

Cabrera also received five years of supervised release for the first charge and three years for the second, to run concurrently.

The court recommended she be designated to a facility near Houston, Texas, and ordered her to participate in drug treatment, mental health services, educational and vocational training and parenting programs.

Upon release, she will remain under federal supervision for up to five years.

Turning point

In court, Cabrera described the turning point that changed her perspective.

Her voice cracking as she wiped away tears, she told the court that her youngest son, now 13, told her she had no right to be his mother after learning about her incarceration and criminal activity through media reports.

Cabrera said her son had not known about that part of her life before and knew her as a present parent.

She also described a moment with her daughter that she believed was meant to comfort her, saying that if anyone should be mad, it should be her.

Her daughter, now in her late 20s, had grown up largely without Cabrera because of repeated time in prison, and the comment only deepened the impact.

That made it worse, Cabrera said. It really woke me up.

She told the court she never saw her drug use as a problem because it was what she was exposed to most of her life. That changed during a two-week drug treatment and training program in Hawaii, where she said she learned she had an addiction and how it was a problem.

Multiple individuals involved

Prosecutors said Cabrera, Demapan and three others coordinated shipments of meth from Houston to Guam while sending cash proceeds back through the mail.

U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigators identified suspicious shipments in August 2024, including a package sent on Aug. 7 from Guam to Houston containing $80,160 in cash. The postage was purchased through a Stamps.com account in Cabreras name linked to a Houston address.

Authorities intercepted multiple parcels from Houston to Guam, including one containing 2,884.3 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride at 99% purity, another with 1,836.6 grams at 97% purity, and a third with 3,021 grams of suspected methamphetamine.

Records showed at least 19 parcels were sent to Guam between March and August 2024, and about 87 packages were shipped from Houston to Guam in 2024 using accounts tied to Cabrera.

On Aug. 22, 2024, agents conducted a controlled delivery at a Tamuning address. Surveillance captured co-conspirators transferring the package before one suspect was detained and admitted the parcel contained meth intended for an inmate at the Department of Corrections.

A subsequent prison search in April 2025 uncovered drugs, paraphernalia, three cell phones and handwritten notes with names, addresses and tracking numbers linked to Cabrera and other conspirators.

Some of the meth was intended for distribution inside the prison, including attempts to throw drugs over the fence.

After her arrest, Cabrera admitted she was aware of the shipments and shared tracking information with a co-conspirator.

She pleaded guilty on Sept. 20, 2025, waiving indictment and admitting to conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of meth and unlawful use of the mail.

Sincere remorse

Cabrera wrote to the court, conveying her sincere remorse for the choices she has made and to accept full responsibility for my actions.

I deeply regret the pain and consequences my conduct has brought not only upon myself but, most significantly, upon my eleven-year-old son and my family. My absence has left my son in the care of his ill father, and I am painfully aware of the hardship and emotional distress this has caused them, she wrote.

Cabrera acknowledged the gravity of her actions and asked the court to consider her intentions.

I understand the seriousness of my offense. I am prepared to face the consequences, and I fully accept accountability for the crime, she said. I have committed as the owner of the account used to violate the law. I ask, however, that the Court consider my failure to cooperate with the DEA not as an act of defiance or disrespect, but as a decision made out of concern for the safety of my family and myself.

She wanted to make her intentions clear.

I want the Court to know that just because I did not cooperate with DEA, doesnt mean that I am trying to be defiant, uncooperative, or disrespectful. I take accountability and responsibility for my actions, Cabrera said. I feel Ive embarrassed my family enough, and I dont want to bring further harm to my family.

Started using meth at 11 years old

Cabreras attorney, Cynthia Ecube, asked the court to impose a 10-year sentence, pointing to Cabreras upbringing and history of abuse and addiction where she was often pushed, grabbed, slapped, or hit so hard that she had marks or visible injuries.

Ecube told the court Cabrera grew up with both parents involved in criminal activity, including a father who faced charges before his death in 2004, and a family history of substance abuse.

She said Cabrera began using marijuana and meth at age 11 and escalated to daily meth use from 2018 to 2025.

By 2014 or 2015, she was using 2 ounces of meth a day.

Ecube said Cabrera met Demapan while participating in a drug treatment program on Guam and that he stood apart from what she had known because he talked to her and listened to her.

Hes a very manipulative man, Ecube said.

Ecube said Cabrera is willing to serve time and asked the court for leniency.

The court said Cabreras history of trauma and early exposure to drugs factored into the sentence.

Ecube told the court Cabrera has made efforts to change while in custody and has remained clean. She said those efforts are reflected in her renewed relationship with her children, who are now speaking with her again.
TOKYO, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Japan is gradually shifting away from its long-held "exclusively defense-oriented policy" and moving toward a "combat-ready" military system, a former Self-Defense Forces (SDF) officer and veteran military journalist said.

Makoto Konishi made the remarks at a lecture held in Tokyo on Saturday, where he outlined significant recent changes in Japan's defense posture in terms of institutions, budget and deployment.

Konishi reviewed Japan's growing military presence in the country's southwestern islands and noted that such deployments have been pushed forward despite public opposition. He also pointed to the steady rise in defense spending and ongoing efforts by the government to revise its three national security documents.

These developments are no longer simply about enhancing defensive capabilities; they represent a comprehensive shift toward building a war-ready system, Konishi said, adding that "this process will not only heighten public anxiety but also put Japan on a dangerous path."

He further criticized the Japanese government's long-standing practice of hyping up external security threats to justify military expansion. According to Konishi, Japan's current policies are closely aligned with U.S. strategic efforts targeting major powers in the region, a move he warned would inevitably escalate regional tensions.

Reports by Kyodo News on Friday said that the Japanese government plans to revise the implementation guidelines for the "three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology" within the month. Konishi said such revisions would further relax restrictions on arms exports.

"A series of moves by the current government inevitably raises doubts about whether Japan's so-called 'pacifist constitution' still holds in practice," he added. 
The attack targeted the oil port of Primorsk, known in Finland as Koivisto, located on the Gulf of Finland between St Petersburg and the Finnish frontier. The site stands less than 50 kilometres from Finland at its closest point and serves as one of Russias main oil export hubs on the Baltic Sea.

Ukraine launched drone strikes on Russias Baltic coast early on Sunday, damaging energy infrastructure near the Finnish border and forcing changes to civilian air routes across northern Europe.

Leningrad region governor Aleksandr Drozdenko said debris from intercepted drones struck facilities at the port. He first reported damage to an oil pipeline, then later said a fuel tank had leaked after being hit by fragments. Air defence forces shot down 19 drones over the region, he wrote on Telegram, adding that no injuries were reported.

Russian authorities said the oil involved burned without wider impact. Earlier statements suggested part of the pipeline had caught fire before being isolated.

The Russian defence ministry reported a wider wave of attacks overnight. According to German outlet Der Spiegel, officials said air defences destroyed 87 Ukrainian drones across several regions.

Further strikes reached deeper into Russia. In the Nizhny Novgorod region, governor Gleb Nikitin said 30 drones were intercepted. Falling debris triggered fires at two facilities linked to oil company Lukoil and damaged a power plant and residential buildings. No casualties were confirmed in preliminary reports, according to Reuters.

The attacks triggered an air alert across the Leningrad region at about 05:00 local time, Russian outlet Fontanka reported. Authorities closed St Petersburgs Pulkovo airport during the alert, which lasted more than two hours. Operations resumed after 07:30.

The closure disrupted air traffic across the region. Flights bound for Pulkovo held in the air east of the city while waiting for clearance to land. Dozens of services faced delays or cancellations.

Long-haul aircraft from China crossing Russian airspace were rerouted north during the closure. Flight tracking data showed several planes from Shanghai entering Finnish airspace near Joensuu before continuing towards central Europe. Under normal conditions, these routes pass south of St Petersburg over the Gulf of Finland.

The same pattern occurred earlier in the week after another drone incident in the region. Fontanka reported that seven drones were shot down on Friday, prompting similar diversions.

Ukraine has increased strikes on Russian energy infrastructure along the Gulf of Finland in recent months. Late March attacks damaged facilities in both Primorsk and Ust-Luga, forcing ports to halt oil product loading.

Finnish defence officials said they have increased surveillance and security operations in response.

HT
YMCA hosts Healthy Kids Day April 18

The YMCA of Western North Carolina is hosting its annual Healthy Kids Day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at the Hendersonville Family YMCA.

Related Stories

The free event features a variety of family-friendly activities to encourage healthy kids, healthy families and a healthy start to the summer season.

Sponsored nationally by the Peanuts comic strip and Gatorade, Healthy Kids Day aims to prepare families for a safe, healthy and fun summer. Featured activities include games, healthy cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts, contests and prizes, more than 25 local vendor and community partner booths and more.

It is so important for kids to stay active over the summer, both physically and mentally, said Ashley Shores, executive director of programs at the YMCA of Western North Carolina. At the Y, we believe in providing resources for families to create healthy habits, no matter the time of year. Healthy Kids Day is a fun, free community-wide event that encourages families to take advantage of all the great summer activities the Y and community partners have to offer.

For more event information and local sponsor info, visit ymcawnc.org/HKD.
BEIRUT, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah said on Sunday they targeted an Israeli warship with a cruise missile at a distance of 68 nautical miles off the Lebanese coast. 
TRIPOLI, April 4 (Xinhua) -- The head of Libya's Presidential Council, Mohamed Al-Menfi, has instructed that no new deals be made concerning already developed oil fields in the country, reports said Saturday.

The instruction to Masoud Suleiman, chairman of the National Oil Corporation (NOC), confirmed Saturday by the Presidential Council's media office, prohibits all forms of agreements in this regard, including contractual arrangements, Al-Ahrar TV reported.

Menfi also requested immediate reports to the Council on the legal, technical, and economic procedures and backgrounds of any previous deals.

The move is intended to strengthen protection of Libya's national economy and secure optimal returns from its strategic oil resources, said reports.

This development followed a previous decision by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah to suspend a controversial oil development agreement, reportedly with the Arabian Gulf Oil Company, citing mounting concerns over transparency and public backlash.

Oil and gas exports are Libya's main source of revenue, but production has been repeatedly disrupted in recent years due to conflict or political instability. 
TEHRAN, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the unified command of the Iranian armed forces, said on Sunday that four U.S. military aircraft were shot down in Iran's central airspace during the U.S. mission to rescue a pilot in Iran.

Ebrahim Zolfaghari, the headquarters' spokesman, made the announcement, saying the aircraft included two C-130 Hercules military transport planes and two Black Hawk helicopters, according to the official news agency IRNA.

He added they were targeted during joint operations by the forces of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), army, voluntary Basij and law enforcement south of the central Isfahan province.

Zolfaghari said the U.S. so-called rescue operation, "which had been planned as a deception and escape operation under the pretext of rescuing the pilot of its downed plane at an abandoned airport south of Isfahan," ended in complete failure with the Iranian armed forces' timely presence.

He noted that U.S. President Donald Trump "is trying to justify his army's bitter defeat and failure by creating confusion for public opinion."

The IRGC said on Friday its air defense systems had shot down a U.S. F-35 fighter jet in central Iranian airspace, adding the fate of the pilot or pilots was unknown.

The U.S. later claimed it had rescued one of the downed fighter jet's pilots, adding that rescue operations were underway to find and recover the other one.

On Sunday, Trump, in a post on social media platform Truth Social, claimed that U.S. forces had carried out "one of the most daring search and rescue operations in U.S. history," adding the second pilot was rescued and is "safe and sound."

On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East. 
This file photo taken in 2024 shows teachers and students of Shenzhen Bao'an Middle School gathering beside the campus pond to feed fish in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua)

SHENZHEN, April 5 (Xinhua) -- At a high school in Shenzhen, a tech hub in south China's Guangdong Province, students stressed over the upcoming college entrance exam recently petitioned to remove a nest of noisy birds from campus, but their principal refused and instead offered them something more valuable than silence.

The noise has gone on for weeks since March at Shenzhen Bao'an Middle School, beginning before dawn and continuing into the evening, usually starting with a sharp shriek, then another, before swelling into a chorus.

The noisemakers are koels, a species of black, red-eyed birds protected under China's wildlife law. In Chinese, the creature is named "Zaojuan," meaning "noisy cuckoo." As the name suggests, its piercing call can reach up to 80 decibels, as loud as a vacuum cleaner.

Scientists say the birds sing most in the early morning and at night, when people are most sensitive to rest and sleep. During the breeding season, from March to May, their calls grow louder, more relentless and more repetitive as they seek to attract mates.

Some students can endure the noises and treat them as wake-up alarms, but for most, these sounds are irritating.

It feels like torture, one student complained. "Once, my teacher paused during class and said, 'Listen, they are fighting again.'"

A courageous student surnamed Le penned a letter to the principal, describing the disturbance. "My classmates and I are under pressure due to the college entrance exams, but the noisy birds in the treetops outside our window have been full of vitality, singing passionately. Please remove their nest and let these free spirits fly back to nature," Le wrote.

He added, "I know removing the nest is not easy, but I can't think of a better solution."

However, the request was denied. Principal Yuan Weixing later responded with a public letter, saying the nest would stay.

In his letter, Yuan explained that birds have their own rhythm and should not be disturbed. They are also an integral part of the school, sharing an ecosystem with the students. He added that, piercing as the calls may be, they could one day become unique campus memories worth recalling after graduation.

"I know your urgency, but I cannot grant your request. It is not because I don't sympathize with your hard school work, but I want you to understand that the ultimate goal of education is not to make the world adapt to us, but to teach us how to get along with the world," the principal said in the letter.

Refusing the request, however, did not mean doing nothing.

The principal bought earplugs online for the students. He also asked the campus staff to set up artificial bird nests farther from the teaching areas. Since koels do not build their own nests but instead occupy those of other birds, the idea was to provide alternative nesting sites to lure them away from the dormitory and classroom buildings.

In addition, the school has invited university researchers to give science lessons about the birds.

Liu Yang, a professor from the School of Ecology at Sun Yat-sen University, recently received an invitation to deliver a lecture. The bird expert praised the approach, saying that teaching young people how to coexist with animals is essential.

He added that as people place greater value on biodiversity and green conservation, urban wildlife is on the rise, and human-bird conflicts are likely to become more common.

Shenzhen is a key stopover along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. According to the latest survey by the local ecological environment department, the city is home to more than 450 species of wild birds, about one-third of the total bird species in China.

Liu noted that similar human-bird conflicts also occur in residential areas. In the past, solutions largely relied on raising public awareness to ease frustration. But in recent years, more scientific and advanced methods have emerged, striving to bring greater rationality and inclusiveness to urban governance.

For example, since 2023, Liu and his colleagues have deployed around 100 passive acoustic monitoring devices across the Greater Bay Area, using AI-based recognition algorithms to track bird sounds and map their spatial and temporal distribution patterns. They are now preparing a study to predict the detection rate of koel calls across Shenzhen, based on factors such as vegetation, water bodies and building density, to enhance the early warning system.

The human-bird conflict on the school campus has drawn widespread attention. After local media reports, the principal's letter went viral online. One line, in particular, was shared the most: "The exam matters, but it is just one wave in the long river of life. Learning to respect life, understand all creatures and coexist with discomfort, these are the treasures that will stay with you forever."

Now, the birds' songs still linger, but most students on campus have gradually adapted to the singing, including the teenage boy who wrote the letter.

Speaking to Xinhua, Le said the bird calls no longer bother him. He now focuses on his studies and thanked the school for the "lesson" that taught him how to manage his emotions.

"It's not so much about making peace with the bird as it is about making peace with yourself, and ultimately, with the world," he said. "Learning to adapt and to coexist with the world is the best form of growing up." 

This undated file photo shows a koel on the campus of Shenzhen Bao'an Middle School in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua)
BERLIN, April 5 (Xinhua) -- German males aged 17 to 45 may need to seek approval before leaving the country for trips abroad surpassing three months.

Under a newly implemented military service law, the Defense Ministry said such permission would automatically be granted for stays of more than three months, as long as military service remains voluntary, according to the German broadcaster ZDF.

Although the new legislation went into effect at the beginning of this year, the specific clause had largely gone unnoticed. The clarification came after multiple media outlets brought the rule into the spotlight.

German newspaper Frankfurter Rundschau reported that the law requires men to obtain permission from the armed forces before traveling abroad for more than three months.

Currently, Germany's military service remains voluntary. But if voluntary recruitment fails to meet targets to boost the country's active troop strength, or if Europe's security situation deteriorates, parliament can vote to enforce mandatory service. 
Ethiopia's largest university partners with regional bureaus to enhance Chinese language education

Xinhua) 12:37, April 05, 2026

This photo taken on April 3, 2026 shows the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between Addis Ababa University and the Addis Ababa and Oromia education bureaus in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia. (Addis Ababa University/Handout via Xinhua)

Ethiopia's Addis Ababa University (AAU) has signed a cooperation agreement with two regional education bureaus to foster the provision of quality Chinese language education across secondary schools in the country.

The AAU, the East African country's largest and oldest higher learning institution, signed a memorandum of understanding on Friday with the Addis Ababa and Oromia education bureaus, aimed at improving the teaching skills of local teachers and issuing professional certificates.

According to the agreement, the two education bureaus will identify qualified teachers for training. They are also expected to assign coordinators and arrange necessary logistical support.

Amid deepening Sino-Ethiopian ties, interest in studying the Chinese language is growing rapidly among Ethiopians, particularly the country's youth. To meet the growing demand, the East African country has been opening more Confucius Institutes, while also training local Chinese language teachers. The Chinese language is now taught as a general-interest course or academic major in many public schools across Ethiopia.

The Confucius Institute at the AAU has been instrumental in enhancing the capacity of local Chinese language teachers. Through a series of training sessions, the institute has equipped Ethiopian teachers with the necessary skills to teach the Chinese language properly.

The institute has previously introduced Ethiopia's first-ever local Chinese language textbook, dubbed "Hello, Chinese," featuring Chinese-Amharic and Chinese-Afan Oromo languages. The textbook is said to play a pivotal role in maintaining the balance between Ethiopian teachers' Chinese language proficiency and pedagogy.

This photo taken on April 3, 2026 shows the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between Addis Ababa University and the Addis Ababa and Oromia education bureaus in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia. (Addis Ababa University/Handout via Xinhua)

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
GAZA, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Hamas said Sunday that a delegation from the group met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul to discuss developments in the Gaza Strip and Jerusalem.

In a statement, Hamas said that the delegation was headed by Muhammad Darwish, chairman of its leadership council, and included senior Hamas leaders Khaled Meshaal, Khalil al-Hayya, and Zaher Jabarin.

According to the statement, Darwish praised Erdogan's support for the Palestinian cause and his efforts to safeguard Palestinian rights, land, and holy sites.

The two sides stressed the need to implement the ceasefire, ensure the entry of humanitarian aid, and restore normal life in the enclave.

Darwish also wanred against the Israeli law passed on March 30 that makes the death penalty the default punishment for Palestinians in the West Bank convicted of "terrorism," saying it would violate international law.

For his part, Erdogan reiterated Turkey's support for the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights, the statement said.

A ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect on Oct. 10, 2025. Its initial phase included exchanges of prisoners and detainees, the entry of humanitarian aid, and partial Israeli troop withdrawals from Gaza.

In January, the United States announced the start of a second phase of its proposed peace plan, which includes a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas, reconstruction efforts, and the establishment of a transitional governing body in the enclave. 
CAIRO, April 5 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 37th day on Sunday, with U.S. President Donald Trump confirming the rescue of a crew member whose F-15 fighter jet was downed earlier in Iran, while Iran claimed that four U.S. military aircraft were shot down and several U.S. soldiers killed in the U.S. military's rescue operation for the downed jet's crew.

The following is an overview of the latest developments in the crisis affecting much of the region and beyond.

The United States

-- The crew member of the downed U.S. F-15 has been rescued from "deep inside the mountains of Iran" and is "seriously wounded," Trump said in a Truth Social post.

In another post, he threatened that Tuesday would be "Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one," for Iran, and again urged Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz.

-- U.S. satellite imagery provider Planet Labs said it will indefinitely restrict the release and distribution of satellite images related to Iran and the broader Middle East conflict area at the request of the U.S. government, according to media reports.

In an email to customers, Planet Labs said the U.S. government has asked all satellite imagery providers to place an indefinite hold on publishing images from the conflict zone, according to Reuters. The company said the move further expanded a 14-day delay policy it had already adopted last month.

Israel

-- Israel warned that it would strike more of Iran's national infrastructure if Tehran continues to fire missiles at the country. The threat came a day after Israel attacked a major petrochemical complex in Mahshahr of Iran. In video remarks following a situational assessment, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the strike has "paralyzed" the facility's activity and effectively shut down production.

-- Israel is preparing to escalate its attacks on Iran if reported indirect talks between the United States and Iran fail, Israel's state-owned Kan TV reported.

-- Katz suggested that Israel was involved in efforts to rescue two U.S. airmen from Iran.

-- Four people were missing and four others injured after a missile from Iran struck a residential building in Haifa, a city in northern Israel, police said.

-- Israel killed Mohammad Reza Ashrafi Kahi, head of commerce at the oil headquarters of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps, in an airstrike in Tehran on Friday, the Israeli military said.

-- A missile attack from Iran sparked a fire at a key industrial chemical complex in southern Israel, Kan TV reported.

Iran

-- Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the unified command of the Iranian armed forces, said that four U.S. military aircraft were shot down in Iran's central airspace during the U.S. mission to rescue a pilot in Iran, including two C-130 Hercules military transport planes and two Black Hawk helicopters.

-- Several U.S. soldiers died in a military operation to rescue crew members from a downed fighter jet in Iran, Iran's Fars news agency reported, citing sources.

-- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi exchanged views with his Russian and Indian counterparts on the ongoing regional conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

Lebanon

-- Lebanon is "conducting continuous contacts with various countries" to stop the Israeli war on Lebanon, President Joseph Aoun said in an Easter speech. The country has proposed an initiative starting with a ceasefire to pave the way for negotiations, but has not yet received a response from the other side, he said.

-- Four people were killed and about 39 others wounded in an Israeli airstrike on the Jnah area in Beirut's southern suburbs, near Beirut's Rafic Hariri Hospital, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

-- At least four people were killed at night in an Israeli airstrike that targeted a residential building in the Tallet Ain Saadeh area, east of Beirut, according to local TV channel Al Jadeed.

Oman

-- Oman and Iran held a meeting at the level of deputy ministers in the foreign ministries to discuss possible options to ensure the smooth flow of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz amid current regional tensions, Oman's Foreign Ministry said.

Bahrain

-- Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company in Bahrain announced that a number of its operational units were attacked by Iranian drones, triggering fires across the affected units, the Bahrain News Agency reported. Earlier, Bapco Energies announced a drone attack targeting one of its storage facilities that resulted in a tank fire.

Kuwait

-- Kuwait reported that "hostile drone attacks" struck several critical infrastructure sites, including two power generation and water desalination plants, and a government building, causing material damage but no casualties.

-- Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) announced that a number of its operational facilities were struck by "hostile Iranian drones," sparking fires and causing significant material damage without casualties.

The KPC said the attacked facilities are operated by its subsidiaries, Kuwait National Petroleum Company and Petrochemical Industries Company, both critical to the country's refining and petrochemical industries.

The United Arab Emirates

-- Three fires at the Borouge petrochemicals plant in Abu Dhabi have been brought under control, with no injuries reported, authorities said. According to the Abu Dhabi Media Office, debris from an intercepted aerial threat sparked fires at the petrochemical facility. Emergency teams acted swiftly to contain the situation.

-- UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to discuss regional developments, maritime security, energy supplies, and their impact on the global economy, according to the Emirates News Agency.

Egypt

-- Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held phone calls on Saturday evening with U.S., regional, and international officials to discuss efforts to de-escalate rising tensions in the Middle East, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. 
JERUSALEM, April 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump told Israeli media Channel 12 on Sunday that the United States is engaged in "deep" negotiations with Iran to secure a ceasefire, while stressing that Washington will not "leave in the middle" of the conflict.

Trump said his administration is maintaining contacts with Iran through multiple channels, led by his advisors Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

According to sources briefed on the talks, communication is being conducted through two tracks: indirect contacts mediated by Pakistan, Egypt and Turkiye, and direct exchanges between U.S. envoys and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.

The mediating countries are seeking to help both sides agree on measures that could allow an extension of the U.S.-imposed deadline, the sources said, adding that recent phone calls between the parties have not yielded significant progress.

Trump told Channel 12 that there is "a good chance" that a deal could be reached before Tuesday's "deadline", but warned that failure to do so would prompt the United States to take "strong" action in the region.

The U.S. president posted "Tuesday, 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time!" on social media later on Sunday, a message that appears to signal a possible extension of the deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. 
BEIJING, April 5 (Xinhua) -- As China observed the Qingming Festival, the nation paid tribute to the fallen heroes who gave their lives in service to the country. From revolutionary struggles to modern-day frontlines, their sacrifices were remembered in ceremonies across the country.

According to official figures, 210 police officers and 142 auxiliary officers died while on duty in 2025. These recent losses join a much larger historical toll: an estimated 20 million martyrs in modern Chinese history, most of whom remain unnamed.

Among the fallen honored this Qingming was Xie Yufeng, a 26-year-old from Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. On January 20, 2025, he jumped into a river while trying to rescue a suicidal man and died at the scene. Xie had previously struggled with acrophobia during training but refused to give up.

Another hero, Yang Guolin, 34, from Tongxin County in Ningxia, entered a tanker truck containing toxic gases on October 31, 2025, to rescue an unconscious driver. He succeeded in pushing the driver out but collapsed inside the tanker. His service number was formally retired on Police Day in January 2026.

The Qingming commemorations also recalled heroes who died in poverty alleviation work. Fang Xuan, 26, was working in Guidong County, Hunan Province, when she died in a car accident in 2017 while traveling to a village site. In just a few months, Fang had visited hundreds of rural households as part of her poverty-relief work.

This Qingming, local Party members and cadres from Qingshan Township accompanied Fang's family to the cemetery, where they placed chrysanthemums before her grave and paid their respects.

Other fallen heroes died from years of overwork and acute incidents. Zhang Xuejie, 55, a veteran trace evidence examiner in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province died on duty in October 2025. Over 33 years, he participated in more than 2,000 criminal investigations and issued over 400 forensic reports, all without error.

Wang Yufei, 56, who led an anti-narcotics unit in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, died from overwork in May 2025 after 34 years of service. He had built a smart command platform that remains in use. Colleagues remembered that he cared for his team members' families, though he rarely took time for himself.

In Urumqi, Cui Wenliang, 51, a police station chief, died of a sudden illness on March 18, 2025. His work logs recorded over 800 services to local residents, including delivering medicine and rescuing people from fires. In Inner Mongolia, traffic officer Zhang Bingyi, who at his busiest spent over 300 days a year away from home on case work, died on January 13, 2024. He was on duty during a snowstorm, guiding stranded vehicles and warning drivers of danger, when an out-of-control vehicle struck him.

Some traditions linking past and present continue across the country. In Shandong's Zhucun Village, residents still offer the first bowl of dumplings of the Chinese New Year to soldiers who died protecting villagers in 1944. That spirit of remembrance carried into this year's Qingming.

In Sichuan's Zhongjiang County, new military recruits held a ceremony on March 19, 2026, before the statue of a Korean War hero, pledging to follow the example of those who came before them. Such events were part of broader observances nationwide.

The Qingming activities included flower-laying and moments of silence at martyrs' cemeteries across the country. Local media reported organized visits by government units, schools, and community groups across multiple provinces.

For the families of the fallen, and for the nation that remembers them, the day served as a quiet acknowledgment of sacrifice. No national figure for total visitors was released, but the ceremonies underscored a continuity across generations.

The heroes honored this Qingming came from different eras and different roles. Yet in the official commemorations, they were remembered together -- as those who gave their lives so that others could live in peace. 
Kaylea Nocher with her first-grade class at Brayton Elementary School. PreviousNext

Teacher of the Month: Kaylea Nocher

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  First-grade students in Kaylea Nocher's class feel secure and empowered in the classroom, confidently embracing mistakes as they take charge of their learning.

This safe and fun atmosphere has earned Nocher the iBerkshires Teacher of the Month designation. The Teacher of the Month series, in collaboration with Berkshire Community College, features distinguished teachers nominated by community members. You can nominate a teacher here

Nearly a dozen parents and colleagues nominated the Brayton Elementary School teacher, praising her dedication, connection to students, and engaging classroom environment  going above and beyond to foster growth in her students.

"My students are the most important part of the job, and instilling love and a love for learning with them is so valuable," she said.

"We have these little minds that we get to mold in a safe and loving environment, and it's really special to be able to do that with them."

Nocher has built her classroom on the foundation of love, describing it as the umbrella for all learning.

"If you have your students feel loved in the sense that they have a love for learning, they have a love for taking risks, they have a love for themselves, and they can use that in everything that they do," she said.

Nocher described her teaching style as "very autonomous," empowering students with choices and a voice, and providing opportunities for them to actively shape their own learning journey.

"It's important to me that I'm teaching them that they do have a lot to bring to the table, and it can be heard here, even in an environment where sometimes it doesn't feel like they have a lot of choice," she said.

Students sometimes miss the opportunity to see where their own choices can lead because they are usually guided by adults. By involving students in their learning, we show them that their ideas matter and that they are valued members of the classroom community, Nocher said.

This philosophy came to life during the school visit, where students actively participated in filming Nocher's episode  asking her questions, learning about the lavalier microphone, and some requests to take control of the camera.

Students describe her as a patient and caring educator, praising her engaging activities, such as Fun Friday and brain breaks with dance parties.

Several students expressed that they wish she could be their teacher forever, adding that she makes them excited to come to school each day.

Nearly every nomination said Nocher goes "above and beyond for her students," each describing a different way she has won her students and their families hearts, from student advocacy, communication, compassion, and ability to cater her teaching to the students needs and pace.

"Nocher deserves this because she has been an amazing teacher and advocate for my son who has behavioral needs. She has worked with him through everything from meltdowns to getting him to do his work when he didn't want to," said Tracy Matthews, a parent and one of the nominators.

Teaching assistant Jenna Moulton, who witnesses Nocher's positive impact daily, was also compelled to submit a nomination.

She described how Nocher teaches not only essential academic skills like math, writing, and reading, but also emotional learning  including communication, managing emotions, dealing with consequences, and moving forward with a positive attitude.

"Our first graders absolutely adore her and she goes out of her way to create a special morning message for the class and creates a stable and consistent environment. She creates songs to engage the students and even makes every holiday special," Moulton said.

"She let the students have an amazing week before Christmas with the Grinch movie, sledding, and extra play time with her dad even coming in to read a book and gift goodie bags. I could go on and on about Ms. Nocher. If anyone deserves recognition it's Kaylea Nocher."

Nominators said that even after moving on to the next grade, students still fondly recollect on their time in Nocher's class.

"Kaylea has always been such a supportive, kind, and loving teacher. My son was in her class last year and still talks about her being the best teacher in the universe," one nominating parent said.

"She goes above and beyond to ensure each child is learning at their own pace and grows a personal relationship with each of her students. Not looking at them like just another student. We will forever be grateful my son had her for first grade."

Nocher said working with a new group of students every year is very special to her because each year they bring something new to the classroom.

"I love learning all their little personalities, and by the end of the school year, I have a really hard time saying goodbye to them. They're all so special to me, and I think the most impactful thing is getting the opportunity to be honored with their presence,"

Nocher said the students teach her more than she is able to teach them, which is an "awesome experience as an educator."

"I love how imaginative they are. I love how curious they are, and they bring so much to the classroom. They have all these different perspectives, and they have all these questions, and it really helps us engage in some really deep conversations," she said.

"These first grade students are some of the most compassionate and empathetic little minds that I've ever had a chance to meet. They are so caring, and the way that they think of others and they care for others is really inspiring."
Eight social services explained what they do in the community during a recent conversation on poverty hosted by Berkshire Community Action Council. The discussions at the Berkshire Athenaeum will provide feedback for BCAC's three-year strategic plan. PreviousNext

Social Service Organizations Highlight Challenges, Successes at Poverty Talk



Dr. Jennifer Michaels of the Brien Center demonstrates how to use Narcan. Easy access to the drug has cut overdose deaths in the county by nearly half.

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Recent actions at the federal level are making it harder for people to climb out of poverty.

Brad Gordon, executive director of Upside413, said he felt like he was doing a disservice by not recognizing national challenges and how they draw a direct line from choices being made by the Trump administration and the challenges the United States is facing.



"They more generally impact people's ability to work their way out of poverty, and that's really, that's really the overarching dynamic," he said.



"Poverty is incredibly corrosive, and it impacts all the topics that we'll talk about today."

His comments came during a conversation on poverty hosted by Berkshire Community Action Council. Eight local service agency leaders detailed how they are supporting people during the current housing and affordability crisis, and the Berkshire state delegation spoke to their own efforts.

The event held on March 27 at the Berkshire Athenaeum included a working lunch and encouraged public feedback.

"All of this information that we're going to gather today from both you and the panelists is going to drive our next three-year strategic plan," explained Deborah Leonczyk, BCAC's executive director.



The conversation ranged from health care and housing production to financial literacy and child care. Participating agencies included Upside 413, The Brien Center, The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, MassHire Berkshire Career Center, Berkshire Regional Transit Authority, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and Child Care of the Berkshires.



The federal choices Gordon spoke about included allocating $140 billion for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, investing $38 billion to convert warehouses into detention centers, cutting $1 trillion from Medicaid over 10 years, a proposed 50 percent increase in the defense budget, and cutting federal funding for supportive housing programs.



Gordon pointed to past comments about how the region can't build its way out of the housing crisis because of money. He withdrew that statement, explaining, "You know what? That's bullshit, actually."



"I'm going to be honest with you, that is absolute bullshit. I have just observed over the last year or so how we're spending our money and the amount of money that we're spending on the federal side, and I'm no longer saying in good conscience that we can't build our way out of this," he said.



Upside 413 provided a "Housing Demand in Western Massachusetts" report that was done in collaboration with the University of Massachusetts at Amherst's Donahue Institute of Economic and Public Policy Research. It states that around 23,400 units are needed to meet current housing demand in Western Mass; 1,900 in Berkshire County in 2025.



In addition to more units, the study found a need for greater congruence between the housing stock and the region's population to address the changing size of households, the aging population, and local incomes.



"This is a market economics issue. It's a supply and demand issue. When you have less supply than there is demand  the price goes up. It's really as simple as that," Gordon said.



"So if we want to mitigate or slow down the dramatically increasing costs of rental housing and home ownership, we need a greater supply."


This photo taken with a mobile phone shows Steffi Layer, the Diemersdal Wine Estate's international marketing and sales manager, receiving an interview with Xinhua in Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa, on March 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Deng Bingxue)

by Xinhua Writers Wang Lei, Deng Bingxue, Wang Xiaomei

CAPE TOWN, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Under the soft glow of early autumn in the Southern Hemisphere, bottling lines hum steadily at Diemersdal Wine Estate in South Africa's Cape Town. The harvest season has just passed, leaving rows of vines neatly stripped of their grapes, yet the winery remains in full motion.

From early morning, forklifts shuttle empty bottles to the production line, where they are cleaned, filled with freshly made wine, sealed, labeled, and packed, before beginning their journey to Cape Town's port and onward to global markets, including China.

That journey may soon become even more significant. As China prepares to implement a zero-tariff policy on imports from 53 African countries starting May 1, wineries like Diemersdal are positioning themselves for what they see as a pivotal moment.

For Steffi Layer, the estate's international marketing and sales manager, told Xinhua that the policy goes well beyond lowering costs, pointing instead to broad-based opportunities ranging from increased profits and market expansion to enhanced brand value in a key international market.

Situated on the cool slopes of Durbanville in Cape Winelands, the 200-hectare estate traces its history back to 1698. It produces a range of wines, led by Sauvignon Blanc and Pinotage -- the latter a signature South African variety that has gained traction among Chinese consumers.

Diemersdal has been exporting to China for nearly two decades, with shipments once rising from just 1 to 2 percent of output to as much as 10 to 15 percent in 2018, before easing amid the COVID-19 pandemic and broader shifts in global demand.

"We've actually been exporting to China for quite a while already. It's almost 16, 17 years now since we've been starting to work with the Chinese market," Layer told Xinhua. While demand has softened in recent years, she added that the removal of tariffs could help revive interest and create new opportunities.

Layer expressed strong confidence in the long-term potential of the Chinese market, pointing to evolving consumer tastes and a deepening appreciation for wine culture.

"In the last couple of years, the demand has decreased, but I do think there's a really, really big opportunity coming our way now," she said, highlighting a growing interest in wine among Chinese consumers, alongside a more developed food culture that increasingly incorporates wine pairings.

At the same time, South African wines retain a competitive edge, she said, particularly in terms of value. According to Layer, the combination of high quality and relatively accessible pricing allows producers to stand out globally, adding that South Africa's shipping routes -- already well integrated into global trade flows -- further enhance its export potential.

Central to Diemersdal's optimism is the expectation that China's zero-tariff policy will unlock opportunities across multiple dimensions, including pricing competitiveness, expanded market presence, and stronger brand positioning.

"It's a little bit of all in a way, because obviously, once the tariffs fall, the wine price in China on the shelf will also be much more competitive," she said.

Layer added that lower barriers to entry could encourage importers to revisit South African wines, while giving consumers greater access to them. "It takes the barrier away of actually doing business with each other," she said.

Beyond pricing, Layer sees opportunities in the premium segment, particularly given Chinese consumers' continued preference for red wine. "The Chinese consumer is still drinking a lot of red wine," she said, noting that this demand enables wineries to operate at higher price points and achieve stronger margins.

To capitalize on these shifts, Diemersdal has begun strengthening its presence in Asia. Layer said the winery recently partnered with a representative based in the region to deepen market insight and expand outreach, including participating in trade shows, targeting specific cities, and refining product offerings to better match local tastes.

Layer noted that the zero-tariff policy could also generate spillover benefits across the broader wine industry and supply chain. Increased exports may boost margins, enabling reinvestment in production and logistics, while also benefiting shipping companies, freight operators, and importers.

More broadly, Layer views the development as part of a deepening economic relationship between China and South Africa, as well as wider China-Africa cooperation. While Chinese products -- from technology to automobiles -- are increasingly visible in South Africa, the country offers agricultural goods such as wine and seafood that are in growing demand in China.

Against this backdrop, Layer expressed confidence that closer trade links will deliver mutual benefits. "I do think it's a win-win situation for both sides," she said. 

A worker drives a tractor at Diemersdal Wine Estate in Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa, on March 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Lei)

Oak barrels are seen at the production facility of Diemersdal Wine Estate in Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa, on March 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Lei)

Stainless steel fermentation tanks are seen at the production facility of Diemersdal Wine Estate in Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa, on March 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Lei)

This photo taken on March 31, 2026 shows rows of grape vines at Diemersdal Wine Estate in Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa. (Xinhua/Wang Lei)

A worker drives a forklift to transport empty wine bottles to the production line at Diemersdal Wine Estate in Durbanville, Cape Town, South Africa, on March 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Lei)
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Six children who had just performed at their school's annual function in the western Indian state of Maharashtra were among nine members of the same family killed when the vehicle they were travelling in plunged into an uncovered well on Friday night.

The victims, all from the Durgade family, had attended the annual event at the Janta English School in Dindori, around 20km from the city of Nashik, where several of the children had danced and one had been honoured for scoring the highest marks in her class.

The six children were identified as Rakhi from class 4, Shraddha from class 7, Shravani from class 5, Shrishti from class 8, Shreyas from class 5, and Samruddhi from class 1. The three adults who died were Sunil, a farmer who was driving the vehicle, his wife Reshma, and Asha, wife of Anil Durgade.

The well, 40 feet deep and uncovered, sat at the end of a concrete road in an area that had shifted from farmland to a residential zone over the past two decades. Residents said the hazard had been known for years, with previous incidents involving a biker and a cow falling into the well, though no formal complaints had been filed.

A dispute between a local landowner and the municipal body over the status of the land had left the well unfilled despite proposals to do so earlier this year.

It was a disaster waiting to happen if any outsider tried to take this route and was unaware of the uncovered deep well," a police officer was quoted as saying by local news outlets.

A relative of the victims, Sachin Durgade, said the family would seek answers from police and the local administration once the last rites were complete. "We will also question the administration about why they delayed filling up the well for so long when there were complaints earlier," he said.
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At least five people were killed after a fire tore through a gas lighter factory near Dhaka on Saturday afternoon.

The blaze broke out in Keraniganj, a heavily industrialised area on the outskirts of the Bangladeshi capital. Seven firefighting units were deployed and they brought the fire under control by 2.30pm, less than two hours after it was reported, the fire service said.

The five bodies recovered were burned beyond recognition and could not immediately be identified, Anwarul Islam, an officer with the Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defence, told reporters. Search operations were continuing and the cause of the fire remained under investigation.

Footage from the scene showed thick columns of black smoke rising above the densely built-up neighbourhood as flames tore through the low-rise tin-shed structure. Crowds of onlookers gathered in the narrow surrounding streets despite the active blaze, with some appearing to attempt to salvage items from the scene.

Gas lighter factories present particular fire risks given the flammable materials involved in production, and the tin-shed construction common in industrial areas on Dhaka's outskirts offers little structural resistance to fast-moving fires.

open image in gallery Footage from the scene shows thick columns of black smoke rising above Keraniganj in Bangladesh ( X/RT News )

Keraniganj has seen a rise in chemical and manufacturing industries in recent years, partly as a result of government efforts to relocate hazardous industries away from densely populated Old Dhaka following a series of devastating fires.

A 2010 blaze at a chemical warehouse in the Nimtali area of the capital killed 124 people, making it one of the deadliest industrial fires in Bangladesh's history, and prompted authorities to identify Keraniganj as a relocation site. A planned chemical industrial park was later moved further out to Sirajdikhan in Munshiganj due to space constraints and remains under construction.

Bangladesh has long struggled with industrial fire safety. The 2012 Tazreen Fashions garment factory fire and the Rana Plaza building collapse in 2013, which killed more than 1,100 workers, prompted international pressure for stronger safety standards, though enforcement has remained inconsistent.
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The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, is set to deliver a powerful plea for peace in the Middle East during her inaugural Easter sermon as the Church of England's most senior bishop.

Speaking from Canterbury Cathedral on Easter Sunday, she will call with renewed urgency for an end to the escalating violence and destruction in the region.

Her intervention comes as the conflict, initiated by the US and Israel against Iran in late February, enters its sixth week. The war has already claimed thousands of lives and triggered significant global repercussions, including a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, leading to soaring fuel prices worldwide.

Dame Sarah is expected to pray that all people of the region receive the peace, justice and freedom they long for.

She will tell the cathedrals congregation: This week our gaze and our prayers have been turned towards the land where Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead.

Today, as we shout with joy that Christ is risen, let us pray and call with renewed urgency for an end to the violence and destruction in the Middle East and the Gulf.

May our Christian sisters and brothers know and celebrate the hope of the empty tomb  and may all people of the region receive the peace, justice and freedom they long for.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Dame Sarah is also expected to pray for people dealing with personal struggles, from unemployment to bereavement, telling them God walks with you through that darkness.

She will say: Perhaps you are here today standing in your own version of the dark, perhaps with your own heart shattered. If you have been knocked off course by illness, bereavement, unemployment or any other human crisis  I pray you know that God walks with you through that darkness.

Dame Sarah, a former chief nurse in England, will also give special mention to those caring for others in society.

She will say: Last night, in hospitals around the country, nurses tended to those who struggled to sleep.

In hospices, carers and loved ones will have held someones hand, letting them know they are not alone. Parents will have cradled their babies to sleep. This vigil of care is the work of remaining  of staying present in the quiet and the dark.

While the King is technically head of the Church, Dame Sarah is the most senior bishop and the spiritual leader of the Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion.

She is the Churchs first female Archbishop of Canterbury after being enthroned at a ceremony attended by the Prince and Princess of Wales last month.
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More than 2,700 drug lines were closed and nearly 1,000 knives were seized throughout 2025 in a record year for gang busts, the Home Office has announced.

Some 2,740 county lines were shut down between January and December last year, 1,657 gang leaders charged and 961 blades taken, according to newly released Government data.

County lines networks are typically gangs based in cities that use phone numbers to sell drugs, mainly crack cocaine and heroin, to customers in other counties and smaller towns, often involving the exploitation of children.

The figure for 2025 is the highest since records began under the Governments county lines programme launched in 2019, according to the Home Office.

According to data from the National Archives, 1,150 lines were closed between April 2022 and January 2023, 1,656 between April 2021 and March 2022, some 643 between April 2020 and March 2021 and some 139 between November 2019 and March 2020.

It comes as the Government prepares to launch its plan to halve knife crime within a decade next Tuesday, with 34 million investment confirmed for the county lines programme this year to fund police action like house raids and drugs seizures across transport networks.

Policing minister Sarah Jones said: I will not rest in the relentless pursuit of these horrific criminals that leave a trail of violence and exploitation in their wake.

The Government will halve knife crime within a decade, saving lives and protecting communities.
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Storm Dave will bring strong and disruptive winds to areas in the UK on Easter Sunday as it continues to deepen, the Met Office has warned.

Heavy snow and gale-force winds are forecast for northern parts of the country, with weather warnings in place for Scotland, Northern Ireland, north Wales, and parts of northern England.

The Met Office has issued a danger to life amber wind warning for northern parts of England, southern Scotland and northwest Wales, where gusts of up to 70mph are expected. The warning is in place until 3am on Sunday.

Gusts of 50 to 60mph are expected widely across all warning areas, with 60 to 70mph winds possible in exposed locations. Heavy snow will accompany the winds in northern Scotland, where blizzard conditions are forecast.

open image in gallery Yellow and amber weather warnings put in place for wind and snow across northern England, Wales and Scotland ( Met Office )

The Met Office chief meteorologist Chris Bulmer, said: Storm Dave will bring a period of very strong winds, with the strongest gusts most likely in the Amber warning area. People should be prepared for impacts with disruption to travel likely and possible power cuts.

Wind speeds will peak at different times as the deep area of low pressure moves across the north of the UK.

open image in gallery Temperatures will be in the low single figures for parts of the UK on Sunday ( The Met Office )

A yellow wind warning is in force until 7am on Sunday for areas in North East England, North West England, South West Scotland, Lothian Borders, Strathclyde, Wales, and Yorkshire & Humber.

open image in gallery Storm Dave will batter parts of the UK over Easter weekend ( PA Wire )

Storm Dave is forecast to bring winds of 50 to 60 mph to these areas, with gusts of 60 to 70 mph forecast in some locations.

The rest of Scotland is under a wind warning from 6pm on Saturday until midday on Sunday, where winds of up to 80 to 90 mph possible in exposed areas.

A snow warning is in place for Grampian and Highlands & Eilean Siar, where snow of up to 5 to 10cm could accumulate in areas over 200m in elevation. The warning is in force until 3am on Sunday.

A wind warning is also issued for Northern Ireland until 3am on Sunday, with strong gusts of 50 to 60mph expected fairly widely.

open image in gallery Storm Dave will bring cloud, rain, and winds ( PA )

Met Office weather forecast

Sunday

Storm Dave will clear away to the northeast tomorrow morning, leaving sunshine and showers across the UK for Easter Sunday. The showers look particularly heavy and blustery in the north.

Outlook for Monday to Wednesday

After a frosty start Easter Monday will be mostly fine. Breezy in the west. Rain arriving in the north and west thereafter. Meanwhile, warm sunshine developing further south and east.
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A 32-year-old man was hospitalized with a concussion and significant injuries after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents rear-ended his vehicle in Baltimore, according to his attorney and a U.S. senator.

Ever Alvarenga Rios vehicle was violently rear-ended by ICE agents Thursday morning, his attorneys told WMAR-2 News. Now, hes in the hospital after sustaining significant injuries to his head, chest, back and hands, according to Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland.

After the accident, he was detained & ICE now refuses to allow his attorneys to meet with him privately, a clear denial of the due process rights afforded to all under our Constitution, Van Hollen wrote on social media on Saturday. ICE tactics are endangering our communities & violating the Constitution.

The senator described Rios as an asylum seeker. WMAR-2 News reports that Rios is from Honduras, came to the U.S. 12 years ago and was in the process of seeking permanent citizenship.

The Department of Homeland Security responded directly to Van Hollens post and said ICE agents conducted a targeted operation to arrest Rios. The agency described him as an illegal alien from Honduras with a final order of removal from a judge.

open image in gallery Ever Alvarenga Rios was hospitalized after ICE agents violently rear-ended his vehicle, his attorney said ( AFP via Getty Images )

The agency accused him of driving recklessly and ignoring officers during a vehicle stop.

He allegedly slammed on his brakes, causing a multi-car pileup, and attempted to flee on foot and continued to disobey law enforcement commands, according to the agency.

Alvarenga Rios and two officers were then transported to a local hospital for treatment, according to DHS.

His wife Lurbin Vasquez said he had a concussion and his arm was in a cast and he was in pain, according to The Baltimore Banner.

His attorney Adam Crandell, who has represented Alvarenga Rios for several years, says he has not been able to visit his client since the incident.

ICE continues to deny us access to our client, he told The Independent in an email on Saturday night. If we were allowed to speak with him, we would be able to update as to his condition.

He told WMAR-2 News that he was initially told that there was a medical issue that he needed to be stabilized before Alvarenga Rios could accept visitors or legal counsel.

Then the story changed and we were told today that there was an issue with the paperwork, he told WMAR-2 News on Friday. Even more recently, I was told that so long as he remains hospitalized, ICE will not allow us access to him.

open image in gallery Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland says the Honduran immigrant experienced significant injuries to his head, chest, back and hands ( Getty Images )

When asked about the incident, the Baltimore Police Department confirmed officers responded to a two-vehicle crash just after 7:30 a.m. on Thursday.

One of the vehicles was being operated by a Department of Homeland Security officer. Both drivers sustained injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital, a department spokesperson said in a statement to The Independent.

Alvarenga Rios first entered the United States in 2014 and has continued to pursue avenues to regularize his status since his arrival, Crandell told The Independent.

In 2018, an immigration court judge issued him a final order of removal, according to DHS. He had every chance to leave the United States but chose to continue to break the law and remain in the country illegally, the agency said in a statement.

The incident is at least the second crash involving federal immigration agents in Maryland alone within the last week.

ICE agents were involved in a crash in Annapolis on Wednesday, according to the citys police department. No one was injured.

The Independent has requested additional comment from Crandell and Homeland Security.
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After a brutal winter storm season, cities across the United States are declaring a war on potholes as local officials race to make roads safe.

The East Coast and Midwest were battered by heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures for weeks in early 2026, leaving behind tens of thousands of potholes on roads and highways.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said his city is still dealing with the aftermath of ice-mageddon, even in early spring. The Maryland city is used to heavy snow that then rapidly melts but low temperatures in late January and February kept ice intact for weeks.

We had below-freezing temperatures for basically a month, Scott told The Independent. So it wasn't going anywhere, and it was chunks of ice.

Scott, who has joined road crews filling potholes, is overhauling Baltimores resurfacing program with a new public data dashboard and changes to city contracting. He wants to fill 25,000 potholes in the next 90 days. The city tackled 134,000 potholes last year.

open image in gallery Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott (left) is one of numerous big-city leaders working to fill potholes left behind by this years major winter storms ( J.J. McQueen/Baltimore City Mayor's Office )

open image in gallery Workers with the Department of Transportation of Toledo, Ohio, fill in a pothole in early March. The East Coast and Midwest were battered by heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures for weeks in early 2026, leaving behind tens of thousands of potholes on roads and highways ( Toledo Department of Transportation )

The work has involved breaking up ice blocks that felt like concrete, he said. The salt put down to combat icy conditions unfortunately worsened the pothole problem. Road salt lowers the freezing temperature of water which then seeps into pavement, and helps develop potholes.

With the amount of salt that we had to put down, thats going to create potholes, Scott said. Where there is salt used, there will be potholes.

Hes just one of hundreds of city leaders facing similar challenges after this winter and who are now in the midst of pothole blitzes.

As of late March, New York saw a 119 percent increase in pothole complaints to the citys 311 system compared to the same period in 2025, the largest year-over-year increase ever, according to a New York Post analysis.

open image in gallery A pothole is seen on a Baltimore road on March 10. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said the Maryland city is still dealing with the aftermath of ice-mageddon, even in early spring. Baltimore is used to heavy snow that then rapidly melts but low temperatures in late January and February kept ice intact for weeks. ( J.J. McQueen/Baltimore City Mayor's Office )

open image in gallery Multiple major winter storms across the East Coast this year have caused roads to freeze and thaw repeatedly, driving a worse-than-average pothole season ( Getty )

In Nashua, New Hampshire, city officials warned that a very wet winter with very low lows, and weirdly strange high temps were creating a perfect storm for potholes.

Chris Leo, a resident of nearby Manchester, recently lost a tire to a massive pothole on the way home from dinner.

Think of a black abyss, like a black hole, and then double it, is basically the deepness of these potholes, Leo told NHPR. It was like the Mariana Trench.

In Connecticut, drivers reported more potholes on state roads in the first two weeks of March than in all of March 2025.

In some jurisdictions, potholes moved from a daily annoyance to an all-out crisis.

In February, Sumpter Township in the Detroit metro area declared a public safety emergency over the state of its gravel roads.

Think of a black abyss, like a black hole, and then double it, is basically the deepness of these potholes. It was like the Mariana Trench. Chris Leo, resident of Manchester, New Hampshire

Roads in the township had become severely washboarded, rutted and potholed, contain standing water due to drainage failures, and significant segments of road are nearly impassable, town supervisor Timothy Bowman wrote in a public declaration.

In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, however, it was business as usual, according to John Samuelson, director of public works.

Were doing OK, he told The Independent. I have not heard of any increase in potholes as a result of the rains this year.

He said the city generally fills potholes within 24 hours of being notified.

To raise public awareness and focus city efforts, leaders in places like New York City and Baltimore have launched pothole blitzes to tackle the problem. The Big Apple has filled more than 66,000 potholes since January, according to the local Department of Transportation.

open image in gallery Cities have used apps, tip lines, mobile patch teams, and heaps of fresh asphalt to find and tackle the potholes ( J.J. McQueen/Baltimore City Mayor's Office )

Scott, the Baltimore mayor, said he enjoys joining the pothole crews on the job himself. It reminds him of helping out at his familys HVAC business. Im a hands-on guy, he said.

When mayoral elbow grease fails, cities have also turned to special equipment to patch up the winter-weary roads.

"We've had hundreds and hundreds of people calling after one of the worst winters on record  and that's why I decided to put together a massive public facilities operation to repair the potholes, using what we like to call 'the pothole killer,'" Bridgeport, Connecticut, Mayor Joe Ganim told News 12 last month.

The pothole killer set-up includes a truck with spray injection machines and a hot box asphalt recycler. Residents can also report potholes via an app, he said.

The costs of all these potholes can add up. A Manchester, NH, tire shop said this week its fixing a record number of damaged tires and rims as a result of the potholes.

open image in gallery This spring, New York City saw a record spike in pothole complaints ( New York City Department of Transportation )

Smaller municipalities only have so much money to patch holes. The Pittsburgh-area borough of Homestead told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette it has already blown through its full supply of 2,000 pounds of cold patch asphalt.

The holes can also be a major safety issue. A 46-year-old man in Queens, New York City, was fatally thrown from a motor scooter last month in the Ozone Park neighborhood when he hit a pothole.

Getting a handle on the pothole problem isnt easy. Rising global temperatures, stronger storms, and unusual weather patterns as result of the climate crisis are expected to worsen potholes, while cities like Baltimore face persistent funding challenges.

The city, unlike others in Maryland, is responsible for maintaining both local and state roadways in its jurisdiction. It also lost nearly $1 billion in expected state funding thanks to years of budget cuts after the 2008 recession.

Youre talking about thousands upon thousands of lanes of road that didnt get surfaced that would have, Scott said.

After securing funding increases in recent years, Scott is now lobbying state lawmakers to keep such support over the long term.

Little is certain in life, but you can always count on there being more potholes to fill.
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Longtime 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft slammed the beloved CBS programming as a snake pit, and said he hated his time on the show.

Steve Kroft, who spent 30 years on 60 Minutes, told podcaster Bill OReilly in an episode of Well Do it Live! posted Thursday that if he were given the chance, he probably wouldnt do it again.

I hated it, Kroft added.

The 80-year-old former correspondent noted he was never really sure if he would get to 60 Minutes, but what he thought might be a dream job turned out to be a more cut-throat and competitive environment.

Kroft said the relentless, 24-hour news cycle, along with the constant travel and writing needed for the job, left little to be desired. However, the toxic culture inside the famed newsroom drew his most scathing remarks.

open image in gallery Former 60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft slammed the beloved programming as a snake pit due to its competitive environment ( Getty Images )

open image in gallery Kroft said he hated his time on the show during an appearance last week on Bill OReillys podcast ( We'll Do It Live!/YouTube )

There was no civility at 60 Minutes, Kroft said. If there was civility  you better check your wallet, he said, suggesting that friendliness often came with ulterior motives.

Kroft said his colleagues in the newsroom would keep their guard up, noting that everyone at the station is so paranoid and thinks someone is behind them going to put a shiv in their back.

"I can remember when I was tapped to go to 60 Minutes, I thought this was fantastic and I expected a lot of people would just come up and say, That's really great, I'm really happy for you,'" Kroft said.

"And then you realize after a while that not everybody was happy that I got this job. There were other people that wanted it. And so then you've all of a sudden made a bunch of enemies It's a snake pit, he said.

When asked by OReilly if it was any way to live and if he would do it again, Kroft replied, No, I probably wouldnt do it again. I hated it.

Kroft, who joined 60 Minutes in 1989, also touched on a career highlight  interviewing Hillary Clinton and then-future President Bill Clinton at the height of his 1992 campaign, amidst allegations of an extramarital affair.

open image in gallery Kroft retired from CBS in 2019 as the networks longest tenured correspondent ( Getty Images )

When asked about the rumors, Hillary Clinton famously said, Im not sitting here some little woman standing by my man like Tammy Wynette. Im sitting here because I love him, and I respect him.

Kroft retired from CBS in 2019 as the shows longest tenured correspondent.

The networks iconic 60 Minutes will reportedly see some major changes soon, under the leadership of CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss.

Weiss was named as the networks top editor in October, to much criticism after CBSs parent company, Paramount, acquired her anti-woke digital media outlet, The Free Press.

Under Weiss and Paramount boss David Ellisons leadership, the network has already seen significant staffing changes. CBS News cut about 6 percent of its staff and shut down CBS Radio last month. This comes after Weiss told employees in January they should leave if they dont believe shes the right leader for the network.

Weiss shocked employees and drew backlash after she introduced herself to President Donald Trump and exchanged kisses on the cheek with him after his 60 Minutes interview in November.

A month later, Weiss canned a 60 Minutes segment about El Salvadors notorious CECOT prison just before it was about to air, a decision that sparked a revolt at the network.

Weiss defended the move at the time, telling The New York Times: My job is to make sure that all stories we publish are the best they can be. Holding stories that arent ready for whatever reason  that they lack sufficient context, say, or that they are missing critical voices  happens every day in every newsroom.
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The Armys top general who was reportedly ousted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote to Pentagon officials that U.S. soldiers deserve courageous leaders of character in a farewell message.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George made the remark in a final email to officials that was circulating online after he was apparently dismissed by Hegseth last week.

Our soldiers are truly the best in the world  they deserve tough training and courageous leaders of character, George said. I have no doubt you will all continue to lead with courage, character, and grit.

George spoke of his immeasurable pride in serving in the Army for 38 years in his letter, which officials confirmed was authentic to The Independent.

I know you'll all continue to stay laser-focused on the mission, continue innovating, and relentlessly cut through the bureaucracy to get our warfighters what they need to win on the modern battlefield, he said.

open image in gallery Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, ousted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, wrote to Pentagon officials that U.S. soldiers deserve courageous leaders of character in a farewell message ( AP )

The Independent has contacted the Army for comment.

George's ouster comes as the U.S. is locked in a war with Iran, an unusual move that changes military leadership during an ongoing conflict and cuts short his expected four-year term, which wouldve ended in 2027.

Last week Hegseth also forced out top Army officials Gen. David Hodne and Maj. Gen. William Green Jr., a move which some sources have suggested stems from concerns about losing his own job.

The Pentagon chiefs paranoia about being potentially replaced by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll was behind the ousters of the top officials, as Hegseth wanted to remove anyone who was close with Driscoll, according to the New York Post.

This is all driven by the insecurity and paranoia that Pete has developed since Signalgate. Unfortunately, it is stoked by some of his closest aides who should be trying to calm the waters, an official told the Post.

Hegseth has got a big conflict with Driscoll, a source close to the Trumps administration reportedly said.

And hes been told by the White House he cant fire Driscoll, at least for the moment, the source told the outlet.

open image in gallery George's ouster comes as the U.S. is locked in a war with Iran, an extraordinary move that changes military leadership during an ongoing conflict and cuts short his expected four-year term ( AP )

[Hegseth] is very concerned about being fired and he knows that Driscoll is one of the top contenders, or a natural contender, to succeed him, they added. So what Pete has been doing is taking anyone he perceives to be close with Driscoll and going after them. And this is the latest and most spectacular [example] of that.

Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said that Hegseth maintains excellent working relationships with the secretaries of every military service branch, including Army Secretary Dan Driscoll in a statement to The Independent.

Parnell could be a contender to replace Driscoll if he were to leave his role, according to the Post.

Still, Parnell is focused on the job he has now, as is Army Secretary Driscoll, a senior department official said in a statement to The Independent.

It wouldnt be out of line to speculate that Sean would be considered as a successor as he is one of the highest profile Army veterans serving at the top of Department right now, but both men are focused on serving the President and doing the job they have now, the official added.

Parnell previously confirmed Georges departure in a statement on X, which was reposted by Hegseth.

General Randy A. George will be retiring from his position as the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army effective immediately, he wrote Thursday. The Department of War is grateful for General Georges decades of service to our nation. We wish him well in his retirement.

Several top military leaders have been removed since President Donald Trump Trump took office last year. The list includes the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., and the former Defense Intelligence Agency director, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse.
CAIRO, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held phone calls on Saturday evening with U.S., regional, and international officials to discuss efforts to de-escalate rising tensions in the Middle East, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

During the phone calls, Abdelatty spoke separately with U.S. president's special envoy Steve Witkoff, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Turkiye, and Pakistan, as well as Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi.

He stressed the need to prioritize wisdom "to defuse tensions and avoid further escalation and destruction," urging "dialogue and diplomacy" to preserve regional security and stability and serve the common interest.

Abdelatty warned that the current escalation could lead to an "unprecedented explosion" in the region with serious economic and geopolitical fallout.

The talks affirmed the necessity of continued consultation, coordination, and intensified diplomatic efforts in the coming period to defuse the crisis and avoid severe consequences for food and energy security, as well as for regional and international peace and security.

Tensions have heightened in the Middle East since the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran starting Feb. 28, with Tehran responding with attacks on Israeli and U.S. interests across the region.

Trump on Saturday issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz - a key route for global oil trade - by April 6, a demand Iran's military swiftly rejected. 
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Experts agree that Donald Trumps executive order aimed at restricting mail-in ballots will likely fail under court challenges due to the Constitutions provisions mandating state governments as the ultimate authority over elections in their jurisdictions.

Trump signed an order Tuesday that would ban the U.S. Postal Service from sending absentee or postal ballots to any voter who does not appear on a list of legal, documented citizens he has ordered the Department of Homeland Security to collect with the help of the Social Security Administration.

Two Republicans with experience overseeing elections themselves said as much on ABCs This Week on Sunday, saying they expect lawsuits challenging the order to result in Trumps mandate being tossed.

Al Schmidt, the Republican secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, said he was confident that Pennsylvanias legal challenge against the Trump administration would prevail.

Americans should rest assured ... that Pennsylvania, the birthplace of our republic, and Gov. [Josh] Shapiro are going to stand up for our voters, and know that the Constitution is on our side, Schmidt said.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at restricting mail-in ballots, which he has long criticized ( REUTERS )

Stephen Richer, the former Republican elections chief in Maricopa County, Arizona, said the order is likely to be stopped very quickly.

Both men characterized Trumps order as an unnecessary attempt to address a problem that does not occur at a large scale: Noncitizen voting in federal elections.

They argue that Trumps order was meant to stir the pot and introduce further suspicion of a system he has undermined for years ahead of a midterm election season that is likely to decide the fate of his legislative agenda in his final years in office.

open image in gallery Trumps executive order follows his unsuccessful push for the Republican-controlled Senate to blow up the filibuster to pass a sweeping elections bill that would impose nationwide voter ID and proof of citizenship laws to register to vote ( AP )

The order comes as Trump has fought unsuccessfully for weeks to see the Republican-held Senate do away with the 60-vote filibuster threshold and pass the SAVE America Act, a piece of restrictive voter ID legislation that many critics argue will disenfranchise poorer voters and those without easy access to identification documents.

Only five states currently print drivers licenses  the most common form of identification in America  that also indicate citizenship.

The SAVE America Act (or SAVE Act, another iteration of the bill) currently sits in the Senate unable to reach 60 votes with Democrats unified in opposition and at least one Republican senator currently against the legislation.

As a signature piece of Trumps agenda, the bills fate has weighed heavily on the president and he has demanded that the chamber not pass other legislation until it reaches his desk.

Pennsylvanias suit is one of several already filed against Trumps executive order, and the list is growing. Other litigants include the Democratic National Committee and American Civil Liberties Union, among others.

Once again, President Trump is attempting to rewrite the rules of our democracy through a blatant abuse of executive power, this time targeting mail-in voting, ACLU Voting Rights Project director Sophia Lin Lakin said this week.

He does not have the authority to dictate how Americans cast their ballots, and no executive order can override that fundamental limit, she added. This latest move is not about election integrity  its about injecting confusion and chaos into our elections as midterm season ramps up.

Trump remains convinced that large numbers of noncitizen voters contributed to his loss to Joe Biden in 2020, which his own attorney general and other top officials disputed at the time. To this day, he continues to insist at public events that the 2020 election was stolen and accuses Democratic election officials of committing fraud.
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A missing U.S. service member who was shot down in Iran has been rescued following a risky mission deep behind enemy lines in mountainous terrain, Donald Trump has announced.

WE GOT HIM! the president posted on Truth Social shortly after midnight on Saturday. My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History.

The desperate race to find the F-15E Strike Eagle weapons system officer had been ongoing for nearly three days after the aircraft was shot down Friday while undertaking military operations in Iran. The pilot of the aircraft was successfully rescued Friday.

Iranian authorities had offered a bounty to anyone who handed over the missing airman alive, a state television anchor announced previously. White House officials had remained largely silent on the search.

In his Truth Social post, the president said that the incredible crew member, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, was now SAFE and SOUND!

open image in gallery A missing US service member shot down in Iran has been rescued, Donald Trump announced after midnight April 4 ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images )

This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, but was never truly alone because his Commander in Chief, Secretary of War, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and fellow Warfighters were monitoring his location 24 hours a day, and diligently planning for his rescue, the president wrote.

At my direction, the U.S. Military sent dozens of aircraft, armed with the most lethal weapons in the World, to retrieve him, he added.

Trump said that the unnamed airman had sustained injuries during the crash but will be just fine.

The two members of the F-15 ejected from the cockpit Friday after Iran shot down the plane, marking the first U.S. aircraft lost to enemy fire since the start of the war.

The airman, armed only with a pistol while in hiding, was equipped with a beacon and a secure communication device for coordinating with forces mounting the rescue.

During Fridays rescue to retrieve the pilot, fire from Iran struck a U.S. chopper and wounded crew members on board, though the helicopter was able to land safely, according to military officials. An A-10 Warthog that joined the mission also took fire. The Warthogs pilot ejected over the Persian Gulf and was rescued, officials said.

Fox News reported that the weapons officer had hiked away from the wreckage and took cover in an elevated ridge to await rescue.

open image in gallery The desperate race to find the F-15 weapons system officer had been ongoing for almost three days after the aircraft was shot down April 3 while undertaking military operations in Iran. The pilot of the aircraft was successfully rescued ( AP )

A senior U.S. military official described the mission to rescue the airman as one of the most challenging and complex in the history of U.S. special operations.

Finding the missing weapons officer had been the U.S. militarys highest priority over the last 48 hours, sources told The New York Times, with a senior official describing the mission as among the most challenging in U.S. military history. The search involved hundreds hundreds of troops, dozens of warplanes, helicopters and other intelligence networks.

Trump said that details of Fridays rescue had not been shared previously because we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation.

This is the first time in military memory that two U.S. Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory. WE WILL NEVER LEAVE AN AMERICAN WARFIGHTER BEHIND! he said.

The fact that we were able to pull off both of these operations, without a SINGLE American killed, or even wounded, just proves once again, that we have achieved overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skies.

At least 13 U.S. service members have been killed in the U.S.-Israel war in Iran. More than 300 service members have been injured.

Earlier on Satruday, Trump shared a video purporting to show a massive strike in Tehran. It was not immediately clear when the attack was carried out, though the president claimed that many of Irans Military Leaders, who have led them poorly and unwisely, are terminated, along with much else.

Iranian group Human Rights Activists News Agency recorded at least 272 attacks in 14 provinces on Saturday, with at least 184 people injured or killed, while

Saturdays attacks bring civilian deaths to at least 1,616, according to the rally from the Human Rights Activists News Agency.

open image in gallery Finding the missing airman remained the militarys highest priority and among the most challenging in modern military history, involving hundreds of troops, dozens of warplanes, helicopters and other intelligence networks, according to officials ( AP )

After the weapons officers rescue, two transport planes were stuck at a remote air base in Iran, according to The New York Times.

Three new planes were flown in to extract the rescue teams and the original two aircraft were blown up to ensure they did not fall into enemy hands, the newspaper reported.

Prior to Saturday nights post, the president had not addressed the public about the search-and-rescue operation, and he last appeared publicly at the Supreme Court on Wednesday, after which he delivered a national address about the war.

In a brief Friday phone interview with The Independent, the president declined to say what his course of action might have been if Iranian forces had gotten to the downed airman first. The incident marked the first U.S. pilot shot down behind over enemy territory since 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Asked what he would do if the pilot were to be captured or harmed by Iranians, Trump told The Independent: Well, I can't comment on it because  we hope that's not going to happen, and ended the call shortly thereafter.

The president is staying at the White House through Easter weekend, rather than at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, and did not have any public events scheduled, leading to speculation online about his absence, though the White House was quick to shut down rumors that it was for health-related reasons.
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Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, reportedly refused to answer when asked if she would prosecute President Donald Trump if he shot somebody.

The exchange was detailed in a recent New York Magazine profile by the magazines Washington, D.C. correspondent Ben Terris, who spoke to Pirro while her spokesperson, Tim Lauer, was also present.

If Donald Trump were to shoot someone in the middle of Pennsylvania Avenue, would you prosecute him? Terris asked.

The question referenced Trumps infamous 2016 claim that he could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and still would not lose voters.

Pirro ultimately declined to answer Terris question after a back-and-forth with her spokesperson, according to the report.

open image in gallery Jeanine Pirro refused to say whether she'd prosecute President Donald Trump if he shot someone 'in the middle of Pennsylvania Avenue' ( Getty Images )

Ill use Donald Trumps own words, Pirro replied, before addressing Lauer. Youre going, No.

This should focus on our office and our work. I dont know we should be getting into hypotheticals, Lauer said.

Tims going to kill me. Do you know what Im going to say? Pirro asked.

Lauer said he did know, adding, Its off the record, and youre not using it.

Then Im not going to say it if he doesnt want me to, she said.

Sources who know the U.S. attorney have said she wants to be Trumps next attorney general, after Pam Bondi was fired from the role on Thursday, according to New York Magazine.

open image in gallery Jeanine Pirro, a former Fox News host and judge, was tapped to lead the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C., last year ( Getty Images )

The judge is very close to the president, talks to him all the time. And shed been trying to put the knife in Bondi, saying shes not a prosecutor and doesnt have control of the building, one source told the magazine.

When asked whether Pirro is a contender to replace Bondi, Trump told New York Magazine theyre both great people.

Pirro has also denied having that goal, according to the report.

The Independent has contacted Pirros office for comment.

Pirro  a 74-year-old former judge, prosecutor and Fox News personality  was tapped by Trump to lead the U.S. Attorneys Office in Washington, D.C., last year.

But her tenure has been marked by controversy, including failures to secure some high-profile indictments.

In February, a grand jury reportedly rejected her offices attempt to indict a group of Democratic lawmakers who made a video urging members of the military and intelligence communities to refuse illegal orders.

Pirros office also repeatedly tried and failed to land criminal indictments in cases stemming from the Trump administrations federal takeover of the nations capital, which saw a surge of federal law enforcement officers and National Guard troops patrolling the city streets to purportedly combat crime and illegal immigration.

Her office failed to land a felony charge against a man accused of throwing a sandwich at a federal agent last summer. The case received nationwide attention, and the man was quickly dubbed Sandwich Guy.

The charge was downgraded, and a jury later found him not guilty of misdemeanor assault.

Federal prosecutors also failed to persuade three different grand juries to indict Sydney Reid on felony charges for allegedly assaulting an FBI agent. They could not get a jury to agree to any of the charges against her until reducing the case to a single, lesser misdemeanor charge. A jury then acquitted Reid after a brief trial.
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President Donald Trump began his Easter Sunday with another blustery warning to Iran and claimed that U.S. forces would begin a series of strikes against Iranian civilian infrastructure targets in two days.

The U.S. president wrote early Sunday morning on Truth Social that Tuesday would be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day for American forces selecting targets in the region, adding: Open the F***in Strait, you crazy b*****ds, or youll be living in Hell.

Praise be to Allah, Trump concluded his Easter Morning statement to Americans. That line earned him a mock-up on the conservative site Drudge Report, which depicted the president bearded, wearing Islamic garb.

U.S. forces continue to conduct strikes within Iranian airspace as the president has vowed to unleash a more devastating salvo of attacks if the key waterway which serves as a crucial passage for a large fraction of the worlds oil traffic is not opened up by Iranian forces. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has caused global oil prices to spike past $100 per barrel.

Theres little sign that Trumps threats have been effective, however, and Iranian officials maintain that peace talks are not happening in any meaningful sense. The issue has angered the president, who has spent the past week making sequentially angrier and more severe threats to Irans military and civilian population. Like other messages Trump has sent recently, Sundays indication that Trump is considering targeting Iranian civilian infrastructure is a suggestion that the U.S. military could violate international law by expanding to include non-military targets.

open image in gallery Donald Trump made a new threat against Irans infrastructure on Sunday ( AP )

On Saturday, he wrote that hed reign down hell on Iran if the Strait wasnt opened, his latest messaging flub as the White House and broader administration hope to sell the presidents expanding war to a skeptical American public and Congress, where the Pentagon is asking for billions to fund the war effort.

Trump and his allies continue to insist through all of this bluster that the war is actually won already, and that Irans military might has been devastated.

Never in the history of warfare has an enemy suffered such clear and devastating, large-scale losses in a matter of weeks, Trump told Americans during a primetime address last week, before claiming that the U.S. was winning and now winning bigger than ever before. That address ripped largely from his Truth Social posts.

Even so, the downing of a second American fighter jet and the continued inability of the U.S. to say it has reached its military objectives  either pertaining to the Strait of Hormuz, Irans ballistic missiles, or other factors  cheapen that view.

A U.S. airman was rescued from Iranian territory late on Saturday after being shot down in an F-15 days earlier, with Trump making that announcement shortly after midnight Sunday morning. The crew member had been missing since Friday.

On Sunday, Trumps latest threat evoked a wave of head-shaking and exasperation from Washington as it becomes clear that few outside of the presidents core base of support trust the White Houses judgement as it relates to the war.

Marjorie Taylor Greene, a former MAGA congresswoman who publicly broke off from the president in 2025 over a disputer over the Epstein files, urged Republicans in the White House to pray for forgiveness on Easter Sunday.

Everyone in his administration that claims to be a Christian needs to fall on their knees and beg forgiveness from God and stop worshipping the President and intervene in Trumps madness, she wrote on X. I know all of you and him and he has gone insane, and all of you are complicit.

open image in gallery A US F-15, similar to the one shot down, is seen supporting Operation Epic Fury ( via REUTERS )

The Straits closure has become a central point of the war as the presidents critics question why the administration did not plan for Iranian forces mining the area and shutting down sea traffic indefinitely. With the war now in its second month, U.S. predictions of a timeline for ending the conflict seem inaccurate and Trumps own angry messages suggest that the White House is largely out of ideas to that effect.

The president separately claimed on Saturday that another U.S. strike had killed a number of senior Iranian military commanders. And in an interview Sunday with Foxs Trey Yingst, he simultaneously claimed that Iran was on the verge of surrender and would accept a deal with his administration by tomorrow.

On NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday, Sen. Tim Kaine reacted to the presidents threat and called it juvenile.

"I hope the White House  I doubt the president will  but please dial back the rhetoric, because you dont need to put people like these pilots more at risk, said the Democratic senator from Virginia. He added that he didnt believe the threat, or others to bomb Iran back to the Stone Age were effective, labeling them embarrassing.

Its people trying to act like they are puffed up and tough when what we really see from this administration is the absence of a plan, the absence of a clear rationale, no effort to get our allies onboard, and thus deep unpopularity of this war with the American public, Kaine added.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also reacted on X Sunday afternoon: Disgusting and unhinged Easter message from Donald Trump. Something is really wrong with this guy.
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China has executed a French citizen convicted of drug trafficking, the French Foreign Ministry has confirmed.

Chan Thao Phoumy, 62, was put to death in Guangzhou, despite clemency appeals from French authorities. He had spent over 15 years on death row, having been sentenced by a Chinese court in 2010. The ministry's statement late on Saturday did not specify when the sentence was carried out.

The ministry's statement expressed "consternation" and added: "We particularly regret that Mr. Chan's defense did not have access to the final court hearing, which constitutes a violation of his rights."

"We extend our condolences to his family, whose grief we share," it said.

open image in gallery China's president Xi Jinping reacts during a joint press statement with France's president Emmanuel Macron in Beijing on 4 December 2025 ( AFP via Getty )

In a short statement Sunday that didn't mention Chan by name, the Chinese Embassy in Paris said that China "treats defendants of all nationalities equally, handles all cases impartially and strictly in accordance with the law."

France abolished the death penalty by act of parliament in 1981, and has become a vigorous campaigner against its use and for its abolition everywhere.

China's use of executions  carried out by firing squads or lethal injections  is shrouded in secrecy but has long been extensive. Amnesty International says China is the world's lead executioner, believed to sentence and put to death thousands of people annually.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concern that a prolonged U.S.-Israeli war on Iran could further erode Americas support for Ukraine as Washingtons global priorities shift and Kyiv braces for reduced deliveries of critically needed Patriot air defense missiles.

Ukraine desperately needs more U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems to help it counter Russias daily barrages, Zelensky said, speaking to The Associated Press in an exclusive interview late Saturday in Istanbul.

Russias relentless pounding of urban areas behind the front line following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago has killed thousands of civilians. It has also targeted Ukraine's energy supply to disrupt industrial production of Ukraines newly developed drones and missiles, while also denying civilians heat and running water in winter.

We have to recognize that we are not the priority for today, Zelensky said. Thats why I am afraid a long (Iran) war will give us less support.

A loss of focus on Ukraine

The latest U.S.-brokered talks between envoys from Moscow and Kyiv ended in February with no sign of a breakthrough. Zelensky, who has accused Russia of trying to drag out negotiations while it presses on with its invasion, said Ukraine remains in contact with U.S. negotiators about a potential deal to end the war and has continued to press for stronger security guarantees.

But, he said, even those discussions reflect a broader loss of focus from Ukraine.

His most immediate concern, Zelensky said, are the Patriots  essential for intercepting Russian ballistic missiles  as Ukraine still lacks an effective alternative.

These U.S. systems were never delivered in sufficient quantities to begin with, Zelensky said, and if the Iran war doesn't end soon, "the package  which is not very big for us  I think will be smaller and smaller day by day.

Thats why, of course, we are afraid," he said.

Interlinked wars

Zelensky had been counting on European partners to help make the Patriot purchases despite tight supply and limited U.S. production capacity.

But the Iran war, now in its sixth week, has sent shock waves through the global economy and pulled in much of the wider Middle East region, further straining these already limited resources, diverting stockpiles and leaving Ukrainian cities more exposed to ballistic strikes.

For Kyiv, a key objective is to weaken Moscows economy and make the war prohibitively costly. Surging oil prices driven by Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz are undermining that strategy by boosting the Kremlins oil revenues and strengthening Moscows capacity to sustain its war effort.

In his interview with the AP, Zelensky said Russia draws economic benefits from the Mideast war, citing the limited easing of American sanctions on Russian oil.

Russia gets additional money because of this, so yes, they have benefits," he said.

A renewed diplomatic push

To keep Ukraine on the international agenda, Zelensky has offered to share Ukraine's hard-earned battlefield expertise with the United States and allies to develop effective countermeasures against Iranian attacks.

Ukraine has met Russias evolving use of Iranian-made Shahed drones with growing sophistication, technological ingenuity and low cost.

Moscow significantly modified the original Shahed-136, rebranded as the Geran-2, enhancing its ability to evade air defenses and be mass produced. Ukraine responded with quick innovation of its own, including low-cost interceptor drones designed to track and destroy incoming drones.

Zelensky said Ukraine is ready to share with Gulf Arab countries targeted by Iran its experience and technology, including interceptor drones and sea drones, which Ukraine produces  more than are used up  with funding from Americans and its European partners.

In return, these countries could help Ukraine "with anti-ballistic missiles, Zelensky said.

In late March, as the Iran war escalated, Zelensky visited Gulf Arab states to promote Ukraines singular experience in countering Iranian-made Shahed drones, leading to new defense cooperation agreements.

Zelensky has also positioned Ukraine as a potential partner in safeguarding global trade routes, offering assistance in reopening the Strait of Hormuz by sharing Ukraines experiences securing maritime corridors in the Black Sea.

Zelensky was in Istanbul for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a day after the Turkish leader spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelensky said they discussed peace talks and a possible meeting of leaders in Istanbul. He also said there could be new defense deals signed between the two countries soon.

Russia steps up its spring offensive

Each year as the weather improves, Russia moves its grinding war of attrition up a notch. However, it has been unable to capture Ukrainian cities and has made only incremental gains across rural areas. Russia occupies about 20% of Ukraine, including the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia seized in 2014.

On the roughly 1,250-kilometer (750-mile) front line stretching across eastern and southern parts of Ukraine, short-handed Ukrainian defenders are getting ready for a new offensive by Russias larger army.

The commander-in-chief of Ukraines armed forces, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, said Russian troops have in recent days made simultaneous attempts to break through defense lines in several strategic areas.

One thing Zelensky says he has insisted on and will continue to do so  a territorial compromise and giving up land will not be on Ukraine's agenda.
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Powerful explosives have been discovered near a crucial pipeline in Serbia, which transports Russian gas to Hungary, sparking immediate political concern in Budapest just days before a national election.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban confirmed that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic had personally informed him of the find via telephone. The devices were reportedly located outside the town of Kanjiza, close to Serbia's border with Hungary, a revelation that intensifies scrutiny during a politically sensitive period for Hungary.

"Our units found an explosive of devastating power," Vucic, a close ally of Orban, said in a post on Instagram. "I told PM Orban that we would keep him updated on the investigation."

They did not give further details of the explosives or publish images of the discovery on a section of pipeline linked to the Turkstream system, which carries Russian gas to Turkey and then to Central Europe.

Officials in Budapest and Belgrade did not respond to requests for comment about the incident and questions surrounding it, which comes a week before pivotal elections on April 12 in Hungary.

open image in gallery Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, right, and Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik attend a military parade in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Nationalist Orban is fighting to hold onto his more than 16-year grip on power in the election, with his party trailing the opposition Tisza party in polls.

A former Hungarian intelligence official told Reuters there had been discussions in Hungarian security circles over the past days about a precise plan for a "false-flag" operation impacting the pipeline in Serbia as part of an effort to influence the Hungarian vote.

Tisza leader Peter Magyar also raised doubts about the leaders' statements, saying they appeared aimed at boosting Orban's electoral prospects.

"Several people have publicly indicated that something will 'accidentally' happen at the gas pipeline in Serbia at Easter, a week before the Hungarian elections. And so it happened," Magyar said in a statement.

open image in gallery Prime minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban speaks during a countryside campaign tour in Kaposvar, Hungary, Monday, March 16, 2026 ahead of April 12 parliamentary election. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos) ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Orban said in a Facebook post he had called an extraordinary defence council meeting on Sunday to discuss the incident on the pipeline, which transports Russian gas through the Balkans to Central and Eastern Europe.

Orban in February scaled up security around energy infrastructure in the country by dispatching troops after what he said were plans by Ukraine to disrupt the Hungarian energy system - charges Kyiv denied.

Budapest has also been in a dispute with Ukraine over a halt in oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline. Orban's Fidesz party has sought to associate opposition leader Peter Magyar with Brussels and Ukraine, suggesting that voting for his Tisza party means voting for tanks and war.

Hungary is an outlier in the European Union for maintaining ties with Moscow, which voiced support for Hungary over Sunday's incident and suggested that Ukraine was responsible.

"(Ukraine) wants to deprive Hungary of its sovereignty," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told the TASS news agency, saying it was using energy to do that, "by trying to prevent Hungary from receiving high-quality and reasonably priced resources".

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto did not directly accuse Ukraine of playing a role in Sunday's incident, but did not rule it out.

"In the past few days and weeks, the Ukrainians organised an oil blockade against us, and then tried to put us under a total energy blockade ... And now we have today's incident," he said in a post on Facebook.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry declined to comment.
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Ukraine is facing a major conscription crisis, just as Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that a protracted conflict in the Middle East will hamper its efforts to combat Russias invasion.

Earlier this year, Ukraines defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, admitted that Ukraine has 2 million draft-dodgers and hundreds of thousands more who are absent without leave (awol).

The Independent has spoken to Ukrainians on the ground about the reality of the situation, just as pressure mounts elsewhere for the war-torn country. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has shifted its focus from Ukraine to the conflict with Iran, while peace talks have stalled, and Vladimir Putin has launched his spring offensive.

open image in gallery Ukrainian servicemen of the 44th Separate Mechanised Brigade operate an FH70 howitzer on a front line in the Zaporizhzhia area on 4 April ( EPA )

And Zelensky warned in an interview released on Easter Sunday that a prolonged war in the Middle East could further erode US support for Ukraine, resulting in reduced deliveries of essential Patriot air-defence missiles.

Since the full-scale invasion began four years ago, Ukraine has defied the best estimates of its allies and held Russias onslaught back. It is now switching to a war of attrition, and boasting that its forces are killing more Russians than Moscow can recruit per month.

But as the nature of warfare in Ukraine changes  from a spirited defence against the bloody turmoil of early 2022, to a relentless, grinding conflict in which few sent to the front expect to return  minister Fedorov revealed the scale of the conscription problem to parliament in January.

On top of the 2 million Ukrainians wanted for evading mobilisation, the Ukrainian prosecutors office says some 290,000 cases have been opened since 2022 against soldiers for abandoning their posts.

open image in gallery Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky has raised concerns about the threat posed to US support by the Iran war ( AP )

Some troops have posted videos of their escape from the draft, or from service, across the Carpathian mountains to exile in neighbouring countries.

Even though the chances of their survival are far better than any Russian soldier could hope for, the kill ratio is estimated to be around one Ukrainian dead for every eight or more Russians.

Denys, 37, is dodging the draft. At the beginning of the war, I went to the enlistment office myself. Everyone was going back then, saying, Take us! I was the same. They told me, We dont need you yet, go on home, well call you.

Later, I saw everything that was happening  the injustice, plenty of people buying their way out, the untouchables, while others are shoved into a bus despite having illnesses.

open image in gallery Ukrainian soldiers fire at Russian positions on the front line in the Kharkiv region ( AP )

Right now, I have a sick father, and I have to take care of him. If I end up losing an arm or a leg, I wont be able to help anyone any more. But if the Russians end up outside Kyiv again and everyone is serving  then Ill go, too, he adds.

On the front lines, soldiers known to The Independent in reconnaissance units say they are exhausted, but also know theyre too useful to be rotated out. Near Zaporizhzhia, a drone pilot speaks of being in action as a foot soldier for three years non-stop before he moved to drones.

People view joining the military as a one-way ticket, because they dont see rotations, says Oleksandr Merezkho, chair of Ukraines parliamentary foreign affairs committee.

If they knew they would fight for one year and thats it, and they can have a rest, then they will be more inclined to join the military.

open image in gallery Ukrainian servicemen fire a Grad multiple rocket launcher towards Russian positions on the front line in Donetsk ( AP )

This issue is psychological, because if you look at the quantity of men, we have enough human resources to continue to fight for 10 years and even more. The key problem is how to manage these resources, and how to create psychological incentives, because if you see the army of draft-dodgers, you wont want to fight yourself.

Ukraine relied on vast numbers of volunteers at the start of the invasion by Russia, and avoided drafting young men into the war. When conscription was introduced, it was for men over 30, and the lowest age for compulsory service remains 25.

In addition, 18- to 24-year-olds were allowed to leave the country last year, and hundreds of thousands chose to do so.

Zelenskys ruling Servant of the People party has emphasised that, as the young represent the future of the nation, they should be spared the worst of the war.

A scheme to offer them incentives to join the armed forces, with huge sign-on benefits, has proved a failure, after local press reported high levels of casualties.

Yevhen Karas, commander of the Raid Regiment of drone operators who volunteered to serve when Russia first invaded in 2014, says that no big war was won by volunteers.

open image in gallery Ukraine has been fighting increasingly intense attacks from Russia during the cold winter and the start of the spring ( Reuters )

Two years ago in Sloviansk, a major in an infantry battalion spoke of how his commanding officer was taking bribes to give people time to go on leave, set a higher price for keeping them off the front line, and was selling the rations and other resources allocated to men who had deserted.

We see many scandals about mobilisation problems, says Karas. As a volunteer myself in 2014 and 2022, I understand that no country in the world can produce enough to fight. We need millions of volunteers.

As a minister, Fedorov, a Yale University management graduate, is leading a project to turn Ukraines forces into data-driven centres, where decisions are informed by statistics and strict reporting systems brought in to stamp out corruption.

open image in gallery Donald Trump launched a war on Iran at the end of February, with Ukraine appearing to become an afterthought for the US ( AFP via Getty )

His staff believe there will be a much greater focus on solving manpower issues  even though Ukraine has stubbornly held the line for the last four years.

Brigadier Andrii Biletskyi, commander of the Third Corps, which controls about 12 per cent of the front line, says that the Third Brigade he formed  now part of the Third Corps  is oversubscribed and is 90 per cent volunteers.

In the last four years, Ukraine has swung from a Soviet-style military to a world leader in modern drone warfare. But many officers and troops say the approach of some senior leaders has not caught up, and there is still a Soviet-style attitude of indifference to soldiers on the ground.

They go where they trust the principle of the unit, the commanders of the unit. They trust that there will be high education, a high level of management, tight groups, and good equipment, he adds.

Draft-dodgers in Ukraine risk being hunted down in the streets and sent to the most dangerous areas with little chance of returning. As a result, many live in hiding if they cannot flee, avoiding being in public at all for fear of being tossed into a vehicle if they are identified.

Give these people confidence that they will get good training and a good commander, and most of them will go [to sign up], Biletskyi says. Improve training, improve the quality of sergeants and officers below, and you will receive normal numbers with mobilisation.

Taking into account the difference in losses between us and the Russians, on average, it is from 8.5 to 11 times. Considering such losses, we do not need such a huge number of mobilised soldiers.

It is better not to think about the number, but about their quality, he adds.

That, as Fedorov is expected to demonstrate soon, will include scrutiny of the quality of Ukraines top military leadership.

Additional reporting by Oleksandr Chubko
Zelensky blames Iran was for stalled weapon supply as Russia continues to attack Ukraine

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The acting US ambassador to Ukraine will step down from her post and retire over differences with Donald Trump, according to a report.

An American official and the State Department said that Julie Davis would leave the role amid a lull in US-brokered talks to achieve a ceasefire and end Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Financial Times first reported Davis' departure and said it was because of differences of opinion with Trump's policies. It is claimed that Davis had grown frustrated with her role over his dwindling support for Ukraine.

The State Department pushed back on that characterisation, saying it was "false" to say she was leaving over differences with Trump.

"Ambassador Davis has been a steadfast proponent of the Trump Administration's efforts to bring about a durable peace between Russia and Ukraine," Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said.

Negotiations have been stalled since the US launched military action against Iran, which has caused a global energy shock and diverted Trumps attention from conflict in Europe.
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Since the U.S. and Israel struck Iran on February 28, thousands of people have been killed across the Middle East.

Those strikes triggered Iranian attacks on Israel, U.S. bases and the Gulf states, while opening a new front in Lebanon.

Here are the latest death tolls reported.

Here are the death tolls from the war as reported by countries as of April 5.

IRAN

U.S.-based rights group HRANA said 3,540 people have been killed since the war erupted. It said 1,616 of those were civilians, including at least 244 children.

The group says its data comes from field reports, local contacts, medical and emergency sources, civil society networks, open-source materials and official statements.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said on Friday that at least 1,900 people have been killed and 20,000 injured in Iran in the U.S.-Israeli strikes so far. It was not clear if those figures included at least 104 people who the Iranian military said were killed in a U.S. attack on an Iranian warship off Sri Lanka on March 4.

LEBANON

Lebanese authorities say 1,461 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since March 2, including at least 124 children.

More than 400 fighters from Hezbollah have been killed since the Lebanese armed group launched attacks in a new war with Israel on March 2, two sources familiar with the group's count told Reuters. It is unclear if the death toll reported by the authorities includes the fighters.

At least 10 Lebanese soldiers have been killed since March 2 in Israeli strikes on Lebanon, with most of the casualties in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese army.

Meanwhile, three United Nations peacekeepers from Indonesia were killed in two separate incidents in southern Lebanon, one from a roadside explosion, the other involving a projectile.

open image in gallery Iranian forces have damaged US airbases throughout the Gulf region, which has led some troops to be relocated to other civilian areas ( SOCIAL MEDIA via REUTERS )

IRAQ

At least 108 people have been killed since the start of the crisis, according to Iraqi health authorities. Those include civilians, members of the Iran-affiliated Shi'ite Popular Mobilisation Forces, U.S.-allied Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, police and army.

One foreign crew member was killed in an attack on tankers near an Iraqi port, according to port security officials.

ISRAEL

Missiles launched from Iran and Lebanon towards Israel have killed 19 people in Israel, according to Israel's ambulance service. The Israeli military said 10 of its soldiers were also killed in southern Lebanon.

Separately, Israeli forces misfired and killed an Israeli farmer near the border with Lebanon on March 22.

UNITED STATES

Thirteen service members have been killed. Six were confirmed dead after a U.S. military refuelling aircraft crashed over Iraq, the U.S. military said, while seven others have been killed in action during operations against Iran.

Twelve U.S. troops were wounded, two of them seriously, in an Iranian military strike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, a U.S. official told Reuters on Friday.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Twelve people have been killed in Iranian attacks, including two army soldiers, according to the UAE authorities. The latest fatality occurred when debris from an intercepted attack fell on Abu Dhabi's Habshan gas facilities.

QATAR

Seven people were killed on March 22 in a deadly helicopter crash in Qatar's territorial waters after a technical malfunction during "routine duty," according to Qatar's defence ministry. No further details were provided.

Four of those killed were Qatari armed forces personnel, one was a Turkish serviceman from the Qatar-Turkey joint forces and two were technicians working for Turkey's defence manufacturer Aselsan.

KUWAIT

Authorities have reported seven deaths, including three people killed in Iranian attacks, two interior ministry officers and two army soldiers.

open image in gallery A ball of fire rises from the site of an Israeli strike that targeted a building adjacent to the highway that leads to Beirut's international airport ( AFP via Getty Images )

WEST BANK

Four Palestinian women were killed in an Iranian missile attack in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

SYRIA

Four people were killed when an Iranian missile struck a building in the southern city of Sweida on February 28, state news agency SANA said.

BAHRAIN

Two people were killed in two separate Iranian attacks, with the most recent hitting a residential building in the capital Manama, according to the interior ministry.

The UAE's defence ministry said on March 24 that one of its civilian contractors was killed in an Iranian attack on Bahrain. It identified the contractor as a Moroccan national.

OMAN

Two people were reported killed on March 13 in a drone strike on an industrial zone in Sohar province, marking the first fatalities inside the country, which had been hosting mediation talks between the U.S. and Iran. One person died earlier when a projectile hit a tanker off the coast of Muscat, the vessel's manager said.

SAUDI ARABIA

Two people were killed when a projectile fell on a residential location in Al-Kharj city, southeast of the capital Riyadh.

FRANCE

One French soldier was killed and six others were wounded after a drone attack in northern Iraq, where they were providing counter-terrorism training.

Reuters has not independently verified these numbers.
Three-wheeler drivers queue for fuel at a petrol station in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, April 2, 2026. (Photo by Hassan Bashi/Xinhua)

Since the United States and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on Feb. 28, the conflict has pushed up international oil prices. As a result, fuel prices across Somalia have more than doubled.

MOGADISHU, April 4 (Xinhua) -- Abdulkadir Sharif pulled his tuk-tuk to the curb and scanned the street, where two similar three-wheelers sat nearby, out of fuel, their drivers leaning against the frames with nowhere to go.

"I see two to three tuk-tuks every day that have run out of fuel and are parked along the roadside. Drivers tell me that due to the lack of fuel, they cannot continue their journeys," Sharif said.

Since the United States and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on Feb. 28, the conflict has pushed up international oil prices. As a result, fuel prices across Somalia have more than doubled.

According to Save the Children, an international aid organization, fuel prices in Mogadishu, the capital of the East African country, surged by 150 percent in March, rising from 0.6 to 1.5 U.S. dollars per liter. The spike is squeezing an industry on which tens of thousands of young Somalis depend to support their families.

Three-wheeler drivers queue for fuel at a petrol station in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, April 2, 2026. (Photo by Hassan Bashi/Xinhua)

With youth unemployment hovering at around 34 percent, according to the World Bank estimates, tuk-tuks have become one of the few available sources of livelihood in the Somali capital.

Many drivers do not even own their vehicles. Instead, they rent them from owners for about 15 dollars a day and keep whatever remains after covering fuel costs. That math no longer works.

Ahmed Mohamud, a tuk-tuk driver who rents his vehicle, said his daily fuel bill has doubled while his earnings have fallen sharply.

"I used to earn 15 to 20 dollars after paying fuel and rental fees, but now I make only seven to 10 dollars. I also used to spend about eight dollars on fuel for the whole day, but now it has doubled to 16 dollars for fuel alone," Mohamud said. "If this continues, I don't think I will be able to carry on."

He is not alone. Sharif said some of his fellow drivers have already left the business.

A staff refuels a three-wheeler at a petrol station in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, April 2, 2026. (Photo by Hassan Bashi/Xinhua)

"Some of my friends who used to drive rented tuk-tuks have now quit. Fewer people are using our services, and this has affected us, but we have no choice but to be patient," he said.

The crisis has rippled beyond the drivers. Residents who once relied on tuk-tuks for daily transport said they can no longer afford the higher fares.

"I have stopped using tuk-tuks because they have become too expensive. A trip that used to cost one dollar now costs two to three dollars, and this is because of the war in the Middle East," said Hassan Mohamed, a Mogadishu resident and former regular user.

Fuel sellers, caught between frustrated drivers and a global market beyond their control, have also borne the brunt of the anger.

"Drivers complain about the prices all the time, but we do not control them. They depend on market changes," said Malin Hassan, a fuel dealer in Mogadishu.

Three-wheeler drivers queue for fuel at a petrol station in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, April 2, 2026. (Photo by Hassan Bashi/Xinhua)

The frustration boiled over on March 11, when hundreds of tuk-tuk drivers blocked Maka Al-Mukarama Road, a major artery leading to the presidential palace, demanding government intervention.

The protest led to the arrest of Saadia Moalim Ali, a female driver and university graduate who had turned to driving tuk-tuks after failing to secure formal employment. The case drew national attention and underscored the desperation of Somalia's young transport workers.

Somalia imports most of its food, and about 6.5 million people, nearly a third of the population, face acute food insecurity amid drought and economic strain, according to the United Nations. Rising transport costs are now feeding into food prices, further limiting access to basic goods for already struggling families.

For young Somalis like Mohamud, the tuk-tuk is more than just a job. It is proof that hard work could still put food on the table. But as fuel costs rise and passenger numbers decline, that reality is becoming increasingly harsh for many drivers. 
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An Israeli airstrike in the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday has resulted in the deaths of four Palestinians, according to local health authorities, further jeopardising a delicate ceasefire agreement.

Medics reported that the strike targeted a group of individuals on Jaffa Street, near Gaza City's Darraj neighbourhood, also leaving several others wounded. The incident comes amid renewed efforts by mediators to strengthen the fragile truce.

The Israeli military has not yet issued a statement regarding the incident.

Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel have traded blame for violations of the ceasefire agreed last October, which halted two years of full-blown war.

The Gaza health ministry says Israeli fire has killed at least 700 people since the ceasefire began. Israel says four soldiers have been killed by militants in Gaza over the same period.

open image in gallery Smoke and flames rise from an Israeli military strike on a target next to a tent camp in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana, File) ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

A Hamas delegation met Egyptian, Qatari and Turkish mediators in Cairo last week to give its initial response to a disarmament proposal presented to the group last month, two Egyptian sources and a Palestinian official said.

The group has told mediators it will not discuss giving up arms without guarantees that Israel will fully quit Gaza as laid out in a disarmament plan from U.S. President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace", three sources told Reuters on Thursday.

Hamas' disarmament is a sticking point in talks to implement Trump's plan for the Palestinian enclave and cement the ceasefire.

Hamas' October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel's ensuing two-year campaign killed more than 72,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to Gazan health authorities, and has spread famine, demolished most buildings, and displaced most of the territory's population, in many cases numerous times.
White House: Trump has met with team over Iran proposal to reopen Strait of Hormuz

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Donald Trump has said that Iran believes it is in a State of Collapse and wants the US to open the Strait of Hormuz, as Washington considers a new peace proposal.

Iran has just informed us that they are in a State of Collapse the US president wrote.

They want us to Open the Hormuz Strait, as soon as possible, as they try to figure out their leadership situation (Which I believe they will be able to do!), he added.

Insiders revealed today that Trump discussed a new Iranian proposal on resolving the war with his top national security aides on Monday, as the conflict remains in a stalemate with energy supplies from the region still disrupted.

Earlier, secretary of state Marco Rubio said Irans grip on the Strait of Hormuz represents an economic nuclear weapon the regime is using to hold the worlds energy hostage.

Marco Rubio told Fox News on Monday that Iran is bragging about how it can hold a fifth of the worlds oil and gas hostage.

Tehran's latest proposal would see the Strait of Hormuz opened and an end to the war, but with talks on the Iranian nuclear programme postponed.
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This article first appeared on our partner site, Independent Persian

As the widespread internet shutdown in Iran continues, the market for selling VPNs (virtual private networks) and connection configs has surged. It is a chaotic and high-risk space where, on one hand, new methods are constantly being used to access the internet, and on the other, fraud and the exploitation of users has also increased.

In this market, the price of configs  the configuration files used to set up a connection  has reached between 500,000 to 1 million tomans per gigabyte (approximately 7 to 15). Under current conditions, the issue is no longer just connecting to the internet; it is also about how that connection is established and the risks involved.

Which VPNs still work in Iran?

Reports from network traffic monitoring services show that less than 2 per cent of Irans population is currently connected to the internet. A large share of that group consists of users with so-called white SIM cards (which are privileged lines with fewer restrictions granted at the governments discretion). Comments by government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani appear to confirm this. Mohajerani has stated: Given certain considerations, efforts were made to provide internet access to individuals who can better convey messages.

open image in gallery A man draped in a national flag holds a portrait of Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei as people march in support of the Iranian armed forces in central Tehran ( AFP/Getty )

The services that have managed to keep users connected no longer function like traditional, single-route VPNs. Instead of relying on a fixed method, these tools use multiple pathways and communication layers to transmit traffic, allowing data to be rerouted if one path is blocked or becomes ineffective.

Over the past month, methods such as DNS tunnelling (via DNSTT and NoizDNS), using slipstream techniques to route QUIC traffic over DNS, HTTPS-based tunnelling with NaiveProxy, SSH connections, and encrypting DNS requests via DoH have gained increasing attention.

The defining feature of the tools currently keeping users online is their flexibility. Some services can even chain multiple methods together. For example, SSH can be layered over Slipstream, NoizDNS, or NaiveProxy to add additional layers of encryption and reduce the risk of DNS leaks. As a result, in conditions where network disruption is applied across multiple layers, these tools have a better chance of maintaining connectivity than conventional VPNs.

The risk of surveillance

These methods are typically more effective for users with higher technical knowledge. However, what is currently sold as a config is usually designed for less experienced users. In this model, the provider pre-configures the setup, and the user simply receives a file or access key.

In this situation, users must place significant trust in the provider, as the operator potentially has the ability to monitor their activity. In services that use HTTPS encryption, the provider can generally see which services a user visits, but not the specific details of their activity. However, other important risks can still compromise user security.

In recent weeks, due to increased demand, scams have also risen. Independent Persian has seen evidence of Telegram channels emerging that advertise guaranteed VPNs or no-disruption configs, but are in fact defrauding users.

These scam operations typically fall into two categories: some take payment and deliver no service at all, while others cut off access before the purchased data is fully used.

Many users report, for example, buying a 2GB service that stops working after just one or two days  often after only around 200MB of usage. When they contact the seller, they are asked to pay again for a supposedly more stable service.

Can the authorities identify users?

From a security and anonymity perspective, the risk can begin at the very first step: the purchase process. If payment is made through official banking gateways using real identity details, users may already be exposing part of their personal and financial information to the seller. Given that many services currently rely on these official payment channels, users can effectively be identified at the point of purchase  a serious concern for those seeking anonymity.

open image in gallery A member of police special forces stands guard on top their car at the Enqelab-e-Eslami, or Islamic Revolution, square in Tehran ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

As some users within Iran report receiving text messages from the police warning them about accessing global internet  along with threats of SIM card disconnection and legal action  many people are now asking whether the authorities can identify VPN users.

There is no definitive evidence to confirm or deny this. However, from a technical standpoint, identifying users who rely on VPNs is not implausible, especially in a situation where more than 98 per cent of users are offline and overall traffic is extremely limited.

Traffic monitoring systems can use deep packet inspection (DPI) and traffic fingerprinting to detect certain VPN protocols. Even when protocols are heavily obfuscated, traffic behaviour patterns can still reveal signs of VPN use.

Indicators such as the sequence and type of exchanged packets, timing patterns, packet size and distribution, and the overall flow of traffic can all play a role in identifying VPN traffic.

Monitoring systems can also infer the nature of a connection based on its structure and behaviour. For example, how the connection is initiated, whether packet exchange is regular or irregular, the ratio of inbound to outbound traffic, and whether consistent patterns persist over time.

Another misconception among some users is the belief that simply using a reputable and secure app is sufficient for safety, and that the config file itself is not particularly important. In reality, the security of a tool is not limited to the application; the configuration file is also a crucial part of the connection mechanism: determining how traffic is routed, which server is used, and what settings are applied.

A config is not inherently dangerous in the same way as malware, but its risk lies in how it can route a users connection insecurely. In practice, the config determines which server the user connects to, which protocol and port are used, where DNS requests are routed, and whether certificate verification is properly enforced. If the config is not trustworthy, it may connect the user to a server that logs or monitors traffic, or even allow some sensitive data to pass through unencrypted channels.

When obtaining a config, the first and most important factor is its source. Those shared through unknown or unverified channels should be treated with extreme caution.

Reviewed by Tooba Khokhar and Celine Assaf
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More than 92 million people in Iran have been cut off from the internet for over 30 days under a severe nationwide blackout, but one man with access is using a dizzying combination of memes, trading tips and sarcasm to play Donald Trump at his own propaganda game.

The hardline speaker of the Iranian parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has regularly been posting taunting memes in English on X in an attempt to counter Trumps frequent Truth Social posts on the war.

Ghalibaf, 64, one of Iran's leading conservative figures, is a former commander with ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Despite this, he is viewed by experts as a pragmatist and has been named by Trump as someone the US is negotiating with behind the scenes. This has been denied by Ghalibaf and Irans foreign ministry.

open image in gallery Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Parliament of Iran (Photo by Courtney Bonneau / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) ( Middle East Images )

In public, both are going head to head in a rapidly expanding information war, with memes, viral videos, and AI slop as their weapons of choice.

Memes

One of the Iranian speakers recent posts on X compares Saturdays No Kings protests in the US with the Islamic Revolution in 1979 which overthrew the US-backed monarchy. Ghalibaf wrote: Welcome to the party we started 47 years ago, No kings, adding: We approve this message.

Another one featured a photo showing significant damage to an American E-3 Sentry aircraft which was hit by an Iranian drone at a base in Saudi Arabia, with the mocking caption: Sustained only minor damage, followed by three pinching hand emojis.

Last week, Ghalibaf ridiculed Trumps ever-changing war objectives, saying: Theyre playing 6D chess again! Along with two clapping hands emojis.

In a more aggressive message over the weekend, he said Iran was "waiting for American soldiers to enter on the ground so they can set them ablaze."

Trading tips

Ghalibaf has also accused Trump of trying to jawbone the oil market by using social media to try to push down prices.

In an extraordinary post on 30 March, he appeared to offer financial advice, writing: Heads-up: Pre-market so-called news or Truth is often just a setup for profit-taking. Basically, its a reverse indicator. Do the opposite: If they pump it, short it. If they dump it, go long. See something tomorrow? You know the drill.

In another mocking post he wrote: How can the US, which can't even protect its own soldiers at its bases in the region and instead leaves them stashed away in hotels and parks, protect them on our soil?

His posts have been reaching hundreds of thousands of people on X.

AI and viral videos

Pro-Iran accounts, including those linked to the state, are also sharing videos that use AI to mock Netanyahu, Trump, and his administration as weak. They suggest the US, Israel, and Gulf states will suffer huge losses and destruction if they continue with the war.

The Islamic regime shared a two-minute video last month depicting Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Lego figurines. In the bizarre video, posted by Irans Tasnim News Agency, Trump and Netanyahu stand beside a Lego Satan and look over a folder titled: Jeffrey Epstein File.

The videos appear to be a response to Call of Duty-style videos shared by the White House on X showing real footage from the war with Iran, which are interspersed with video game graphics, soundtrack, and clips from superhero movies. Critics say the videos are distasteful and show a lack of seriousness in the White Houses approach to the conflict.

One video, which references a popular meme, depicts a scene from the video game Grand Theft Auto with the caption and audio: Ah s***, here we go again.

The clip then jumps to footage of a US strike with the word wasted appearing superimposed over the video, which is a reference to when a player makes a kill on Grand Theft Auto.

open image in gallery The White House posted a montage of unclassified videos showing US strikes in Iran cut with a Call of Duty Modern Warfare III clip ( X/White House/US Central Command )

Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran who was wounded in combat, said: War is not a f****** video game.

Six Americans are dead and thousands more are at needless risk because of your illegal, unjustified war. And you're calling this a flawless victory," Duckworth posted on X.

Chicago's Cardinal Blase Cupich issued a statement after seeing the White House videos, saying: A real war with real death and real suffering being treated like it's a video game  it's sickening.

Despite the criticism, both Tehran and Washington are continuing to wage this so-called meme war, using the same tactics to gamify a conflict that has so far killed around 5,000 people across the region.
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US special forces carried out a daring rescue mission to bring back an airman stranded behind enemy lines after Iran shot down a $31m fighter jet on Friday.

Donald Trump said on Sunday that dozens of military aircraft had raced to rescue the missing weapons-system officer of a two-seat F-15E after the pilot ejected and was rescued under fire.

The president said that the injured airman was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour.

open image in gallery A USAF F-15E Strike Eagle takes off for a mission supporting Operation Epic Fury during the Iran war at an undisclosed location, March 9, 2026 (file) ( via Reuters )

The rescue mission encountered fierce resistance from Iran, with the Iranian military claiming to have taken down several American warplanes.

Trump said no casualties were reported from the mission, which he described as the first time in US military history that two pilots had been rescued, separately, deep in enemy territory.

The announcement came just hours before Trump doubled down on his threats to strike Iranian energy infrastructure as soon as Tuesday in an expletive-laden rant on social media, with his stated deadline of Monday afternoon for Iran to make a deal or open the Strait of Hormuz fast approaching.

Heres what we know so far:

How did it happen?

The F-15E Strike Eagle  an all-weather jet designed for air-to-ground and air-to-air missions  was shot down by Iranian defences on Friday morning, according to Iran.

Two crew members were on board the jet when it was downed: a pilot and a weapons-system officer in the back, responsible for selecting targets and making sure the weapons are properly calibrated to targets.

open image in gallery Photos from Iranian state media claimed to show fragments of a downed US jet in this picture said to be taken in central Iran and released on 3 April 2026 ( via Reuters )

It is still unclear what weapon Iran used to take down the jet, and the US has not revealed what it was doing at the time, or where. US Central Command is yet to comment.

Irans Khatam al-Anbiya joint military command said it used a new air-defence system on Friday, which targeted a US fighter jet, three drones and two cruise missiles.

The enemy should know that we rely on new air-defence systems built by the young, knowledgeable, and proud people of this country, unveiling them one after another in the field, a spokesperson said.

What did the rescue mission involve?

The pilot safely ejected and was rescued by two military helicopters on Friday. One helicopter was hit by small arms fire, wounding crew on board, but escaped, according to CBS, citing US officials.

A pilot also ejected from an A-10 Warthog fighter aircraft involved in the rescue mission after it was hit over Kuwait and crashed, officials told Reuters.

Focus then fell on the missing weapons-system officer, trapped in Iran with only a handgun to defend himself, according to two US officials.

open image in gallery A US aircraft, followed by two helicopters, flying over the town of Zaras in the southern Iran's Khuzestan province, 3 April ( UGC/AFP via Getty Images )

C-130 cargo planes and H-60 helicopters began flying low over Iran, according to video published on social media. At this point, elite troops with mounted .50 machine guns would typically be scanning the ground for threats en route to the location of the stranded airman, according to The Wall Street Journal.

US forces reportedly used bombs and covering fire to keep Iranian troops away from where the injured airman was believed to be hiding.

MQ-9 Reaper drones protected the crew member by striking Iranian military-aged males thought to be a threat who were within 3km of the airman, a person familiar with the operation told Air & Space Forces Magazine.

Officials said that US commandos recovered the officer in an operation involving dozens of special forces personnel. A senior Trump administration official told NBC the rescue was made possible by the support of the CIA, alerting the Pentagon and the White House to the airmans location.

This was the ultimate needle in a haystack, but in this case it was a brave American soul inside a mountain crevice, invisible but for [the] CIAs capabilities.

The CIA reportedly engaged in a deception campaign, spreading false information that the airman had already been found and recovered, according to CBS.

A US official told Reuters that US forces had to destroy at least one of the aircraft used in the rescue mission because it had malfunctioned.

What has Trump said?

Trump announced on Sunday morning that the second airman had been recovered and was safe and sound.

He wrote on Truth Social that the highly respected Colonel, who has not been identified, had sustained injuries, but he will be just fine.

open image in gallery Trump said there were no casualties in the rescue operation ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images )

He also said that not a single American was killed or wounded in either operation to rescue the airmen.

Trump added that US forces had been monitoring the officers location constantly during the rescue, which he said involved dozens of US aircraft armed with the most lethal weapons in the world.

The president said the mission showed the US had air superiority in the conflict with Iran. He said the US would never leave a US warfighter behind.

How has Iran reacted?

Irans joint military command said that new air defences had shot down the F-15E fighter jet over Iran.

The elite Revolutionary Guard claimed that several aircraft were also destroyed during the rescue mission. They said nomadic tribes living in the countrys mountains shot two Black Hawk helicopters during the initial operation.

open image in gallery A United States Air Force F-15 fighter (file) ( Getty Images )

An Iranian military spokesperson also said a C-130 military transport plane and two Black Hawk helicopters were among the downed craft.

Iranian officials had urged citizens to help find the missing officer, hoping to gain leverage against Washington. Had Tehran captured the airman, it would have put more pressure on Trump to end a conflict already unpopular in the US.

The conflict has killed 13 US service members, with more than 300 wounded, US Central Command says. No US troops have been taken prisoner by Iran.
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Iran hit back at Donald Trumps extraordinary expletive-laden outburst on Sunday, with its parliament speaker urging the US president to end this dangerous game.

Mr Trump drastically ramped up his threats to strike Irans vital energy infrastructure, warning Tehran to open the F***in Strait of Hormuz ahead of Mondays deadline or face Hell.

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf wrote on social media platform X: Your reckless moves are dragging the United States into a living HELL for every single family, and our whole region is going to burn because you insist on following Netanyahus commands. Make no mistake: You wont gain anything through war crimes.

He added: The only real solution is respecting the rights of the Iranian people and ending this dangerous game.

Just hours after confirming the rescue of a US airman from Iranian territory, the US president said that Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one if the key waterway is not opened to oil tankers.

Iran effectively closed the strait shortly after the war began in February, with vessels coming under attack by drones and missiles. The disruption to traffic has caused an oil-price shock that has sparked turmoil in global markets, piling pressure on Washington to seek an end to the conflict.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, the president told Iran to open the F***in Strait, you crazy bastards or face living in Hell, before signing off with: Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP.

open image in gallery Donald Trump has threatened Iran in a Truth Social post ( AP )

Despite the threats, Mr Trump has continued to insist, in a phone interview with FOX News, that Iran was involved in negotiations towards an end to the war, but claimed that he would take Irans oil if an agreement was not reached. He did not specify how this would be achieved.

Tehran vowed to reciprocate attacks on its infrastructure and target similar infrastructure linked to the US, Irans foreign ministry spokesperson said on Sunday, according to WANA news agency.

On Saturday, Irans central military command derided his threat to strike infrastructure as a helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action.

Referencing Mr Trumps threat to reign down hell on Iran, senior military official General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi said the gates of hell will open for you.

Mr Trumps expletive-laden comments drew a significant backlash from one of his former Republican allies, Marjorie Taylor Greene, who said that officials close to the president should beg forgiveness from God and intervene in his madness.

I know all of you and him and he has gone insane, and all of you are complicit, she wrote in a lengthy post on X.

open image in gallery Pedestrians walk past a destroyed building within the Grand Hosseiniyeh in Zanjan, Iran ( AP )

On 27 March, Mr Trump announced a 10-day pause in strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure after what he called productive talks with Tehran. Indirect negotiations have been taking place through mediators, but have failed to yield any breakthrough to stop the fighting. Tehran denies any direct communication with Washington.

Strikes on energy infrastructure by the US and Israel would represent a major escalation and draw significant retaliation by Tehran, which has vowed to hit energy and oil plants across the Gulf.

Earlier on Sunday, Mr Trump announced that US special forces had successfully recovered a wounded airman stranded deep behind enemy lines after Iran shot down his fighter jet.

The injured airman was the second of the two crew members from the warplane Iran said on Friday it had brought down with its air defences, an event that triggered a high-profile search by both Tehran and the United States.

WE GOT HIM! Mr Trump said in a statement, calling it one of the most daring search and rescue operations in US history.

This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies, who were getting closer and closer by the hour, he said.

The weapons-systems officer, who has not been identified, sustained injuries but will be fine, the president said. He said that no US personnel were killed or injured in the rescue mission.

The major operation, reported to have harnessed resources from the CIA and Israeli intelligence, followed another mission on Friday to rescue the pilot of the aircraft, who ejected after it was reportedly hit by Iranian air defences. US officials told CBS that crew members on board an American helicopter were wounded by small-arms fire during that mission.

open image in gallery An American F-15E fighter jet (file image) was downed over Iran, triggering a major search and rescue mission as Iranian forces closed in ( AP )

Irans military said several US aircraft were destroyed in the operation, including two military transport planes and two Black Hawk helicopters. A US official said that at least one aircraft used in the mission had to be destroyed because it had malfunctioned.

The airman, armed only with a pistol while in hiding, was equipped with a beacon and a secure communication device for coordinating with forces mounting the rescue.

Mr Trump said he would hold a news conference on Monday in the Oval Office at 1pm local time, shortly after his deadline expires.

The successful rescue mission will come as a relief for the president, who faces mounting pressure at home over a war that has sparked a global energy crisis and remains unpopular in the United States.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted last weekend found that 66 per cent of Americans want the war to end quickly, even if that means not achieving the goals set out by the administration.

Mr Trump is still under pressure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which a fifth of the worlds oil and gas usually passes in peacetime.

Iran has recently cut deals with countries  most recently with Iraq  to facilitate safe passage through the strait. However, Tehran insists it will not let vessels belonging to hostile countries that support the US or Israel to transit the waterway.

At least 13 American service personnel have been killed in the US-Israel war in Iran. More than 300 service members have been injured.
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Mount Everest guides have been accused of secretly drugging foreign climbers to trigger expensive aerial evacuations as part of a $20m (15m) insurance fraud scheme, according to an investigation by the Nepali police.

Operators of mountain rescue companies in Nepal have been arrested as part of the police operation, and a police spokesperson told The Independent that a total of 32 people have been charged and 11 arrests made so far.

The scale of the scam appears to be vast, affecting 4,782 international climbers between 2022 and 2025. Police said more than 300 cases of alleged fake rescues have been uncovered, with bills totalling nearly $20m charged to climbers and insurers.

The scandal has led to new scrutiny over tour operators and guides as this years spring climbing season got underway on 30 March. Investigators say the scam involved multiple actors across the trekking ecosystem, including sherpas, trekking company owners, helicopter operators and hospital executives.

Six operators and managers from rescue companies were the first to be arrested on 25 January for allegedly claiming insurance money by faking the rescue of foreign tourists who they say had fallen ill while trekking, police said.

These rescue companies managed to extract nearly $20m in payouts from international insurance companies for rescues that were unnecessary or, in some cases, completely fabricated.

The Nepal Polices Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) said the offences had caused harm to Nepals national pride, prestige and dignity internationally.

Investigators say guides used a range of methods to force helicopter evacuations, including faking medical emergencies and lacing food with large amounts of baking powder to stimulate gastric distress commonly associated with altitude sickness. Others were given medications with excessive amounts of water to trigger symptoms.

After trekkers reported nausea, dizziness or body aches, they were advised to descend and agree to costly emergency helicopter evacuations. Authorities said operators then used forged medical and flight documents to claim costs from international travel insurers.

Once a rescue was triggered, operators inflated costs by billing each passenger as if they had taken a separate helicopter flight, even when multiple people were flown together. Fake flight records and forged medical documents were then used to support exaggerated insurance claims, while hospitals created false admission and treatment reports  in some cases for tourists who were not actually receiving care.

This is not the first time a fake rescue network has been exposed, with a Kathmandu Post investigation in 2018 prompting a 700-page report produced by the government, along with the promise of reforms.

However, the scams appear to have continued. Manoj Kumar KC, chief of the CIB, told the Post that this was due to lax punitive action.

When there is no action against crime, it flourishes. The insurance scam too flourished as a result.

Travel insurance companies have previously threatened to remove their Nepal coverage if the scams continued.

Reports from 2019 also detail that some foreign visitors would connive with trekking firms and feign acute mountain sickness necessitating a helicopter rescue in return for cut-price expeditions. Their insurance documents were checked before they were accepted on the trip to ensure that the helicopter firm and its agent would be paid off.

Meanwhile, some unknowing trekkers were allegedly made temporarily unwell due to their meals being spiked with baking soda, uncooked chicken or even rat droppings.

Simon Calder, travel correspondent of The Independent, said: Anyone who has been lucky enough to visit Nepal, meet the fabulous people and enjoy some of the worlds best trekking will be shocked to learn of this scam  which we first revealed in 2019.

The vast majority of people and organisations involved in tourism in Nepal are honest and focused on providing the best possible experience. Its important to seek reliable recommendations before choosing a company for your trip.

The Independent has contacted the Nepal Tourism Board for comment.

Read more: Nepal proposes stricter rules for Mount Everest climbers
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Thought all Americas downtowns were sterile business districts packed only with glass offices that become ghost towns after the working day ends? Think again.

There are some city centers packed with character that break the mold  and here we reveal seven of the most beautiful. Whats more, they are all highly walkable.

Venture to South Carolina for a city that feels like a living museum, with over 2,500 historic buildings in its downtown area. In Georgia, leave your car parked and set out on foot to explore the city with 22 park-like squares, while New Mexicos capital has strict rules ensuring that its downtown will always be a mesmerizing mix of earthy tones.

Our downtown directory also includes a Wisconsin city with a spectacular setting on an isthmus between two lakes and the Rhode Island destination with a distinctly European vibe.

We also included a leafy Idaho city, along with a stunning spot in Virginia that in many respects is little changed from its 18th-century beginnings.

Most beautiful downtowns in America

1. Charleston, South Carolina

open image in gallery Charleston's downtown is packed with picturesque buildings, including the colorful houses of Rainbow Row ( Getty Images )

Charleston is akin to a living museum, with over 2,500 historic buildings dating to the 18th and 19th centuries clustered in the walkable downtown area, and dozens of church spires punctuating the skyline.

Among the most picturesque buildings are the 13 candy-colored Georgian row houses on East Bay Street. These are must-haves for your camera roll  along with the intricate wrought-iron balconies that embellish the facades throughout the district, the cobblestone streets and narrow leafy lanes, and the hidden passages that connect them.

One of the best viewpoints to take it all in from is the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge pedestrian path, which offers sweeping views of the skyline and harbor.

After that, review your photos at celebrated Southern restaurant Husk, located in a beautifully restored Victorian house.

Great place to stay: The Ryder Hotel (rooms from $300) is a boutique property with quasi-tropical design accents and an outdoor pool in the heart of downtown.

Read more: Youve probably never heard of Mitchelville  but it might be the most important place you visit in South Carolina

2. Savannah, Georgia

open image in gallery Savannah features 22 park-like squares, a grid plan that dates back to 1733. Pictured is the fountain at Forsyth Park ( Getty Images/iStockphoto )

Savannahs downtown is not only stunning, but a candidate for being one of Americas most walkable historic districts. A grid plan dating back to 1733 that features 22 park-like squares remains intact, and the atmosphere is enchanting.

The streets are lined with buildings that span 300 years of American architectural evolution, from Federal (think brickwork, centered doors and evenly spaced windows) to Greek Revival (ancient temple aesthetics), and from Gothic (steep gables and spires) to Italianate (ornate ironwork). Adding to the storybook vibe are vast oak trees draped in Spanish moss that form canopies over the roads.

One of the best viewpoints? Look north from the fountain in Forsyth Park along oak-lined Bull Street, which runs toward the river through several historic squares.

For a top dining spot, try The Grey, which is set inside a restored 1930s Greyhound bus terminal.

Great place to stay: The Marshall House (rooms from $250) is a beautiful landmark hotel dating to 1851 in the center of the historic district  you wont need your car before you leave.

Read more: Forget Route 66: Five under-the-radar road trips that get to the heart of America

3. Santa Fe, New Mexico

open image in gallery Santa Fe has a strict architectural code that stipulates earthy adobe aesthetics ( Getty Images/iStockphoto )

Santa Fe has a distinctive downtown look unlike any other, thanks to a 400-year history  the city is the oldest state capital in the U.S.  and a strict architectural code that stipulates adobe aesthetics: flat roofs and earthy, neutral tones such as tan, cream or yellow.

Adding to the vibrancy are over 250 art galleries, the majestic 17th-century Palace of the Governors (Americas oldest public building), and a skyline thats framed by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Head to the Cross of the Martyrs in Fort Marcy Park for a sweeping panorama of the city and the peaks beyond, and then to The Shed for some classic New Mexican fare, such as blue-corn enchiladas.

Great place to stay: Inn of the Governors (rooms from $250) is a short walk from downtowns shops, galleries and landmarks.

Read more: Seven remote luxury hotels in America  where wilderness meets five-star comfort

4. Madison, Wisconsin

open image in gallery Madisons focal point is the Wisconsin State Capitol, which features a magnificent granite dome ( Getty Images/iStockphoto )

Madisons downtown has a head start over many others simply because of its spectacular setting. The city sits on a narrow isthmus  formed 18,000 years ago by glacial activity  between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona.

Visitors are also wowed by its majestic centerpiece: the Roman Renaissance-style Wisconsin State Capitol, whose gleaming white granite dome towers above a cluster of handsome historic buildings.

Urban planning also plays a part in the appeal: there's State Street, a mile-long pedestrian mall, which links the University of Wisconsin campus to Capitol Square, and extensive lakefront parks.

For the best Instagram shot, head to the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed lakeside convention center Monona Terrace. From here, you can capture the Capitol dome rising dramatically above the water.

You can also admire the view from Graze, a popular Capitol Square bistro serving seasonal Midwestern dishes.

Great place to stay: The Madison Concourse Hotel (rooms from $220) is positioned right beside Capitol Square, with views of the grand surrounding architecture part of the package.

Read more: A sober guide to Napa Valley

5. Providence, Rhode Island

open image in gallery Providences waterside downtown features elegant walkways and an intoxicating spread of architectural styles ( Getty Images/iStockphoto )

The architectural grandeur of downtown Providence gives it a distinctly European feel, with Beaux-Arts, Greek Revival and Art Deco designs underpinning many of its civic buildings.

Your eye will be drawn to the Art Deco Industrial Trust Tower  dubbed the Superman Building due to its striking resemblance to the Daily Planet building featured in the 1950s Adventures of Superman TV series  and the neoclassical Rhode Island State House, which is topped by one of the largest self-supporting marble domes in the world.

The Westminster Arcade, with its huge Greek-style columns, also impresses. Built in 1828, it was the first enclosed shopping mall in the United States. Carve out time to stroll the elegant walkways alongside Providence River and take in the view of the skyline from Prospect Terrace Park on College Hill.

For food, book a table at Al Forno, a Providence institution famous for its wood-grilled pizzas and hand-churned ice cream.

Great place to stay: Graduate by Hilton Providence (rooms from $200) is soaked in vintage character and sits in the heart of downtown Providence on the edge of Kennedy Plaza.

Read more: 6 of the best ski resorts in the US for late-season snow

6. Boise, Idaho

open image in gallery Boise has a tree-lined downtown with the foothills of the Rockies rising beyond the city ( Getty Images )

An oasis at the edge of the high desert, Boises downtown is blanketed in trees, a feature that has defined the city since its earliest days.

The name derives from the French les boises, meaning the wooded place, coined by French-Canadian fur trappers who discovered the lush valley where the city was later founded.

The Boise River Greenbelt park and trail system is one of the most tranquil areas of greenery, while the handsome neoclassical State Capitol building anchors the skyline.

The best view of the latter is from Camels Back Park in the North End, from where you can look out beyond the city to the foothills of the Rockies beyond.

A cant-go-wrong downtown food option is Fork, which serves locally sourced comfort food, from Wagyu smash burgers to dirty buffalo wings.

Great place to stay: The Grove Hotel (rooms from $220) sits right next to the Idaho State Capitol, with foothill views and a rooftop-level fitness club with pool and spa.

Read more: Is this Americas best-kept vacation secret? The underrated state that deserves your attention

7. Alexandria, Virginia

open image in gallery Alexandrias charming King Street runs through the heart of the citys historic downtown ( Getty Images )

Downtown Alexandria, set along the Potomac River, is most commonly referred to as Old Town  and for good reason. Established in 1749, its a beautifully preserved colonial-era historic district.

Its a haven where open-flame gas lanterns illuminate wrought-iron gates and cobbled streets are lined with historic row houses.

One of the most notable landmarks is Gadsbys Tavern Museum, which in the 18th and early 19th centuries comprised a tavern and hotel visited by the likes of George and Martha Washington, Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette.

The districts anchor is King Street, a mile-long thoroughfare lined with historic storefronts, boutiques, galleries, restaurants and independent coffee shops.

It leads down to the waterfront promenade, where youll discover gorgeous views of the harbor, river and the Washington, D.C. skyline in the distance.

For a good feed, head to Virtue Feed & Grain, set inside a lovingly restored 19th-century feed warehouse. Here you can refuel with the likes of shrimp & grits, oven-baked rockfish and rigatoni alla vodka.

Great place to stay: Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria by IHG (rooms from $250) has a waterfront setting and offers views of Old Town Alexandria, Washington, D.C. and the sparkling Potomac River from its rooftop courtyard.

Read more: 10 best spring break destinations: Family trips, beach escapes and party cities
Walking will slash your cancer and dementia risk  but only at the right pace. Heres what you need to know
Its not enough to learn about investing; individuals need to experience it for real. Image: Getty

A staggering amount of money, 170bn, is currently sitting in bank deposits in Ireland. A large share of this is generating little or no return. Savings are barely growing and are actually being eroded in periods of high inflation.

When we invest in shares, ETFs or other financial instruments, we are not only trying to build our own wealth. We are also providing businesses with access to new sources of funding, helping them grow, create jobs and compete internationally.
KABUL, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Police have smashed a gang of kidnappers and taken three kidnappers into custody in northern Afghanistan's Takhar province on Saturday, provincial police spokesman Nizamudin Omir said Sunday.

The alleged kidnappers, according to the official, had kidnapped an individual from the eastern Nangarhar province a month ago but murdered him after his family failed to pay the ransom demanded for his release.

Without providing more details, the official said that police will not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands.

In post-war Afghanistan, although security and peace have been ensured, some criminal cases, including the abduction of members of wealthy families, have still been reported in parts of the economically impoverished country, where poverty and the unemployment rate are relatively high. 
Michael Houghton: My son hasnt quite realised that the 500 or so he might receive for his first communion represents only a fraction of what the day will cost us
Renewables

L&G has committed over 600m of private capital to green energy infrastructure across Europe to date. Stock image/Getty

Legal and General (L&G) Asset Management is set to target further investments in the Irish renewables sector amid growing energy security needs across Europe.

Clean energy has been a target market for L&G for some time, with the group having committed over 600m of private capital to green energy infrastructure across Europe to date.
Irish property investor to submit plan for new 34-room hotel in Dublin city

Permission sought to transform offices by BCP Capital  but no operating group in place to run operation

BCP director Ray Crowley confirmed the funds plan

Sean Pollock Sun 5 Apr 2026 at 06:30

Property investor BCP Capital is planning to transform a set of offices in Dublin city centre into a tourist hotel after a record year for deals in the sector.
Move sparks hopes of a revival

A multi-million euro bid to acquire the Killarney Brewing and Distilling (KBD) site in Fossa, Co Kerry, has been made by a local publican and farmer.

Industry sources told the Sunday Independent that Mark Hallissey, owner of The Golden Nugget bar and restaurant in Fossa, had already submitted a substantial offer. He is also one of the countrys largest exporters of cattle.
Garda jailed for a year over attack on teenager released after less than a month

Officer was serving a sentence for attacking boy (17) and fracturing his skull

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court

Ali Bracken Sun 5 Apr 2026 at 06:30

A garda sentenced to a year in prison for an assault in which a teenagers skull was fractured has been released from jail after less than a month, the Sunday Independent can reveal.
I told Michael Jackson, Irish women need my cosmetic products more than you  cosmetic surgeon says star pocketed items from his D4 clinic

Professor Patrick Treacy says he told the star Irish women needed the products more than he did

Professor Patrick Treacy (left) and Michael Jackson (right)

Niamh Horan Sun 5 Apr 2026 at 06:30

Cosmetic surgeon to the stars Professor Patrick Treacy has recalled the day Michael Jackson pocketed handfuls of high-value products from his plastic surgery clinic.
I was named after my uncle, who was blown up by the IRA: Fine Gaels Dublin Central candidate Ray McAdam on his political journey

Lord Mayor says he wishes his mentor Paschal Donhoe was out knocking on doors for his campaign

Dublin Lord Mayor Ray McAdam at the Mansion House. Photo: Frank McGrath

Conal Thomas Sun 5 Apr 2026 at 06:30

Ray McAdam arrives chauffeured to the Mansion House in a black Volvo.
NCH reconsiders Alan Shatter fundraiser after saying it was not told about performance of October 7 play

Irish writers ask American supporters for donations to cover costs of production

Former Fine Gael justice minister Alan Shatter

Maeve Sheehan Sun 5 Apr 2026 at 06:30

The National Concert Hall is considering for the second time whether a private fundraising event for an Israeli ambulance service should go ahead as scheduled at the venue next month.
Web Summit to fight influencers claim that she was dropped from line-up in alleged breach of contract

Italian had been billed as a speaker at Web Summit Qatar

Simonetta Lein attends the World Influencers and Bloggers Awards 2022 in Cannes. Photo: Getty

Maeve Sheehan Sun 5 Apr 2026 at 06:30

Web Summit is preparing to fight a celebrity influencers claim that she was dropped as a speaker from a tech summit in Doha, Qatar, earlier this year in an alleged breach of contract.
KUALA LUMPUR, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Parts of Malaysia recorded poor air quality on Sunday in several areas, particularly around the administrative capital of Putrajaya, according to the country's Department of Environment.

Putrajaya's readings have been the most persistent, first crossing into unhealthy territory at 4 a.m. on Saturday before hovering around the 150 mark. After a brief dip overnight, levels rebounded this morning, reaching 152 by 10 a.m., according to the department's air pollution index management system.

According to the country's air quality rating, an API reading of zero to 50 is "good," 51 to 100 is "moderate," 101 to 200 is "unhealthy," 201 to 300 is "very unhealthy," and 301 and above is "hazardous." Multiple areas in the country have been recording levels above 150 for several days.

Besides Putrajaya, air quality around the Klang Valley, the country's most densely populated area, also showed unhealthy readings, as well as Nilai district in Negeri Sembilan state, which saw a sharp drop in air quality to 124 overnight before improving by mid-morning.

As of the latest readings, cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya and Klang were largely registering moderate air quality levels, underscoring how conditions can vary sharply between monitoring points.

Nationwide, most monitoring stations remained within safer ranges, with 15 stations recording good air quality and 48 at moderate levels.

While authorities have yet to identify a cause for the drop in air quality, recent persistent dry weather has seen fire outbreaks and resulting smoke. 
Brianna Parkins: I have my feelings about the Rose of Tralee, but Id be heartbroken if it were to disappear

The journalist and former Sydney Rose on her working-class roots, Repeal the Eighth, and why her strong connection with Ireland and living in a state of perma-grievance will add to her unmissable new weekly column

"We were, by my standards, millionaires, because we had two used cars." Former Sydney Rose, TV reporter and new Irish Independent columnist on her working class roots

Emily Hourican Sun 5 Apr 2026 at 06:30

Winter has officially landed in Sydney, Brianna Parkins tells me. Our summer has finally ended, with a bang. Im overlooking the harbour now, and the waves! We dont really get autumn or spring. It lurches from one extreme season to another. Youd miss the mild, soft days.
Ireland needs creative approaches to punishment, deterrence and rehabilitation

Earlier this year, a detective garda who brutally assaulted his wife in front of their young children walked free from court without a custodial sentence.

Trevor Bolger, who was promoted and issued with a firearms licence while the domestic abuse charges were pending, beat up his wife Margaret Loftus after a family event in October 2012. Loftus, also a garda, was breastfeeding their youngest child at the time.
Sam McBride: How contradiction in a suit Roger Casement embodies todays Ireland

Knight of the realm, rebel, diplomat, friend and enemy of empires: a compelling new book underlines the nationalist heros fractured identity

Roger Casement, diplomat turned gun-runner. Photo: Getty

Sam McBride Sun 5 Apr 2026 at 06:30

When Roger Casement sat in the dock in the Royal Courts of Justice in London 110 years ago, it was unprecedented in living memory: no knight of the realm had faced treason charges for centuries.
A view of Earth taken by Commander Reid Wiseman from the Orion spacecraft on the Artemis II mission. Photo: Nasa/Reuters

The famous Blue Marble photograph of Earth was taken in 1972 by one of the astronauts on board Apollo 17 en route to the moon. Last week came another iconic image of our planet, snapped by the crew of Artemis II as it made the same journey into space.

Back in 1972, the US was still riven by the fallout from the Vietnam War, while the energy crisis of the 1970s lay ahead. The photo was hailed as a timely reminder of our environmental vulnerability and shared humanity.

Utopian calls for the human race to set aside its differences for the common good rarely survive the first contact with reality, but parallels with the present day are too striking to ignore.

This generations Blue Marble moment could not come at a more symbolically fitting time than Easter, with its message of hope and renewal.

It is easy to despair. People around the world have never felt angrier or more divided. War has erupted in the Middle East once more. Europe faces an uncertain future, with the US president apparently set on abandoning Americas role as the free worlds guarantor of security.

Doomsayers may be guilty of excessive pessimism, but economic indicators are hardly rosy either. The cost-of-living crisis sparked by the pandemic and the war in Ukraine shows no indication of ending soon, and may yet worsen.

One does not need to be a believer in any particular religious faith to welcome an allegorical emblem in difficult times of the ultimate victory of light over the power of darkness. The early Christians thought Christs resurrection heralded the end of the world. Instead, that same world went on turning, as it always had. For better or worse, it is worth reminding ourselves that this present era will also pass.

The search for the next US president has already begun. UK prime minister Keir Starmer is looking to relaunch his countrys shattered relationship with the EU, as he has with Irish-British relations that were soured by Brexit.

Europes collective opposition to the war in Iran offers a foundation on which progress could be made if short-term rivalries are not allowed to derail it.

Humanitys gaze is once again lifted to the skies

These faltering steps may not be sufficient in themselves to overcome the cynicism and defeatism that has come to characterise the public mood globally, but retaining some hope in the future is a duty as well as a dream.

In the darkest days of the pandemic, the late Pope Francis delivered a special Urbi et Orbi message urging people to reawaken and put into practice that solidarity and hope capable of giving strength, support and meaning to these hours when everything seems to be floundering.

Francis praised ordinary people who were exercising patience and offering hope, taking care to sow not panic but a shared responsibility and lifting their gaze in search of answers. That message has a secular as well as a sacred truth.

This Easter, our gaze is once again lifted to the skies, as Artemis II prepares to fly round the dark side of the moon tomorrow. It will be the furthest that humans have ever travelled from the planet.

Once they return, the same optimistic and idealistic spirit that sent them into the void and back again must be renewed here on Earth. For now, it is the only place we can call home.
"Last week, I took direct action myself, I made my own catering cart and brought it on the train to Dublin," Cllr Ogbu said.

Passengers travelling from Galway to Dublin on Irish Rail avoided going hungry this week after a Galway city councillor staged a one-off onboard snack service to highlight the need to restore train catering.

Cllr Helen Ogbu walked the aisles of an Iarnrod Eireann service carrying a box of crisps and snacks in a tray around her neck, in a bid to draw attention to efforts to improve the public transport experience.

In a post on Instagram, Cllr Ogbu said catering services should be reinstated, particularly on longer intercity journeys.

So I will be offering this service aboard this train today, she said.

Whether its a cup of coffee, a bottle of water or a bar of chocolate, the availability of catering services on our trains can transform your journey or save you in a crisis.

Helen Ogbu on Galway train service calling for a reinstatemnt of catering services

Catering services were halted during the Covid-19 pandemic and failed to be reinstated when Irish Rail confirmed to the Irish Independent in 2022 that it wouldnt be on the task list for the following year.

Since then, its been a highlighted topic for train commuters who have to plan ahead for food and beverage.

Transport Minister Darragh OBrien has said he would rather a focus of resources to increase rail services rather than on-board catering.

At this time, catering service is only represented on the busiest trains, an Iarnrod Eireann spokesperson told the Irish Independent, which includes service between Dublin-Cork and Dublin-Belfast.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, Cllr Ogbu added: It simply doesnt make sense that catering services still havent returned on the Galway to Dublin route. We are asking people to choose public transport, to leave the car at home, and to make more sustainable choices but the service has to meet people halfway.

I am calling on Irish Rail to get this sorted. Passengers deserve better, and if we are serious about public transport, we need to make it a service people actually want to use.

"Last week, I took direct action myself, I made my own catering cart and brought it on the train to Dublin," Cllr Ogbu said.

Funding is not available through the NTA to reinstate such services and there is no future date expected for the implementation of them despite continuing to work to restore catering services to Intercity routes not currently served, Iarnrod Eireann said.

However, the rail service said they are continuing in engagement with catering providers seeking creative solutions for the lack of service in cost-effective manners.

Cllr Ogbu is a candidate in the upcoming Galway West byelection, looking to occupy the vacant seat left by President Catherine Connolly.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting scheme.
The three shortlisted collections for the 2026 Pigott Poetry Prize, pictured in the Bryan MacMahon Room, Kerry Writers Museum. Photograph by Lisa OFlaherty.

Listowel Writers Week has named the finalists for the prestigious Pigott Poetry Prize as the award reaches its thirteenth year with an increased prize fund in 2026.

The poetry prize is awarded annually with this years shortlist bringing together three poets whose work reflects the depth and range of contemporary poetry: Dean Browne, Jessica Traynor, and Bernard ODonoghue.

The winner will receive 20,000, with 2,000 awarded to each of the other shortlisted poets making it the largest monetary prize in Ireland for a new poetry collection by an Irish poet.

Announcing the shortlist, Chairman of Listowel Writers Week, Ned OSullivan, said the festival committee is deeply grateful to the Pigott family for their continued support of this award.

This years shortlist reflects the strength and diversity of contemporary poetry in Ireland, and we are proud to celebrate these three outstanding poets, he said.

Listowel Writers Week is counting down to its 55th anniversary which takes place from May 27-31, highlighting both its permanency and continued investment in contemporary writing.

Organisers insist that poetry has always held its place at the centre of cultural life in Ireland and that its shortlist marks not only recognition, but the work of language being brought into focus.

Dean Brownes After Party is a debut of quiet assurance. His work has already been recognised through significant prizes and international publication, and this first full collection confirms a voice marked by restraint and precision. These are poems that resist excess, attentive to tone and to the spaces between what is said and what is withheld.

Jessica Traynors New Arcana continues a body of work that has steadily expanded in ambition and reach. Her writing moves with control between the personal and the symbolic, drawing on image and pattern as a way of thinking through experience. The collection reflects a poet working with confidence, deepening an already distinctive voice.

With The Anchorage by Bernard ODonoghue, he returns with the authority of a poet whose work has been shaped over decades. His writing remains grounded in clarity and attention, particularly to place and memory, while continuing to find new inflections within familiar themes. It is a collection that speaks with quiet confidence rather than declaration.
Ballet Ireland director Anne Maher puts the finishing touches to Ballet Ireland dancers (left to right) Maria Ledesma from Spain, Celine Le Grelle from Belgium, Simona Marsibilio from Italy, and Jane Magan from Rathfarnham, Dublin.

From the quiet countryside in Co Meath to the national stage, director of ballet in Ireland Anne Maher has helped shape the future of Irish ballet, but even she was surprised by the spike in attention following comments made by Timothee Chalamet.

The Marty Supreme star Chalamet recently said that ballet and opera were art forms he wouldnt want to work in and that no one cares about them anymore.

And since then it seems that both forms of art are ironically being discussed more than ever.

Anne said that while her first sweeping instinct on hearing the comments was simply outrage that she can now see it actually has shown a spotlight on the industry and that they will make the most out of it.

I thought it was the most extraordinary thing to say and so incredibly unusual for an artist of one genre to be critical of another. He didnt just disrespect an industry, he was basically burying opera and ballet six-feet under, Anne said.

We all have things in life that are not necessarily our cup of tea, but it doesnt mean we are condescending of them or suggestive that they should be dead and buried. I think everyone was simply taken aback by it.

If I look at ballet and dance in Ireland right now, it is more popular than ever. Dance schools are bursting at the seams with young people wanting to be involved and we have built consistent audiences over the last 20 something years, Anne added.

Filipe Portugals All That Remains, part of Bold Moves 2023 by Ballet Ireland. Photo by Andrew Ross

Her own dancing years began at just four-years-old by dipping her toe in both a bit of Irish dancing (which lasted a whole of two months) and ballet.

Finding her love for dance through ballet quickly became an integral part of Annes life going to more and more classes as she grew up. She was fortunate to have a wonderful teacher Myrtle Lambkin who she said produced several professional dancers.

Lambkin wrote personally to Princess Grace of Monaco about Anne and told her she had a talented student, asking her to consider Annes attendance at the ballet school she was a patron of.

Anne spent 15 years professionally dancing all over Europe before returning to Ireland in 1997 to found Ballet Ireland, which she continues to develop as a successful and vibrant national touring company.

She also founded and is chair of Irish Ballet Forum, a resource organisation that provides master classes, intensive courses and information for Irelands aspiring young dancers.

Through her experience dancing, Anne said ballet has never been as popular in Ireland as it is now, especially for young people.

Often for young girls sport cannot be appealing for one reason or another but to get moving through dance is attractive for them.

We have so many dance schools around the country now that we never had before so it is giving more and more rural communities the opportunity to actually attend dance classes. The challenge that we face is just not getting enough men involved, she said.

Anne said ballet is an open sport for all ages but it is far from easy to become a professional joining at a later stage

Ballet is an extraordinarily complex and tough form of dance. It is perhaps the most technically challenging and refined art form when it comes to dance that there is. It has been developed and progressed from the court days of Louis XIV.

It is a wonderful art but of course there are challenges, you are pushing yourself to the absolute limit of your bodys capabilities every day and there are all kind of sacrifices that go hand in hand with that but any athlete will have the same experience.

There has been a surge in interest in the sport in recent years for all age groups

However she is encouraging all ages and abilities to get involved in ballet at some point and experience the fun of the art as a hobby rather than a career.

And with the popularity of ballet increasing, it is not just children getting involved more and more, but there has also been an explosion of interest from people aged 50 upwards returning to the sport or trying it for the first time.

When you do a ballet class it is social, it is to music. The exercises and the way in which you execute them and the amount of energy and work you put into what youre doing in that hour and a half of ballet class can be upped in intensity.

What you get out of it is amazing. You develop not only your muscle strength but also flexibility and again there is the whole social element as well, Anne said.

Ballet Ireland is preparing for a busy year this 2026 with one of the main events kicking off this month from April 10 to April 18 at the OReilly Theatre, Dublin.

The programme will see a triple-bill of work packed with contemporary ballet. The programme features two striking works by award-winning choreographer Arthur Pita alongside a world premiere by Irish choreographer Ruaidhri Maguire.

Audiences are invited to experience works that challenge the boundaries of classical ballet, blending sharp storytelling with bold physicality.
Catriona Dixon hosted an event, Drink Tea For MND in The Loch Garman Arms Hotel Gorey. Pictured is Breda O Hara, Ann Haverty, Catriona Dixon, Una Corrigan, Shelly O Hara and Marie Whitwood. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench

Catriona Dixon hosted an event, Drink Tea For MND in The Loch Garman Arms Hotel Gorey. Pictured is Rita Doyle Catriona Dixon and Tom Doyle. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench

Catriona Dixon hosted an event, Drink Tea For MND in The Loch Garman Arms Hotel Gorey. Pictured is Catherine Hughes, Catriona Dixon and Emma Hughes . PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench

Catriona Dixon hosted an event, Drink Tea For MND in The Loch Garman Arms Hotel Gorey. Pictured is Catriona and Joe Dixon. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench

Catriona Dixon hosted an event, Drink Tea For MND in The Loch Garman Arms Hotel Gorey. Pictured is Catriona Dixon and Judy Heffernan. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench

Catriona Dixon hosted an event, Drink Tea For MND in The Loch Garman Arms Hotel Gorey. Pictured is Aine Heffernan, Catriona Dixon and Bridget Heffernan. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench

A Wexford woman with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) recently raised over 1,800 for charity with her Drink Tea for MND event.

Originally from Enniscorthy, Catriona Dixon lives in Gorey and has been adjusting to life with Motor Neurone Disease since her diagnosis in December 2023.

Well-known for her contributions to the community, Catriona recently organised a special fundraising event, Drink Tea for MND to raise vital finds for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA).

There was a great atmosphere in Gorey as locals gathered at the Loch Garman Arms recently to drink plenty cups of tea, have the traditional chats, all while raising funds for charity. A special raffle was also organised with many prizes donated by local businesses and community groups.

In total, the fundraiser raised 1,827 for IMNDA, which will go toward specific support for people diagnosed with tailored supports as currently, there is no cure for the disease.

Catriona Dixon hosted an event, Drink Tea For MND in The Loch Garman Arms Hotel Gorey. Pictured is Catriona and Joe Dixon. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench

Living with MND, Catriona has continued to stay heavily involved in the community, through community groups like Voices of Gorey, a local choir who helped co-host the special event.

Its so important for someone with a life limiting condition to remain involved and enjoy their community. Im very proud to say that Gorey town really emulates community, they support it and they thrive on it, she said.

Members of the choir came with freshly baked goods and helped serve refreshments to those supporting the event.

Catriona gave a special thanks to those who supported the charity event and spoke of peoples continued generosity. A big thank you to everyone who turned up, supported online or sent good wishes.

Thanks to Michael Gleeson for sponsorship of tea and coffee and to my family and friends who helped to make it such a success, she added.

Catriona Dixon hosted an event, Drink Tea For MND in The Loch Garman Arms Hotel Gorey. Pictured is Breda O Hara, Ann Haverty, Catriona Dixon, Una Corrigan, Shelly O Hara and Marie Whitwood. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench

Through the IMNDA, Catriona has been provided several pieces of equipment including a wheelchair, a breathing machine and a mechanical arm which brings movement to her arms allowing her to cook, eat and drink again.

Catriona has hosted and taken part in several fundraisers including a five kilometre Walk While You Can event at Gorey Town Park in October 2025 to raise funds for IMNDA.

Catriona works closely with IMNDA and was awarded an IMNDA Hero Award, and shortly after her diagnosis, she spoke at a conference in Dublin at Motor Neuron Day in 2024.
latest | Worst of Storm Dave weather has passed as thousands of homes without power; warning of potential flight disruption today

Dublin Airport saw flight disruption on Saturday, while Howth RNLI rescued a kite surfer after they were blown offshore in strong winds

Storm Dave is set to ease during Sunday (PA)

Adrianna Wrona Sun 5 Apr 2026 at 10:57

Around 4,500 homes and businesses across the country are still without power this Easter Sunday following strong winds brought by Storm Dave.
FILE PHOTO: Migrants aboard an overcrowded boat react as they are approached by the crew of the migrant search and rescue ship Sea-Watch in the central Mediterranean, off Libya. REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki/File Photo

Two merchant vessels near the Italian coast recovered the bodies of two migrants and rescued 32 survivors from a boat trying to cross to Europe from Libya on Easter weekend, rescue charities said, citing the survivors as saying 71 others were lost at sea.
ISLAMABAD, April 5 (Xinhua) -- At least 45 people were killed and over 100 injured after heavy rains triggered different incidents across Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province since March 25, said the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Sunday.

The PDMA said in a statement that the casualties were caused by collapsing roofs and walls amid heavy rains in different districts of the province.

According to the PDMA, the deceased include 23 children, 17 men and five women, while the injured include 45 men, 44 children and 16 women.

In addition to the human toll, the rains caused significant property damage, with over 440 houses affected, including dozens that were completely destroyed.

The PDMA warned of another spell of rain expected from April 6 to 9, urging the public to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly to sensitive tourist areas. 
German men now need armys permission to leave country for more than three months

The new rule is part of military reforms rolled out in January

German chancellor Friedrich Merz plans to ramp up defence spending. Photo: AP

James Jackson and James Rothwell Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Sun 5 Apr 2026 at 06:30

German men of fighting age must ask the army for permission to leave the country for over three months under new rules on military service.
LATEST | 'Open the f***in' Strait  Trump says Iran must allow ships through Hormuz by Tuesday or US will blow up everything and take the oil

Rescued US airman was from plane Iran shot downTrump tells Iran to open Strait of Hormuz by TuesdayTehran expands attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure

Trump says missing US service member has been rescued in Iran

Phil Stewart and Menna Alaaeidin Sun 5 Apr 2026 at 19:09

US special forces rescued an airman in a high-risk mission deep inside Iran while President Donald Trump threatened to rain "hell" on Tehran if it did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday for oil flows vital to the world economy.
1. Neon Genesis Evangelion

2. March Comes in Like a Lion

Image credit : Crunchyroll | March Comes In like a Lion is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Chica Umino

3. A Silent Voice







4. Welcome to the NHK







5. Your Lie in April

Image credit : Crunchyroll | Your Lie in April is a Japanese romantic drama manga series written and illustrated by Naoshi Arakawa.

Anime has a unique way of exploring emotions without always spelling them out. Some of the most impactful series dont directly name mental health struggles, but instead let viewers experience them through character behavior, symbolism, and storytelling. Here are five anime that subtly yet powerfully touch on mental health.While its often remembered for its intense battles and sci-fi setting, this series is deeply rooted in psychology. Shinji Ikaris journey reflects struggles with self-doubt, fear of rejection, and emotional dependence. The narrative frequently shifts inward, using abstract visuals and introspection to mirror anxiety and depression, making it one of the most layered portrayals in anime.This anime takes a quieter, more intimate approach. It follows Rei Kiriyama, a teenager burdened by loneliness and past trauma. Rather than dramatic outbursts, the show uses stillness, everyday routines, and gentle relationships to depict depression. Its strength lies in showing that healing is gradual and often found in small, meaningful connections.Focusing on redemption and emotional isolation, this film tells the story of Shoya Ishida, who is haunted by his past actions as a bully. His inability to connect with others reflects deep social anxiety and guilt. Through subtle imagery and minimal dialogue at key moments, the film captures the weight of regret and the difficulty of forgiving oneself.Blending dark humor with uncomfortable truths, this anime portrays the life of a socially withdrawn young man, Tatsuhiro Satou. His fears, delusions, and avoidance of reality highlight issues like anxiety and depression. The series walks a fine line between satire and seriousness, ultimately presenting a raw look at isolation and its consequences.Beneath its vibrant music and emotional storytelling lies a narrative about grief and psychological trauma. Kousei Arimas inability to hear the piano after his mothers death symbolizes how deeply loss can affect the mind. His gradual return to music parallels his emotional recovery, showing how confronting pain is essential for healing.What ties these anime together is their understated approach. Instead of explicitly defining mental health conditions, they allow audiences to interpret and feel the characters struggles. This subtle storytelling not only makes the narratives more immersive but also resonates on a deeply personal level.These series remind us that sometimes the quietest stories speak the loudest, especially when it comes to understanding the human mind.
Channels Television anchor, Seun Okinbaloye, has said he is not afraid and will not be intimidated following controversy surrounding remarks by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, while also thanking Nigerians and organisations for their support.

Okinbaloye made this known during a broadcast on Sunday, where he acknowledged the outpouring of solidarity from civil society groups, viewers, and both local and international organisations.

I sincerely want to thank civil society organisations, our viewers, for your love and your comments and your solidarity Your support is deeply appreciated and reinforces our collective commitment to truth and accountability, he said.

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The anchor warned that democracy could be undermined if dissenting voices are silenced, stating that our democracy is in danger if we allow one way traffic in balloting.

He stressed that his comments were not directed at any political group but at all Nigerians, adding that this is not a warning to the opposition or the ruling party, but to all Nigerians who believe in the development of our nation.

Okinbaloye disclosed that he received reassurances regarding his safety, noting the ongoing reassurance from the Department of State Services, and also revealed that I also received a call from the Honourable Minister who clarified that the intention was not as conveyed.

Despite the clarification, he cautioned against the use of inflammatory language, saying violent rhetoric or suggestive threats are never appropriate responses to dissent in a democratic society, especially during an election period when clear and consistent assurances of safety are critical.

He added that such statements could create risks if misinterpreted, warning that we must not create an environment where such statements can be exploited by those with harmful intentions.

Reaffirming his position, Okinbaloye said, Let me be clear, Im not afraid, and I will never be intimidated, adding that journalism grounded in ethics and global best practices remains a duty to the public, not a concession to power.

The anchor maintained that he would continue to hold public officials accountable, stating, I will continue to do what I love, asking the necessary questions, holding power to account If that commitment comes at a cost, so be it.

The controversy followed remarks by Wike during a media parley in Abuja, where he reacted to Okinbaloyes comments on a Channels Television programme discussing the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress and its implications for opposition politics ahead of the 2027 elections.Okinbaloye had raised concerns about the possibility of a one-party state, a position the minister criticised as inappropriate for a journalist.

Although Wike later clarified that he did not intend physical harm, his aide, Lere Olayinka, said the remark was made in a hyperbolic context without intent, explaining that the minister was responding to what he perceived as the anchors involvement in political commentary rather than neutral moderation.

Olayinka added, The Minister never meant that he would shoot Seun Okinbaloye. What he meant was that he was angry seeing Okinbaloye descending into the political arena by speaking as an interested party, instead of an interviewer.
Popular comedian and activist Mr Macaroni has condemned Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike after the minister made a threatening remark against Channels TV anchor Seun Okinbaloye, saying he would have shot the journalist for expressing concern about Nigeria drifting toward a one-party state.

The controversy erupted following Thursdays edition of Channels TVs flagship political programme, Politics Today, during which Okinbaloye voiced alarm over the implications of the Independent National Electoral Commissions derecognition of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership  a development stemming from a court ruling  for Nigerias democratic landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.

When some of us talk, it looks like our mouth is smelling, the veteran broadcaster said during the programme. If this hope is dashed, we are doomed democratically.

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Reacting on Friday, April 3, Wike took strong exception to the anchors remarks, accusing him of abandoning journalistic neutrality by openly declaring his opposition to a one-party system on national television.

If there was any way to break the screen, I would have shot him, the minister said, before clarifying that he did not literally mean to cause the journalist harm, but was expressing his anger at what he characterised as unprofessional conduct.

This is not the kind of journalism I have seen people do, he added.

The remarks, however, drew swift and sharp condemnation from Mr Macaroni, who took to social media to lambaste the minister for what he described as the language of tyranny from a man sworn to serve the public.

This is a so-called serving Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria saying in a live broadcast that he wished he could have shot and killed a Nigerian journalist, the comedian wrote.

A country where public servants become tyrants because they know there is no consequence for impropriety.

The incident has reignited concerns among civil society voices and media freedom advocates about the growing intolerance of dissent and critical commentary within Nigerias political establishment.

I was surprised that yesterday watching Seun. Assuming I can open the screen I would have shot him. He was talking like he already picked a side, that is not journalism.  Nyesom Wike Berates Seun Okin pic.twitter.com/BPWUhETNaH  Trending Explained (@TrendingEx) April 3, 2026
Patrick Hearn, director of manufacturing operations at Iovance Biotherapeutics, talks about the manufacturing process at the company's Navy Yard facility on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 in Philadelphia. Read more

Listen to article  0:00 min

Rusty Konkol wanted to hug everyone he saw during his tour of Iovance Biotherapeutics Navy Yard manufacturing facility.

The 71-year-old grandfather with metastatic melanoma had flown in from Wisconsin to see the lab where his cell therapy, named Amtagvi, was made.

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The first of its kind to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration back in 2024, Iovances therapy is whats known as a tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy. It amplifies a patients own immune cells to fight advanced cases of melanoma that cant be removed surgically.

Konkol isnt yet cancer-free, but the cell therapy has bought him more time with his 17 grandchildren after a grim diagnosis in May 2024.

I would have tried anything, he said in an interview last week. I didnt want to miss seeing my grandchildren grow up.

Though Iovance is headquartered in California, the company chose Philadelphia for its manufacturing facility, which opened in 2021 and employs 600.

Philadelphias local talent and history of pioneering cell therapy advances led to the decision, said Jen Saunders, senior director of investor relations & public relations. (The region has been nicknamed Cellicon Valley due to its role in pioneering CAR-T and other novel cell therapies.)

Many other life sciences companies have come to the same decision in recent times, making the region a growing hub for manufacturing.

In February, pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson announced it was spending $1 billion on a cell therapy manufacturing plant in Montgomery County. The plant plans to employ 500 people once fully operational in 2031.

Individualized cell therapies tend to be expensive to manufacture due to their complex, highly personalized nature  posing potential financial barriers for patients outside of clinical trials. (Iovance said it could not disclose how much it costs to manufacture the product.)

When Amtagvi was approved in 2024, its list price in the U.S. was $515,000. Its most recent cost was $563,000.

This is in line with other one-time, personalized cell therapies in the U.S., Saunders said.

Cell therapies are among the most expensive cancer treatments. The average cost of a CAR-T product (a cell therapy that has transformed blood cancer care) was more than $400,000 in one 2024 study looking at 271 commercially insured patients. And when all costs of care during the CAR-T therapy period were combined, 8.5% of patients in the study sample had total costs exceeding $1 million.

Actual out-of-pocket costs for Amtagvi can vary widely depending on insurance, Saunders said.

Today, tumor samples from around the world are flown into Philadelphia International Airport to be transformed into Iovances novel cell therapy for both clinical trial and commercial uses.

The regions proximity to multiple airports was another reason for choosing the Navy Yard.

Because our patients just dont have that much time to wait, said Andrea Karpinecz, vice president of quality control at Iovance.

Inside the process

Amtagvi is a one-time therapy created from a patients own immune cells.

Its designed specifically for solid cancers, as opposed to blood cancers such as leukemia.

Solid tumors account for roughly 90% of all cancer deaths in the U.S. The therapy is approved to treat melanoma, though the company hopes to eventually move into lung cancer and other cancer types.

Iovance doesnt genetically modify immune cells to make Amtagvi. Instead, they select the cancer-fighting immune cells a patient already has and grow them up to levels the body wouldnt normally be able to reach.

These cells are infused back into the patient, where they return to fight the cancer, ideally in such greater numbers that it overwhelms and destroys the tumor, said Brian Gastman, Iovances executive vice president of translational medicine and research.

The process to make Amtagvi takes about 34 days, from start to finish.

During the first step, a surgeon removes part of the patients tumor to collect a sample of cells. They aim to get the sample transported within a day to Iovances Navy Yard facility, where labs are staffed around the clock, seven days a week.

Workers verify that the sample has traveled in the right conditions, refrigerated between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius without exposure to high temperatures, explained Patrick Hearn, director of manufacturing operations at Iovance.

Then they cut the tumor into tiny pieces to help the patients cancer-fighting immune cells  the good cells that reside within the tumor  grow, he said.

Workstations have to be extra clean to prevent contamination. Personnel at this stage are required to wear a sterile hood, goggles, mask, overalls, boots, and gloves.

The tumor fragments spend the next 11 days in a flask filled with nutrient-rich liquid (called media), in an incubator set at body temperature.

Afterward, scientists collect the cells at the bottom of the flask, leaving the rest of the tumor tissue behind. They increase the size of the flask and freshen up with more media to enable the cells to grow at a faster pace.

Thats the start of the rapid expansion protocol.

At day 16 of manufacturing, they scale up to multiple flasks.

By day 22, the therapy is ready to harvest.

Iovance aims to multiply the number of tumor-fighting immune cells into the billions. Thats compared to the thousands or millions the body may normally have, Hearn said.

Testing the product

The next roughly eight days involve testing the quality of the therapy, said Karpinecz, Iovances head of quality control.

Scientists assess the health of the cells and whether they will be able to fight against cancer.

They also run samples through machines to make sure there are no cancer cells or contaminants in the therapy.

Historically, a major limitation of personalized cell therapies has been how long they take to manufacture.

Iovance has found ways to quicken the process by using rapid sterility tests and running multiple samples simultaneously.

Their patients are typically so sick they cant wait for their treatment, Karpinecz said.

We are on a very quick timeline, and our overall goal is to get the product to the patient as soon as possible, she said.

More time

When Konkol was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma in mid-2024, his six kids, five of whom are pharmacists, held weekly Zoom calls to strategize.

His doctor told him he would have a year to a year and a half left to live if he did nothing.

Immunotherapy had already failed to work.

One of his sons, a pharmacist in Milwaukee, said, Dad, I want you to come down here. We got this new thing that theyre trying, Konkol recalled.

Iovances Amtagvi had been approved by the Food and Drug Administration just months earlier, based on results from a trial involving 73 patients with advanced melanoma. Nearly a third saw tumor shrinkage, and three patients had a complete response, meaning their tumors could no longer be detected.

Konkol was willing to try anything to survive for his family.

He first received a short course of chemotherapy to knock down his immune system, followed by Amtagvi in January 2025.

Konkol thought the therapy might be working, since he could no longer feel the lumps in his neck or legs. But he didnt know for sure until his first CT scans six weeks after treatment.

They showed tumors in his body were either getting smaller or disappearing.

Every six weeks, you just kind of pray, said Konkols wife of almost 50 years, Linda, who came to Philadelphia with him.

Now hes on a three-month scan schedule, hoping he will continue to see improvement.

Physically, Konkol feels better. He has more energy. Hes able to cut and split wood. He didnt recall feeling any symptoms from the therapy.

He and his wife babysit their 10-month-old grandchild, who is just learning how to walk.

I wouldnt have seen that otherwise if I didnt take that treatment, said Konkol, with tears in his eyes.
Vivian Kaye, 27, of Cherry Hill, N.J., celebrating after winning all their sock wrestling matches for their first time attending Hot Girls Wrestling in Philadelphia on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. Read more

Listen to article  0:00 min

Last December, a group of women and femmes filed quietly into a Kensington basement through a side door. Inside: a cleared-out basement, a few wrestling mats, folding chairs, and the unspoken understanding that something unusual was about to happen.

This was Hot Girl Wrestling, Philadelphias unregulated, community-run fight club sustained by commitment and word-of-mouth. There are no referees and no waivers.

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Since launching in September, Hot Girl Wrestling has taken place outdoors, in parks and public spaces across Philadelphia. When the weather turned, there was no venue willing to host an event where people showed up to wrestle with no rules, no insurance, no governing body.

So the group did what Philadelphians do best: they improvised.

The December match took place in a cofounders family members basement, cleared out as a Christmas gift so there would be room for a makeshift ring. Total strangers showed up for an event that ended up feeling like a ritual.

Its been so much fun to lean into the side of me that likes to be a little theatrical and antagonistic, said participant Liz Thomas, a social worker and therapist based in West Powelton.

Nicole Ney, a bartender and wedding coordinator who resides in Point Breeze, and Jess Olavage, a public schoolteacher in Wissahickon, cofounded Hot Girl Wrestling this past summer. The two met in middle school in 2007.

The club started out as a joke.

Nicole and I were at a concert, sitting in the crowd waiting for the band to go on, and we were talking about how fun it is to wrestle, said Olavage.

We joked: It would be so funny if we started an all-girls wrestling team.

Wrestling came up naturally for us because Jess and I both grew up with one sister close in age, said Ney. My sister and I were always fighting growing up, sometimes play-fighting, sometimes fully going for it. Even if it ended with us both getting sent to our rooms.

It felt cathartic.

On that night, Ney realized she had never wrestled Olavage. Which felt wrong, she said.

They started by tussling in the grass just for fun. It all ballooned from there and now the club hosts packed meetings every month around the city.

And to their surprise, people keep showing up.

Six months on, they have a whole wrestling team, usually between 15 and 50 people each meeting.

The timeline from idea to first meeting was about 10 days, said Ney. We immediately decided we needed flyers, publicity, a wrestling belt, and tournaments.

Right after the concert, they created the clubs Instagram account. Soon, they were cutting up magazines to make flyers.

We didnt have glue so we used tape and nail polish. It was very frenetic, said Olavage.

Ten days later, in September, 40 people showed up to the first meeting held behind a Walmart in South Philly.

It felt unreal, said Olavage. We had no idea what we were doing. We had some discarded gym mats, snacks, and drinks, and started with introductions, zodiac signs, and poorly organized stretching.

The only instruction was: If you want to fight someone, go find someone. It turned into two hours of what Ney called pure girl on girl violence.

The vibes are very much underground Fight Club, but they talk about it.

Thats the first rule. If youre a girl, you talk about Fight Club, said Ney.

It has worked out well so far.

The other rules are: no biting, choking, or body slams.

Everything else is vibes-based and whoever wins is decided collectively or when someone taps out, said Olavage. Theres no bracket or order.

Its become a community-building thing, said Ney. Were mostly strangers who occasionally beat each other up and now have a bond.

The point, she said, isnt dominance. Its a release.

In a culture that rarely offers women and gender-nonconforming people sanctioned space for physical release, the chaotic, vibes-based Hot Girl Wrestling meetings have become spaces where collective care is forged through this rare sensation of public release.

Bodies, especially more feminine bodies, are policed and stigmatized by societal expectations and norms, but in the community of Hot Girl Wrestling, all of that goes out the window. said software engineer Destiny Muskovitz of Point Breeze.

We all show up, either to just watch or to wrestle and theres not really any questions about who belongs in the space.

Folks will often turn up exhausted or not in the mood. Well say Im not wrestling today, said Ney. But once people show up, our energy completely changes. It fills our cups in a way we didnt expect.

What do they hope people take away from this?

Catharsis and community, said Olavage. Its liberating to do something weird and physical and outside gender norms.

The unregulated nature is freeing. Theres trust here, said Ney. People might be a little weird, a little outcast, but theres safety.

Ultimately, its about community and supporting weirdos being weird.

Its also a creative outlet. We make flyers, bracelets, stickers, says Olavage. We also bake cookies. People bring snacks, water, and candy. Theres no charge. Were broke women in a city, and no one should have to pay for community.

Most people find out about the club through the flyers, Instagram, or word of mouth. Some bring friends.

We use a pink American flag with a screeching possum to mark our location, said Ney.

When asked what the possum represents, Olavage said, We dont overthink anything. Possum energy just fits.

Nothing is serious, she said. This is a fever dream we decided to actualize.

Hot Girl Wrestling is on Instagram at @hotgirlwrestlingphl
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If you attended school any time after the Nixon administration, then you likely beheld at some point the CIA World Factbook, a map and reference manual of Planet Earth and its inhabitants upon which nearly everyone could agree.

Maybe you read parts of it from a floppy disk or a CD-ROM for that social studies project due tomorrow. Or scanned its list of countries for Latvia, because that is the country you are representing next week in Model U.N. Even better, you wandered the earth in your imagination as you held the physical Factbook in your own hands, unfolding its maps and understanding, perhaps for the first time, that the thumbs-up gesture your friends flash each other is considered an obscene insult in parts of the Middle East, Europe, and Argentina.

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Who knew? The Factbook and its readers did, for more than six decades.

Its authors  some of the worlds best intelligence-gatherers, who contributed thousands of their own photos  kept the curated database updated and online for public use at no charge. The reasons stated were geopolitical and philosophical. But since we are talking about facts, it also is true that the Factbook went public in 1975 with lofty statements of purpose at a time when Congress was revealing abuses by U.S. intelligence agencies, including the CIA.

We share these facts with the people of all nations in the belief that knowledge of the truth underpins the functioning of free societies, the CIA itself explained in its pages.

The spy agency is not sharing them anymore.

On Feb. 4, the Trump administration abruptly shuttered this widely accepted account of humanity and its flags, nations, customs, militaries, and borders. The CIA framed the move as one of progress for an agency whose core mission has changed.

A great wave of grief rose from Factbook fans. Many said they mourned an America that valued knowledge for its own sake. Some saw darker forces at work under a president whose administration has promoted  in times of war and peace  alternative facts.

Stay curious, the CIA advised in its fond farewell to the Factbook.

And, it might have added: Good luck figuring out whats true from the wild and frequently inaccurate world of the internet and artificial intelligence.

The Factbooks origin story

Decades before Google became an everyday verb, there was the Factbook.

Its origin story is rooted in the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, a U.S. intelligence failure that inspired a more coordinated approach to gathering and organizing information on Americas enemies. The Joint Army Navy Intelligence Studies was born, the countrys first interdepartmental basic intelligence program. But by 1946, national security experts agreed that the conduct of peace involves all countries, all human activities  not just the enemy and his war production, in the words of one, George S. Pettee.

The job of gathering basic intelligence on other countries was assigned to the newly minted CIA in 1947, according to the agencys website.

The Cold War exposed the ongoing need for a one-stop source of basic intelligence  and an opportunity for what in 1971 became the unclassified Factbook. It was released to the public four years later.

In addition to becoming useful to students, it held geopolitical influence. The Factbook showed off American intelligence capabilities to the former Soviet Union and other enemies. Being included in it could confer legitimacy upon a nation or an opposition party. And it was ironic that an agency founded on the need to know and keep secrets was sharing so much data  called basic intelligence  with the public.

The Factbook also likely served as a boost to the CIAs public image and put distance between it and other intelligence agencies tarnished by congressional investigations. In 1975, U.S. Sen. Frank Church (D., Idaho) convened a panel that held more than 100 public hearings, many televised, of the most significant oversight of intelligence agencies since World War II.

In 1976, the Church Committee reported widespread abuse by the CIA, IRS, the National Security Agency, and the FBI, including the revelation of the CIAs Family Jewels. That was an internal account of illegal CIA activities, such as spying on American activists and an assassination plot against Cubas Fidel Castro.

Also in 1975, what would become the CIA World Factbook went public, ascending as a reliable research tool often recommended in class projects. There was never confirmation that the bad press inspired the wide release of the Factbook, but doing so around the same time fit the CIAs need to rehab its brand.

In 1981, the CIA renamed the publication The World Factbook, and in 1997, it leapt online. The CIA has described it as representing a tremendous culmination of efforts from some of our countrys brightest analytic minds.

The jolt of its Trump-era demise

News of the Factbooks end shocked more than just U.S. students and researchers. It was picked up by news outlets abroad. The story shot across social media, with Reddit users pointing each other to archived Factbooks and racing to set up and identify other sources of unbiased information that might suffice.

Isabel Altamirano, chemistry librarian assistant professor at Auburn University in Alabama, said the information is still out there, but itll be harder to find. University libraries, for example, offer similar resources to students, who get access through their tuition.

It was so easy, because it was all in one place, she said in an interview, noting that on Feb. 4, when she saw the news, she rushed to delete the Factbook from a list of resources for her students in a business communications class.

Fundamentally, one analyst said, a Factbook assembled by a government agency with secret agendas and shadowy methods might never have been unbiased in the first place.

The compilers arent, nor can they be expected to be, neutral, said Binoy Kampmark, a professor of global, urban, and social studies at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia. Mourning its loss, he wrote in an email, would be misplaced.

The Factbook, he added, might be better saved as a historical document. Its last publication on Feb. 4 is already outdated, according to an archived version: Under Iran, the countrys head of government is still listed as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Khamenei was reported killed March 1 in U.S. and Israeli strikes. And the world changed once again, this time without the Factbook to note it.
In this image provided by Sepahnews, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's official website, wreckage is shown in Isfahan province at what Iran's state TV claimed was the site of a downed American transport plane and two helicopters involved in a rescue operation. Read more

Listen to article  0:00 min

WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump on Sunday made new, expletive-laden threats to escalate strikes on Iran and its infrastructure if it doesnt open the Strait of Hormuz by his deadline, after American forces rescued an aviator whose Iran-downed plane had fallen behind enemy lines.

A defiant Iran showed no sign of backing down, striking economic and infrastructure targets in neighboring Gulf Arab countries and challenging the U.S. account of the rescue.

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In a social media post, Trump promised strikes on Irans power plants and bridges. He vowed the crazy bastards would be living in Hell if the strait, a crucial waterway for global trade, isnt opened to marine traffic by Tuesday. He ended with Praise be to Allah.

Trump has issued such deadlines before but extended them when mediators have claimed progress toward ending the war, which has killed thousands, shaken global markets, cut off key shipping routes and spiked fuel prices in just over five weeks.

Both sides have threatened and hit civilian targets like oil fields and desalination plants critical for drinking water, bringing warnings of possible war crimes.

U.S. describes a dramatic rescue

The rescue of the U.S. airman followed an intense search after Fridays crash of the F-15E Strike Eagle, while Iran had promised a reward for anyone who turned in an enemy pilot.

Trump said that the service member was seriously wounded and really brave and rescued from deep inside the mountains in Iran.

Trump said a second crew member was rescued in broad daylight within hours of the crash. The fighter jet was the first known American aircraft to crash in Iranian territory since the U.S. and Israel launched the war with strikes on Iran on Feb. 28.

Iran also shot down another U.S. military plane, demonstrating both the perils of the bombing campaign and the ability of Irans degraded military to hit back. The other plane was a U.S. A-10 attack aircraft. Neither the status of the crew nor where it crashed is known.

On Sunday, Irans state television aired a video showing what it claimed were parts of U.S. aircraft shot down by Iranian forces, along with a photo of thick, black smoke rising. The broadcaster said that Iran had shot down a transport plane and two helicopters that were part of the rescue operation.

However, a regional intelligence official briefed on the mission told the Associated Press that the U.S. military blew up two transport planes because of a technical malfunction and brought in additional aircraft to complete the rescue. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the covert mission.

Irans military joint command on Sunday said that four U.S. aircraft were destroyed during the operation, and warned of stepping up retaliatory attacks on regional oil and civilian infrastructure if the U.S. and Israel attack such targets in the Islamic Republic, according to state television.

We once again repeat: if you commit aggression again and strike civilian facilities, our responses will be more forceful, a spokesman said in comments published by the IRNA news agency.

Diplomatic efforts continue

Trumps deadline of 9 p.m. Philadelphia time Monday centers on growing alarm over Irans grip on the Strait of Hormuz.

The waterway is a critical choke point for commercial trade, especially oil and gas moving from the Persian Gulf to Europe and Asia, and is key to the delivery of humanitarian supplies. Disruptions have shaken markets and pushed oil and gas-importing countries to seek alternatives.

Gen. Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi with Irans joint military command late Saturday responded to Trumps warnings by threatening all infrastructure used by the U.S. military in the region.

Diplomatic efforts continued, seeking to calm the situation.

Omans Foreign Ministry said that deputy foreign ministers and experts from Iran and Oman met to discuss a number of visions and proposals to ensure smooth transit through the strait. Oman has often served as a mediator between the U.S. and Iran in the past.

Egypt said that Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty had spoken by phone with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, as well as with Turkish and Pakistani counterparts who are helping to mediate.

Pakistans Foreign Ministry said it had conveyed to Araghchi that Islamabad supports all efforts aimed at de-escalation. Last week, Islamabad said that it would soon host talks between the U.S. and Iran.

A proposed compromise includes a cessation of hostilities to allow a diplomatic settlement, according to a regional official involved in the efforts and a Gulf diplomat briefed on the matter. The official spoke earlier on condition of anonymity to discuss closed-door diplomacy.

An escalation, however, could see Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen resuming attacks on vessels in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key waterway for global traffic to and from the Suez Canal.

Iran attacks Gulf infrastructure and economic targets

In Kuwait, Iranian drone attacks caused significant damage to power plants and a petrochemical plant. They also put a water desalination station out of service, according to the Ministry of Electricity. It said that no injuries were reported.

In Bahrain, a drone attack caused a fire at one of the national oil companys storage facilities and a state-run petrochemical plant, the kingdoms official news agency said.

In the United Arab Emirates, authorities responded to fires at a petrochemical plant in Ruwais that they said were caused by intercepted debris, halting operations.

The strikes came a day after Israel struck a major petrochemical plant in Iran that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said generated revenue used to fund the war.

The petrochemical industry is a key sector in many Gulf states, converting oil and gas into products like plastics and fertilizer and bringing billions of dollars in export revenue.

Meanwhile, more than 1,900 people have been killed in Iran since the war began.

In Gulf Arab states and the occupied West Bank, more than two dozen people have died, while 19 have been reported dead in Israel and 13 U.S. service members have been killed. In Lebanon, more than 1,400 people have been killed and more than 1 million people have been displaced. Ten Israeli soldiers have died there.
China's domestic service sector embraces robots, AI

Xinhua) 15:19, April 05, 2026

When a newborn stirred in the night, a sensor clipped to the edge of the diaper quietly went to work, "sniffing", sensing and logging data.

Within minutes, the caregiver's wristband buzzed and received the latest information about the baby, including the need to change the diaper and attend to the infant's upset stomach.

This gadget, jointly developed by a domestic service company in Anhui province and an artificial intelligence firm, combines humidity detection with highly sensitive odor sensors.

"It tracks infants' digestive patterns and uploads the data to a digital platform, where it is paired with feeding records kept by caregivers," said Ding Xiaomei, president of the Anhui-based Wansao, the domestic service company. "The result is a personalized health profile that helps nannies and parents monitor babies more precisely."

The company hopes the technology will eventually serve another demographic: frail, elderly people who require constant care.

Such experiments illustrate the growing use of AI in the vast but traditionally labor-intensive domestic service industry.

In China, where the domestic service sector already employed more than 30 million people and generated a market value of over 1.2 trillion yuan ($174 billion) in 2024, the arrival of algorithms is expected to reshape how households find help and how such help is delivered.

"Drawing on years of industry data, we have begun building digital platforms powered by large language models and private knowledge bases," Ding told Xinhua. "Besides answering questions for families and caregivers alike, they can also generate detailed digital profiles of domestic workers, allowing platforms to match clients with suitable candidates from databases containing tens of thousands of service providers."

Robots are entering the scene as well. In nursing homes and private households across several Chinese cities, a companion robot known as Xiaoli monitors blood pressure and oxygen levels, alerts relatives when unusual situations are detected, and offers conversation to lonely residents.

"Focusing on seniors' needs for safety, health monitoring and companionship, we have developed two versions of the robot, one for eldercare institutions and another for home-based care, and will continue to upgrade its service capabilities," said Li Yang of Beijing-based Seelink Technology Co, Xiaoli's developer.

This trend in the tech-powered domestic service industry is being nudged by increasing demand and policy support.

Demographics are reshaping demand in China. By the end of 2024, China had more than 310 million people aged 60 or above, roughly 22 percent of the population. As households grow smaller, the need for childcare and eldercare services has surged.

China's eldercare robot market exceeded 30 billion yuan in 2024 and was expected to reach 50 billion yuan in 2025, according to a report released by Zero Power Intelligence Group, an industry research company in China.

"Only a handful of companies were developing intelligent companion robots for eldercare a few years ago," said Li. "Now the number of entrants is rising rapidly, and the industry is becoming increasingly vibrant."

Policy support is another propeller. The government encourages digital transformation of the domestic service sector, promoting the use of big data, AI and robotics to improve efficiency and expand service offerings.

In April 2025, China's Ministry of Commerce, together with eight other government departments, issued a policy document to support the upgrading of household service consumption.

The departments called for accelerating the digital transformation of the sector as well as leveraging emerging technologies to expand application scenarios in household service.

Yet, the promise of an AI-powered household still collides with practical limits, industry insiders have noted. Robots remain expensive.

Also, many machines perform only simple tasks, while complex household environments require far more sophisticated perception and dexterity. Data is another sticking point. Domestic work involves highly sensitive personal information, and the lack of unified industry standards complicates the sharing and processing of such data.

"But its trajectory is clear and controllable," said Yang. "Machines will likely evolve from specialized assistants in commercial settings into reliable household companions."

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
KABUL, April 5 (Xinhua) -- The first Afghanistan-Central Asia consultative meeting opened in Kabul on Sunday, hosted by Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, bringing together senior diplomats from the five Central Asian nations to discuss political, economic, and security cooperation.

High-ranking delegates from Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan joined Afghan officials for talks expected to cover political, economic and security issues, as well as ways to boost trade, transit connectivity and broader cooperation, deputy spokesman for the foreign ministry Hafiz Zia Ahmad posted on his X account.

"The pragmatic, opportunity-oriented and cooperation-focused approach of the Central Asian countries toward Afghanistan, emphasizing political engagement and economic and transit cooperation, represents a successful model of mutual trust and collaboration at the regional level," Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi said during the meeting.

Muttaqi added that the foreign policy of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is grounded in the principles of balance and economic centrality, with a strong emphasis on Islamic brotherhood, good neighborliness, mutual respect and cooperation. He said the Central Asian states occupy a special place in that policy.

The meeting marks a significant diplomatic engagement for the Afghan government, which has sought to deepen economic ties with Central Asia amid ongoing international isolation on political recognition. 
Mike Dettra, 43, of Newtown, Bucks County, fill his tank at an Exxon station Thursday. It stinks, Dettra said. It makes it hard to do your daily activities. Read more

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John Heim stared quizzically at the gas pump as the price display whirred too quickly for him to register.

So fast, he said quietly, as he pumped gas at $3.99 a gallon into his Honda Civic at a Sunoco station in Warminster. So expensive.

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When he finished his $40 fuel-up, Heim, 42, an out-of-work carpenter, was struck by a thought: Didnt we take over Venezuela? Wouldnt their oil make gas cheaper?

But Heim, who did not disclose his party affiliation, was focused on the wrong part of the map, forgetting the impact of President Donald Trumps decision to start a war with Iran and how the military choke point at the Strait of Hormuz is blocking ships carrying as much as 20% of the worlds oil, which has sent gas prices skyrocketing.

Those prices are vexing Heim and others in Bucks County, a key political battleground where voters narrowly went for President Donald Trump in 2024  the first time a Republican won the county in the presidential race since the 1980s.

Several Bucks drivers were lamenting the war and blaming Trump for costing them at the pump.

If the situation does not improve before November, it could have an impact in a key congressional race in the purple county as Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick looks to defend the last GOP-held House seat in the Philly suburbs. Democrats plan to capitalize on the affordability issue in key races around the state.

Fitzpatricks campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

In conversations at whirring gas pumps throughout the county over the last week, motorists voiced fear and frustration.

I am really P.O.-ed, said Carolyn Barkley, 66, at a Sunoco station in Warrington where gas was $4.19 a gallon, a price that seemed to be close to the norm at numerous Bucks County stations. Trump started a war without asking Congress, making gas prices jump up, said Barkley, a retired postal worker and Democrat who drives a bright red Ram truck.

Its ridiculous. And now this is affecting food, she said, referring to the farm fertilizer also blocked at the strait. I dont work. I cant keep up with all this. And Trump said gas prices will plummet. Is he lying, or an idiot, or what?

In a speech Wednesday, Trump  who ran in 2024 on alleviating Americans economic woes said: Gas will rapidly come back down.

In Doylestown, several people were pulling in for gas at a strikingly designed Wawa station that features a clock tower and decorative panels of animals in pillars near the pumps.

As Miley Cyrus Party in the U.S.A. blared through station speakers, Scott Nash looked troubled.

Gas is really getting above my means, said Nash, 31, a chemical operator and Democrat who logs a lot of miles on his Toyota SUV.

Not three months ago, I had an extra $150 a month in my pocket thats now gone to gas, he said. These are the consequences of war. We fight to help Israel, not us. This is the stuff I dont get. Trump could be a better leader and not pursue war.

Thats the wrong way to look at things, according to Joe Brennan, who was filling his thirsty Mercedes-Benz in a corner of the station. The president is doing well and we all could use a little patience, said Brennan, a Republican.

It would have been easy for the president to kick the can down the road like previous presidents did, and not take on Iran and the terrorists there, he said. Thats like when the world allowed Hitler and Stalin to gather power, while doing nothing.

But Trump is thwarting them.

During his first presidency, Trump scuttled an international agreement brokered by former President Barack Obama that was intended to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons in exchange for sanctions relief.

The countrys nuclear program was one of the reasons Trump and Israeli leaders cited for the decision to launch strikes on Iran in late February.

Trump has Brennans support, 100%.

Higher gas prices have no effect, he said. Its a short-term bump. This war will be over in a month.

Pumping gas about 60 feet from Brennan, Rick McGarry, a Democrat, filled the tank of his Nissan Rogue with the same fuel, but offered a few differing views about Trump.

Real bombs arent hitting like in Iran, but there are some bombshells were dealing with, said McGarry, 61, the owner of the Bucks County Running Shop in Doylestown. The consequences of Trumps ill-conceived actions will hurt everybody.

McGarry also criticized what he said was Trumps inability to articulate a reason for the war. Messages change every day. Hes hard to follow, hard to fathom.

Worried for his employees, McGarry sees a volatile stock market and the possibility that the war could evaporate personal capital, making it difficult to pay salaries.

Its hard, he said. Theres just so much uncertainty.

Back in Warminster, James Gladden, 50, stood beside his eight-passenger Infiniti QX 80, the kind of vehicle that can carry a small reservoir of gasoline. Gladden is a professional support person and driver.

This gas is killing me, he said, loud enough to startle another tank filler at a Wawa pump. Lunch is going to be peanut butter and jelly from here on out.

Gladden, a Democrat, said he hears people place the blame for the pricey gas on Iran for bottlenecking the Strait of Hormuz.

But, no, Gladden concluded, its Trump. Does he want to kill us or what? I say that because I believe this: The average American wont survive this.
the families and dog-walkers in Fitzgerald's Park may have been a bit puzzled at the short queue that formed by the bandstand in the early afternoon on Easter Sunday, 1991. They probably wouldn't have guessed that the tracksuit-clad youths were buying ecstasy. Word had spread among some of the city's dance music aficionados that E's would be available in the park, and they jumped at the chance to 'get sorted' for their night's dancing. The particular pills on offer were nicknamed 'Brown Biscuits' because of their colour.



They were 20 each, which was the standard price back then, recalls one of the lads who was in the park at the time. It was a lot of money, but they were considered good E's. We wouldn't drink much anyway, as all we wanted to do was dance for the night. And the Biscuits were strong so we wouldn't do more than a half at a time.



It's impossible to say how many other people who went to Sir Henrys that day were taking ecstasy. Some attendees probably stuck to their Bulmers or Ritz, or may even have been totally sober, but others were certainly under the influence of a drug that had already become strongly associated with the dance scene.



Ecstasy had been hitting the headlines in the UK papers for a couple of years as a moral panic spread about the rave scene, but it seems to have been the latter half of 1990 that it began to become widely available in Cork.



Whatever about the handful of early adopters who were using the drug at the start of the decade, by the mid-1990s, it would become a lucrative business for dealers. The chirpy raver knocking out a few E's to pay for his own night was now one step in the ladder away from a more serious criminal element.



Cork had escaped the heroin epidemic that had scourged Dublin  rumour suggested that one of the reasons was that some of the main dealers were very anti-heroin. However, those dealers were happy to make the most of an eager market for ecstasy brought in from Holland or the UK. Inevitably, trouble would follow. By 1995, Cork had its first gangland killing, and several tragedies occurred through ecstasy smuggling or usage, including one death in Sir Henrys.



For the club itself, these new developments added a layer of difficulty to its main focus of running gigs and various club nights (from dance music to indie). Like other venues in the city, Sir Henrys introduced extra security and barred known dealers. As mentioned, many of the club's regulars never bothered with illegal substances, with the quality music and sociable good times being paramount. But stopping those who did want to bring a tiny pill into a club proved an impossible task.

This piece was originally published in 2021
Magical Maldives

It may have changed hands since my visit, but having stayed in this remarkable location, close to the equator, I can confirm the absolute beauty and remoteness of this luxury outpost. The newly launched Halcyon Maldives is a secluded sanctuary across two untouched private islands in the Gaafu Alifu Atoll. Marking Autograph Collections debut in the Maldives, it offers pure escapism away from flight paths, light pollution or shipping lanes. Immersive and relaxing, enjoy guided snorkelling with a marine biologist, coral planting, sunset fishing, bespoke dining and its Five Island Experience, taking guests on a guided journey across the Huvadhoo Atoll, with visits to a historic site, for tea in a Maldivian home and a sunset dolphin cruise. B&B 763 per room per night including private pools and butler service.

Hop over to hip Bristol

Mad Swans, Bristol: The citys Upfest, Europes largest live street art festival, takes place May 15-31.

Two new reasons to explore Bristol this year. With a short direct flight from Cork, the cool citys Upfest, Europes largest live street art festival, takes place May 15-31. With large-scale murals, live painting, workshops and events, up to 100 new artworks will transform Bristol, the only UK city named in Lonely Planets Best in Travel 2026. And if you want to stay somewhere cool, turn your GPS towards Mad Swans in The Mendips. The new countryside hangout offers stylish eco-cabins, two restaurants, 12-hole golf, padel and pickleball, a driving range and more. A hip holiday spot just 80-minutes from Cork.

Direct delights from Cork

New routes from Cork to Inverness open up the Scottish Highlands year-round.

Aer Lingus is rolling out seven new summer routes, including two from Cork. Fly direct from Cork to Nice on the French Riviera or Santiago de Compostela, on the legendary camino pilgrim trail. Nice flights will operate twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, from May 2, with Santiago de Compostela flights departing Cork on Mondays and Thursdays, from June 1, and on Wednesdays and Saturdays in October 2026. Dublin fliers will also find new summer routes to Asturias in northern Spain, Oslo in Norway, Montpellier in the South of France, Tours in the Loire Valley, and direct flights to Inverness, opening up the Scottish Highlands year-round.

Pause for thought

The Killarney Royal Townhouse sits in the middle of Killarney town, just minutes from Killarney National Park

How lovely are the rooms at the newly refurbished Killarney Royal Townhouse in county Kerry. Part of Scally Hotel Collection, the townhouse sits in the middle of Killarney town, just minutes from Killarney National Park, the Unesco Biosphere Reserve with its majestic lakes, forest trails and mountain views. The hotels Natural Pause Package, created to help you slow down, includes a two-night stay and guided walk through Killarney National Park with a local expert. Back at the townhouse, relax in the calming bedrooms or dine at Fig, a new casual dining space. B&B from 285 per room.

Hotel-hopping fun

South Tyrol Austria: Through Dolce Vita Hotels signature hotel-hopping concept, when guests book one hotel, you benefit from the facilities and services of all four, free of charge.

A spa designed for families? Tell us more! Owned by the Perathoner family, the four-star spa hotel, in Austria, is part of the Dolce Vita Hotels collection in the lesser-known regions of South Tyrol. Feldhofs spa facilities are thoughtfully adapted for younger guests, with lower-temperature saunas and steam rooms, a Young Spa menu offering children their first introduction to wellness and a 280m adventure playroom, outdoor water slides and a large fun park, as well as supervised childrens and youth programmes. Through Dolce Vita Hotels signature hotel-hopping concept, when guests book one hotel, you benefit from the facilities and services of all four, free of charge. That means access to 41 pools, 35 saunas, 31 relaxation rooms and 5 SkySpas, and dining in a different restaurant every night. From 177 pp, includes breakfast, afternoon buffet and dinner.
There was a significant increase in the number of wildfires and burnt areas of land in Ireland last year as new figures show 2025 was the EUs most destructive wildfire season on record.

More than 5,000 hectares (ha) of land were burnt by wildfires in the Republic during 2025 after a comparatively low level of incidents the previous year.

A report by the European Commissions Joint Research Centre (JRC) shows 99 separate fires were recorded in Ireland last year, compared to 10 in 2024.

Last years wildfires in the Republic covered an area of 5,013ha, mostly on natural open spaces with sparse vegetation  up from 200 ha the previous year.

Almost a third of the land affected by wildfires in Ireland last year was on Natura2000 sites  protected ecological areas.

The 1,657ha located within protected EU habitats in 2025 represent 0.14% of protected sites in the country.

Records show the largest number of fires, as well as related damage, occurred in April, with the majority of wildfires occurring between March and May.

More than 4,000ha were burnt by 30 large wildfires that individually covered an area of at least 30ha.

It was the highest annual number of large wildfires in the past 15 years and the largest area of damage caused by large wildfires since 2017.

The JRC report said overall wildfire statistics in Ireland last year were in line with the average of recent years.

Large wildfires were recorded during 2025 in Wicklow, Wexford, Roscommon, Dublin, Kerry, and Donegal.

Vigilance urged at start of wildfire high-risk period

Last week, Coillte, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), and fire services issued an appeal for people to be extra careful and vigilant at the start of the high-risk period for wildfires.

Coillte  the State-owned commercial forestry company  said it had recorded more than 300 fires on its lands over the past five years, which had resulted in more than 2,500ha of land being damaged.

At this time of the year, particularly in the uplands and in woodlands, the vegetation can be very dry, and it only takes one or two days of consecutive dry weather for that vegetation to fully dry out and become very flammable, said a Coillte spokesperson.

Our wonderful habitats, our peatlands, and our forests that take decades or centuries to grow can be wiped out overnight from one careless campfire."

The NPWS confirmed it is operating helicopter surveillance flights again this year to spot wildfires as soon as possible.

Under the Wildlife Act, it is illegal to burn lands between March 1 and August 31.

The JRC said a record number of wildfires broke out across the EU last year, with over 1.07m ha  equivalent to approximately the area of Cyprus  ravaged by fire across several member states.

Level of burnt area across EU in 2025 up 20% on previous year

The JRC said the level of burnt area was up 20% on the previous year and almost 2.5 times more than 2023.

It noted the most affected country last year was Ukraine, with over 9,000 wildfires accounting for around 30% of all damage mapped across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

The intensity of wildfires across Europe peaked in August, with very large fires spread across several Mediterranean countries.

A prolonged heatwave in the first three weeks of August triggered 22 very large fires in Portugal and Spain almost simultaneously.

Only two EU countries recorded no incidents of wildfires last year  Luxembourg and Malta.

The JRC said the level of area burnt by wildfires last year was nearly double the annual average over the previous two decades.

Approximately 39% of the area damaged by wildfires in the EU in 2025 was protected EU habitats.
Tributes are being paid to the late hospital reform campaigner James Johnston, whose daughter Aoife Johnston died aged just 16 in University Hospital Limerick (UHL).

Mr Johnston died on Friday morning after being ill with cancer, his family said. They said he is pain-free now after his illness and back with his baby Aoife.

He is mourned by his wife Carol, their daughters Meagan and Kate, and the extended family.

Mr Johnston and his family had publicly campaigned for reform and change at UHL in the wake of Aoifes death in December 2022.

She died from meningitis, two days after being admitted with symptoms of sepsis.

Mr Johnston told her about how he had tried to get her help in the overcrowded emergency department, but to no avail.

A report into the circumstances of her death by former chief justice Frank Clarke fed into a decision by health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to fund a new hospital for Limerick and the surrounding counties.

The family shared the sad news about Mr Johnston with the patient advocacy group Midwest Hospital Campaign on Friday afternoon.

The campaign's Marie McMahon said that although it was known Mr Johnston had been ill for some time, it was still a horrible shock to hear.

It still hurts a lot, and our hearts go out to them really, she said.

Hard fight to get justice for Aoife

They fought so hard to get justice for Aoife, and now theyre dealing with another tragedy within a matter of years.

It must be heartbreaking for them, she said.

They did great work and fought so hard to get justice. He did that, he was part of that as well, she said.

Ms McMahon said everyone involved in the campaign is thinking of Carol, Meagan, and Kate Johnston and their family on the sad loss of their father James.

He is reunited with his beloved daughter Aoife, she said.

Tributes are being paid to Mr Johnston online, with many people sharing similar sentiments.
Gardai have submitted an investigation file into the death of a newborn baby boy in Co Kerry in 1984 to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP.)

The infant was discovered on the beach at White Strand, Caherciveen on April 14 1984 with 28 stab wounds.

He was named as Baby John by the local undertaker at the time.

25-year-old Joanne Hayes from Abbeydorney was arrested in connection with the death.

She and her family were accused of concealing the birth of a child.

Ms Hayes came under suspicion as she had been admitted as a patient at Tralee General Hospital on the day Baby John's body was found.

She had recently been pregnant but because there was no sign of her baby, leading detectives to wrongly believe she was Baby John's mother.

Following statements made by her in Garda custody, she was charged with the murder of the Caherciveen baby.

The charge was later dropped after the baby she had given birth to had been found on the farm at the spot she had previously pinpointed.

She would receive a state apology in 2018 by then-Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

The parents and murderer of Baby John were never identified.

In a statement issued on Sunday, gardai said its Kerry division have completed what they say was an extensive investigation into the discovery of Baby Johns body.

A spokesperson said: An Garda Siochana can confirm that an investigation file has been submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

An Garda Siochana has no further comment at this time.
A US service member who has been missing since Iran shot down a fighter jet has been rescued, Donald Trump said.

In a post on Truth Social, the US president said the service member is injured but will be just fine and that the US had been monitoring his location.

It comes after a frantic search-and-rescue operation. The crew member has been missing since Friday, when Iran downed a US F-15E Strike Eagle. A second crew member was rescued earlier.

The war began with joint US-Israel strikes on February 28 and has killed thousands, shaken global markets, cut off key shipping routes and spiked fuel prices.

Both sides have threatened and hit civilian targets, bringing warnings of possible war crimes.

Donald Trump said the service member is injured but will be just fine (Alex Brandon, Pool/AP)

The fighter jet was the first US aircraft to have crashed in Iranian territory since the conflict in late February.

Mr Trump said last week that the US had decimated Iran and would finish the war very fast.

Two days later, Iran shot down two US military planes, showing the ongoing perils of the bombing campaign and the ability of a degraded Iranian military to continue to hit back.

The other jet to go down was a US A-10 attack aircraft. Neither the status of the crew nor exactly where it crashed was immediately known.

A frantic US search-and-rescue operation unfolded after the crash of the F-15E jet on Friday, focusing on a mountainous region in Irans southwestern province of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad.

Iran also promised a reward for anyone who turned in the enemy pilot.

Irans joint military command on Saturday said that it also struck two US Black Hawk helicopters on Friday, but The Associated Press could not independently verify that.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that a prolonged US-Israeli war on Iran could further erode Americas support for Ukraine as Washingtons global priorities shift.

Ukraine desperately needs more US-made Patriot air defence missile systems to help it counter Russias daily barrages, Mr Zelenskyy said, speaking to the Associated Press in an exclusive interview.

Russias relentless pounding of urban areas behind the front line after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago has killed thousands of civilians.

It has also targeted Ukraines energy supply to disrupt industrial production of Ukraines newly developed drones and missiles, while also denying civilians heat and running water in winter.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky (Khalil Hamra/AP)

We have to recognise that we are not the priority for today, Mr Zelensky said. Thats why I am afraid a long (Iran) war will give us less support.

The latest US-brokered talks between envoys from Moscow and Kyiv ended in February with no sign of a breakthrough. Mr Zelensky, who has accused Russia of trying to drag out negotiations while it presses on with its invasion, said Ukraine remains in contact with US negotiators about a potential deal to end the war and has continued to press for stronger security guarantees.

But even those discussions reflect a broader loss of focus from Ukraine, he said.

His most immediate concern is the Patriots  essential for intercepting Russian ballistic missiles  as Ukraine still lacks an effective alternative.

The US systems were never delivered in sufficient quantities to begin with, Mr Zelensky said, and if the Iran war does not end soon, the package  which is not very big for us  I think will be smaller and smaller day by day.

Thats why, of course, we are afraid, he added.

Mr Zelensky had been counting on European partners to help make the Patriot purchases despite tight supply and limited US production capacity.

But the Iran war, now in its sixth week, has sent shockwaves through the global economy and pulled in much of the wider Middle East region, further straining already limited resources, diverting stockpiles and leaving Ukrainian cities more exposed to ballistic strikes.

For Kyiv, a key objective is to weaken Moscows economy and make the war prohibitively costly. Surging oil prices driven by Irans closure of the Strait of Hormuz are undermining that strategy by boosting the Kremlins oil revenues.

Volodymyr Zelensky met Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday (Turkish Presidency/AP)

In his interview with the AP, Mr Zelensky said Russia draws economic benefits from the Middle East war, citing the limited easing of American sanctions on Russian oil.

Russia gets additional money because of this, so yes, they have benefits, he said.

To keep Ukraine on the international agenda, Mr Zelensky has offered to share Ukraines hard-earned battlefield expertise with the US and allies to develop effective counter-measures against Iranian attacks.

Ukraine has met Russias evolving use of Iranian-made Shahed drones with growing sophistication, technological ingenuity and low cost.

Moscow significantly modified the original Shahed-136, rebranded as the Geran-2, enhancing its ability to evade air defences and be mass produced. Ukraine responded with quick innovation of its own, including low-cost interceptor drones designed to track and destroy incoming drones.

Mr Zelensky said Ukraine is ready to share its experience and technology with Gulf Arab countries targeted by Iran, including interceptor drones and sea drones, which Ukraine produces  more than are used  with funding from the US and its European partners.

In return, these countries could help Ukraine with anti-ballistic missiles, he added.

In late March, as the Iran war escalated, Mr Zelensky visited Gulf Arab states to promote Ukraines experience in countering Iranian-made Shahed drones, leading to new defence co-operation agreements.

He has also positioned Ukraine as a potential partner in safeguarding global trade routes, offering assistance in reopening the Strait of Hormuz by sharing Ukraines experiences securing maritime corridors in the Black Sea.

He was in Istanbul for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a day after the Turkish leader spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Mr Zelensky said they discussed peace talks and a possible meeting of leaders in Istanbul. He also said there could be new defence deals signed between the two countries soon.
ISTANBUL, April 5 (Xinhua) -- As a pivotal bridge for global conservation, the 9th "Heritage Istanbul" fair has become a vibrant platform for Turkiye's cultural heritage sector to seek deeper cooperation with China.

Held between April 1 and 4 at the Yenikapi Eurasia Exhibition and Show Center, the event brought together over 140 local and international companies to explore how shared expertise in restoration, museology, and archaeology can revitalize the ancient bonds of the Silk Road for the modern era.

Turkish heritage experts noted that as Turkiye and China strengthen their ties through bilateral agreements, merging Chinese expertise in museology with Turkish restoration skills is the next frontier for the industry.

The dialogue at the fair reached back to the dawn of civilization. Renowned Turkish archaeologist Nezih Basgelen proposed a bold vision: creating a "Heritage Silk Road" to mirror the ancient economic route with a modern cultural one.

"Turkiye and China represent two of the world's three great 'Neolithic cores,' where unique developments in agriculture, ceramics, and architecture first emerged," Basgelen told Xinhua. "From the earliest travel of rice and millet to the preservation of Silk Road caravanserais, our shared history demands that we act together to protect cultural assets from the threats of modern conflict."

He emphasized that both nations are uniquely positioned to lead global discussions on heritage protection under the UN umbrella.

For Nihat Okten, CEO of Miniature Art, China is both a source of inspiration and a technical partner. Having meticulously crafted 1:25 scale models of Chinese scenic spots such as the Yellow Crane Tower in central China's Wuhan City and the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, Okten sees a natural alignment between Turkish craftsmanship and Chinese technology.

"We have already collaborated with Chinese firms on architectural modeling projects," Okten told Xinhua, highlighting the potential for expanding these ties. "While China has a rich tradition in miniatures, the concept of standardized miniature parks presents a fresh opportunity for bilateral investment as our relations continue to flourish."

Osman Murat Akan, founder of Heritage Projects, underscored that the groundwork for this collaboration has been laid within an international framework. He described the event as a multi-faceted "Heritage Week" featuring over 120 global speakers, while attracting pavilions from Russia and the United Arab Emirates alongside firms from Europe and the United States.

With an eye on the 10th edition of the fair, Akan extended invitations to his Chinese counterparts to join this growing ecosystem. "We have already initiated steps to integrate Chinese expertise in museology and library technologies into our platform. We expect to see a strong presence of Chinese professionals here by 2028, fostering a mutual exchange of 'know-how' that benefits the entire global heritage sector," he said. 
By Ibrahim Al-Marashi, IE University; California State University San Marcos

(The Conversation)  The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has long exerted a strong, often underestimated power in the Middle East. With around 190,000 members, plus an estimated 450,000 reserves in the Basij paramilitary, the largest component of Irans Armed Forces also controls much of the countrys politics, intelligence and economy.

After an Israeli airstrike assassinated the Islamic Republics Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, US President Donald Trump called on the IRGC to lay down its arms in exchange for immunity. IRGC forces refused the offer, and with many more of its leaders killed over the last month, it shows no sign of giving up.

As US ground forces deploy to the Middle East, it is imperative to understand that  despite a month of widespread US-Israeli bombing, damaged infrastructure, internal fractures and decimated leadership  the IRGC will likely resist any invasion of Iranian territory with tenacity. Its history demonstrates why.

From militia to frontline force

The IRGC originally emerged in the 1979 revolution from the ad hoc street militias made up of students loyal to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeinis vision of an Islamic Republic. It was opposed to the factions that sought to create a secular republic after the overthrow of the monarchy, and sought to be a national guard to protect the nascent Islamic revolutionary government.

Also known as the Pasdaran-e Enghelab, Guardians of the Revolution, it soon evolved into a praetorian guard for the countrys supreme leader.

In the forces earliest days it prevented a counter-revolution by the Artesh, the standing military under the Shah. The IRGC also fought street battles with rival revolutionary forces, including secular leftists and rival Islamist militias.

With Iraqs invasion of Iran in 1980, the IRGC emerged as a frontline conventional combat force in tandem with the national military. They repelled Saddam Husseins attack by 1982, though the war continued for another 6 years. Many current IRGC commanders were young soldiers or officers at the time, and experienced firsthand how Iraq deployed chemical weapons against them while the West remained silent.



Mahmoud Badrfar, Iranian soldiers wearing gas masks during the Iran-Iraq War, 1985.Wikimedia Commons<

The IRGC also became a counter-insurgency force when Saddam Hussein supported Iran Kurdish rebels in 1980. It has suppressed various internal ethnic rebellions, ranging from a Kurdish revolt in the northwest that began in the 1980s to a Baloch insurgency in the southeast in the 2000s.

Trumps recent attempts to foment Kurdish revolts will therefore likely meet with profound wrath from IRGC commanders, who have been fighting these ethnic rebel groups for decades.

Lessons from proxies

Through its regional proxies, the IRGC already has extensive experience of protracted wars of attrition against the US and Israel.

In 1982, the IRGC created a foreign expeditionary force, known as the Quds Force. Named after the Arabic for Jerusalem, the Quds supported the creation of Hezbollah in Lebanon in response to Israels invasion in that year to expel the Palestine Liberation Organization.

From that point onward, the IRGC was able to confront Israel via its proxy forces. Over 18 years, Hezbollah used tactics such as suicide car bombs to wear down occupying Israeli forces, who withdrew from southern Lebanon in 2000. The operation was widely seen as a military failure for Israel.

These tactics were repeated after the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, when Quds-backed proxy Shia militias, such as Kataib Hezbollah, targeted the US military deployed there with improvised explosive devices. The US withdrew from Iraq in 2011, desperate to extricate itself from a forever war.

The Quds proxies in Lebanon and Iraq provided lessons that the IRGC will surely seek to replicate in the event of a US invasion.

Many of these tactics were designed to wear down an occupying force, and will not be enough to thwart an immediate, high-intensity ground invasion. But if the US fails to achieve its (currently unclear) goals, it could find itself in yet another prolonged occupation and low-intensity war. If it does, the IRGCs well-honed attrition tactics will be deployed extensively.

Iran, the US and the Axis of Evil

After decades of bilateral tensions, the 9/11 attacks in 2001 forced the US and Iran into a brief alliance against the Taliban in Afghanistan. Irans regime even reached out to the US in late 2001, offering help to fallen pilots who landed on Iranian soil while combating their mutual enemy.

But in January 2002, George W Bush placed Iran alongside Iraq and North Korea in the now-infamous Axis of Evil, making them a target in the US War on Terror. For Iran, this marked a abrupt shift in public perceptions of the US.

The reformist president Mohammad Khatamis efforts at rapprochement ended. Three years later, the regime supported the rise of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a hardliner who, along with the Supreme Leader, invested in both the expansion of the nuclear program and the IRGC. The IRGC has since evolved to assume multiple security functions in the Islamic Republic.

The only subsequent period of detente between the IRGC and the US was when the Quds Force fought against the Islamic State in 2014 in Iraq, in tandem with US air support. This cooperation occurred during the Obama administration, and a year later, the US entered a nuclear deal with Iran, from which Trump withdrew just two years later in 2017.

When IRGC bases were hit by ISIS terrorist strikes in early February 2019, it therefore viewed the attacks as the result of covert US actions. It blamed the US and Israel, in addition to a rise in Balochi and Kurdish subversion.

In the IRGCs narrative, the Trump administrations current war is part of a systemic American effort since the 1980s to attack the IRGC through proxies or economic warfare in order to weaken the Islamic Republic. For them, this is a conflict that has endured since the Iranian Revolution in 1979.

Protecting power

The IRGC has been, without a doubt, weakened by the past month of US-Israeli aerial attacks. But its history demonstrates its pattern of officers who have a sense of a distinct corporate identity, and who will defend their institutional power even if their leadership is killed.



Young Qasem Soleimani aboard Iranian-assembled CJ-5 1/4 ton Jeep Shahbaz during Iran-Iraq War. Public Domain. Via Picryl.

This explains why, after Khameneis death, the IRGC rallied behind his son Mojtaba to keep its power intact. While some Iranians celebrated and others mourned Khameneis death, the IRGC presented a united front in backing his regime. If Irans political system fell apart, the IRGCs in-group status would be lost.

The IRGC has also evolved to operate as a business network. With holdings in the service sector, ranging from media to construction, it controls at least 20% percent of the economy. Given how some IRGC leaders have benefited from corrupt practices in managing these networks, they would fear being held accountable and tried by a new political order, and will not countenance the idea of surrender.

What this network of privilege represents is, ultimately, a deep state. The IRGC is not just an army, but a separate, autonomous and vast military institution, one that has managed to retain its power after Khameneis assassination. If the events of history  and of the conflict thus far  are anything to go by, it will fight to the bitter end rather than capitulate.

Ibrahim Al-Marashi, Adjunct Professor, IE School of Humanities, IE University; California State University San Marcos

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  On Saturday morning the US and / or Israel attacked the Khuzestan Petrochemical Special Economic Zone at Mahshahr and several other petrochemical sites around Ahvaz, a city of 1.3 million (think Dallas, Texas). These facilities manufacture engineering polymers for local Iranian industries, including construction and electronics. While these products obviously could have military uses, they are mainly civilian, and so the strike was another in a long series of war crimes aimed at deindustrializing Iran and reducing it to a fourth world country like Chad.

The deputy governor of Khuzestan Province, Valiollah Hayati said, In this attack, the Fajr 1 and 2, the Rajal, and the Amir Kabir petrochemical companies have been hit.

Khuzestan Province has a population of around 5 million, roughly analogous to Alabama. Its area is 24,700 square miles, roughly that of West Virginia. It is an oil-rich province.



Photo of Ahvaz, Iran, by ariyan Dv on Unsplash

In and of themselves these attacks dont have an international impact. These strikes on civilian infrastructure, however, are met with Iranian attacks on regional oil and gas facilities.

In other words, the bombing of Khuzestan is going to cost you at the pump.

Exhibit A is the Iranian drone attack on the Shuwaikh oil sector complex, including the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation Headquarters, which left it in flames. Previous Iranian strikes at Gulf oil facilities had targeted refineries near the coast. As Irans own petrochemical and gas industries are being attacked by Israel and the US, however, Tehran is widening the reach of its retaliation to the leadership of the Gulf petroleum industry.

On Friday, the Mina Al Ahmadi oil refinery in Kuwait was struck, and set ablaze. Mina Al Ahmedi used to refine 346,000 barrels of petroleum a day, but some of its units had already been forced to close because of Iranian drone attacks in March. The same is true of the Mina Abdullah refinery, with a 454,000 barrel-a-day capacity.

This week Iran also hit Kuwaiti power and desalination plants doing substantial damage. Some 90% of Kuwaits drinking water is from desalinization, and if the strikes on these units continue, the 5 million residents of Kuwait, 70% of them expatriates, may have to leave until repairs can be done. Kuwait is normally the worlds tenth largest oil producer, putting out 2.5 million barrels a day or more. The world used to produce 100 million barrels a day of oil, but the Iran War has probably taken a good 10 million barrels a day off the market. Oil markets are tight because people who drive gasoline cars or diesel trucks or flight in passenger planes dont have many alternatives, and it isnt likely that other producers can ramp up production quickly. So a loss of 10% is going to double the price of gasoline, at least.



Photo of Kuwait City by JC Gellidon on Unsplash

Iran also hit a major gas plant in the United Arab Emirates, though it mainly produced for the domestic markets.

Irans leaders are signaling with these strikes on Arab Gulf oil giants that if President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu come after their power plants and civilian infrastructure, they will put gasoline way up for everyone in the world. And they can do it.

Gasoline prices are set anyway to spike from mid-to-late April, as the last of the petroleum tankers that had filled up before the war deliver their cargoes, and after that must remain empty.
Samira Muhammadi hopes an international investigation can "extinguish" her pain after a Pakistani bombing killed her son and hundreds of other Afghans in the capital Kabul last month.

The March 16 attack hit a drug treatment centre and killed 411 people, according to Afghan officials.

A United Nations source, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said they had verified at least 250 killed, with more still missing.

"There should be investigations on this... Like me, many mothers lost their sons, many women lost their husbands and many sisters lost their brothers," Muhammadi, 43, said at her home, where she scrolled through photos of her eldest son.

Afghanistan and Pakistan have been locked in an escalating conflict over claims from Islamabad that Kabul is harbouring militants responsible for cross-border attacks, which the Taliban government denies.

Pakistan has maintained it struck a military installation and did not respond to AFP questions about a possible probe into the deadly Kabul bombing.

AFP journalists at the scene in the hours after the attack saw dozens of bodies, including some that had been torn apart and burned.

The force of the blast made it difficult to identify some of the victims, the Norwegian Refugee Council, a humanitarian NGO, said shortly after visiting the site.

Muhammadi's 20-year-old son, Aref Khan, had become addicted to methamphetamine while working at a slaughterhouse in Iran alongside his mother.

"His co-workers told him the drug would help him stay awake," she said.

The family returned to Afghanistan a few months ago and tried to build a life in Kabul, with Khan working as a day labourer while Muhammadi found employment as a domestic cleaner.

But Afghan authorities had her son admitted to the "Camp Omid" rehabilitation centre in eastern Kabul to deal with his addiction.

"I sat with him and recorded a video of him, and he was having his food," recounted Muhammadi, who had brought her son supplies just hours before the attack.

"Usually, when there is a war, the military places are targeted or hit, so why did they (Pakistan) hit the hospital?" she said.

- Little chance of prosecutions -

Seventeen international humanitarian NGOs, including War Child UK, condemned the bombing, noting that hospitals must not be attacked.

Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights have called for an independent investigation.

The latter said those responsible should be "held to account in line with international standards".

The Taliban government told AFP that it has given media, diplomats and NGOs access to the site and has "shared the evidence".

Richard Bennett, the UN special rapporteur on Afghanistan, told AFP: "The initial responsibility actually falls on the alleged perpetrator of human rights violations, which is Pakistan."

Kenneth Roth, a visiting professor at Princeton University in the United States, said he "would hope that Pakistan would want to know what went wrong" after "many innocent people died".

States are generally reluctant to question themselves, but "even the Pentagon investigates why it struck and killed so many children in a school in Iran", said Roth, a longtime former Human Rights Watch executive director.

Several victims' relatives said they would have more confidence in an investigation from international institutions.

The UN mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has a mandate to investigate the impact of the conflict on civilians in the country and, therefore, the bombing.

"This process can take some time, especially in mass casualty events such as this one, and is ongoing," the agency told AFP, adding that it relies on sources including witnesses and doctors, as well as examinations of affected sites.

If it was found to be "an intentional or reckless attack on civilians, this attack could clearly lead to criminal charges," Roth told AFP.

While UNAMA does not have the power to press charges, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has jurisdiction over war crimes committed in Afghanistan, and can even pursue nationals from non-member states. But it tends to look at patterns rather than individual incidents.

"So even though there was one very unfortunate alleged crime, I don't think it would prosecute that without a pattern of misconduct," Roth said, referring to the ICC.

No one has been convicted internationally for recent strikes on health facilities in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan or Myanmar.

"The lack of prosecutions encourages these war crimes," said Roth.

In Kabul, Muhammadi remained determined to seek justice despite the uphill struggle.

To "investigate why a 20-year-old, who had been taken to the hospital for treatment, was killed and burnt," she said.

"If we do not ask about this now, we will probably experience the same harm again."
BELGRADE, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Serbian security forces deployed heavily armed units and blocked roads in the north of the country, near the border with Hungary, on Sunday after discovering "explosives of devastating power" planted near a critical gas pipeline connecting Serbia and Hungary.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced the discovery on social media, stating that military and police investigators had found both the explosives and the fuses, and that he had notified Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Serbian state news agency Tanjug reported that 140 members of the military and police are currently engaged in a massive, ongoing search operation in the northern municipality of Kanjiza, near the Hungarian border.

Security forces have established blockades on multiple rural routes, severing roads between three local villages as part of a search for illicit materials deemed dangerous to citizens' lives and vital infrastructure. The extensive sweep is being carried out through a combination of ground operations and aerial coordination, with helicopters actively patrolling the airspace above the area.

Speaking later on Sunday during a visit to the EXPO construction site, Vucic provided further details on the thwarted attack, confirming that forces had discovered "two backpacks and two large packages of explosives with fuses." He stressed that the Serbian Armed Forces had successfully prevented an attack against the country's vital interests.

He added that investigators had uncovered "certain other traces" at the scene, noting that further details will be handled by the military's counterintelligence agency. 
US President Donald Trump launched a foul-mouthed threat to destroy Iran's vital civilian infrastructure Sunday, demanding Tehran buckle to his demands for a deal to reopen the Gulf to shipping and end the Middle East war.

As Christians celebrated Easter, the US leader pivoted back to warnings of air strikes on Iranian power plants and bridges, after celebrating the rescue of a wounded airman whose F-15 jet was brought down inside Iran.

Iran distributed images showing the wreckage of several aircraft, but did not deny that US forces had rescued the officer who had taken cover in a mountainous area while American special forces and Iranian troops raced to find him.

The war, which erupted on February 28 with deadly US-Israeli strikes on Tehran, has engulfed the Middle East and convulsed the global economy.

Iranian missiles have hit Israeli cities and economic infrastructure in the Gulf, sending world energy prices soaring.

Iran has also effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane, a vital route for oil and gas, provoking Trump to demand Sunday in a post on his social media platform: "Open the Fuckin' Strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in Hell."

Later, the president appeared to set the deadline for Iran to comply to "Tuesday, 8:00 PM' -- midnight GMT -- in a laconic follow-up post.

- 'Dangerous game' -

"Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!" he declared, drawing criticism at home for his intemperate language and a rebuke from Tehran, which accused Trump of following orders from Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"Your reckless moves are dragging the United States into a living HELL for every single family, and our whole region is going to burn because you insist on following Netanyahu's commands," Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, posted on social media.

In an English language post, Ghalibaf added: "Make no mistake: You won't gain anything through war crimes. The only real solution is respecting the rights of the Iranian people and ending this dangerous game."

Iran's ally Russia also condemned Trump's threat. According to a Russian readout of Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's latest call with his Iranian counterpart, Moscow hopes that negotiations "would be facilitated by the United States abandoning the language of ultimatums".

Many residents of Tehran seemed indifferent to Trump's declarations.

In a large park in the west of the city on Sunday, young Iranians had a picnic. Nearby, two friends played with a frisbee as techno music blared from a portable speaker.

One man was making the most of a windy day by flying his kite in front of Tehran's iconic Milad Tower landmark.

- Abandoned airport -

US media reported on details of the rescue operation of the US airman, a weapons systems officer. The New York Times said he was equipped with a pistol, a beacon and a secure communications device to coordinate with rescuers.

Two of the aircraft meant to transport him and his rescuers to safety were stuck in a remote base in Iran and had to be destroyed to prevent them from falling into Iranian hands, the New York Times and CBS reported.

US forces then used three other transport planes to carry the airman and his rescuers out of Iran, the reports said.

Iran's military said it had destroyed four US aircraft involved in the operation, which it said had made use of an abandoned airport in southern Isfahan province.

Iranian media reported five people were killed in strikes during the operation.

Footage released by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was presented as showing charred wreckage of an American aircraft scattered across a desert area, with smoke still rising.

Iran has said its forces downed the fighter jet and the crew ejected, while US media reported only that the plane had been shot down. The US administration has not said publicly what caused the plane to come down.

- 'Choose peace' -

Critical infrastructure across the Gulf came under attack from Iran again on Sunday, with damage reported at civilian facilities in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait.

UAE authorities in Sharjah said they were dealing with an "incident" in the key port of Khor Fakkan following an Iranian strike.

UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash warned Iran that its strategy of targeting its Arab neighbours "will actually concretise the American role... It will not reduce it.

"We will also see Israeli influence become more prominent in the Gulf, not less," he added, confirming the UAE was ready to "join any American-led effort, international effort to secure navigation in the Strait of Hormuz".

On another front, Lebanon has increasingly been drawn into the conflict since the Iran-backed Hezbollah group began targeting Israel.

Israel has struck back and pushed its ground forces into southern Lebanon.

The war has cast a pall over Easter Sunday celebrations for Christian minorities in Lebanon and across the region.

In the usually lively alleyways of Jerusalem's Old City, silence reigned on Sunday.

As a security precaution, Israeli authorities restricted access to the Holy Sepulchre, where the faithful commemorate Christ's crucifixion and resurrection.

"It's very hard for all of us because it's our holiday... It's really hard to want to pray but to come here and find nothing. Everything is closed," said Christina Toderas, 44, from Romania.

In his Easter blessing at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV urged "those who have the power to unleash wars" to "choose peace" instead and criticised global indifference to "the deaths of thousands of people".

burs-dc/srm

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY






Saturday, April 4, 2026 - A woman has taken to social media to call out her estranged husband, accusing him of leaving their marriage for a school girl.

The aggrieved woman shared a photo of her husband alongside the young girl, alleging that he abandoned their relationship to be with her.

She went on to label him a notorious womanizer.

In the photo, the man is seen posing romantically with the girl, who appears significantly younger.

The woman further claimed that despite his role as a preacher, her husband has a habit of moving from one woman to another.

Check out her post.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Saturday, April 04, 2026 - Veteran Kenyan rapper Kennedy Ombima, better known as King Kaka, has opened up about the emotional journey that followed his breakup with media personality, Nana Owiti.

In a candid sit-down with Dr. Ofweneke, King Kaka admitted that the split was painful but ultimately transformative.

The unit that I had as a family ni kitu nilikuwa accustomed to, so even the change was hard on me, he shared.

Like everyone else, I have feelings and emotions; I had to go through what I went through, but the ability of me standing up and saying okay juu watu wengi huwa wanakwama kwa that space, he added.

Interestingly, solitude pushed King Kaka to pick up cooking as a new passion.

In one year, I have learned how to cook. Niliingia kwa nyumba niko peke yangu nilianza na tumbukiza juu hauitaji lessons; ugali nilikuwa najua kupika, he narrated with humor, recalling a day he survived on Weetabix and soda before turning to YouTube tutorials.

That lighthearted struggle birthed his YouTube cooking show.

King Kaka explained that he wanted to learn publicly, mistakes and all, so fans could share in his journey.

What began as a playful experiment is now heading into its second season.

In a previous conversation with Slay Queen Senator Karen Nyamu, he emphasized that the pain was behind them and that they now focus on raising their kids with ease and respect.

Ahh machungu, tulishamaliza. Tunacoparent vizuri, hata this weekend niko na watoto. Looking forward. Machungu sisi tulishamaliza. Tuko easy, he said.

The former couple had officially announced their separation on December 17th, 2024, after 13 years together. Their joint statement highlighted mutual respect and commitment to prioritizing their children.

We honestly never thought we would one day write a statement like this, but life happens Over the course of 13 years, we have shared countless memories, built a life together, and, most importantly, raised three incredible children who will always be our top priority, The joint statement read.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
South Kilkenny Historical Society marked the 100th anniversary of the founding of Fianna Fail with a lecture in Mullinavat Parish Hall.

The speaker on the night was Eamon O Cuiv, the grandson of its founder Eamon de Valera and despite describing himself as an unlikely choice for delivering the lecture, the reaction afterwards suggested otherwise.

Mr O Cuiv told the large gathering that as early as 1923, when de Valera published the election manifesto, it was clear that he was moving towards peace following the end of the Civil War, and embarking on a new political journey.

He went on to say that the crunch point came following the Boundary Commission Report, which confirmed the border as being the six counties. De Valera felt sidelined, and in 1926 went to the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis with a motion calling for elected members to be allowed to take their seats in the Dail if the Oath of Allegiance was removed.

However the motion was defeated by 223 to 218. De Valera left Sinn Fein, bringing along many of the major players, and formed Fianna Fail.

SEE ALSO: PICTURES: Huge night of finals action at Kilkenny Tennis Club - Page 1 of 6 - Kilkenny Live

Among the big names he brought with him were Countess Markievicz (who chaired the first meeting held in La Scala on May 16), PJ Rutledge, Sean T OKelly and Sean Lemass.

There were six women on the original Committee of 15 - Countess Markievicz, Margaret Pearse, Kathleen Clarke, Dorothy McArdle, Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington and Linda Kearns. In the first General Election which Fianna Fail participated in, it won 44 of the 153 seats and received 26% of the first preference votes.

However, an unfortunate and wrong event took place when Kevin OHiggins was assassinated on July 10, 1927, on his way to mass. As a result of the assassination, the Government introduced a number of bills including one to abolish the Article 48 of the Constitution.

This put an end to Fianna Fails attempt to remove the Oath of Allegiance. In the second General Election of 1927, the party received 35% support and 57 seats, and embarked on a campaign to set up the party grassroots organisation, with an emphasis on policy dictated by them.

In the 1932 General Election, Fianna Fail won 72 seats, five short of an overall majority and formed a minority government with the support of the Labour Party and James Dillon, who later became leader of Fine Gael.

Mr O Cuiv paid tribute to the outgoing Cumann na nGaedheal government led by William Cosgrave, for the peaceful handover of power, saying that this peaceful transition has served us well.

During the Q&A which followed, Mr O Cuiv commented further on the origins and early years of Fianna Fail and answered questions about events outside the remit of the lecture. He also answered questions and commented on his own time in politics.

TAP HERE FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS
A security force member stands guard at the construction site of the second phase of Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in Bushehr, southern Iran, on Nov. 10, 2019. (Photo by Ahmad Halabisaz/Xinhua)

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran reported earlier that a projectile had hit an area near the Bushehr nuclear power plant, killing one security worker and marking the fourth such attack since the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran began on Feb. 28.

MOSCOW, April 4 (Xinhua) -- Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom has begun the main phase of evacuating staff from the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran, Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev said Saturday.

A total of 198 Rosatom employees are being transported by bus toward the Iranian-Armenian border, Likhachev said.

"We very much hope that within two to three days our colleagues will safely cross nearly the entire territory of Iran and return home to our country," he said.

Likhachev added that the Iranian side is doing a great deal to ensure the safety of the Rosatom staff evacuation route, and cooperation with the Armenian government is proceeding smoothly.

The Russian nuclear specialists will leave the region from Yerevan airport, he said.

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran reported earlier that a projectile had hit an area near the Bushehr nuclear power plant, killing one security worker and marking the fourth such attack since the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran began on Feb. 28.

The Bushehr nuclear power plant, located about 17 km southeast of the city of Bushehr and under the cooperation with Russia, began supplying electricity in September 2011. In November 2014, Iran and Russia signed a cooperation agreement to add two reactors to the plant. 
Senator Patricia Stephenson has this week called for the upcoming inquiry into childrens spinal surgeries and the gaps in Spina Bifida and Scoliosis care in Ireland to be full and comprehensive.

The Kilkenny based senator stressed that it must deliver real answers for families and not repeat the mistakes of past reviews.

This inquiry is to examine the failures by CHI [Childrens Hospital Ireland] to care for children with spinal conditions. It follows serious concerns about waiting list irregularities and the use of implantation springs in children, Senator Stephenson said.

Serious mistakes were made in the care of children by CHI. We need clear answers, we need to know who knew what, when decisions were made and why action was not taken sooner. Families need to know that this inquiry will deliver real change.

Senator Stephenson said that while the inquiry is welcome it must be done properly and the voices of the children and their families must be at the heart of it.Families have been waiting far too long for answers.

READ NEXT: Always been a bit of a mystery - Discovery of lost medieval Kilkenny village may be within reach - Kilkenny Live

We cannot have another inquiry that drags on for years without delivering clarity, accountability or change. The inquiry must also include those young people who have aged out of childrens services, without the treatment they needed.

Tragically earlier this month, Chloe Maher, who was only 23, died after her treatment was delayed and she aged out of childrens services. This isnt the first review into controversies at CHI around spinal surgeries, she added.

Senator Stephenson continued that waiting list management needs clarity; an audit was promised in November, then February and now its been promised in April. These delays are furthering distrust in the system.

Families need to know if CHI is withholding information and ultimately what the Minister for Health is going to do.

Senator Stephenson concluded, we have seen too many inquiries take years, cost millions and still leave families without real answers. This must be different - it must be timely, transparent and focused on outcomes.

TAP HERE FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS

Article funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
The Herald reports:

A New Zealand-born man who served with the US Marine Corps for seven years but is now facing deportation says his only hope of a reprieve lies with either Congress or President Donald Trump stepping in. Paul Canton was born in Warkworth in 1971 and moved to Australia as a child. He first arrived in the United States at age 17 but overstayed his student exchange visa and instead enlisted in the US Marines on March 29, 1991.

Dont overstay is a good piece of advice. He lived illegally for two to three years before enlisting. He should not have enlisted as he was not a US legal resident.

In 1998, after leaving the Marines, he settled in Florida, where he built a life, raised a family and voted for years believing he was a US citizen.

How could he believe he was a US citizen? Did he think it was a Xmas present? You dont magically become a citizen by overstaying? Did he ever apply for citizenship? So really he voted illegally in scores of elections.

He claims he was told he would become a citizen after serving, but I call bullshit on that as it is against federal law for illegal aliens to enlist.

However, in 2019, he discovered he had never obtained citizenship, and a federal judge recently ruled he was ineligible because the conflict tied to his military service had ended before his active duty began.

Look I think they should have flexibility for cases like this, but I also think you shouldnt overstay.
MOSCOW, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Fire has broken out at Russia's NORSI oil refinery, the country's fourth-largest, following a drone attack.

According to governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region Gleb Nikitin, Russian air defense forces repelled an overnight attack by 30 Ukrainian drones over an industrial zone in the Kstovsky district.

Debris from the downed drones damaged two facilities of Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez (NORSI) oil refinery, triggering fires that were later localized.

The attack also damaged a thermal power plant and several residential buildings.

Preliminary information indicates that no casualties have been reported, Nikitin said. 
This handout picture by an Artemis II crew member provided by NASA shows Christina Koch illuminated by a screen inside the darkened Orion spacecraft as Jeremy Hansen (R) peers out of one of Orion's windows
EASTER 2026 finds itself in the context of a troubling war in the Middle East. The sacred and holy city of Jerusalem has felt the consequences. Christians prohibited from public worship and a palpable sense of tension and unease throughout this war-torn region. Pope Leo, in his Easter message, reminds Christians that we are all called to be agents of peace reconciliation and compassion. Easter is a triumphant season, fuelled with an Amazing Grace, that in a moment in history, God himself triumphed over sin and darkness. Ours is that everlasting victory and with joy Hallelujah is our song.

Easter is a time of hope and new life, an opportunity to begin again in a new way. The Angel said to the wounded followers of Jesus: Why look among the living for the dead. Easter reminds us in a very powerful way that we belong to a place that is so much bigger than whatever situation we may find ourselves in. That place is about gentleness, hope, love and compassion. That sacred place is told through the eyes of faith.

Faith is a necessary and wonderful gift. Faith will carry us up any mountain, no matter how overwhelming the climb may be. Faith brings with it a sense of perspective and a deep confidence that no matter what all will be well. Easter is about new possibilities and opportunities. Easter is rich in gifts and blessings. There is no recession in the Lords love. Where the shadows of conflict, war, sickness and uncertainty prevail, the Easter message, contains a dawn that promises brighter days ahead.

Peace be with you. These were the first words of Jesus to his disciples after the resurrection when he met them behind locked doors on the evening of that first Easter day. He showed them the marks of the crucifixion on his hands and side  the evidence of his suffering  and he said to them: Peace be with you.

In the midst of their fear, sorrow and pain, he wanted them to find peace. Despite all that had happened in previous days, the words and sentiments he offered were words of comfort and love and not anger or hatred.

The words peace be with you represent much more than a simple, customary greeting. They express a deep desire and hope for an end to pain, for calm after the storm, for a time of reconciliation and healing.

This Easter, the world we live in is overshadowed by conflict in so many places  from across the Middle East to much closer to home in the war that has ravaged Ukraine for over four years now. In all those regions, heartfelt cries are heard for an end to the violence that has already caused the deaths of tens of thousands of people, widespread destruction of homes and businesses, as well as the separation and displacement of countless families.

Too many people live in fear of what the future holds in store. Hope is hard to find in the rubble of a bombed hospital or school, or in the tears of those whose loved ones have been killed through acts of violence.

The cross of Calvary continues to cast a long shadow over the world. Yet, the sadness of Good Friday gave way to the joy of Easter morning. The Easter story begins while it was still dark, but it is soon bathed in the light of the resurrection. Love defeats hatred. It overcomes the darkness of despair. Nothing, then, should be permitted to rob us of hope that goodness will triumph over evil. This is Easter Hope: the hope that does not disappoint (Romans 5:5).

We must persevere, therefore, in our prayers and efforts to build lasting peace in the world, always looking to that day when swords will be beaten into ploughshares and spears into pruning hooks.

This Easter, let us renew our determination to live in a world where all life is valued, where mutual respect and understanding are treasured and where peace is a living reality. May the words and actions of all people mirror those of our risen Lord, now and in the days to come: Peace be with you.

The late pope Benedict beautifully described Easter joy: Dear brothers and sisters, Easter does not work magic. Just as the Israelites found the desert awaiting them on the far side of the Red Sea, so the Church, after the resurrection, always finds history filled with joy and hope, grief and anguish. And yet, this history is changed, it is marked by a new and eternal covenant, it is truly open to the future. For this reason, saved by hope, let us continue our pilgrimage, bearing in our hearts the song that is ancient and yet ever new: Let us sing to the Lord: glorious his triumph. a Pope Benedict XVI, 2010.
Sarah Slater

A sister of murdered Kilkenny woman Jo Jo Dullard has said that light should triumph over darkness over Easter and thanked the public for their ongoing support and to those working to find her remains over the past 30 years since she went missing.

Jo Jo Dullard, 21, disappeared from Moone, Co Kildare, at 11:37pm, while hitch-hiking on November 9th, 1995.

The Callan native had missed the last direct bus back to Kilkenny and had been hitching lifts from Naas, Co Kildare, where she managed to get a bus to.

The young woman was using a public phone in Moone when she told a friend Mary Cullinane that a car had stopped and she was going to get a lift. That was the last known sighting of her.

Ms Dullard was the youngest of five siblings. Her father John died before she was born and her mother Nora died in 1983 from cancer.

Since her disappearance, her sister Mary Phelan died in 2018 not knowing what happened to her.

In a post of the official Jo Jo Dullard Missing Facebook page, her sister Kathleen Bergin thanked everyone for their wonderful support, prayers and keeping a candle lighting for Jojo and all our missing loved ones.

Thinking of those we have loved and lost who are spending this Easter in heaven, though they are no longer with us, their memories live on in our hearts forever.

Ms Bergin highlighted that, Easter is a time of hope, new beginnings and the triumph of light over darkness. It acts as a reminder that hope never ends and love never dies.

She again appealed for those who have information, to find the courage to come forward and help Jojo to finish her journey home so she can finally be at peace and laid to rest beside her Mam and Dad.

Last February garda forensic teams investigating Ms Dullards murder and that of Kildare woman Deirdre Jacob in separate incidents in the 1990s.

The excavation site on the Kildare/Wicklow border is part of ongoing searches for the Kilkenny and Kildare women.

The excavation at a quarry at Castleruddery Upper lasted several days with forensic gardai expanding both technological and evidential activity at the scene.

Gardai used a drone over the excavation zone, while gathering detailed aerial photography and mapping specific areas.

Gathered data from both drone use and photography was analysed which helped forensic teams to refine search parameters and particular areas of interest.

Ms Jacob, 18, was last seen outside her home in Newbridge on July 28, 1998, she was a teaching student in the UK who had returned to see her parents during a short trip back to Ireland.

On the day she was last seen, Jacob had walked into Newbridge town to get a bank draft to send to a college friend in London for their rent deposit.

At 2.14pm, she was observed on CCTV walking on Main Street, Newbridge, and shortly after was observed in the AIB bank.

At 2.26pm, Jacob was observed again on CCTV queuing in the Newbridge Post Office and at 2.32pm was seen on CCTV speaking with a friend outside the Post Office on Main Street.

The last-known recording of Jacob on CCTV was recorded at 2.35pm, walking outside the PTSB Bank on Main Street. She was last seen shortly after 3pm on that day.

Extensive amounts of soil were removed at the dig site after credible information was received by gardai that a number of cars were buried there which may bear clues to the disappearance of either of the women.

In October 2020, gardai upgraded the investigation into her disappearance and that of Kildare woman Deirdre Jacob to a murder probe.

A three-week long large scale search almost five years ago of Usk Little on the Kildare/Wicklow - a woodland area was investigated by gardai after fresh information came to light.

For a second time in November and December 2024 a major garda excavation of land near Grangecon in Co Wicklow was searched for three-and-a-half weeks in an effort to locate her body or any evidence to show she may have been there.

Ms Bergin said during the latest search that it was reassuring to hear the Garda Commissioner say in a recent media report, that there is no rush on this search and they have got everything they need to do the work there.

She expressed her and the extended Dullard familys heartfelt thanks.
A teenager appeared in court accused of assaulting a boy with special needs in Laois.

The teenager (18), who has a Laois address, is accused of attempted robbery and assaulting a boy in Laois on September 22, 2023.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the incident occurred at around 11.15am. He said a young man who was attending a special needs school was approached and he grabbed the gent by the arm and tried to hit him.

Sgt Kirby said the injured party freed himself and ran away. He suffered a small bump on the top of his head. He told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court that the boy didnt want to make a victim impact statement.

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client was 16 at the time of the offence and he hasnt come to adverse attention since. She said the boy would have been a very good sportsman but mental health issues prevailed and he doesnt play anymore.

Judge Susan Fay said it is a horrible, horrible offence, hitting a kid with special needs who is a year younger than you.

He didnt have special needs, the teenager replied.

Judge Fay told the teenager that he wasnt a psychologist. She noted he was given a chance to engage with the probation services but hadnt done so.

Ms Fitzpatrick said there had been the lack of a father figure at home as his father would have been in and out of prison. She said the boy left school in third year.

He is the oldest and perhaps had to assume the position of a father figure, she explained.

She said the boy had said he just cant find the headspace to engage with probation services.

Judge Fay said there was a sliver of hope as he had gone to the probation office on March 11. She told the boy that they might be able to help him get mental health support.

Ms Fitzpatrick said the boy was getting help through his GP and was back taking his medication.

Sgt Kirby said he knew the boy a long time and he never had any parental supervision.

It was a very nasty incident. I hope he learns his lesson, he said.

Judge Fay told the teenager that it was a horrible thing to do. It doesnt mean you are a horrible person.

She requested an updated probation report and warned the boy that she would throw the book at him if he didnt engage with probation. She adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on June 22.
An Audi jeep, Audi A3 and motorbike which were stolen by armed thieves who drugged a dog have been recovered by Gardai.

The vehicles were stolen from a family owned business in Portlarlington in the early hours of Saturday morning.

A gang of six masked raiders armed with machetes, hatchets and hammers drugged a Doberman dog before breaking into the property and stealing an Audi Q7 jeep, an Audi A3, a Ford van, a motocross motorbike, a quad and a Gucci handbag. They made off in the direction of Dublin.

The raiders caused extensive damage during the incident at the yard of Fitz Civils Demolition on Bishopswood Road, Portarlington during the incident between 4.30am and 6.25am on the morning of Saturday, April 4.

READ ALSO: Over 100,000 of vehicles stolen by masked armed raiders

Speaking a few hours after the raid on Saturday, Fionn Fitzpatrick said the dog, which had been sedated and knocked out cold, had recovered but was still groggy. He said the incident had been captured on CCTV.

He posted an image of the Audi jeep and car which had been recovered by Gardai.

Thanks to everybody who helped and shared was much appreciated and helped so much to get these back thanks everybody. Huge thanks to the Guards for there(Sic) help An Garda Siochana Laois/Offaly, he wrote in a social media post today.

Laois Offaly Gardai have appealed for information in relation to the incident. They are asking anyone who witnessed anything suspicious or who has CCTV from the area to contact Portlaoise Garda Station on 057 867 4100.
Newly published figures show that hundreds of people around Ireland want to work as prison officers at jails in Laois and elsewhere in the country.

Data from the Department of Justice shows that the most recent Recruit Prison Officer recruitment campaign launched in July 2025 attracted a total of 1,772 applications.

As of March 3, 2026, 512 names have been received from Public Jobs following three rounds of interviews.

In 2025, a total of 304 Recruit Prison Officers were recruited.

The Department also says funding provided to the Irish Prison Service (IPS) in 2026 will allow for the recruitment of up to 100 additional Prison Officers and up to 50 additional staff. It says there will also be a 19% increase in funding to allow for 210,000 additional staff hours in prisons in Portlaoise and elsewhere.

The 2026 Recruit Prison Officer recruitment campaign is provisionally scheduled to open, in conjunction with Public Jobs, in September.

The IPS says the total annual remuneration for a fully trained officer can range from roughly 32,500 to over 61,000 depending on experience, with some reporting higher earnings due to overtime. Additional earnings can be made in various ways.

As of the end of 2024, the IPS reported a total of 3,740.38 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff around Ireland.

READ NEXT: Prison Officers in Laois and elsewhere "bring strength and compassion to a job that often goes unseen"

Prison Officer training is accredited by South East Technological University (SETU) as the Higher Certificate of Arts in Custodial Care and reflects Level 6 of the NQAI framework.

READ NEXT: Murderer returned to prison after being found intoxicated in Portlaoise

South East Technological University (SETU) is a multi-campus university in the south east of Ireland. With a vision to transform the south east into a thriving region, SETU provides a diverse range of third-level courses to students globally, fostering skills, and knowledge for exciting careers.
An exciting flyover will take place over Laois this April, to celebrate the 98th anniversary of the first flight from Europe to the USA, co-piloted by a local man, Col. James Fitzmaurice.

A commemoration event will be held in Fitzmaurice Place, Portlaoise named after the pilot, at 12 noon on Sunday, April 12 in memory of the first East-West Transatlantic Flight.

It will include speeches by members of the Irish Air Corps, the Col. Fitzmaurice Commemorative Society and a student from St Marys CBS Portlaoise, the Laois school that the pilot had attended. Then the thrilling flyover will be done by pilots from the local Limetree Airfield.

The famous Bremen airplane.

While a ceremony is held yearly, but this year the public can find out all about the exciting first flight, as it will be followed by a discussion and question and answers session.

That talk will be held in Kavanaghs Bar on Main Street, starting at 1pm.

Laois Heritage Officer Thomas Carolan will be chatting about the famous flight and the life of Col. James Fitzmaurice, to Brigadier General Rory O'Connor and Retired General Ralph James of the Irish Air Corps.

Also speaking will be Portlaoise historian Teddy Fennelly, of the Colonel Fitzmaurice Commemorative Society.

Laois Heritage Officer Thomas Carolan is hoping for a big turnout.

Every year after the commemoration event, we have great conversations about the flight and Col. Fitzmaurices life, and we thought this is something the public would be interested to hear more about.

"Teddy Fennelly has written the book on Col. James Fitzmaurices life and the Air Corps representatives have a great understanding and appreciation of the technical skill required to complete the flight in 1928, so it will be very interesting and informative he said.

The Bremen Crew - Crew of first East-West Transatlantic Flight: including Laois man Col. James Fitzmaurice of the Irish Air Corps along with German pilot Hermann Kohl and owner Baron Ehrenfried Gunther von Hunefeld.

The first ever East-West transatlantic flight in history was completed on the 12th April 1928.

The crew included Laois man Col. James Fitzmaurice of the Irish Air Corps along with two German aviators (Hermann Kohl and Baron Ehrenfried Gunther von Hunefeld).

Read next: Road to Recovery big donation for Portlaoise hospital care

The flight took off from Baldonnel airport at 06.36 on 12th April and headed west towards New York. The aircraft successfully crossed the Atlantic and landed on Greenly Island, Canada 36.5 hours after take-off.

After their successful landing, the crew appeared on newspapers worldwide and were received with a huge ticker tape parade in New York while Fitzmaurice handed a letter from the Irish President to the US President.
MOSCOW, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed after a drone attack on a dry cargo ship carrying wheat in the Azov Sea, TASS news agency reported Sunday, citing Russian emergency services.

The Volgo-Balt type vessel, with a crew of 11 on board, was located about 300 miles (about 482.8 km) north of Kerch at the time of the attack, the services said.

According to the emergency services, nine crew members were evacuated into a capsule lifeboat that later drifted ashore in the Kherson region.

Earlier, Kherson regional head Vladimir Saldo said nine crew members, all Russian citizens, were found onshore. 
The annual Street Feast will return to Ireland soon, and neighbourhoods across County Kildare are being invited to pull up a chair, share some food and say hello.

Now in its 16th year, the Street Feast weekend has grown into something simple but poignant; a chance for neighbours to come together.

READ NEXT: Three good causes to benefit from Kildare golf club's music bingo fundraiser

The President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly, is also a Patron of Street Feast, and is encouraging households everywhere to get involved.

"As patron, I am delighted to support Street Feast, which brings neighbours together and strengthens communities through the simple act of sharing a meal," President Connolly said.

In addition, this year's Street Feast will see Tesco Ireland step in as its official sponsor for the next three years.

FINDINGS

Last year, an estimated 88,000 people took part in the campaign, and new research from the Street Feast team found:

Participants are twice as likely to know their neighbours well after taking part in a Street Feast

75 per cent of hosts said that their area felt friendlier afterwards

43 per cent met neighbours from different cultures or backgrounds for the first time

One host from County Wicklow, Jeanette D, said about the initiative: "Street Feast is a fab idea, and it's been such a positive thing for our neighbourhood for the last 3 years.

"Street Feast really has helped our estate; while those of us who have young children know each other, and older ones know each other, it's the one event everyone can go to," she added.

Hosting a Street Feast doesnt require much more than a spot to gather and a willingness to bring people together.

READ NEXT: Well-known politician to deliver speech at Easter ceremony in Kildare town

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Anyone who registers at StreetFeast.ie will get a free party pack delivered to their door, stocked with bunting, posters, invitations and a DIY guide.

There is also the option to collect a pack of goodies from Tesco. These will also contain street chalk and simple games to help break the ice.

Street Feast is also made due possible to the support of the Department of Rural and Community Development, as well as a number of local authorities across the country.

Anyone who wishes to register for Street Feast can visit https://streetfeast.ie/.

Street Feast 2026 will take place across Saturday, May 23, 2026 and Sunday, May 24, 2026.

Street Feast, Irelands national weekend of community lunches and gatherings, returns in May of 2026. Photograph credit: Andres Poveda. Photograph supplied by Sustainable PR

READ NEXT: Kildare senator slams sulky racing as absolute cruelty of the highest order
A LIMERICK man has received a prison sentence after he broke into a house on the outskirts of the city while his partner was in hospital giving birth.

Jamie Fitzgerald, aged 35, with an address at South Claughaun Road, Garryowen, Limerick city had pleaded guilty to burglary and attempted burglary under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001.

Before imposing sentence at Limerick Circuit Court, Judge Colin Daly summarised the facts which had been outlined by the prosecution at an earlier sentencing hearing.

READ NEXT: Paranoid drug user jailed over guns and bulletproof vest found in raid at Limerick home

In doing so, he told the court that two separate incidents took place on August 9, 2025. At approximately 2.30pm, gardai received a call from a man living at a residence in Clonlara, Co Clare.

The man told gardai had been alerted to movements outside the house and this was later identified as Mr Fitzgerald. The accused did not gain access to the residence.

Later that day, a woman came home to her residence at the nearby location of Kilmore, also in Co Clare to find it had been burgled.

It was subsequently established that Mr Fitzgerald had gained access through the bathroom window and had stolen jewellery and various other items.

The accused was later identified on CCTV footage after clothing identical to those worn in the footage was found at his residence.

When he was arrested and questioned by gardai, Mr Fitzgerald denied any involvement in the incidents, saying he was with his partner at the time.

However, it was later revealed that his partner was in the maternity hospital having a baby on the day in question. The accused was not present (in the hospital).

In her Victim Impact Statement, the woman whose house was burgled said her security had been affected and disturbed by the incident.

Judge Daly noted the culpability of the accused, saying he had gone out to a rural location with the intention of breaking into the homes and committing crimes.

The court heard that Mr Fitzgerald has a number of convictions for similar offences, both in Ireland and the UK.

READ NEXT: Limerick-founded career firm acquired in multi-million euro deal

In Ireland, he has six previous convictions for burglary, four for attempted burglary, six for theft and seven for the unauthorised taking of a vehicle.

Judge Daly said the fact the burglary occurred at a residential premises made the crime more serious and he noted that jewellery of sentimental value was taken.

In mitigation, he noted the accuseds early guilty plea and its benefit to all involved in the prosecution.

The court heard Mr Fitzgerald left school at an early stage and spent time on the streets. He has a history of substance abuse and has also been diagnosed with ADHD.

He has six children, four of which are with his current partner in Ireland and another two who are living in the UK. His youngest child was born on the day of the offences in August 2025.

Mr Fitzgerald had been in custody since August 16 and is said to be doing well in prison.

After formally convicting the accused, Judge Daly sentenced him to three-and-a-half years imprisonment, with the final six months suspended for a period of three years.

The sentence is backdated to August 2025 and Mr Fitzgerald will be under the supervision of the Probation Service for a year following his release.
A LIMERICK man stole cigarettes worth 3,000 while on bail in relation to a separate burglary, a court has heard.

Mark Mulqueen, aged 56, with an address at Lenihan Avenue, Prospect, Limerick city pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary in relation to two separate incidents that took place in the city.

Dermot Ambrose, aged 43, with an address at Byrne Avenue, Prospect, Limerick city, also pleaded guilty to burglary in relation to one of these incidents.

Prosecuting Barrister John OSullivan BL told Limerick Circuit Court the incident involving both men occurred on May 6, 2024.

On the date in question, the pair entered the staff area of Spar, Punchs Cross without authorisation.

READ ALSO | 'Good news in court six - for a change': Limerick solicitor to be made a judge

The court heard that a staff member saw shadows and when the manager of the shop went to investigate, he saw the two accused at the side door.

The men took a Samsung tablet, valued at 300, which had been left on a trolley in the staff area.

Both men were identified on CCTV footage and were later arrested. The tablet was not recovered.

While on bail in relation to that incident, Mr Mulqueen was involved in another burglary - on September 14, 2024.

On that date, he entered Bobby Byrnes pub and shop on OConnell Avenue without authorisation. Mr Mulqueen gained access to the premises through a side door which was left open.

The court heard he first searched the tills but found there was no cash in them.

He then proceeded into the main part of the shop and stole approximately 3000 worth of cigarettes. None of the cigarettes were recovered.

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When shown CCTV footage of the incident, the accused acknowledged it was him in the video but said he had no recollection of the events.

Barrister Yvonne Quinn BL, representing the accused, said drug addiction has been a big feature of her clients life.

She added that he had no recollection of the events because he was under the influence of street tablets at the time.

In mitigation, she highlighted her clients early plea of guilty and his acceptance of wrongdoing.

Ms Quinn said the accused is working to tackle his drug addiction and appears to be doing well.

Separately, Joseph McMahon BL, representing Mr Ambrose, said his client was willing to offer compensation for the stolen tablet.

He added that his client also has longstanding addiction issues but he is doing better in recent times.

After formally convicting Mr Ambrose, Judge Colin Daly imposed a one year prison sentence.

Mr Mulqueen also received a separate one year sentence for the burglary offence at Spar. He received a further one-and-a half year prison sentence for the burglary incident at Bobby Byrnes.

The sentences are to be served consecutively, meaning Mr Mulqueen will serve a total sentence of two and a half years in prison.
THERE are no words read one message of condolence following the sad passing of James Johnston in Milford Care Centre on Friday.

His daughter, Aoife, died on December 19, 2022 in University Hospital Limerick (UHL). She was 16-years-old.

The Shannon teenager should have gotten potentially life-saving broad spectrum antibiotics within 15 minutes of presenting to the emergency department with suspected sepsis.

These antibiotics were given 15 hours too late. She was lying across two chairs on a makeshift bed, as her parents pleaded for help, before she died from meningitis-related sepsis. A four-day inquest into her death in 2024 returned a verdict of medical misadventure.

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Mr Johnston, and wife Carol, said no other family should have to endure their loss  and the people of the Mid-West now needed action, not words, over healthcare improvements at UHL.

Less than two years later Mr Johnston, of Cronan Lawn, Shannon, passed away peacefully in Milford Care Centre surrounded by his loving family, after an illness bravely borne.

He is predeceased by his daughter Aoife and father Jim.

Deeply missed by his heartbroken family, wife Carol, daughters Meagan and Kate, mother Evelyn, brothers Adrian and Mark, sister Maxine, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family, neighbours and his many friends.

There have been countless tributes paid to Mr Johnston following his passing, including from the Mid West Hospital Campaign who said he was now reunited with his beloved daughter Aoife.

One mourner wrote on rip.ie: Life has dealt you all an unbelievably hard and heartbreaking few years and I am truly sorry for your pain. I sincerely hope you are flying high now with your baby girl by your side, Now youre both at peace.

Many describe Mr Johnston as a true gentleman", a loving son, husband, father and a great friend.

I am so very sorry for your loss. There are no words, read one message of condolence.

Another mourner said: God rest your lovely husband. Bless you and your family. God you have had such a terrible few years. James and Aoife will fly high above you all, and please God you'll have strength to cope. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Mr Johnston will repose in McMahon's funeral home in Shannon this Sunday, April 5 from 4pm to 5.30pm.

Arriving for funeral Mass in SS John and Paul Church Shannon on Monday, April 6 at 2pm followed by burial afterwards in Illaunmanagh Cemetery.

The family have kindly asked for donations to Milford Care Centre in memory of James Johnston. Please click here if you wish to contribute.

May he rest in peace.
NEW research from University of Limerick has revealed the significant challenges that young people with ADHD face as they transition into adulthood.

The study led by researchers from ULs School of Allied Health is the first major review of international research capturing the lived experiences of ADHD youth across 11 countries, including Ireland.

According to the research, the challenges experienced by those with ADHD aged between 15 and 29 are shaped as much by societal expectations and structural barriers as by ADHD itself.

The study revealed the difficulties that ADHD youth face when transitioning between child and adult health services and how they are particularly vulnerable when transitioning to third-level education and employment.

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Young people reported self-doubt, difficulty accessing accommodations, struggling with managing medication, inconsistent healthcare relationships and fragmented adult services.

They also reported dilemmas when disclosing their condition to employers, referring to the stigma which can at times be associated with having ADHD.

Peer support and positive clinician relationships were described as transformative when present.

One young person referenced in the study said: There is a dilemma between keeping ADHD a secret to prevent stigmatisation, and at the same time longing for understanding from peers, colleagues and superiors.

Another described ADHD as being like an octopusit has tentacles into every single aspect of me."

Lead author of the study, Jessie Tierney, who led the review as part of her PhD research at UL, said: In these studies, young people describe ADHD as not just something they have  it is central to who they are.

While many experience significant barriers in education, work and healthcare, they also described creativity, energy, empathy and insight as core strengths.

The real tension arises when societal expectations demand conformity rather than understanding.

Ms Tierney, along with her co-authors, Professor Katie Robinson and Dr Ann-Marie Morrissey from ULs School of Allied Health, recommend targeted interventions to support self-management, social functioning, disclosure decision-making and shared decision-making in clinical care, particularly during key transitions into adult healthcare, higher education and employment.

Professor of Occupational Therapy Katie Robinson noted the importance of supportive peers and clinicians in assisting ADHD youth overcome the challenges they face.

She said: What stood out strongly in this study was the power of others. Supportive peers, informed clinicians and understanding employers can make an enormous difference.

But where stigma, misunderstanding or rigid systems dominate, young people feel isolated and marginalised.

Services must prioritise continuity, shared decision-making and social inclusion.

Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Margo Wrigley, National Clinical Lead for the HSE Adult ADHD National Clinical Programme, said:

For services, these findings highlight the need for joined-up pathways from child to adult care, proactive transition planning, and collaborative, strengths-focused models that support autonomy.

When young people feel heard and involved in decisions, outcomes improve. This research reinforces that service reform must centre lived experience.
A LIMERICK second level student is waiting on a patent after devised an effetive treatment that she hopes will aid the fight against bed-bugs.

Desmond College, Newcastle West student Sophie Keane invented her own product after attending the 2023 Olympics in Paris.

Now she has walked away with the Best Product Award at the seventh annual BD STEM Stars event held at the Limerick site of one of the largest med-tech companies in the world, BD.

Meanwhile, Villiers School students Sarah Lehane and Oluwatobi Ipadeola claimed the Best Demonstration prize with their Carpal Tunnel prevention glove Flexicare.

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The Desmond College entry is a device that draws in and traps bedbugs by mimicking the human heartbeat and human temperatures in a bedroom. Such is its efficacy that the young inventor has already applied for a patent for the product.

Speaking at the event, she recalled getting the idea for the device.

What this is, she explained, is an effective medical solution for bed bug removal. It's not a nice topic to be talking about and does make your skin crawl, but it's really personal to me. I had a run in with bed bugs a few years ago in the Olympics when I was in Paris with family. Our hotel was just ridden with bed bugs.

So, I started my research into the side effects associated with bedbugs because even for immunocompromised or older people, they can send you into hospital due to anaphylaxis, allergic reactions and they can cause your skin to flare up. They can also trigger insomnia, anxiety, depression, PTSD. So, they're really something you don't want in your house.

Sophie built what she described as an advanced version of a glue trap.

It has human-like features in that it replicates a heartbeat through a simple circuit, and it also has our body temperature through these brass rod inserts. And it works by just flicking a switch.

You can leave it in a room after heating the brass rods on a radiator or just hot water. And you can leave it there overnight, or half an hour, basically however long you feel the need to based on your infestation.

The device is already proving a hit with consumers. An Airbnb host reached out to me. She was suffering with bed bugs and she used my device compared to a normal glue trap and she saw that my results were triple and quadruple the amount that people were achieving using common methods.

Sophie is now waiting on her patent. It's pending at the moment. And after that I want to develop different prototypes for my project. Maybe ones that can be stationary and plugged in, ones for commercial use in airplanes and trains and hotels.

Held at the BD RCI site at the National Technology Park, Limerick, the seventh annual BD STEM Stars awards were presented by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD.

Approximately 60 students and teachers were involved in 16 shortlisted projects from counties Limerick, Clare, Cork, Kerry, and Tipperary attended the event.

Launched in 2019 and supported by Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (LCETB), BD STEM Stars challenges students to devise solutions that positively impact delivery of healthcare  reflecting BDs global purpose of advancing the world of healt. The programme aligns closely with Irelands national STEM Education Policy, which was introduced in 2017 and has been strengthened over the past decade to encourage greater participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects.

Addressing students and teachers from schools that made the finals, Minister James Lawless said:

The BD STEM Stars competition is an outstanding example of how industry and education can work together to inspire the next generation of innovators. Over the past decade, Government has prioritised the promotion of STEM subjects to ensure Ireland continues to build the skills base required for a modern, innovation-driven economy.

Initiatives like this bring STEM to life for students, showing them how their ideas can have real-world impact, particularly in areas such as healthcare. They also ultimately help underpin the huge STEM related industry in Ireland through indigenous and FDI companies. I commend BD Research Centre Ireland for its leadership and continued investment in nurturing future talent. It is a best-case example of industrys commitment to promoting the sector here.

BD Research Centre Ireland Site Lead Owen ONeill added: We never ceased to be amazed by the desire, the commitment and the application of the students who enter this competition to have an impact on the world of STEM. Our mission in BD is all about advancing the world of health and we apply ourselves to that daily here in our Research Centre in Limerick, so to have students coming in here with that intent and with the quality of projects that they have built is hugely encouraging for the future.

We are honoured also today to have Minister Lawless attend the STEM Stars final. His presence underscores the importance of sustained collaboration between Government, educators and industry in building Irelands future STEM capability. Advancing the world of health starts with investing in people. Through STEM Stars, we are encouraging students to see themselves as future engineers, scientists and technologists  the very people who will drive the next wave of healthcare innovation.

BD STEM Stars organiser Fionnagh Tsang said the standard of entries continues to rise each year. Year after year, we are inspired by the creativity, research and problem-solving demonstrated by students. The vision set out in Irelands STEM Education Policy, which is all about young people and their ability to innovate, is clearly being realised. The projects we see today give enormous confidence in Irelands ability to remain at the forefront of global healthcare innovation, she said.

Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board Director of Schools and Youth, Donncha OTreasaigh concluded:

Limerick and Clare ETB is proud to support BD STEM Stars, which has become a cornerstone of the STEM landscape in Munster. The continued growth of the competition demonstrates the value of strong partnerships between education and industry. Together, we are helping students to see clear pathways from the classroom to exciting, impactful careers in STEM.
LIMERICK City and County Council is encouraging the public to support the All-Ireland Squirrel and Pine Marten Survey to help track some of our most iconic woodland mammals  the red squirrel, the grey squirrel and pine martens.

Members of the public are invited to record their sightings of the three species throughout, helping researchers build a detailed picture of how their populations are changing.

The red squirrel is Irelands only native squirrel species, once widespread in forests and wooded areas. The introduction of the grey squirrel in 1911 has had devastating consequences on our native species through disease and competition for food, leading to the disappearance of red squirrels from large parts of the country.

For many years, the future of the red squirrel looked bleak. However, recent surveys have revealed a remarkable and unexpected turnaround, with the grey squirrel being knocked back in certain areas, and the reds showing signs of recovery.

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In several regions, grey squirrel numbers have declined sharply, while red squirrels are showing encouraging signs of recovery.

Research linked this shift to the successful comeback of another native species, the pine marten - tree dwelling carnivores and one of the few predators that can successfully hunt grey squirrels.

Because the red squirrel evolved alongside pine martens, they are better adapted to avoiding them and can escape danger more easily.

Sinead McDonnell, biodiversity officer, Limerick City and County Council is encouraging Limerick participation in the survey.

Encouragingly, very few grey squirrels have been reported in Limerick to date and sightings of pine martens are also low. We are hopeful that the continued relative absence of grey squirrels will persist. More reporting from the Limerick public will help to develop a clearer picture of the relationship between three species, she outlined.

Led by researchers in University of Galway, Ulster Wildlife and the Vincent Wildlife Trust, the survey aims to map the latest distribution of red and grey squirrels, and the pine marten across the island of Ireland. The 2026 survey is being delivered with the support of the National Biodiversity Data Centre in the Republic of Ireland and CEDaR in Northern Ireland.

Sightings of all three mammals can be recorded on the online survey form www.biodiversityireland.ie.

The survey is part of a long-running monitoring programme, with previous surveys carried out on four occasions since 1997, providing vital insights into long-term trends and conservation success.

Dr Colin Lawton of University of Galways School of Natural Sciences explained the significance of the new survey.

In our most recent survey in 2019, we found that the grey squirrel had all but disappeared from 10 midland counties, and the red squirrel and pine marten were doing particularly well. However, the dynamics between the three species is finely balanced and we need to continue to monitor the animals to make sure things dont change again. The greys continue to spread in the south and North-West, and they are doing particularly well in urban areas, where pine martens are very rare.
LIMERICK motorists are warned of major traffic disruption during a planned rolling protest over fuel prices this week.

The demonstrations, due to take place on main routes to the outskirts of Limerick city this Tuesday morning, April 7, is one of a number taking place nationwide, following the cost of fuel rocketing due to the war in Iran.

The protests are being organised by a group of professional drivers, hauliers, farmers, bus operators, taxis and plant operators called The People Of Ireland Against Fuel Prices Protest. It is not known how many participants they expect to attend in Limerick.

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The starting points for Tuesdays Limerick rolling protest are Bearys Cross to travel to Ballysimon on the N24; Dalys Cross to Annacotty on the Old Dublin Road; Croom to Patrickswell on the M20 and Bunratty village in County Clare to travel on the N18.

A spokesperson for the organisers say all groups are to gather on the hard shoulders and move off at 8am sharp.

All convoys will create major traffic disruption along the route as part of the protest, with the main objective being a continuous rolling blockade from Junction 29 on the M7 to Junction 2 on the N18, and back again in a circular route.

This route is designed to keep pressure on the area while maintaining a strong, visible presence throughout Limerick, said the spokesperson.

They stress that all hard shoulders must be kept clear for emergency services.

If it was your own family member in need, you would want that road kept open too. Well done to everyone involved. We know no plan will suit everyone, but this is about standing together and making our voices heard. The time is now, concluded the spokesperson.

The protest is being supported by Limerick County TD, Deputy Richard ODonoghue. He posted an emergency notification on his social media accounts to warn people there's going to be major traffic delays on all routes coming into Limerick on Tuesday morning.

We all know there's a war going on and the fuel has been interrupted coming into this country. This protest is not about the interruption of fuel coming in, this is about the taxation of fuel. At the moment, you are paying 50% tax on fuel.

We want the taxation of fuel to be capped for white diesel at 1.70; petrol 1.60 and green diesel 90 cent to make sure the agriculture sector can supply food, the transport sector can get food into our shops to make sure that everyone is fed, and people can go to work. This protest is going to happen around the country, said Deputy ODonoghue.

The independent Ireland TD also stressed that a lane be left open for all emergency services to make sure that nobody vulnerable will be held up, and people can get to hospital appointments.

Please, get out and support these people. They're doing it for you, to make sure that you'll have food on the shelves when you go into the shops. Milk and bread don't grow on the shelves.

The agricultural sector, the transport sector - if they can't move, you won't eat. These are the people that are standing up for you, and I stand with them, concluded Deputy ODonoghue.
MOSCOW, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Sunday called for an immediate cessation of strikes on Iranian civilian and energy infrastructure, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

During a telephone conversation, the two ministers noted the importance of halting "reckless and illegal attacks" on civilian, industrial and energy facilities, including the Bushehr nuclear power plant.

They warned that such actions pose a threat to the plant workers' lives and health and could lead to a radioactive disaster affecting the broader region.

Lavrov expressed hope that efforts by certain countries to de-escalate tensions around Iran would succeed, adding that the United States' abandoning the language of ultimatums and returning to negotiations would be instrumental. 
TWENTY APARTMENTS which are proposed to be built beside St. Mary's Graveyard in Abbeyfeale have been given conditional planning permission by the local authority - despite local concerns.

The proposed apartments on Old Church Street will be four storeys tall, and half of the apartments will be one-beds - with the other half being two-beds.

There has been significant opposition to the building with a number of community organisations and 18 individuals submitting observations to the planning authority in relation to the development.

St Marys Graveyard Committee wrote that The graveyard is a holy and sacred place, and said the apartments would have an adverse effect on the privacy and serenity of the site as the proposed apartments with balconies will be overlooking the graveyard.

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The committee also said that Over the years we have had many problems with anti-social behaviour in our graveyard, and expressed concern that the new development could lead to an increase in anti-social behaviour within the graveyard.

The committee brought up the planned developments lack of parking as a problem.

There is no parking provided for the 20 apartments in the proposed development and will lead to an obstruction during funerals, they wrote.

If obstruction to the graveyard occurred due to the housing developments lack of parking, it would be disrespectful for mourners, the group wrote.

Planning documents do detail that bicycle parking and storage will be provided for the apartment residents in a safe and secure building as part of the development.

One man, who lives near the proposed development, had an issue with the height and newness of the development.

I suggest that you seriously consider the development of two storey town houses whose design would be more in-keeping with the present street-scape and heritage of the area, he wrote.

Many of the streets buildings date back to the mid 1850s.

Limerick City and County Council has undertaken a welcome redevelopment of many rundown and derelict buildings in Abbeyfeale, all the while maintaining their original design. Therefore I cannot understand why the LCCC might consider this proposed development that contravenes its own guidelines, he wrote.

The Old Abbey Restoration Committee wrote in their objection that the graveyard is still in use for burials. At such a sensitive time it would not be appropriate to be overlooked by spectators on the balcony.

A woman submitted a hand-written observation describing how the new development could impact her relationship with the dead.

Personally my two sisters, brother, aunt, are interred there. Therefore I feel my connection and the connection of other people with their dearly departed will be seriously compromised, she wrote.

The conditional planning permission is subject to a total of 18 conditions.
Microsofts prescient 2019 initial investment in OpenAI came with an agreement that tied the two companies together in more than just financial ways. Microsofts Azure cloud unit, which was still getting off the ground, would become OpenAIs sole cloud provider. On the flip-side, Microsoft would not compete with OpenAI to build the ultimate goal of AI researchers: machines that can perform knowledge work better than any person, also called superintelligence.
Some past Chinese drills have focused on establishing control of routes that might be used by the U.S. military in a potential conflict over Taiwan. The reserved airspace could provide an opportunity to practice the kinds of air combat maneuvers that would be required in such a scenario, said Christopher Sharman, director of the U.S. Naval War Colleges China Maritime Studies Institute.
On the 19th day that the oil tanker ASP Avana was stuck in the Persian Gulf, its 47-year-old captain, Rakesh Ranjan Singh, died.

Singh had boarded the vessel in early February and sailed to the Persian Gulf to load crude. But his journey back to Asia ground to a halt Feb. 28 when U.S. and Israeli forces struck Iran. With no ships allowed to cross the Strait of Hormuz, under threat of attack, his ship was stuck off the coast of Dubai.

Singhs family heard on March 18 from the tankers operating company, Elegant Marine Services, that the captain had suffered a medical emergency. Crew members tried to give him first aid, but to no avail, said Alok Singh, the late captains brother-in-law. With no air ambulances allowed to fly in to help, the captain was transferred to shore on a speed boat and taken to the Rashid Hospital in Dubai. By then, it was too late.

The cause of death, the brother-in-law was told, was cardiac arrest. Elegant Marine Services didnt respond to requests for comment.

There are roughly 2,000 ships stuck in the Persian Gulf with more than 20,000 seafarers on them, according to the International Maritime Organization. Most have been stuck on board more than a month, because fewer than 200 ships have managed to slip through the Strait of Hormuz. In normal times, 20% of the worlds oil flows through the narrow waterway to global markets, along with critical supplies of natural gas, fertilizer and other cargo shipments. Its unclear when the vital shipping lane will get back to normal.

Fresh vegetables and freshwater are running out on many ships, so the sailors are using social media and very-high-frequency marine radios to share survival tips and tactics. Some Chinese crew members have filmed themselves collecting condensate from air-conditioning units to shower and wash laundry. Others have taken to fishing over the side of their tankers, catching tuna, squid and largehead hairtail to cook.

Restocking supplies has become difficultand expensive. The Port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, where ships usually turn to, has been repeatedly attacked. Companies that provide fresh food to ships are charging more. The going rate for mangos is now $31 for a kilogram, or roughly 2.2 pounds, and oranges are $15 a kilogram for about three large pieces of fruit, according to screenshots of supply price lists reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.

Flying in crews and swapping them out remains tough because flights to major crew-change locations, including Dubai, are still relatively scarce and expensive.

The International Transport Workers Federation, a labor union based in London that represents a million seafarers, has received about 1,000 inquiries since the start of the conflict from crew near the strait, asking for support. A growing number report vessels are running out of food, while 200 seafarers wanted help getting off a ship to go home. More than half of the calls have been about pay and other contractual entitlements while in the war zone.

We dont understand how some shipowners are still taking their vessels there, exposing seafarers. Its absolutely unacceptable, said Mohamed Arrachedi, who handles requests from seafarers in the Arab world and Iran for the federation. Seafarers should be able to go home when they ask for it. They dont want to be heroes.

Commercial sailors typically spend six months at sea each year, with some Chinese and Southeast Asian seafarers staying out up to 10 months, without breaks. War has driven up the price of cargoes, and shipowners have been willing to pay hefty raises to seafarers willing to go to the Gulf.

Crew staffing companies in China are offering double compensation in some cases, according to job advertisements. A captain can now earn more than $26,000 a month for a journey through the Strait of Hormuz. Pay varies dramatically, depending on the ship-management company and the crew members seniority level. A boatswain on a merchant ship, who supervises the decks seamen and manages equipment like ropes and cables, can earn nearly $5,200 a month.

Wartime hazard pay is warranted because the dangers are real, several seafarers said.

On March 2, crew members on ships anchored near MKD Vyom, a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker, heard a conversation crackle to life over the marine VHF radio, between the tankers captain and an Omani navy ship. Missile attack. Starboard side, the captain said, according to a recording shared with the Journal. An explosion inside the engine room.

The ship was loaded with 59,463 metric tons of gasoline, and a junior seafarer was dead after the ship, bound for a port of Saudi Arabia, was struck by a remote-controlled boat about 50 miles off the coast of Muscat, Oman, the recording showed.

Crew members abandoned the ship and were rescued by another vessel. The body of the dead crew member was left in the engine room because there were no more firefighter suits left, the captain said on the recording. The ships operator couldnt be reached for comment. The same day, two other commercial ships were hit. At least 10 were hit that week, according to data from Lloyds List Intelligence.

A 30-year-old Chinese seafarer on a vessel waiting to sail into the Persian Gulf describes, night and day, seeing missiles and drones flying overhead. Navtex messages, a form of automated, short-range maritime-safety text broadcasts transmitted directly to ships, communicate which vessels have been attacked or sunk, according to several seafarers and Navtex messages seen by the Journal.

Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps frequently calls out to ships via marine VHF to warn them not to cross the strait, according to one 32-year-old Chinese seafarer whose vesselcarrying liquefied natural gashas been stuck 25 nautical miles northwest of Dubai for weeks. A few days ago, he was jolted awake by a loud bang around 5:40 a.m., he said, adding that a nearby ship had thick smoke billowing from it. I am, of course, scared, but I dont dare to tell my family. I just tell them all is well, he said.

The LNG shipowner has repeatedly told the crew to cross the strait, the seafarer said, but the captain and other crew members have all refused. The crew will only proceed, he added, when they get two specific signals: the U.S. must take control of two key islands near Iran and the Iranian navy must explicitly announce over VHF radio that normal traffic through the strait has resumed.

Another Chinese worker, a 48-year-old on a ship moving Iranian goods to China, described slipping across the strait in late March after being stuck for three weeks. It required contacting agents in Iran for a safety code and sailing to a designated location near Irans Larak Island to submit that code to the Revolutionary Guard, who then allowed the vessel to pass. Its now bound for China.

We only proceeded with loading after the entire crew voted in favor of it, he said, and the shipowner also provided us with a war zone allowance.
For their part, European leaders have come out staunchly against a war they werent consulted on, and which they see as both illegal and ill-advised. After a year in which Trump placed tariffs on European products, scrapped most U.S. support for Ukraine, repeatedly mocked European leaders and threatened to seize the Danish territory of Greenland, they and their voters are in no mood to help out.
Such chips are the current gold standard for processors used in artificial-intelligence data centers, smartphones and self-driving cars. They are produced at scale only by industry leaders such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, known as TSMC, and South Koreas Samsung Electronics. Industry experts say Rapidus has a way to go to prove to potential customers it can compete with giants such as TSMC.
It wasnt until Tuesday, more than four weeks into the war, that Caine said it was safe enough to send lumbering B-52 bombers over Iranian territory. Even so, military experts have long made a distinction between the sort of air superiority the U.S. has been working to achieve in Iran and what they call air supremacy the ability to move freely across an adversarys airspace without any interference.
President Trump has called on allied nations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, to allow a fifth of the worlds oil to flow again through the passageway that Iran has effectively shut since the war started.

The problem: Naval escorts for tankers through such a narrow waterway in a war zone would be nearly impossible, say allied officials and military experts. Reopening the strait would more likely come after a cease-fire and through international pressure on Iran, they say.

Forcing open the strait militarily is unrealistic, French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday. It would take forever and would expose all those crossing the strait to risks of Iranian attack, he said.

Iran is trying to hold the global economy hostage in the Strait of Hormuz, U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Thursday after convening a meeting of more than 40 countries seeking to reopen the strait. They discussed political and diplomatic steps, including potential sanctions, she said. Military intervention wasnt on the list of options discussed.

Trump said Wednesday that strikes on Iran would continue for more than two weeks. During that time, shippers are unlikely to risk sending commercial vessels through the combat zone, analysts say. The question is what level of assurance they need to start sailing again in large numbers.

U.S. and Israeli strikes have badly damaged Irans regular naval assets. Yet the main threat to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz comes not from Irans conventional navy but from its arsenal of land-based antiship missiles, drones, swarms of small attack craft, midget submarines and various types of mines.

Geography complicates defending ships. The strait is roughly 20 miles wide at its narrowest point and divided into lanes to separate marine traffic, forcing merchant ships to travel along predictable routes. The warning time of a potential attack, and the chance to respond, would be exceedingly brief.

Iran has nearly 1,000 miles of coastline along the Persian Gulf, which it can use to launch attacks against ships, such as the drone strike that earlier this week struck a fully laden Kuwaiti oil tanker off the coast of Dubai. The coastline is dominated by mountains and coves, allowing Iranian forces to launch surprise attacks with swarms of speed boats. Tunnels under the rock, or ones hidden by mangroves and in salt caves, shelter boats that can either be launched directly into the water, or from trailers.

Qeshm Island is particularly problematic. The largest island in the Persian Gulf, it shelters fast-attack craft, explosives-laden boats, drones and missiles belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the primary force responsible for securing the strait.

Due to the short distances in the strait, Iran can cause significant damage even with short-range weapons, said Farzin Nadimi, senior fellow with the Washington Institute think tank. Fast-attack boats armed with rocket-propelled grenades can blow a hole in a ships hull, or mine the strait.

Such vessels can largely be deterred by the U.S. dominant air power, but European powers will not be able, and probably not willing, to replace that capability, Nadimi said.

Military escorts, which shippers used in the Persian Gulf during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war, can only provide protection for a limited number of ships at a time. An estimated 30 million tons of cargo was damaged during that war. In the Gulf of Aden, a multinational force provided protection against piracy with one warship for every dozen merchant ships, said Lars H. Bergqvist, a reserve officer in the Royal Swedish Navy and former United Nations military observer.

The challenge isnt just whether it can be doneits whether it can be done consistently and at the level of presence needed to reassure commercial traffic and deter interference, said David Cattler, a former North Atlantic Treaty Organization assistant secretary-general for intelligence and a former U.S. Navy surface warfare and intelligence officer.

Even cargo vessels under naval protection can be vulnerable. Commercial ships transiting the Red Sea under military escort have faced attacks from Houthi rebels in Yemen since 2024. Iranian forces are potentially more dangerous, experts say.

As a result, shippers are likely to wait until fighting ceases and the international community acts. The first step in reopening the strait will likely be a U.N. resolution and a multinational force to oversee traffic, said Christian Bueger, a professor of political science at the University of Copenhagen who studies maritime security.

It would be a military presence that could respond to incidents and reassure the shipping industry, he said. The point is not to do escorts.

Such a mission in the strait would likely take a layered approach, drawing on lessons from the multinational mission formed in 2023 to respond to attacks by Yemeni Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, said Kevin Rowlands, a naval expert at the London-based Royal United Services Institute.

Beginning with signals intelligence, and satellite and electronic surveillance of activity in the strait, such a mission would likely include maritime patrol aircraft and drones. The ability to respond to incidents such as mine hits or missile attacks would require close communication between all involved nations and merchant ships, possibly carrying liaison officers onboard.

The challenge isnt naval, Rowlands said. Putting a figure on how many warships is needed is not the right way to think about it. Its about looking at how many layers of protection are needed.

A critical unknown is whether, if the U.S. and Israel stop striking Iran, Tehran will stop menacing ship traffic. Iran has demanded reparations for destruction wrought in the five-week onslaught. If the U.S. and Israel dont agree to payments, Iran may continue to impose a hefty toll on the world economy through its chokehold on the route for critical supplies of fuel, chemicals and fertilizer.

Its up to Iran to say that the war is over, Rowlands said, cautioning that Iranian militia allies can threaten other chokepoints, such as the Bab al-Mandeb Strait off Yemen. Even if Iran decides that trade can flow through the strait, there might still be a risk that proxies take a different view, he said.
Most of our participants [in the research we conducted] have expressed that surveillance, both online and physical, has increased in the past few years in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, with the increase in CCTV cameras, the growing number of police personnel, different technologies and app surveillance, face detection techniques, and Regional Transport Office (RTO) rules for scanning barcodes or QR codes on vehicles. These measures have special implications for the lives of transgender persons.

Since many transgender persons do sex work, the increase in cameras, especially in hotspots, has made their lives more difficult. Abha narrated, Twothree years ago, we were able to stand together for sex work, and the client would come choose, pick one of us and go. But now we need to stand separately for sex work. Before the cameras were put up, there was a sense of security because we stood together for clients, but now there is no sense of security.

Raees mentioned that, [T]he number of traffic signals has also increased in Lucknow. Earlier, there were traffic signals at only two intersections. Now they have put them up at every intersection. This has happened in the last three months. And there are CCTV cameras at almost every intersection. They werent there earlier....

Policing is particularly visible and felt by trans persons in places such as public parks. A group of kothis, during an FGD, mentioned that there has been an increase in the number of police personnel in parks, which were used as cruising spots and hotspots. They also stated difficulties in doing their work due to the constant presence of the police. Some of them mentioned that they give money to the police so that they can continue doing their work. Deep said, Earlier, it wasnt like this in Lucknow. This commission system started only a year ago. Since then, it has increased a lot. You will find police officers stationed every two kilometres.

Pink Booths, a new initiative by the UP government meant for the protection of women, is yet another mechanism through which the police keep surveillance on transgender persons. Rima mentions, Pink Booths near Charbagh have women police, and whenever they see a kothi or zenani, she [they] beats us with a batoneven if we are just standing or sitting in an area.

Participants also mentioned the Anti-Romeo Squad, which were police-sanctioned vigilante groups that would randomly beat up young men and women near colleges or parks. Targeting young men or transgender persons for the way they look, or enforcing their own code of moral policing, they not only create a feeling of fear of the police but also use it as a way to control those who do not fit into a particular understanding of society.

The increasing police visibility is particularly worrying because it points to a situation where an already brutalising power has become more present and equipped with more authority, without concomitant accountability. What we see, therefore, is a shift, especially with the blurring lines between the police and the paramilitary, whereby the exception of militaristic policing is becoming the rule. The experiences shared by the participants also point to a growing nexus between police and state forces, and groups exercising ideological dominance and power, and thus the separation between the State and religious and majoritarian ideologies is blurring, putting trans people in a further vulnerable state without any recourse. This nexus is also replicated in how surveillance plays out, with those opposing majoritarian ideologies being seen as threats, as suspicious, and therefore in need of constant monitoring.

In addition to the police recording public events and protests, the government has been creating an electronic toll collection system to move towards a more cashless mode of transaction. This, in turn, creates a database of information that can be used to surveil any suspicious vehicles. At the same time, new rules are being put in place by different transport regulation authorities, such as the requirement of having a QR code, which further aids the process of data collection on a persons movements.

View full Image View full Image Transforming Rights: Edited by Jayna Kothari, Queer Directions, 324 pages,  599.

Ravi shared: New Rules of RTO come into force which mandate a QR scan code. I was on my bike  [and] police started to ask me about the QR code. My vehicle was registered before 2019, and so I said it is not mandatory for me, but they still asked for money and started to inquire about my gender identity.

Thus, there is surveillance on ones mobility at all times. After the 2019 government move to standardise vehicle documents, RCs were introduced across the country, with provisions for a microchip, QR code and Near Field Communication Technology (NFC) like the ones used by ATM cards. The QR code, along with NFC technology, ensures that the State has details of the vehicle and a record of every place the person is travelling to. These fears about surveillance of ones movements are not unfounded, as technology experts have shared similar concerns: If the name/gender of the vehicle owner is available, this can be a significant risk for women who can be more easily tracked and targeted by violent men waiting near identified cars. There are similar risks for transgender persons, whose data is at stake not just in the hands of the State but also cybercriminals.

The rise in surveillance creates many pressing issues, especially for those who are from marginalised communities, given the use of surveillance to increase control over individuals bodies. As data security experts have noted, Surveillance is about relations of power and domination and it almost always reinscribes existing power equations because it generally aims to control, even eliminate, those who deviate from the norm. Surveillance is often an instrument that aids in policing norms. Transgression of gender norms is viewed as deviance, and those who are seen as deviant are criminalised and harassed by the State. Since colonial times, transgender communities have been seen as criminal tribes, a practice that continues even today, with sections under the Karnataka Police Act, 1963, until recently allowing the police to maintain registers with names and addresses of trans persons who could be reasonably suspected of undesirable activities. This historic association with deviance and criminality means that transgender people are disproportionately targeted, monitored and controlled through surveillance measures. Such surveillance, data collection and sharing also take away the right to self-determination and control over information sharing that transgender people should have, especially in deciding with whom to share their gender identity.

This expanded use of surveillance, data collection and database generation, in the name of securityparticularly in the name of protecting womenfar from serving its intended purpose for most marginalised groups, enables and equips the State to monitor those whom it views as suspicious on flimsy grounds (often linked to marginalised identities related to gender, sexuality, profession, political leaning, religion, caste or ethnicity, among others); allows selective application of the law against such individuals; and is therefore discriminatory, arbitrary and violative of the fundamental rights of an individual.

Excerpted with permission from Queer Directions, an imprint of Westland Books.

Also Read | #NoGoingBack: Queer voices on the new Transgender Bill
WASHINGTON, April 5 (Xinhua) -- The crew member of the downed U.S. F-15 had been rescued from "deep inside the mountains of Iran" and is "seriously wounded," U.S. President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post on Sunday.

In another post, he threatened that Tuesday would be "Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one," for Iran, and again urged Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz.

He also announced that he will hold a news conference with the military at 1 p.m. ET (1700 GMT) on Monday, three hours after his "48-hour warning" to Iran expires. 
Google releases open AI Gemma 4 Once upon a time, it was hoped that all AI models would be freetheyd be focused more on the public good than on making profits. That utopian idea has died a quiet death, but the dream of open source AI tools hasnt gone away. A few days ago Google unveiled Gemma 4, that can be downloaded and shaped by developers using an Apache 2.0 license. Gemma 4s models can handle coding, complex reasoning and real-world tasks. They are also supposed to be light enough to be run on laptops and phones. There are four sizes to the models, and analysts believe that being open, these models can run directly on devices, and perhaps even without requiring an internet connection.

OpenAI buys a tech talkshow From open AI to OpenAI, and the company has bought the popular tech talkshow TBPN, marking its entry into the media business. The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but OpenAI sees the acquisition as a means to shape a positive narrative about ChatGPT and CEO Sam Altman. The talkshow, hosted by John Coogan and Jordi Hays is known for its industry interviews, and is closely followed by Silicon Valley insiders. Altman is known to be a fan of the show, and his association with Coogan is an old one, including when Coogan was at Y Combinator, a startup incubator where Altman was president. OpenAI insists that TBPN will operate with full editorial freedom, but the companys chief of strategy, Fidji Simo also said the acquisition will help the company engage better with the public about AGI.
Standing before my cupboard, I spy an unopened packet, an Assam GABA tea (Tailor Made Teas) I got from a tea swap I did a few months ago. I have not had it before but it came with the promise of a story, and that was enough.

My starting brew for any tea is almost always the same: 2-3g ( 1-2 tsp) of leaves, boiling water, steeping time of 3-4 minutes. Based on how this tastes, I make any further adjustmentsmore tea, longer or shorter steeping times or water temperature. This has always worked for me, unless its a green tea, which needs less steeping time and lower water temp. I brewed the GABA Assam oolong in my usual way. As oolong, it is semi-fermented but had dark well rolled leaves. But the flavours reminded me of a yellow tea, nutty/grassy flavours. It was smooth and enjoyable.

Also Read | What spring brings to Indian tea

GABA is an acronym for gamma-aminobutyric acid, an inhibitory neurotransmitter which is said to have a calming effect. Its also found in tomatoes, potatoes and some citrus fruit. Given that, its surprising how under-sold this tea is, seeing its entire premise is based on its amino acid levels, a natural fit for the growing wellness beverage space.

In the mid 1980s, while researching the ways to make green tea more functional or basically accentuate its beneficial properties, Prof. Tojiro Tsushida and Prof. Toshinobu Murai of the Japanese National Institute of Advanced Food Research stumbled upon a peculiar development. While researching L-theanine, one of teas most celebrated antioxidants, they discovered that when the tea leaves were exposed to nitrogen before steaming (Japanese green teas use steaming to arrest oxidation as opposed to roasting in the Chinese style), the production of gamma-aminobutyric acid increased. And so a new style of processing was born, named gabaron tea, in Japan.

A later study (2022) from Tokyo University of Agriculture, builds on it, with an additional step to offset the offensive odour that the fermentation produced. By Japanese standards, for a tea to qualify as a GABA tea, it should have 150mg GABA per 100g of tea.

In the decades that followed the discovery of GABA tea, Taiwanese tea producers took this style and processing methods to apply to their own teas. While the process can be applied to green, black or the oolong, the Taiwanese oolong and Ruby Black tea have been especially favoured to make this style of tea, where the extended fermentation and later roasting, took care of the above-mentioned offensive odour.

Still, heres the thing: there simply arent sufficient studies to back the health claims it comes with.

The GABA tea seems to have pockets of loyal fans, but its precisely the sort of thing the wider industry should be paying attention to and investing in more research to substantiate the teas nutritional aspects. Thats one more way to bring more tea to people. The GABA may not find the cult following matcha has now, but as tea, its well deserving of a second cup.

Also Read | Inside Auroville's Mandala Pottery and ceramic studio
In January this year, the Coir Godown at the Aspinwall House, Kochi, turned into a site of performative memory as two artistsSamapti Mondal and Bhaskar Hazarikawalked around with a funeral bed on their head. After setting the wooden structure down, Samapti and Bhaskar, both members of the Panjeri Artists Union (PAU), started sorting out a mesh of entangled blue and red threads, while sharing experiences of living together amid linguistic tensions and identity politics. A symbol of caste-based religiosity, the bed became both an object and stage, and the body turned into a site for labour as well as remembrance.

Performance has emerged as a powerful medium for the Bengal-based PAU in articulating thoughts about urgent issues such as caste, marginalisation and political resistance to more personal themes of care. The lived experiences of the various members coalesce in different durational performances such as Try to Remember. The union, formed on 21 February 2022, comprises 14 practitioners from realms such as visual art, design, literature, film and academia. Deriving its name from a traditional navigational tool used by boatmen to sail across Bengals riverways, the PAU is deeply embedded in the very communities its members hail from. The collective, in a short span, has carved a niche for itself for collaborative socially-impactful art.

Performativity is not the only thing that would define us as a unionit is one form of practice that we use to express ourselves. Our work lies at the intersection of multiple modes of practice, says one of the members, Pinak Banik, a researcher, artist, and educator exploring the intersections of artistic labor, postcolonial theory, visual culture, and social justice. As a result, their work manifests itself as exhibitions, workshops, discussions, zines, conceptual texts, visual essays and archival explorations.

At the Serendipity Arts Festival 2023, for instance, the PAU showcased a multidisciplinary project as part of the exhibition, Turning: On Field and Work, curated by Vidya Shivadas. Using sculpture, textile, poetry and video, the members evoked the experience of living and working in Jessore Road, Kolkata. Personal memories met the long history of migration and belonging that marked this vital stretch.Last year, as part of the Birla Academy of Art and Cultures 58th annual celebrations, the PAU engaged with sculptures housed within the museum. The project, Inventories of Circumambulation, was based on research and engagement with fractured histories around the Partition and the resulting famine and displacement. At times, silent conversations were held with sculptures and statues, and at other times texts were read out and songs performed in response to the site.

The word collaboration comes up time and time again during conversations with the various members. And perhaps, therein lies the reason why performance is at the heart of everything that the union does. Performativity is rooted in the local cultural practices of Bengal. It is important for cultural workers such as ourselves to engage with people rather than inhabit a passive space, says multidisciplinary artist Anupam Roy.

Different vocabularies come together to add unique flavours to the performancestake, for instance, the contribution of rapper-lyricist Saptak Mistri, lens-based practitioner Shubhankar Sengupta, and poet Suvankar Gain. The union has seen three phases of activations over the yearsthe first one featured a durational performance by Asish Dhali, which set the tone for PAUs future engagements. Titled Response to Everyday Segregation, it saw the artist mechanically stamping papers, creating a satirical and scathing commentary on systemic social segregation. The second phase witnessed performances by PAU collaborators, Taufiz Riaz and Mallika Das Sutar, along with a performative reading session by Vibin George, while the third set of activations carried forth the unions critical engagement with the medium. It featured the likes of Aravind Chedayan Hekh, represented by Rahul Juneja and Anurag Singraur.

The purpose of the performative element in their work is not to elevate a spectacle. Rather, it is seen as a relational tool, a prompt for conversation and connection.

View full Image View full Image 'Response to Everyday Segregation', a durational performance by Panjeri Artists' Union, led by Ashis Dhali. Photo: Kochi Muziris-Biennale Foundation

Bhaskar and Samapti, for instance, have tried to create connections between shared intercultural histories from Assam and Bengal respectively. In Try to Remember, they negotiated with memories of each others families and knowledge systems. The performance was generated on the basis of their lived experiences. Sampatis father used to work in a factory in Durgapur, which was shut down. I grew up in a place in Assam which was immersed in extreme identity politics. We both have different experiences of marginalised life, of being overlooked and unseen, elaborates Bhaskar. Working with entangled thread was also symbolic. My mother is a weaver. Material carries memory. It also shows the entangling of personal and social experiences.

Also Read | How Assams Brahmaputra Volleyball League is transforming grassroots sports

Over a video call, members such as Pinak, Bhaskar and Anupam share that the process is often more significant than the resulting work. The projects themselves change shape and morph as collaborators join in. The concerns of the individuals manifest themselves in different ways as part of the overall working of the PAU. There are no strict boundaries between personal and collective practices sometimes intersecting and and at other times running parallel. For Pinak, for instance, linguistic tensions and the complexity of translation are constant fields of inquiry. He feels deeply-impacted by a spate of violence against Bengali-speaking people across India. A recent event that added to this turmoil was the one that took place in Palakkad, Kerala, last year when a migrant labour from Chhattisgarh was beaten up and killed by a group of local residents. To Pinak, this brought the very violent act of translation itself to the foreground, and along with the negotiation between the power structures of languages.

Together with another member, Labani Jangi, he responded to the event by writing a fictional piece of conversation between the oppressor and the oppressed. This took on the shape of the Manifesto Translation Lab, in which Pinak used the text to move between Malayalam and Bengali. His artist statement read: Translation becomes a site of ruptureand imagined exchanges collide: between victim and oppressor, hunger and apathy, the untranslated persecuted human reduced to accusation and bare existence, and the voices of the tyrannical mob. Today, people across the country believe that some sort of homogenous Bengali is spoken in the state. However, different regions in Bengal have different dialects, which change within short geographical distances. Often a noticeable hierarchy exists between urban and rural dialects. For instance, Labani is from Nadia, where a different vocabulary and form of expression is used, he says.

Labani, a research scholar and cultural practitioner, looks beyond linguistics to draw from her daily realities as a Muslim woman in India. She focuses on identity formation and invisibilisation of subaltern voices. In 2025, the young academic gave a talk, A Language of Resistance, at the Museum of Art and Photography, Bengaluru, exploring three series of works inspired by different sources: a poem by Palestinian poet Tawfiq Ziad, the poem Chambal Ek Nadi by poet and filmmaker Naresh Saxena, and the legend of Hijrat. Panjeris roots lie in villages and towns along the border. Most of us hail from marginalised communities. Since childhood, Bengali Muslims have faced the tag of Bangladeshi. That stereotyping has only grown over the years, she says. We want to foreground different kinds of identities.

Bhaskar leads several of PAUs durational performances. He hails from a family of bhauna performers in Assama traditional theatrical form rooted in Naaamdharma, a reformist Vaishnavite sect founded in the 15th century by Srimanta Sankardeva. It was based on an alternate reading of the epics and featured non-Brahmanical voices shaped by caste histories. Earlier this year, Bhaskar, together with bhauna performers from Ghahigaon, Assam, conceptualised Sutaputra Bodh Naat. The performers, known as Bhakats (devotees), belonging to the Kaibartta community, self-organised as a Naamdharma society under the Eksharan Bhagawati Samaj in 1973. Bhauna here is approached not only as theatre, but as a relational space where devotion, caste, performing art, and collective memory intersect, states the artist note.

While growing up, Bhaskar had distanced himself from the ritualistic aspects of the form. However, while being a part of the PAU, he has been focusing on recontextualising such practices, which themselves are anti-Brahmanical manifestations of religious rituals. For Sutaputra Bodh Naat, he studied a 15th century-bhauna, imbibing technical knowledge from traditional performers. With the performers from Ghahigaon, he also worked on Dhemali to focus on the ceremonial pre-ritual of bhauna, where the gayan-bayan pairs animated the space at Aspinwall, Fort Kochi, with kohl, taal and footwork. I wrote a small script, and the performers made it their own. It was a really interesting process, he says.

Also Read | #NoGoingBack: Queer voices on the new Transgender Bill

For the PAU, the viewer is not seen as a separate entity. The members believe that problems arise when a line is drawn between the performer and the audience. According to Anupam, when the collective works out of a space for months at a stretch, engaging in research and conversations with the communities there, people inevitably become a part of the process. He recalls a project conducted sometime back in Lalgola, Murshidabad, centred around Bhaskars experiences of the Brahmaputra. These memories acquired a new context in the setting by the river Padma, which acts as a border between India and Bangladesh.
On 11 December 2013, a two-member bench of the Supreme Court dealt a body blow to the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in India when they overturned a landmark 2009 judgement by the Delhi high court that had deemed Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code unconstitutional. It took another five years of protests, appeals and legal arguments for the community to get the apex court to read down this draconian law. As the judgement was being delivered, Justice Indu Malhotra, one member of the bench, made a statement in her concurring opinion that has been widely quoted and shared since.

History owes an apology to the members of this community and their families, for the delay in providing redressal for the ignominy and ostracism that they have suffered through the centuries, she wrote, referring to the queer community. The members of this community were compelled to live a life full of fear of reprisal and persecution.

Eight-odd years later, Indias queer community is once again confronted with a historic injustice. The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026 has just been passed by both houses of Parliament. President Draupadi Murmu gave her assent on 30 March, making it law. However, large gatherings of LGBTQ+ community members and their allies oppose it because the Act undermines one of the fundamental rights of trans people: the right to self-determination of their gender identity.

For cis-gendered people, the idea of gender fluidity may be difficult to grasp. Even if it makes sense theoretically, the ground reality of being and living as a transgender person is hard to envision. The problem is accentuated by stereotypical depictions of trans peoplemostly trans women who are the more visible members of the communityin popular culture, media and mythologies.

However, in the last few years a series of autobiographies by members of the communitySmile Vidyas I Am Vidya (2013), Me Hijra, Me Laxmi (2015) by Laxmi, Kalki Subramaniams We Are Not The Others (2022) and The Yellow Sparrow (2023) by Santa Khurai, among othershas sought to convey the visceral realities of the trans experience to a general audience. One of the earliest books in this growing line of life writing was A. Revathis The Truth About Me: A Hijra Life Story, published by Penguin Books India in 2010 in historian V. Geethas translation.

Over the last few days, I have been revisiting Revathis story, which I first read 15 years ago, and reckoning with the lines of devastation that connect the past and present. Born in a village near Namakkal in Salem district of Tamil Nadu, Doraisamy could have opted for a regular life like his elder brothers did: driving lorries to deliver milk for a living and raising a family. Instead, he turned out to be what his family and neighbours labelled a girl-boy.

View full Image View full Image The Truth About Me by A. Revathi, translated by V. Geetha.

Ill at ease in his body, Doraisamy felt most alive when he dressed up as a woman and danced at the Mariamman festival in his village. Despite taunts from society, rebuke from his parents, and violent beatings from his brothers, he ran away from home and joined a community of hijras, who became his chosen family. Eventually Doraisamy emerged as Revathi (the name inspired by the famous Tamil actress) and lived an itinerant existence, cared for by her guru and nani (elders of her hijra clan) in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and elsewhere. She was also a victim of abuse and hatred from fellow hijras, who envied her for her looks and demand among her clients when she started doing sex work.

The raw, unfiltered, and often graphic narrative style of The Truth About Me can feel triggering, yet it is also the reason why memoirs like Revathis (and others like her) are so valuablenot just as personal testimony but also as social history. Apart from taking the reader into the inner workings of the hijra ecosystem, a complex familial structure with its unique rules and decorum, the book reveals the peculiar moral inconsistencies of the rural community where Revathi grew up. Until she was a girl-boy, the whole world made her fodder for ridicule, casual violence, and transphobic slurs. But once she returns home, not as a prodigal son but as a woman who has had the operation, the hostility transforms into confusion, even awe.

In a memorable instance, the priest allows Revathi to enter the temple of her family deity, a virgin goddess. Its a place that is out of bounds for women who have not yet stopped menstruating. Since she looks no different from a woman, everyone around her assumes she is one and tries to prevent her from entering the temple, though the priest, who had known her since childhood, is wiser. Once he dispels the confusion, Revathi overhears someone in the crowd say, Youre not like us, youre like the goddess, unblemished, unlike us whove done wrong. It is a strange moment of validation as well as denialan acknowledgement of the difficulty the rest of the world runs into when trying to fathom the third gender identity, but also a form of acceptance tinged with respect towards such a person.

Revathi experiences a similar dilemma with her parents, too. While her mother is unequivocal in her disapproval the first time she learns about Revathis gender-reassignment surgery, it is her father who offers his support. He urges her to fight for her rightful share of property even as her brothers threaten her with dire consequences if she did so. Is this an inner voice of justice speaking on her behalf? Or is it the irrational force of parental love that finally breaks through all prejudices?

Since the publication of her book (the original Tamil edition came out a year after the English translation), Revathi has become an icon for transgender rights. Her autobiography is studied at colleges and universities around the world. It has been adapted for the stage and a version of it has been performed by Revathi herself as an extended monologue. Having joined Sangama, an NGO that works for transgender rights, she has become a leading voice among activists. Her life and career have changed in ways she could have scarcely imaginedas have the times we now live in.
The new labour codes, which were implemented from 1 April, have introduced significant changes to provident fund, salary and gratuity payments among others. Under the new labour codes, the Centre has made significant changes in terms of gratuity payment as the revised rules change how wages are defined for calculating retirement benefits.

Earlier, there were some confusion as to whether the new labour codes were retrospective in nature. However, the Centre recently clarified that gratuity under the new rules will apply from 21 November 2025.

Gratuity will be applicable with effect from 21st November 2025 i.e. date of enforcement of the Code. Establishments may make provision as per accounting norms, the Labour Ministry said in one of its FAQ documents.

Gratuity rule change: Key FAQs answered Here are some key questions regarding gratuity rule changes answered.

Q: What are the new rules on gratuity payment? A: There are significant changes in gratuity rules for fixed-term employees. Employers are now required to pay gratuity on termination of contract of such employees after completion of one year of service.

As per the code of social security, employers must pay gratuity to an non-fixed-term employee after five years of completing service. The termination must be for superannuation, retirement or resignation, death or disablement due to accident or disease, or any other event notified by the Central Government.

Q: Who is eligible to get gratuity under new labour code? A: Under the new labour code, fixed-term employees are now also eligible to get gratuity from their employer even when their contract terminates after the completion of one year. In such cases, gratuity will be calculated on a pro rata basis, meaning employees will receive gratuity proportional to the period they actually worked, even if it is shorter than five years.

Q: How is gratuity calculated? A: Gratuity is calculated based on the last drawn wages and years of service. For monthly employees, 15 days wages per completed year of service is used to calculate gratuity. For piece-rated employees, average of total wages received for 3 months is calculated. For fixed-term employees, gratuity is calculated on pro-rata basis.

Gratuity is calculated on the last-drawn monthly wage  15/26  Completed years of service.

Q: When is gratuity disbursed? A: Employers are required to pay gratuity to employees within 30 days from the date it becomes payable.

Q: What components fall under wages during gratuity calculation? A: Under Section 2(88) of the Code on Social Security, 2020, wages means all remuneration, whether by way of salaries, allowances or otherwise, expressed in terms of money or capable of being so expressed which would, if the terms of employment, express or implied, were fulfilled, be payable to a person employed in respect of his employment or of work done in such employment

For gratuity calculation, components include basic pay, dearness allowance and retaining allowance (if any).

Q: Which components are excluded under wages during gratuity calculation? A: Any component that is not included under wages is not applicable for gratuity calculation. These may include bonus payable under new law, value of housing accommodation, or supply of light, water, medical attendance, or other amenities/services excluded by government order, employer's contribution to EPF, conveyance or travel concession, and HRA among others.

Also Read | Draft rules spell out wage, gratuity calculation under new labour codes

Q: From when will the revised definition of wages be applicable? A: The revised definition of wages, which will affect gratuity calculation, will be applicable with effect from 21 November, 2025, which is from the day of the implementation of the Labour Codes.

Q: Is a fixed-term employee engaged for 11 months eligible for gratuity under new rules? A: No. A fixed term employee whose contract expires in 11 months is not eligible for gratuity under the new rules.
Shipra Singh

Shipra joined Mints personal finance team in September 2021, and writes on tax, credit cards, banking, estate planning and investments. She began her career in personal finance as an intern with Outlook Money magazine in 2017, and has since worked with The Economic Times and Entrepreneur India as a business journalist covering fintech and emerging financial services.<br><br>Over the years, she has reported on key aspects of household finance, tracking regulatory changes, market trends and evolving consumer behaviour. Shipras main beats are tax and banking products, with a focus on compliance gaps and their real-world impact for readers navigating complex financial decisions. Her reporting on GST and personal tax, particularly foreign asset disclosures and NRI taxation, has contributed to wider policy discussions and subsequent changes.<br><br>She also interviews market experts for the Mint Money podcast, covering topics ranging from stock market investing to how credit scores shape financial outcomes and access to credit.<br><br>Shipra has a keen interest in data-driven analysis and writing human-centric features that explore how peoples habits around spending, investing and wealth creation are evolving. Her work focuses on helping readers make informed financial decisions in an increasingly complex economic landscape.<br><br>Shipra holds a Bachelors degree (Honours) and a Masters in English Literature from Delhi University.
Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Delhi government on Sunday announced a strict ban on the direct sale of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders from storage godowns, warning that violations would face strict action, PTI reported.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, in an official statement, said that LPG supply in the capital is being closely monitored to prevent the shortage of cylinders and to ensure compliance with the prescribed norms.

OMCs asked not to deliver LPG cylinders directly: CM Gupta In the statement, the Delhi CM said, "Residents have been advised not to visit gas agencies or storage points or gather in crowds, as booked cylinders are being delivered to homes within the stipulated time." The statement added that oil marketing companies (OMCs) have been directed not to sell LPG cylnders directly from storage locations, stating that such sales are illegal.

The report noted that the government has said that it has enhanced the availability of five-kilogram LPG cylinders to boost supply, especially for migrant workers. "These cylinders can now be purchased from gas agencies on showing a valid ID, without the need for address verification. Eleven help desks have also been set up at select HPCL outlets to guide consumers on nearby distributors," the statement added.

Also Read | Govt steps up LPG supply, urges calm amid Hormuz concerns

On Saturday, a total of 1,14,679 LPG bookings were registered, while 1,31,335 cylinders were delivered, PTI reported, citing the statement, adding that the average delivery time for domestic LPG is currently reported at 4.24 days.

Dedicated control room to curb hoarding: Delhi government Gupta also added that a dedicated control room has been formed to restrict hoarding and black marketing, with several helpline numbers being in place, included- 011-23379836 and 8383824659.

The Delhi Police, so far, has conducted raids at 17 locations, whereas the Food and Supplies Department has inspected 76 gas agencies and storage facilities.

LPG supply in Delhi under control Assuring residents, the chief minister said LPG supply in Delhi remains stable and under control, urging people to stay calm, avoid rumours, and depend on the official delivery system.

This comes at a time when different parts of the country are reporting concerns over fuel supplies rising due to the ongoing crisis in the West Asia, five weeks after the US and Israel waged a war against Iran. In retaliation, Tehran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway, responsible for transporting nearly a fifth of the world's oil.

Also Read | IPL offers relief to bars, eateries after LPG disruption

According to an India Today report, the gap between official claims and ground reality is becoming increasingly evident in the capital. It suggests that while the officials continue to state that there is no shortage of LPG, investigations have revealed that a thriving black market where LPG cylinders are being sold at exorbitant rates, and often in plain sight.
The Supreme Court has provided relief to a man whose credit score remained negative for several years despite having no outstanding loans or payment defaults, according to PTI.

A bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan was hearing a petition filed by Uttarakhand resident Rajendra Singh Panwar, who stated that his CIBIL score had been adversely affected since 2020 even though he had not taken any loan or defaulted on payments.

A CIBIL score is a three-digit numerical summary of an individuals credit history that reflects their creditworthiness.

In his petition, Panwar stated that his credit profile reflected a negative score, which hindered his ability to access financial services.

He argued that two other individuals with the same name had been issued the same PAN number, and their alleged payment defaults were being reflected in his CIBIL records.

Despite obtaining a new PAN, his high-risk score continued due to the linkage between the old and new PANs.

Also Read | Petrol pumps run on thin credit as oil companies tighten purse strings

The Supreme Court subsequently sought responses from major banks, including SBI and PNB, directing them to clarify whether Panwar had any outstanding loans or defaults.

In an affidavit submitted before the apex court, Punjab National Bank (PNB) stated that it had not reported any default against Panwar and that its records showed no adverse credit information.

Also Read | Fraudsters use West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees photo for scams

The State Bank of India (SBI) informed the court that it reports to CIBIL only those credit facilities that were actually used by the petitioner and are associated with his updated PAN details.

CIBIL subsequently told the court that Panwars records had now been corrected following these clarifications.

183 million Indians now track CIBIL scores: Report Around 183 million Indians are now actively tracking their CIBIL scores, reflecting a notable shift towards greater awareness and ownership of personal credit. According to TransUnion CIBILs latest report, CIBIL for Every Indian - Uncovering How India Owned Its Credit Journey in 2025, nearly 75 per cent of these users are based in non-metro areas.

This segment recorded a 28 per cent year-on-year growth as of December 2025, underscoring a change in financial behaviour that is no longer limited to major urban centres.

Additionally, the number of first-time credit monitorers rose by 27 per cent year-on-year, indicating that tracking credit is no longer just a one-time, reactive step tied to loan applications, but is increasingly becoming a regular habit and an essential part of maintaining financial health, the ANI report noted.

Bhavesh Jain, MD and CEO of TransUnion CIBIL, stated, "Historically, many consumers interacted with their credit profile only when they needed a product such as a personal loan or a credit card. Today, monitoring is not related merely to a single transaction but is embraced as ongoing financial hygiene. Consumer focus has shifted from a transactional approach towards an asset to build a strong, sustainable credit profile.
US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that an Air Force officer, whose fighter jet had been downed in Iran, was rescued in a daring nighttime operation. While Trump claimed that the officer was not critically injured, Washington did have to pay a price as the US forces reportedly destroyed some of their own aircraft during the withdrawal to prevent them from falling into enemy hands.

The Wall Street Journal, citing a source, said the aircraft involved were MC-130J planes, which are designed for covert missions such as inserting and extracting troops in hostile or enemy-controlled areas. The official did not provide details on how the planes became immobilized during the mission, but noted that they ultimately had to be destroyed.

Also Read | Trump warns of strikes on Iran infrastructure on Tuesday amid Hormuz blockade

Trump on rescuing Air Force officer In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, "WE GOT HIM! My fellow Americans, over the past several hours, the United States Military pulled off one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History, for one of our incredible Crew Member Officers, who also happens to be a highly respected Colonel, and who I am thrilled to let you know is now SAFE and SOUND! This brave Warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies."

Trump said that the officer sustained injuries but will be just fine. He added, "This miraculous Search and Rescue Operation comes in addition to a successful rescue of another brave Pilot, yesterday, which we did not confirm, because we did not want to jeopardize our second rescue operation. This is the first time in military memory that two U.S. Pilots have been rescued, separately, deep in Enemy Territory."

US Air Force officer rescued According to The Washington Post, the intensive search-and-rescue mission began on Friday (local time) after the aircraft, an F-15E jet, crashed and both crew members ejected. The pilot was located and recovered quickly, but efforts then expanded into a large-scale operation to find the weapons officer. According to Trump, the mission involved dozens of aircraft, Special Operations forces, and other highly trained personnel equipped to carry out rescues in high-risk environments.

The report suggested that the mission was highly dangerous, with US C-130s and rescue helicopters flying low and slow over Tehran's mountainous terrain to locate the missing airman. As the search was underway, Iranian television released a statement that offered a reward for the recovery of the missing American crew members. Another broadcast called on Iranians to "target" any Americans found. However, IRIB, Irans state broadcaster, later stated on social media that many people had reached the crash site and that the military had instructed civilians not to harm the pilot.

The incident was the first confirmed case of a US crewed aircraft being shot down inside hostile territory since the conflict began in late February.

Iran mocks Washington Hours after Trump made the announcement, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf mocked Washington in a post on X. He shared the ruins of the US warplane and wrote, If the United States gets three more victories like this, it will be utterly ruined.

Iran claims significant US losses According to media reports, Tehran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the Islamic Republic has destroyed several US aircraft during its rescue operations.
For five months, a young father waited to be reunited with his three-year-old daughter after she was placed in federal custody upon crossing the US-Mexico border with her mother, The Associated Press (AP) reported.

It was only after turning to the courts that he learned his daughter had allegedly been sexually abused in foster care, where she was placed after being separated from her mother.

She was so long in there if they would have moved faster, nothing like that would have happened, the father told AP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Alleged abuse during prolonged detention According to court documents cited by the news outlet, the child was placed in foster care in Harlingen, Texas, where she said she was abused by an older child.

A caregiver reportedly noticed signs of abuse, after which the girl disclosed multiple instances that caused bleeding. However, officials from the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) informed the father only of an accident, without further details, the outlet reported.

I asked them what happened but they said they couldnt give more information, the father said.

Details emerge through legal action The full extent of the allegations surfaced only after attorneys prepared a habeas corpus petition seeking the childs release, AP reported.

The girl underwent a forensic examination and interview, and the accused child was removed from the foster program. The abuse allegations were also reported to local law enforcement, according to the childs lawyer, Lauren Fisher Flores.

To have your child abused while in the governments care is unimaginable, Fisher Flores told the outlet.

Policy changes under Trump administration The case comes amid stricter immigration policies introduced under Donald Trump, which have significantly increased detention times for migrant children, the news outlet reported.

The child and her mother crossed the border near El Paso on September 16 last year. After her mother was charged, the toddler was separated and placed under ORR custody.

New rules expanded documentation requirements for sponsors, while immigration authorities increased enforcement actions, including arrests during the release process, AP reported.

Detention times surge sharply Data cited by AP shows average custody time for children rose from 37 days in January 2025 to nearly 200 days by February.

Although the number of children in custody has dropped, advocates warn that longer detention periods have increased risks to child safety and well-being.

Legal challenges to these policies have been filed, with concerns that prolonged detention could expose children to harm.

Courts increasingly used for reunification Attorneys are now turning to habeas corpus petitions to expedite the release of children, the outlet reported.

Fisher Flores said her organisation has handled multiple such cases this year, with children held for an average of 225 dayssomething not seen before under previous administrations.

In this case, legal pressure forced action. After attorneys filed the petition, the girl was released to her father within two days.

Emotional reunion, lasting trauma The father described an emotional reunion with his daughter after months apart.

However, he soon noticed behavioral changes, including nightmares and distress.

She was never like that, he said.
TEHRAN, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Several U.S. soldiers died in a military operation to rescue crew members from a downed fighter jet in Iran, Iran's Fars news agency reported Sunday, citing sources. 
US President Donald Trump has sharply escalated rhetoric against Iran, warning of imminent military action targeting key infrastructure if Tehran fails to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said: Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran Open the Strait or youll be living in Hell.

Threat of coordinated strikes Trumps reference to Power Plant Day and Bridge Day signals potential coordinated US strikes on Irans critical infrastructure, including energy facilities and transport networks.

The warning is tied to a deadline set by Washington for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz  a vital global oil shipping route.

Hormuz crisis at the center The Strait of Hormuz remains the focal point of the crisis, with disruptions threatening global energy supplies. The waterway handles roughly a fifth of the worlds oil shipments, making its closure a major geopolitical flashpoint.

Trump had earlier issued ultimatums and even briefly delayed strikes, citing possible diplomatic progress. However, the latest post signals a hardening stance and renewed military intent.

Rising regional tensions The warning comes amid an already volatile Middle East situation, with ongoing military exchanges involving Iran, the US, and its allies.

Trump to address media after US rescues downed pilots in Iran Trump said he will hold a news conference on Monday at the Oval Office after the US military rescued two American pilots whose aircraft were shot down in Iran.

The rescue comes amid intensifying hostilities in the ongoing conflict, now entering its sixth week.

Downing of US warplanes raises stakes Despite Trump earlier declaring Iran beaten and completely decimated, the downing of two US warplanes on Friday has significantly escalated tensions.

Iranian authorities had also called for the capture of the enemy pilot, further heightening the risk of retaliation and confrontation.

Iran issues stark retaliation warning Responding to Trumps threats, Gen. Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi warned that the doors of hell will be opened if Iranian infrastructure is attacked.

He also threatened to target all infrastructure used by the US military across the region, signaling a potential widening of the conflict.

War enters sixth week with mounting toll The war, which began with joint US-Israel strikes on February 28, has killed more than 5,000 people, according to official estimates and the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.

Nearly three-quarters of the fatalities have been reported in Iran. In Lebanon, where Israel is engaged in parallel fighting with Hezbollah, more than 1,400 people have been killed and over 1 million displaced.

Additional casualties include:

-Over two dozen deaths in Gulf Arab states and the occupied West Bank

-19 deaths reported in Israel

-13 US service members killed

Israel intensifies strikes on Iranian-linked targets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said military operations will continue, stating: We will continue to crush them.

He confirmed that Israeli forces struck a petrochemical complex in Mahshahr, which he said helps fund the war. Iranian state media reported five people killed and 170 injured in the attack.

Also Read | Middle East Conflict: US destroys two of its warplanes while rescuing pilot
Donald Trump said the United States is engaged in deep negotiations with Iran and expressed optimism that a deal could be reached before his Tuesday deadline.

There is a good chance, but if they don't make a deal, I am blowing up everything over there, Trump told Axios.

Trump reiterated his warning that failure to reach an agreement could lead to major US strikes on Iranian infrastructure, the news outlet reported.

The remarks follow an earlier social media post in which he threatened to target power plants and bridges if Iran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Civilians would support strikes, Trump claims When asked about the risk to Iranian civilians, Trump said he believes those opposed to the government would back such military action.

They are living in fear. They are afraid we are gonna leave in the middle of the war, but we are not going to leave, Trump was quoted as saying by the outlet.

Mediators less optimistic about breakthrough Despite Trumps confidence, mediators involved in the talks are less optimistic about an imminent deal, though efforts are continuing, the outlet reported.

Diplomatic sources said attempts are underway to secure at least a partial agreement that could delay the US ultimatum.

Indirect talks continue via multiple countries Over the past 10 days, the US and Iran have held indirect negotiations through Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey.

Discussions have also included text message exchanges between Trumps advisers and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

No significant progress has been made, according to Axios.

You never get to the finish line with Iran Trump said negotiations were progressing but expressed frustration with delays from Tehran.

The negotiations are going well, but you never get to the finish line with the Iranians, he said.

He added that the US was close to direct talks days ago but abandoned the idea after Iran proposed a delay.

Reference to earlier US strike Trump also referenced a recent US strike on infrastructure in Iran, saying it followed delays in negotiations.

I felt they were not being serious. So I attacked the bridge, he said, referring to a strike on a key route connecting Tehran to northern Iran.

Iran warns of retaliation, accuses US of war crimes Tehran has accused Trump of planning war crimes and warned it would retaliate with similar attacks on infrastructure in Israel and Gulf states.

What to watch: Last-minute diplomatic push Officials from Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey are working to broker confidence-building measures.

Foreign ministers from the three countries held calls with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Irans Araghchi, but no breakthrough has been achieved so far.

Tuesday deadline looms large With Trumps deadline approaching, attention is now on whether diplomacy can avert further escalation or if the situation moves toward direct US military action.

Also Read | Trump warns of strikes on Iran infrastructure on Tuesday amid Hormuz blockade
Christian families from across the world are celebrating the auspicious Easter festival today  5 April, commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his crucifixion by the Romans around 30 AD. Widely associated with the Easter Bunny, pastel dyed eggs, and baskets of chocolate, it's a significant festival and is observed as a national holiday in many countries.

This festival follows 40-day period of fasting, prayer and penance, known as Lent, and is observed after the last day of the Holy Week. This year, the Holy Week began on 29 March with Palm Sunday, which was followed by Maundy Thursday on 2 April, which marks the Last Supper, where Jesus dined with his disciples before his arrest. Good Friday was observed on 3 April this year, commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. The events of this Holy Week culminate in Easter Sunday.

See photos of celebrations and religious traditions across the world

View full Image View full Image Easter 2026: Pope Leo XIV leading the Easter Vigil at St Peter's Basilica at The Vatican on Saturday. ( AP )

Pope marks first Easter Pope Leo XIV will mark first Easter Sunday as pontiff today. The leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, who has emerged as a leading voice against the Middle East war, will hold mass in St Peter's Square from 8:30 AM GMT (2:00 PM IST) in front of thousands of faithful, AFP reported. The US-born pope will then pronounce a traditional blessing at 10:00 AM GMT (3:30 PM IST).

Also Read | Google celebrates Easter 2026 with doodle of colorful eggs, bunny

While addressing an Easter Vigil on Saturday, the pontiff called for "a new world of peace and unity" as he condemned the divisions created by "war, injustice and the isolation of peoples and nations".

View full Image View full Image Easter 2026: Worshippers gathered around a bonfire at Our Lady of the Angels Church during the Easter Vigil Mass in Dakar, Senegal on 4 April. They are prepared for the sacrament of baptism on this auspicious occasion. ( AP )

Easter Sunday brings together faith, family and tradition and is festival that symbolises hope, renewal and the triumph of life over death.

Also Read | Has Trump been rushed to Walter Reed Medical Centre?

View full Image View full Image Easter 2026: During late-night Easter vigil Mass in the Cathedral Basilica of Vilnius, Lithuania, worshippers were seen holding candleslate. ( AP )

Considered the cornerstone of Christian belief, Easter signifies victory over death and the promise of eternal life.

View full Image View full Image Easter 2026: Worshippers participate in Easter Vigil on 4 April at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chaldean Catholic Church in Arbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq. ( AFP )

On Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem to a cheering crowd, setting off the events for Holy Week celebration which lead up to Easter.

View full Image View full Image Easter 2026: German residents gathered for Easter bonfire on 4 April to witness the traditional burning of logs arranged to resemble the Titanic ship. ( REUTERS )

Is Easter observed on same date every year? Unlike Christmas, the date of Easter changes every year and is determined by the lunar calendar. It is typically observed between late March and April on the first Sunday after the full moon following the spring equinox. This year, Easter is being celebrated on 5 April, the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon.

View full Image View full Image Easter 2026: On the day of the Easter Vigil Service at Southwark Cathedral in London, Bishop of Southwark Christopher Chessun can be seen marking the Paschal Candle held by Canon Kathryn Fleming. ( REUTERS )

During this spiritual and cultural celebration, families and friends come together for meals, festive gatherings and traditions such as Easter egg hunts, while churches hold special services and early morning mass.

View full Image View full Image Easter 2026: Christian believers carrying a float with the image of Nuestra Senora de las Angustias Santa Maria de la Alhambra during the Holy Saturday procession in Granada on 4 April. ( AFP )
Days after US rapper Kanye West was announced as the headliner for all nights of the Wireless Festival this year, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday (local time) said it is "deeply concerning" that he is set to perform, the Sun reported.

West, who is now known as Ye, has drawn widespread criticism over antisemitic comments that he has made in the last few years, for which he issued an apology in January 2026.

Reacting to West's upcoming performance, Starmer said that the US rapper has been booked "despite his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism." He noted, Antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted firmly wherever it appears.

He further said that everyone has a responsibility to ensure that Britain is a place where Jews feel safe. Starmer's stance comes at a time when the UK is reporting high tension among Jews, following a spate of antisemitic attacks. This included the shooting of two men at a Synagogue in Manchester in October last year.

According to a BBC report, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, earlier on Thursday, said that the UK government should ban West from entering the country, stating that they "need to get tougher on antisemitism". He even called West's planned visit to the country "extremely serious."

The report further stated that the Home Office hasn't yet received an application for West's entry into the country.

West's antisemitic remarks This isn't the first time that West's remarks have stirred controversy. In 2025, he was blocked from entering Australia following the release of his song titled "Heil Hitler," which glorified the Nazi leader.

The 48-year-old rapper declared himself a Nazi earlier in 2025 and later withdrew an apology he issued for his antisemitic remarks. Additionally, he sold T-shirts that featured swastikas on his clothing website.

Back in November 2025, he also held a meeting with Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto, where he reportedly apologised for his previous remarks against Jews. In January this year, West released a full-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal and apologised for his antisemitic behaviour.

In the advertisement, West wrote, "I am not a Nazi or an antisemite." He went on to say that bipolar disorder can make a person unaware of their illness during manic episodes, adding that he had lost touch with reality.

West's X account banned in 2022 In 2022, his X account was banned multiple times for posts that violated the platform's rules. The ban was imposed after he posted a couple of offensive tweets, which included an image that seemingly showed a symbol combining a swastika and the Star of David, and saying he would go death con 3 On Jewish people.
Summary

It may be true that it pays not to get in the way of an adversary about to err. China has been missing in action so far, but if it wants to help find a truce between warring sides, this is an opportunity. Its role, however, is likely to be limited.
This is precisely where industry bodies such as CII and Ficci must elevate their role. Their unique convening power puts them in a position to break the free-rider trap. By fostering coordinated investment commitments, sharing market intelligence that reduces uncertainty and creating platforms where firms move together rather than wait alone, they can catalyse the collective risk-taking that Indias supply-side expansion demands. This is not a peripheral function. It is a national cause.
Hes not alone. Several technology industry figures have published manifestos or declarations of support for Americas national interests. Some have even joined the US Army. Even Anthropicwhich had a famous fallout with the Pentagon after disallowing its technology to be used for mass surveillance of US citizens and powering fully-autonomous weaponshas declared that it agrees with nearly all military use-cases and believes in defending America. Its argument centres around the accuracy of targeting, not the military use of AI per se.
On hand for the symbolic check presentation are, left to right, Dr. Nabil Barbara; Dr. Luis C. Corral; Laredo Medical Center CEO Jorge Leal, FACHE; LMC Chief of Staff Dr. Alfredo Camero Jr.; Dr. Mohsen Ghadimi-Mahani; Dr. James V. Cortez; and Dr. Jorge Serrato. Courtesy/Laredo Medical Center

For the fourth year in a row, Laredo Medical Center chose a unique way to commemorate National Doctors Day and honor the providers who serve at the hospital. In lieu of gifts, Laredo Medical Center presented a check for $6,000 to the Laredo Cancer Society as a meaningful way to recognize its medical staff.

On Doctors Day, we honor the dedication and steadfast care provided by our medical staff, who touch thousands of lives at Laredo Medical Center each year, says Jorge Leal, FACHE, CEO of Laredo Medical Center. By donating to the Laredo Cancer Society, we not only support the vital services in our community, but also show our deep gratitude for those who selflessly give their expertise and compassion every day.

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Earlier this month, physicians on the medical staff decided to support the Laredo Cancer Society for its mission to provide financial and emotional assistance for individuals diagnosed with cancer and currently undergoing active cancer treatments. This includes support groups, educational sessions, health and wellness programs.

The organization addresses critical local needs by focusing on education, financial stability and health, while working to create lasting positive change in the lives of individuals and families in Laredo and the surrounding area. The programs are free of charge to anyone affected by cancer, including patients, caregivers, loved ones and children.
Children's Author Josefina "Josie" Juarez autographs her book at the UISD After School Adventures Program. Courtesy/UISD Children's Author Josefina "Josie" Juarez at UISD with some After School Adventures Program staff at Colonel Santos Benavides Elementary. Courtesy/UISD Children's Author Josefina "Josie" Juarez with a UISD student at the After School Adventures Program. Courtesy/UISD Children's Author Josefina "Josie" Juarez autographs her book at the UISD After School Adventures Program. Courtesy/UISD Family members gathered at the After School Adventures Program at Colonel Santos Benavides Elementary. Courtesy/UISD

Josefina "Josie" Juarez, a local children's author, visited Colonel Santos Benavides Elementary recently to read to students and their families in the After School Adventures Program.

Juarez is the author of Jack, The Playful Black Kitten, a short bedtime story that was published on May 1, 2024.

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The journey of writing her own book was always an uphill battle and was one of the most difficult obstacles in her career. She persisted and was inspired by the birth of her niece. Juarez asked herself, What do I have to show for my life? I want to make this little girl proud of me. This book was dedicated to her daughter Lauren and all single mothers.

Reading is crucial to our childrens development, Juarez said. Her mission as an author is to impact the lives of every child, so when they open her book they feel seen and heard.

Juarez believes that her book will be liked not only by the children, but by their parents as well. It is a short book that takes no longer than two to three minutes to read.

Your kids are going to remember you reading to them every night, and it will stick with them, Juarez said.

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Ana Dominguez, the After School Adventures program coordinator, said that the districts program aims to bring community members like Juarez to schools who can interact with students and their family members.

These guests provide their expertise and insight at no cost, enriching the lives of students who are hungry to learn, Dominguez said. Reading provides discipline and proficiency in writing, she added.

At the event, students and their families made their own books with paper, markers and scissors. Several students were thrilled to share their work with the author. Juarez autographed her books for the children.

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The South Texas Area Chapter of the Knights of Columbus hosted a dinner Tuesday, March 31, 2026, honoring diocesan clergy and deacons ahead of the Chrism Mass at St. Monica Hall at St. Augustine Cathedral. Malena Charur/Laredo Morning Times Pictured are from left to right, tony Gonzalez, Bishop James A. Tamayo, Hector Chapa, Very Rev. Anthony Mendoza and Joe Ramos during a dinner honoring diocesan clergy and deacons ahead of the Chrism Mass at St. Monica Hall at St. Augustine Cathedral, hosted by the South Texas Area Chapter of the Knights of Columbus on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Malena Charur/Laredo Morning Times Bishop James A. Tamayo addresses the audience during a dinner honoring diocesan clergy and deacons ahead of the Chrism Mass at St. Monica Hall at St. Augustine Cathedral, hosted by the South Texas Area Chapter of the Knights of Columbus on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Malena Charur/Laredo Morning Times

The South Texas Area Chapter of the Knights of Columbus hosted a dinner honoring diocesan clergy and deacons ahead of the Chrism Mass at St. Monica Hall at St. Augustine Cathedral, led by Bishop James Tamayo.

Chrism Mass is one of the principal expressions of unity and service in the diocese, where the bishop, surrounded by priests who share in his ministry, blesses the holy oils to be used throughout the year.

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Tamayo said that every year during Holy Week, the Chrism Mass is celebrated with all the priests of the diocese.

All our priests gather to renew our promises of priestly life, and in that spirit of unity, before Mass, we have a fellowship, he said. This year the Knights of Columbus were the sponsors and invited the permanent deacons and their wives.

Tamayo said that during this Chrism Mass, the holy oils are blessed, and at the end, each priest receives them and takes them to his parish to use in sacramental events such as baptisms, confirmations and the anointing of the sick.

Today we have priests from different parts of Laredo, Zapata, Carrizo Springs, Hebbronville, Cotulla, Crystal City and Eagle Pass, among other communities, gathered here together, he said at the event Tuesday. There are many parishes where the priests live alone and there are no others to help them, which is why this gathering is important because we are reminded that we are not alone, that God has called us to a fraternity, to a priestly family like the 12 apostles, and therefore we must maintain unity.

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The Diocese of Laredo includes 54 priests and 80 deacons.

Tony Gonzalez, Knights of Columbus diocesan deputy and chapter president, said they were there to support Tamayo for the first time at this event.

We Knights of Columbus are very pleased to hold this event where we can see all the clergy of our diocese gathered in one place, he said. I hope this meeting will help us network and become more united among all the parishes of the diocese.

Gonzalez said there are 15 dioceses in Texas, with 800 Knights of Columbus councils and more than 100,000 members.

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Gonzalez echoed Tamayos words, saying the event promotes unity among priests, deacons and the community at large.

Sometimes we stay in our parish and dont go out, but the overall message is that this experience will help us become more united and open ourselves up to participate and help other parishes.

The Knights of Columbus is the worlds largest Catholic fraternal service organization, founded in 1882 by Blessed Michael J. McGivney in Connecticut. With more than 2.1 million members globally, the organization focuses on charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism, providing insurance for families and supporting church and community initiatives.